Frequently asked questions

Are the key dates flexible?

We want to be flexible for applicants who have urgent prior commitments. Based on individual circumstances, we may be willing to alter the time commitment of the program and allow fellows to leave early or arrive late. Please inform us of your availability in the application process.

Is this program a full-time commitment?

Yes. The 12-week program requires fellows to commit 40 hours per week to their MATS research. For exceptionally strong candidates with significant concurrent responsibilities, the time commitment can be reduced to 20 hours per week on a case-by-case review. However, the program maintains an expectation of sustained, high-level engagement, including regular participation in core activities and most organized events. Candidates that require a J1 visa to come to the US are unable to participate part time; they can only work part time if they participate remotely or from the UK.

Who is eligible to apply?

Applicants who will be 18 years or older before the program start date are eligible to apply. Both US and non-US citizens are eligible to apply. All backgrounds and levels of experience are welcome and prior AI safety experience is not required.

How many streams and tracks can I apply to?

You may apply to as many tracks as you wish at Stage 1. At Stage 2, depending on which tracks you progress in, you may then apply to as many streams as you wish within those tracks; there is no cap. The process is comparable to applying to PhD supervisors.

What is a track?

A track is a broad research area within MATS. Empirical, Theory, Strategy & Forecasting, Policy & Governance, Systems Security, Founder & Field-Building, and Biosecurity are our current tracks. Each track contains multiple streams. In Stage 1, you apply to tracks.

What is a stream?

Streams are organized around a research agenda, led by one or more mentors who guide fellows through related projects. In Stage 2, applicants apply to streams within tracks based on research that interests them.

What if I am accepted by multiple streams?

Based on stream rankings of applicants and applicant rankings of streams, a final matching process uses both sides' rankings to send out a single offer.

How long does the application process take?

Stage 1 applications open on August 18th and close on September 6th, end of day anywhere on Earth. Offers go out in early to mid-November, and the program starts on January 19th.

Can I update my application after submitting?

Yes, upon submitting you will receive a link that lets you edit your response. Please note that you will not be able to edit your response once the application period ends.

What is the policy on LLM usage?

LLMs may not be used to write any part of your application unless specific work tests or forms explicitly permit it. MATS monitors for LLM use, and applicants found to have used LLMs may be disqualified.

What should I know about references?

Depending on the evaluations of the tracks and streams you apply to in Stages 1 and 2, we will contact your references. We will send them a form with our own set of questions, so they will not have to prepare a reference letter.

What does “financial support” concretely entail?

MATS provides a stipend of $1600 per week for participation in the main program ($19,200 for the full 12-week program). Scholars who are participating and performing research for less than 40 hours/week and/or for less than 12 weeks will receive stipends proportional to their level of participation.

Separately from this stipend, MATS will provide scholars with travel to and from Berkeley or London, housing, office space, and lunch and dinner on weekdays.

Do I have to pay taxes on the grant I receive for the MATS Program?

MATS participants may have to pay taxes on their grants based on the rules of the countries in which they are a resident for tax purposes. The grants should be regarded as private grants from a non-profit entity provided to individuals for the purpose of independent research and participation in a US-based educational seminar program.

Is MATS officially affiliated with UC Berkeley? Will I get a student card?

Although MATS sometimes supports UC Berkeley-based mentors, MATS is an independent program and is not formally part of UC Berkeley. As such, MATS will not be providing student cards to our scholars.

Where does the program take place?

The main program, or Research Phase, takes place in person in Berkeley, CA and London, UK. Historically, most fellows participate from Berkeley. London is typically chosen by fellows who want to co-locate with their mentor or who have a preference to work from the UK instead of US.

Can I participate remotely?

Decisions about remote participation are made on a case-by-case basis and depend primarily on mentor preferences, many of whom are open to the possibility, especially if you have family or other obligations that make in-person participation difficult. We strongly encourage in-person participation when possible, as a core part of the program experience comes from day-to-day interactions with your cohort and others in the broader AI safety ecosystem.

If you have difficulties in securing a visa to participate from Berkeley, we are likely to be able to support participation from our London office.

The 6–12 month extension gives fellows the option to participate from Berkeley, London, or remotely.

Can I join the program from outside the US?

MATS is a scientific and educational seminar and independent research program, and provides J1 visas for non-American participants. Participants can also opt to participate from our London office; however, please note that visa support is not available for that option.

What should I expect from my mentor?

During the main program, fellows should expect to meet with their mentor for at least one hour per week, with more frequent communication via Slack. The extent of mentor support will vary depending on the project and the mentor.

Fellows will also receive support from MATS’ Research Management team, who work with mentors by tracking scholar research progress, unblocking scholar research, and assisting with grant applications and deadlines.

What training will the program offer?

Fellows develop as researchers by working with an experienced research mentor, interacting with other fellows, and receiving support from our Research Management team. Research managers meet weekly with most fellows and mentors and help with research strategy, research unblocking, and project coordination.

Other forms of training include workshops on different parts of the research process and seminars on a variety of AI technical safety and governance research.

What are the main deliverables of the research program?

Throughout the program, each fellow will work on an independent research project with input and guidance from your mentor(s). Depending on which stream you participate in, you may collaborate with other fellows in your stream.

Traditionally, fellows submit a Research Plan midway through the program and present their research at the Fellow Symposium at the end of the program.

How can I share feedback with the MATS team?

We welcome feedback. For feedback for the whole team (visible by all MATS staff), please use this form. For feedback that will only be visible to the Co-Executive Directors, Ryan and Christian, please submit here.

You can contact the MATS Board of Directors using this linked form (responses are only viewable by the Board). Please only use this if you feel your question or concern requires board-level attention.

How do I get into the extension program?

To get into the 6-12 month extension program, MATS scholars need a strong research project and an endorsement from their mentors. Based on these and other supplementary information available, fellows are accepted. In recent cohorts, the acceptance rate has been ~80% amongst fellows who apply to the extension.

Do I need funding for the extension program?

No, MATS will arrange funding for scholars for the extension program covering a monthly stipend, housing and compute. While MATS will coordinate office space and support staff for fellows, fellows will be accountable for their research progress.

Can I participate in the extension program remotely?

We strongly encourage fellows to participate in the extension from one of our alignment hubs (Berkeley, London, or Washington D.C), but fellows can also participate in the extension remotely pending mentor endorsement.

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