The Strange Research Fellowship
Applications closing Jan 2 2026
The most interesting questions in AI and deep software today don’t fit neatly into existing agendas. They sit at the intersection of technical innovation andhuman experience. Think: how emerging architectures are reshaping computing, or what new forms of software enable new human-machine relationships.
At Strange Ventures we invest at that frontier.
Our Focus
Strange Research Fellows dive deep into the evolving landscape of AI and deep software, exploring both technical foundations and human implications. We’re building a community of anthropologist-futurist-technologists who can navigate between code and culture. Thinkers who can connect the dots between what’s possible and what’s meaningful. You should be both optimistic (able to see the adjacent possible) and skeptical (able to challenge claims, assumptions, and hype). Holding both modes simultaneously is core to the Strange research method.
Our mission is to map out disruptive inventions and identify the most promising opportunities for founders, operators, and investors. If this resonates with you, here’s what being a Strange Research Fellow involves.
As a Strange Research Fellow, you’ll:
Conduct original investment research on the frontiers of AI and deep software.
Run weekly sprints diving into emergent technical areas in the future of computing
Develop frameworks for evaluating technical innovations and their market potential.
Publish insights that advance our collective understanding of emerging technology.
Hone investment diligence and opportunity evaluation skills.
Sharpen your writing through research insights and investment memos.
Fellowship Structure
Each fellow pursues a research direction aligned with their interests and our themes. The program includes:
Weekly Sprint Schedule
Independent research (10 - 12 hours a week)
1:1 mentorship session
Group discussion and peer review sessions
Investment memo workshops
Research & Publication
Access to the Stranegresearch framework and methodologies
Editorial support for crafting compelling narratives
Distribution through our network of founders, operators, and investors
Opportunity to present findings
Who We’re Looking For
We’re looking for two archetypes:
Technical Founders/Engineers who combine deep technical knowledge with commercial instincts. You might be a machine learning engineer curious about new AI applications, or a systems architect interested in scaling patterns.
Product Strategists with strong technical foundations. You understand the technical architecture of modern applications and can identify how emerging technologies enable new product possibilities and experiences
What unites both is the ability to think deeply and critically, and unearth signals others might miss.
What We Offer
Monthly fellowship with a stipend
Direct mentorship from leading founders, investors, and researchers
Platform to publish research that reaches key decision-makers
Framework for evaluating technical opportunities through a commercial lens
Network of technical founders, operators, and investors
Why This Matters
We’re in a rare moment where emerging technologies are fundamentally reshaping how software is built, deployed, and used. The fellows who join us will develop an invaluable combination of skills: the technical depth to understand what’s possible, the commercial instincts to spot real opportunities, and the strategic thinking to act on them.
The skills you’ll develop will help you navigate the future of technology, whether you’re looking to join a startup, start one, or invest in the next big thing. This is about building the muscle to see both the forest (big picture) and the trees (critical details) in technological change.
Program Details
Key Dates
Application Deadline: Jan 2, 2026 (Midnight PST)
Decisions Announced: Jan 9, 2026
Time Commitment
5 to 12 hours/week of independent research
1-hour weekly mentor meeting
1-hour weekly group session
Apply Now
If you’re excited about understanding and writing about the future of technology, we want to hear from you. Applications close Jan 2, 2026
Apply here: https://tinyurl.com/strangefellow
Can’t make these dates? We will be running the next one in the Summer, so sign up here to be notified when applications open!