A program built around impact, held to a real standard.

The Residency exists to help each Resident maximize the impact of their research. To do this, every project is held to the same rigorous standards of evidence and review. Projects are continually assessed on their progress to determine the type of support needed, whether it be continued research support, new collaborations, or longer-term opportunities. Because Residents progress at different rates, our consistent evaluation standard ensures that each Resident receives targeted, personalized support that enables them to do their best work.

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The Resident lifecycle

Each application goes through a four step review process.

1

Selection, track, and office

The MATS Residency team reviews each applicant based on their prior work, references, and brief track-specific research plan, with input from program’s advisors where relevant. Applicants indicate their top choice and alternative preferences for track and office location when they apply. Based on the review, the team may recommend an alternative track that is a better fit, but the applicant makes the ultimate decision.

2

Individual Onboarding Plan

Within two weeks of starting, each Resident receives an Individual Onboarding Plan developed with the MATS Residency team. The plan outlines the Resident’s research block schedule, track-specific requirements, peer accountability partner where applicable, support needs, office arrangements, and IRB status where relevant. Each Resident follows an individual timeline rather than a shared program calendar.

3

Research blocks and milestone progress reviews

Residents complete their research through a series of research blocks. At the end of each block, they submit a Milestone Package summarizing the work completed, evidence produced, and objectives for the next block. The Research Evaluation Panel, which consists of the MATS Residency team and program’s advisors, reviews each package. Decisions about continued support are based on reviewable evidence and demonstrated progress, rather than narrative updates alone.

4

External placement and continuation

Bridge Residents work with the Placement Desk to connect with relevant employers, collaborators, and research opportunities. Anchor Residents making strong progress at the 12-month milestone enter the Independence Pathway Review, which provides substantive feedback to guide the next 12 months of research. Incubation Residents receive support for fundraising, governance, launch, or an orderly wind-down.

After completing the Residency, all Residents receive an additional 4 to 8 weeks of light-touch research management support to complete outstanding work and prepare for their next steps.

Incubation

Testing founding ideas early

For researchers founding new AI safety organizations or research programs, who need structural support to move from idea to execution.

Apollo Research and Timaeus (now Resolution) both emerged from MATS. The Incubation track is designed to make outcomes like these more repeatable by providing dedicated support for founders building new AI safety organizations. Residents receive structured proof-of-concept support, external review from people with founding and funder experience, and guidance on governance scaffolding from Day 1. We help founders expand their professional network, establish credibility with collaborators and funders, and access the relationships and resources needed to launch a successful organization.

The track uses a rigorous, committee-based evaluation process to maintain a high bar and ensure that the most promising and feasible ideas are championed. It provides structured support from early idea development through validation, organizational design, and fundraising.

At the end of Block 1, each team takes part in a Funding Evaluation Workshop. The panel includes two external reviewers with experience founding AI safety organizations and one reviewer with funding or evaluation expertise. The panel's input is calibrated to what the team has actually built and learned, rather than the strength of the original proposal alone.

All Incubation Residents also submit a Governance and Publication Plan at admission. This covers the proposed legal structure, oversight arrangements, publication policy, and the organization’s approach to AI safety risks such as information hazards and dual-use research.

Applicants may apply as an individual if they do not have a founding team, or a founding team can submit one application collectively. Since the Residency focuses on amplifying AI safety research, at least one person on the application must demonstrate safety-relevant research experience or evidence of research capability. Additional co-founders in operating or non-research roles are welcome as part of the application and are not expected to meet the research threshold themselves.

  • Duration: 12 to 24 months
  • Review Cycle: 12 weeks
  • Key feature: Funding Evaluation Workshop at end of Block 1
  • Required at admission: Governance and Publication Plan (outline), Founding Rationale, 90-day plan with explicit stop/pivot conditions

Scientific leadership and advisor input

The quickest way to choose is by where you want to end up.

MATS leads the Residency both operationally and scientifically. It runs the research program, convenes milestone progress reviews, and uses an evidence-based approach to provide continued support and funding for select research projects. Advisors provide input at the decision points where their judgment is most useful.

Advisor involvement is designed to support Residents' independence while ensuring research quality. Rather than providing day-to-day supervision, advisors contribute primarily at key program milestones, including admission, milestone progress reviews, and the Funding Evaluation Workshop.

Advisor input may include:

  • Milestone progress review and recommendation on continued support
  • Technical feedback on research outputs
  • Portfolio assessment for Bridge Residents
  • Research agenda feedback for Anchor Residents
  • Founding or funder recommendations for Incubation Residents
  • Safety, governance, or dissemination support for sensitive work