We created this programme because good research doesn't happen in isolation. By bringing together people working on different aspects of AI safety in one physical space, we've seen how chance conversations lead to better research. The programme is about creating a supportive social and research environment rather than upskilling or directing what researchers work on.

The Visiting Researchers Programme is specifically designed for researchers who want to continue their existing work while benefiting from our Cambridge community for 3-6 months. Unlike longer-term positions or fellowships, this programme focuses on providing space, light-touch research support, and connections rather than intensive research supervision or funding.

We welcome applications from researchers at all career stages working on AI safety-related topics. This includes PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, independent researchers, industry professionals, and academic faculty. Although we have no specific requirements, we generally expect that researchers have funding for their research and are sufficiently experienced so as to be able to perform independent research with light-touch support.

While most of the time will be flexible, we do have some baseline expectations:

• Active participation in the community (attending regular events, engaging with other researchers)

• Regular updates on your research progress

• A final deliverable at the end of your visit, typically in the form of a written research summary, blog post, paper draft, or presentation to the Meridian community

The specific format of your final deliverable can be tailored to your research style and project, but we expect all visiting researchers to produce something tangible by the end of the programme.

There's no standard schedule, as researchers manage their own time. Many researchers arrive mid-morning, work on their projects, participate in scheduled events like seminars or reading groups, have informal discussions over lunch or coffee, and continue working through the afternoon.

Most researchers stay between 3 and 6 months. We generally prefer visits of at least 3 months to allow enough time for integration into our community and research progress. We are open to residencies longer than 6 months; please indicate your interest on the application. We understand that researchers often have other commitments and can work with you to find an arrangement that suits your schedule.

Absolutely! We don't require researchers to start new projects for their visit. If you're already into a research project when you apply or join us, you're welcome to continue that work at Meridian; we're interested in supporting promising research at various stages of development.

We do not provide direct research funding for visiting researchers. We expect most researchers will have secured external funding from organizations like Open Philanthropy, ARIA, LTFF, or other funding bodies before joining the programme. What we do provide is:

• Travel assistance to and from Cambridge

• Help finding suitable accommodation

• Workspace and research facilities

• Community access and networking opportunities

In exceptional cases, we may be able to help identify potential funding sources, but this is not guaranteed. If you haven’t yet secured funding, you may be interested in our Research Accelerator Programme.

We use a rolling admissions process, reviewing applications as they come in rather than only at fixed deadlines. We typically review applications within 2-3 weeks of submission. If we think there might be a good fit, we'll schedule a brief interview to discuss your research and answer any questions.

No. While we want to understand what you plan to work on, we don't expect every applicant to have a completely developed research proposal. We welcome both new project ideas and continuations of existing work. Your application should clearly articulate your research questions, methodologies, and expected outcomes, but we understand that these may evolve during your time with us.

Strong applications typically demonstrate:

• Clear research direction relevant to AI safety

• Evidence of research ability and independent thinking

• Thoughtfulness about how your time at Meridian would be valuable

• Potential to both contribute to and benefit from our community

Absolutely. We welcome international researchers and can assist with visas and travel.

Most international Visiting Researchers will need either a Standard Visitor visa or, for longer stays, a specific research visa. The appropriate visa category depends on your nationality, the duration of your stay, and the specific nature of your research activities.

The Standard Visitor visa typically allows stays of up to 6 months. For academic visitors on sabbatical leave conducting research, stays of up to 12 months may be permitted.
We will assist with visa costs and processing should you be accepted into the programme.

Important Disclaimer: While we provide supporting documentation and guidance for visa applications, all visas are subject to approval by the UK government. Meridian cannot guarantee visa approval, and researchers are ultimately responsible for ensuring they have the appropriate immigration permission to enter the country and participate in the programme.

We understand that researchers often have other professional commitments. As long as these commitments don't significantly impact your ability to engage with the programme, we're happy to work with you to accommodate conferences, workshops, or other short-term obligations during your stay.

No. The programme is designed for in-person participation. We generally expect researchers to be physically present in Cambridge for the majority of their visit.