Alignment Research Engineer Accelerator
ARENA (Alignment Research Engineer Accelerator) is a selective in-person programme that provides ML engineers with the skills, community, and confidence to contribute directly to technical AI safety. Founded in 2022 by Callum McDougall, ARENA runs 2-3 cohorts per year at the London Initiative for Safe AI (LISA) in Shoreditch, covering deep learning, transformers and interpretability, reinforcement learning, and model evaluations. Participants also gain access to a broader AI safety community and leave with hands-on project experience. ARENA also maintains a freely available online curriculum used by other programmes worldwide.
Funding Details
- Annual Budget
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- Funding Goal
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- Funding Raised to Date
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- Fiscal Sponsor
- London Initiative for Safe AI (LISA)
Theory of Change
ARENA believes that a primary bottleneck to AI safety progress is the shortage of ML engineers with the technical depth and safety orientation needed to do high-quality alignment research. By running intensive bootcamps that combine structured technical training with hands-on project work and immersion in the AI safety research community, ARENA aims to rapidly move talented engineers into productive safety roles at leading organisations. Each cohort graduate who joins a safety-focused team or starts independent research represents a direct addition to the field's capacity. The free online curriculum multiplies this effect by enabling self-study and spin-off programmes worldwide.
Grants Received
from Open Philanthropy
from Open Philanthropy
from Open Philanthropy
from Open Philanthropy
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Details
- Last Updated
- Apr 2, 2026, 9:52 PM UTC
- Created
- Mar 20, 2026, 2:34 AM UTC