Handshake AI

1. 01Write challenging questions in your field to test leading AI models
2. 02Check model answers for accuracy and sound reasoning
3. 03Give expert corrections and feedback that AI labs use to improve models
4. 04Discipline-specific projects, such as mathematics

When you are paid. Weekly. Handshake's referral terms refer to a weekly pay cycle. Third-party guides report that pay for the previous Monday-to-Sunday period is sent by Wednesday, through Stripe according to most guides, and can take a few more days to reach a bank. Some projects set different schedules in their Project Terms.

Handshake's help center says fellows earn $30–$125 an hour depending on education level, expertise and project; earlier MOVE materials cited $50–$125. Handshake AI support says most projects pay an hourly or per-task rate set out in each project's terms, and onboarding is generally unpaid unless those terms say otherwise. A math-expert AI-trainer listing on a third-party job board advertised $75–$100 an hour, but it may not be Handshake's own. A third-party tracker reports a median of about $80 across the listings it follows. Rates for the India, Canada and Europe roles may differ.

• Stripe (reported)

Receiving USD in Africa? Read our payouts guide.

• Current enrollment in, candidacy for, or completion of a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree
• Based in the United States with valid work or training authorization (Handshake gives F-1/OPT, J-1 and H-1B as examples)
• All work done from within the United States and its associated territories (main fellowship)
• Expertise in your field of study; Handshake says pay depends on education level, expertise and project
• Time for part-time work: Handshake says fellows typically work 5–20 hours a week, and one listing asked for about 10 or more
• Acceptance of US independent-contractor (1099) terms

1. 1

   Confirm eligibility

   The main fellowship is for US-based bachelor's, master's and doctoral students, candidates and graduates with valid work or training authorization, working from within the US. Outside the US, look for roles specific to your country; we found them for India, Canada and Europe.

2. 2

   Apply through Handshake

   Apply through Handshake's AI fellowship page or a specific Handshake AI listing.

3. 3

   Screening

   The screening steps are not fully described in the public sources we found and may vary by project. Handshake's help center has a guide on the journey, 'From Application to First Project'.

4. 4

   Review the Project Terms

   Each project's terms set how you are paid (hourly or per task), any schedule exceptions and whether onboarding is paid. Rates differ by project.

5. 5

   Onboarding

   Complete the project's onboarding and training. Handshake says this is generally unpaid unless the Project Terms say otherwise.

6. 6

   Set up payouts and start work

   Set up your payout account and begin paid work, which is paid weekly. Third-party guides report Stripe as the payout provider, and one says payout details are set up after your first task.

1. 01

   Confirm eligibility first: you need to be based in the US, hold valid work or training authorization, and be enrolled in or have completed a degree program.

2. 02

   Apply in the discipline where your degree and coursework are strongest; Handshake says pay depends on education level and expertise.

3. 03

   If you are given a subject assessment, treat it like a qualifying exam: show your reasoning, state your assumptions and be precise about what you are unsure of.

4. 04

   Read each project's terms before accepting; they set how you are paid, any schedule exceptions and whether onboarding is paid.

5. 05

   Budget for unpaid onboarding time and weigh it against the project's rate.

6. 06

   Put accuracy ahead of volume, and plan a steady weekly schedule within the typical 5–20 hours.

7. 07

   International students should confirm with their school's international student office that contract work fits their visa status before accepting a project.

More in How to pass AI training assessments.

We found no route for people living in Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, South Africa or Egypt as of October 2026. The main fellowship requires US residence with valid authorization and work from within the US, and the country-specific roles we found were for India, Canada and Europe. An independent Kenyan jobs guide (October 2026) also describes Handshake AI as limited to US applicants. African students and graduates living in the US with valid work or training authorization may qualify through the US program.

Where it hires. Main fellowship: US-based bachelor's, master's and doctoral students, candidates and graduates with valid work or training authorization, according to Handshake's help center. Handshake AI support says work must be done from within the United States and associated territories. Separate country-specific roles have appeared for India and Canada, and the referral program covers fellows in the US, India and Canada. A July 2026 listing recruited STEM PhDs living in Europe. We found no complete official country list.

• Handshake AI Fellowship Overview FAQs for EDU Partners (Handshake Help Center)
• Introduction to the MOVE Program (Handshake Help Center)
• Project Participation (Handshake AI Support)
• Handshake AI Support article on project pay
• Handshake AI Fellowship Referral Program Terms of Service
• Referring someone to the Handshake AI Fellowship (Handshake Help Center)
• From Application to First Project: Your Complete MOVE Program Journey (Handshake Help Center)
• Math Expert AI Trainer (job listing)

Reviewed Oct 29, 2026. Platforms change their terms, pay and country lists often. Check the details on Handshake AI's own site before you rely on them. Spotted something out of date? Email us.