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Pioneer vs OpenAI Residency 2026: Which is Right for You?
Compare these opportunities side-by-side to find the best fit for you.
Pioneer
$20K for 1% equity (or advisory only); virtual startup contest with mentors.
Apply anytimeRolling
Rolling deadlineRolling
Global
accelerator
equity-based
accelerator
+3 more
OpenAI Residency 2026
The OpenAI Residency is a six-month research program in San Francisco that embeds talented individuals within OpenAI’s research teams to work on frontier AI problems with mentorship and real project contributions.
Closed 1 week agoClosed
Closes 2/15/2026Feb 15
North America
research
ai-research
residency
+3 more
Side-by-Side Comparison
Funding
20000 USD (1% equity) - 1% equity for top participants
18300 USD
Location Restrictions
Not specified
San Francisco
Industry Focus
Not specified
software engineering, research, mathematics, physics, neuroscience
Financial Benefits
$20,000 investment for top participants
~$18,300/month, relocation assistance
Mentorship
Remote mentorship
direct mentorship from experienced AI researchers and engineers
Networking
Access to Pioneer alumni network
Not specified
Program Location
remote
hybrid
Program Structure
Multi-week 'tournament'
Not specified
Selection Criteria
Not specified
originality, rapid learning, strong technical foundations
Type
accelerator
research
Region
Global
North America