10 opportunities where you can LEARN, BUILD EXPERIENCE and GET PAID 💰

Not every opportunity is a job. Some will train you. Some will give you real work experience. Some will fund your research. And some will actually put money in your pocket. I went digging through opportunities that are currently open as of September 9, 2026. Here are 10 worth checking: 1. IAPS AI Policy Fellowship — up to $24,000 Interested in AI, technology, policy, research or governance? The Institute for AI Policy and Strategy is accepting applications for its 3-month AI Policy Fellowship. Fellows receive $18,000, while Senior Fellows receive $24,000. There is also additional support for fellows based in Washington, D.C. or London. 📅 Deadline: September 27, 2026 🌍 Remote, London or Washington, D.C. 🔗 Apply: https://www.iaps.ai/fellowship This is one of the strongest opportunities on this list if you're serious about building a career around AI policy and research. --- 2. Africa's Data Future Fellowship — $1,500 A 3-month remote fellowship focused on Africa's data governance future. You learn about digital rights, data sharing, digital public infrastructure, data sovereignty and more. Selected fellows can receive up to US$1,500 after successfully completing the fellowship. 📅 Deadline: September 18, 2026 🌍 African countries 🔗 Apply: https://openopportunities.org/opportunities/2026-africas-data-future-fellowship/ ⚠️ This one requires a postgraduate degree and relevant professional engagement, so check eligibility before applying. --- 3. Creative Changemakers Fellowship — monthly stipend If you're a Nigerian writer, filmmaker, photographer, content creator, spoken-word artist or other creative, pay attention. The CivicHive fellowship combines training, mentorship, creative labs and hands-on production around civic and social issues. Fellows receive a monthly stipend, and outstanding fellows can also receive a soft grant. 📅 Deadline: September 15, 2026 🇳🇬 Nigerian creatives 🔗 Apply: https://civichive.org/ This is especially interesting if you want to turn creative work into social impact. --- 4. Iliad AI Safety Fellowship — $6,000/month This is not your average beginner fellowship. Iliad is looking for strong researchers in mathematics, physics, theoretical computer science and related fields to work on mathematical approaches to AI safety. The fellowship provides a $6,000/month travel-and-housing allowance. 📅 Next Fall 2026 cohort deadline: September 21, 2026 📍 London or San Francisco Bay Area 🔗 Apply: https://www.iliad.ac/fellowship If you're already a serious technical researcher, this is a big one. --- 5. LASR Labs AI Safety Research — £15,000 stipend Want to work on AI safety research? LASR Labs runs a 13-week research programme where participants work in small teams with experienced researchers and take projects from proposal through to publication. The programme provides a £15,000 stipend, plus food, office space and travel support. 📅 Deadline: September 20, 2026 📍 London 🔗 Details: https://www.lasr.org/ This one is aimed at people with strong quantitative/technical ability, so don't apply just because "AI" is in the title. --- 6. Princeton in Africa Fellowship — paid 12-month experience Want real work experience in Africa, not another certificate? Princeton in Africa places fellows with organisations across the continent for 12 months. Fellows receive a living/housing stipend, with packages varying by placement. 📅 Deadline: October 26, 2026 🌍 African continent 🔗 Apply: https://www.princetoninafrica.org/applicants/how-to-apply/ African graduates from locally accredited African universities can apply through the Nexus route. --- 7. KAUST Global Fellowship — $75,000/year For early-career researchers, this is on another level. The KAUST Global Fellowship supports independent research in areas including AI, food, water, energy, health and marine science. Global Fellows receive a $75,000 annual stipend, plus housing, healthcare, relocation and other benefits, alongside research funding. 📅 Application window: October 1, 2026 – January 15, 2027 🌍 International 🔗 Apply: https://kgfp.kaust.edu.sa/fellowship ⚠️ This is primarily for exceptional postdoctoral/early-career researchers—not an entry-level opportunity. --- 8. African Plant Nutrition Outreach Fellowship — $5,000 This one is for African scientists, extension specialists and educators working on agricultural and plant-nutrition challenges. Selected applicants can receive US$5,000 to support education, training and communication projects around plant nutrition and soil fertility. 📅 Deadline: September 21, 2026 🌍 African countries 🔗 Apply: https://www.apni.net/outreach-fellowship-apply/ Not for students—but potentially excellent for researchers and educators already working in the field. --- 9. Young Africa Innovates — training + incubation + funding pathways If you're a young Nigerian building a startup, product or solution, look at this. UNDP and the Mastercard Foundation's Young Africa Innovates programme is currently recruiting innovators aged 18–35 in selected Nigerian states. You get bootcamp training, technical mentorship, product refinement, business advisory, incubation and exposure to funding and investors. 📍 Abia, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Katsina, Niger, Plateau & Taraba 📅 Applications open August–September 2026 🔗 Apply: https://www.youngafricainnovates.ng/ This isn't a "salary for attending a course" opportunity. Think learn → build → incubate → access capital. --- 10. Sahara CodeSwitch Africa Challenge — $10,000 prize pool For the builders. Sahara is challenging developers, researchers, startups and product teams across Africa to build real-world applications using voice AI that can handle code-switching. Think education, healthcare, agriculture, fintech, public services and more. 🏆 $10,000 total cash prize pool 📅 Deadline: September 15, 2026 🌍 Africa 🔗 Details & application: https://www.intron.io/compete/ This is particularly interesting if you want to build something real and have a chance of getting paid for it. Here's the part people miss: You don't always have to choose between learning and earning. Sometimes the smarter move is finding opportunities where the two happen at the same time. A fellowship can give you research experience. An internship can give you your first serious line on your CV. A challenge can force you to build something. A funded programme can introduce you to people who can change your career. So don't search only for: "Jobs hiring now." Search for: Fellowships. Paid internships. Research programmes. Incubators. Competitions. Apprenticeships. Accelerators. Your next opportunity might not look like a job. Save this post. Share it with someone looking for their next opportunity. And please check the eligibility requirements and deadline on the official application page before submitting anything—the opportunities landscape changes quickly.