Membership at Meridian

Cambridge has always attracted people working on hard problems. Meridian continues that tradition as the city's hub for AI safety, biosecurity, and related fields—bringing together researchers, engineers, and policy professionals tackling catastrophic risks.

Flamsteed Membership

For Students and Project Builders

Maskelyne Membership

For Professionals

Visiting Membership

About Membership

Meridian is a working community for people in AI safety, biosecurity, and adjacent fields. Our members include researchers, engineers, policy professionals, and organisation-builders — people with real expertise or demonstrated commitment to developing it.

We also welcome strong candidates in global health and development, animal welfare, or other high-impact areas, but our core focus is technical and policy work on catastrophic risks, and our community reflects that.

We're looking for people who:

  • Have demonstrated ability to do rigorous work—whether that's research, engineering, policy, or building organisations

  • Think carefully about what problems matter and why

  • Have a track record of building things: papers, code, organisations, policy changes, or projects that didn't exist before they started

  • Take a long-term view of their work and its consequences

Membership isn't just access to desk space. We're building a community where people can find collaborators, get feedback on their work, and stay connected to others in the field. If you're early in your career, we're looking for evidence you're on a trajectory toward serious contribution.

Members get 24/7 access to our co-working space in Central Cambridge, invitations to workshops and private events, and connection to a concentrated community of people working on hard, important problems.

FAQs

  • Meridian is primarily for people working in AI safety, biosecurity, and related fields, though we welcome strong candidates from other high-impact areas.

  • Maskelyne Membership

    Best for: Those planning to use Meridian as their primary co-working space

    Eligibility:

    • Actively working at an organization aligned with our focus areas

    • Conducting research aligned with our focus areas

    • Typically, have at least one year of full-time experience in a relevant project or organization

    Flamsteed Membership

    Best for:

    • Students

    • Those involved in Meridian projects

    • Professionals with less than 1 year of experience in our focus areas

    • Individuals interested in our cause areas

    Visiting Member

    Best for: Short-term visitors (less than 1 month)

    Ideal for:

    • Individuals visiting Cambridge for a short period

    • Those collaborating with or visiting Meridian

    • People seeking inspiration for projects in our focus areas

    If you are unsure about which membership to apply for, we recommend applying for Flamsteed Membership.

  • Meridian members enjoy a range of benefits, including:

    • Access to a community of like-minded individuals passionate about making a positive impact.

    • Invitations to exclusive events, workshops, and discussions.

    • Access to our co-working spaces and facilities.

  • Thanks to a generous grant from Coefficient Giving, membership is currently free.

  • Meridian reevaluates memberships every 6 months. During the reevaluation process, members may be asked to reapply for their current tier or consider transitioning to a different tier that better suits their engagement and contributions to the community.

    Please note that Meridian reserves the right to suspend or revoke membership at any time for any reason.

  • Involvement in a Meridian Project does not automatically grant membership. Membership is a separate process with its own set of benefits and expectations.

    If you are involved in a Meridian project and are interested in becoming a member, we encourage you to apply for Flamsteed Membership.

  • We aim to make decisions on applications within three weeks of receiving them.

    In addition to the written application, you may be asked to attend a brief interview.

  • Meridian is located at 53, 54 Sidney Street. We're nestled right in the heart of Cambridge in Market Passage.

  • Wondering about our membership names? They serve as a reference to Cambridge's scientific heritage. A meridian is an imaginary line running from the North to South Pole - essential for calculating longitude and navigation. Two Cambridge graduates, Nevil Maskelyne and John Flamsteed, became Astronomers Royal and helped solve one of history's greatest navigation puzzles: determining precise longitude at sea.

    Just as the Prime Meridian at Greenwich serves as the world's central reference line, we aim to be Cambridge's hub for exceptional talent and projects.