ML Alignment & Theory Scholars (MATS) — Winter 2026 Cohort · MATS Program

MATS is the canonical entry point into AI alignment research — a 10-week in-person fellowship in Berkeley where you work directly with a senior mentor (typically from Anthropic, OpenAI, DeepMind, Redwood Research, ARC, or independent senior researchers) on a concrete alignment research project. How it actually works: you apply to one or more mentors in the open call, complete a short technical assessment for each, and matched scholars relocate to Berkeley for the cohort. Each scholar produces a research artifact (paper, agenda, dataset, or demonstration) by the end of the program. The strongest MATS alumni are recruited directly into the major alignment labs. Honest fit signals: — Some prior technical depth — typically a CS/ML/math undergrad or equivalent, plus demonstrable curiosity about alignment specifically (read at least the major papers on the MATS reading list before applying). — You're willing to commit to in-person Berkeley for 10 weeks. MATS treats the cohort dynamic as core, not optional. — You're not just job-seeking — selection is competitive and the mentors invest serious time. People who treat it as a credential burnout faster than people genuinely motivated by the research questions. Strong outcomes from MATS alumni: full-time alignment roles at major labs, independent research grants, founding small alignment-focused research orgs.