Introducing Claude Corps, a groundbreaking national fellowship initiative aimed at individuals early in their professional journeys who are eager to bring the advantages of artificial intelligence to communities throughout the United States.
This program aims to train 1,000 fellows in effectively utilizing Claude AI, connecting them with nonprofits nationwide, and compensating them for a full year of dedicated, in-person work to further the missions of these organizations. Our dual objectives are to equip these host nonprofits with essential tools and systems while allowing fellows to acquire AI skills beneficial for their future careers.
As transformative AI technologies emerge, they often bring about substantial disruption. Companies developing these innovations hold a responsibility to ensure that the benefits are maximized and shared broadly, particularly with those affected by this shift. Therefore, we are committing an initial investment of $150 million to fund Claude Corps.
If this initiative proves successful, it could lay the groundwork for an expansive model that extends the benefits of AI during this transformative economic time. The announcement of Claude Corps coincides with our policy framework aimed at addressing AI's influence on the job market.
Claude Corps operates as a collaboration among three key organizations. Anthropic will provide funding, oversee the strategic direction, and share expertise related to Claude. CodePath, Anthropic's nonprofit partner and the largest provider of collegiate computer science education in the U.S., will serve as the official employer for the fellows and will guide the fellowship’s programming. Additionally, Social Finance, a nonprofit registered investment adviser, will handle evaluations and oversee the establishment of long-term financial strategies for program scalability.
Each fellowship lasts for one year, beginning with intensive training on utilizing Claude in nonprofit contexts, delivered by Anthropic and CodePath. Once fellows are placed, they will engage in five hours of continuous training weekly, dedicating the remainder of their time to their host organizations.
Fellows will earn a full-time salary of $85,000 along with benefits, mentorship from CodePath, technical support from Anthropic, an extensive Claude token budget, and professional oversight from their host organization’s management.
Over the coming year, at least 400 nonprofits will host fellows from Claude Corps. These organizations include:
- **Braven (Chicago, IL)**: Educating first-generation and low-income students on securing meaningful employment. - **Code the Dream (Durham, NC)**: Offering free coding education and paid software apprenticeships to individuals aiming for upward mobility. - **Heartland Forward (Bentonville, AR)**: A think tank dedicated to bolstering economic growth in America's heartland. - **Montgomery County Food Bank (Conroe, TX)**: A food bank serving children, seniors, and families through over 100 local partnerships. - **Team Red, White & Blue (Floyds Knobs, IN)**: Supporting veterans' health and wellness through various programs. - **Reef Environmental Education Foundation (Key Largo, FL)**: Engaging in marine conservation through underwater surveys to protect reef ecosystems. - **SoundOff (San Antonio, TX)**: Providing confidential access to counselors and peer support for military service members. - **StriveTogether (Cincinnati, OH)**: Promoting local collaborations utilizing data to help young individuals succeed. - **YMCA of Greater Charlotte (Charlotte, NC)**: Serving nearly 300,000 individuals annually across various programs and camps.
Multiple nonprofits have expressed enthusiasm for the Claude Corps initiative. For instance, Goodwill Industries International aims to leverage AI responsibly to enhance their services, while Team Red, White & Blue looks to utilize this technology to amplify their mission for veterans' wellness. Organizations like Heartland Forward and RAINN highlight how Claude Corps will advance their capabilities, ensuring they meet evolving community needs effectively.
Applications for the fellowship are currently open, concluding on July 17th for the inaugural cohort of 100 fellows, set to start in October 2026. Future cohorts will accept applications on a rolling basis, with subsequent groups commencing in January and August 2027. Anyone over 18 with less than two years of full-time experience is eligible to apply, provided they have work authorization in the U.S. and are comfortable engaging with the technology, with relocation support available if necessary.
Applications for host organizations are also being accepted. Detailed criteria and involvement information can be found on the Claude Corps website.
Looking ahead, our vision is to expand this initiative beyond the initial 1,000 fellows. We will meticulously track the success of host organizations in achieving their goals and the skills growth of fellows, using these insights to refine and scale the program. In addition, we plan to open-source some of the foundational technology that supports this initiative, paving the way for similar programs to emerge and potentially offering a replicable model for countries beyond the United States.
