What the Handshake AI Fellowship is
Handshake is best known as the careers network used by universities. Its AI Fellowship pays students, recent graduates, PhDs and professionals to help AI labs train and test their models. Fellows write and check expert answers, judge AI responses in their field, and evaluate AI in their language.
The fellowship works through projects. Once you are accepted, Handshake invites you to projects from its AI lab partners. Each project has its own onboarding, and you only earn once you have completed it. Some projects ask for extra material, such as a portfolio or work samples.
What Handshake AI fellows earn
Across the open fellowship roles listed on this page, top rates run from about $15 to $300 an hour, with a median of around $80. Language evaluation roles usually sit at $25 to $40 an hour. Expert roles in science, engineering, finance and consulting often pay $65 to $150 an hour. Handshake's own guidance mentions $30 to $125 an hour depending on education, expertise and project.
Fellows are independent contractors and are paid by Handshake, not by the AI lab. Some projects pay per task rather than per hour, and onboarding is not always paid, so check each project's terms.
Who is eligible
Most fellowship roles are for people aged 18 or over who live in the United States and can be paid as a contractor, which needs an SSN or ITIN. Some roles are open in Canada, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Brazil, Singapore and other countries, and the country is usually named in the role title. Handshake says it cannot support STEM OPT, and students on visas should check their own work authorisation first.
You do not have to be a current student. Many roles ask for a degree, a PhD, professional experience or native level skill in a language.
How to apply
Pick a fellowship role below that matches your field or language, and apply on Handshake. Expect a review of your CV, an interview or assessment, and then an offer. Guides report two to six weeks from application to offer. After you are accepted, complete onboarding for each project before you start paid work.
A clear CV that names your degree, field and languages helps you get matched. You can build or tailor your CV for free.
