Application Deadline: 7 November 2026
Applications are now open for the HP-UCL IOE Fellowship in AI in Education. A global executive leadership programme for senior education leaders; building knowledge, governance and strategic leadership to drive responsible AI transformation in education systems. Fellows engage with global experts in AI in Education practice and policy, applied case studies, and peer learning to design responsible AI strategies and practices for education systems.
The HP-UCL IOE Fellowship in AI in Education equips senior policymakers and organisational leaders to lead AI transformation responsibly. Bringing together expertise in AI, learning sciences, policy, ethics, and human-computer interaction, the programme supports participants in moving beyond the hype surrounding AI and explores AI’s impact on education and public institutions.
Through engagement with global peers, researchers, and industry experts, fellows address real-world challenges and develop learning-centred strategies that strengthen inclusion, institutional capacity, and effective AI adoption.
Requirements
The Fellowship is designed for leaders from around the globe as a highly interactive leadership journey combining expert-led learning, collaborative discussion, applied activities, and strategic reflection. Fellows engage with international policy frameworks, case studies, and emerging evidence while participating in workshops, peer dialogue, and leadership clinics. It is ideally suited for senior education policymakers, system leaders and organisational leaders working across education, government and the public sector.
Geographies: Europe, Asia and Africa.
The Fellowship is particularly suitable for:
- Senior education policymakers in ministries, government departments and national agencies.
- Regulators and inspectorate leaders responsible for education quality, assessment or data.
- C-Suite executives and senior leaders at international edtech companies.
- Senior officials at international organisations working on education and AI policy
- Regional and local education leaders, including Directors of Education and Children’s Services.
- Leaders of school systems, specifically multi-academy trust and school group CEOs and Directors.
- Leaders of education non-profits, foundations and professional bodies, including teacher and school-leader unions.
Benefits
The programme covers accommodation and catering during the programme hours. Travel costs for the residential and evening meals whilst in London are the responsibility of learners.
- Fully funded: all programme costs are covered on acceptance (excluding airfares and visas).
- Reputation: the world’s leading institution for education: UCL Institute of Education has ranked number one in the world for Education in the QS World University Rankings for 13 consecutive years.
- Expert academic team: learn with academics whose work informs AI in global education policy with UNESCO, the OECD, the Council of Europe and the European Commission.
- Real impact: a nine-month mentored capstone project on a live policy or implementation challenge from your work and organisation.
- Application: curriculum covers ethics, governance, procurement, evidence and scaling, so leaders can interrogate vendor claims and guide effective AI policy.
- Network: connect with a select cohort of international senior leaders and become a member of a global network of fellows.
Benefits to your organisation
- An applied output designed for use within your organisation: the 9-month capstone enables fellows to tackle a live challenge in your organisation such as an AI strategy, a procurement framework, or a policy design.
- Stronger procurement: Fellows develop a stronger capability to assess vendor claims and procurement choices, helping you negotiate better contracts and understand impact before scaling a pilot.
- AI Governance you can defend: Fellows practise auditing AI systems against fairness, transparency and accountability frameworks, so you can explain your decisions to regulators, staff, parents or press.
- Better-informed decisions before committing resources to scaling: Fellows learn how to assess AI impact claims and whether results transfer to your context before you commit budget to scaling a pilot.
- AI leadership for effective change: AI decisions require complex multi-stakeholder change. Fellows develop the language and frameworks to advise on effective implementation.
- Access to global policy thinking: Faculty whose work informs AI policy at UNESCO, the OECD, the Council of Europe and the European Commission, plus a peer cohort of leaders facing the same decisions.
How to apply
This is a selective 12-month hybrid programme. It starts with three months of live online workshops, which run alongside and are supported by independent study and coaching. This is followed by nine months of mentoring and a capstone project focused on their own work context, guided by a facilitator, with two follow-up calls with each fellow. The programme also includes a one-week residential in London.
- Participants will be required to fully commit to all components of the programme.
- The programme covers all costs upon acceptance, excluding airfares and visa expenses.
- Programme alumni will be able to join a global network of fellows.
Application Timeline
- Application deadline: 7 November 2026
- Notification of outcomes: 16 November 2026
- Programme start date: 11 January 2027
- UCL Easter closure: 25 to 30 March 2027
- Residential week in London: Week starting on 5 April 2027
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the HP-UCL IOE Fellowship in AI in Education
