The backbone of the Prague Fall Season 2023 will once again be a 10-week residency program. This year, we are looking for 6-10 teams of 3-5 members each working on specific projects related to areas of rationality, epistemics, group rationality and civilizational sanity, and delivering tangible outcomes. A residency project can be:

• Research on a relevant topic (examples of what we would be excited about are broad in some directions and include abstract foundations like geometric rationality or Modal Fixpoint Cooperation without Löb’s Theorem, research and development of applied rationality techniques like Internal communication framework, research on use of AI to improve human rationality like “automated Double-Crux aid” and more);
• Distillation, communication and publishing (writing and publishing a series of explanatory posts, video production, writing a textbook or course materials, etc.);
• Program development (events, workshops, etc.);
• Anything else that will provide value to this space.

Teams will have the option to apply to work on a specific topic (to be announced soon) or propose their own project. The selected teams will work on their projects in person at FIXED POINT from September 18 to November 25 while actively engaging with each other and cross-pollinating ideas. We expect all team members to dedicate at least 0.5 FTE (20 hours per week) to the residency, granting them the possibility to maintain their regular work commitments if necessary. By the end of their residency, teams are expected to present a project output (e.g. organizing a workshop, publishing a paper, etc.) or reach a project milestone.

As part of the Epistea Residency, we will support the teams with:

• Infrastructure (fully equipped co-working office space for each team, meeting rooms, office supplies, access to and maintenance of the house facilities, daily lunch catering, drinks and snacks);
• Administrative support (assistance with booking flights and/or accommodation and settling in Prague, operations for any projects or events organized within the scope of Prague Fall Season);
• Targeted mentoring by leading experts in the field of each team’s project;
• Option of coaching by Tee Barnett and his trainee cohort;
• At least one out-of-Prague retreat for the Epistea residents;
• Possibly funding for travel expenses, accommodation, and salaries (to be determined depending on funding availability).

One way how to think about the Fellowship is as a program somewhat similar to SERI-MATS or PIBBSS, but focused on advancing epistemics and applied rationality, rather than AI alignment. (This does not preclude projects which advance both rationality and alignment)

Current mentors for the program are: Anna Salamon, Jan Kulveit, Nora Ammann, Eli Tyre, Gavin Leech, Raymond Douglas and Damon Sasi

Differences from last year:

• We are narrowing the scope of the program primarily to existential security, epistemics, and rationality.
• We ask that participants of the season help us share the cost of running the FIXED POINT house. We may be able to offer financial aid on a case by case basis but the expectation is that when you visit, you can cover at least some part of the cost.
• We are seeking event organizers who would like to make their events part of the season.

Teams will arrive in Prague in September.