Palantir said it has received more than 2,000 applications for the “Neurodivergent Fellowship,” that it publicized over the weekend, marking another example of its unconventional hiring strategy that’s attracting high demand.
The fellowship launched after a video of CEO Alex Karp dramatically fidgeting onstage at The New York Times’ DealBook Summit went viral. Palantir framed the new role as an onramp for “exceptional neurodivergent talent,” noting that final interviews will be conducted by Karp himself.
While cross-country skiing this morning, Dr. Karp decided to launch a new program: The Neurodivergent Fellowship.
If you find yourself relating to him in this video — unable to sit still, or thinking faster than you can speak — we encourage you to apply.
The final round of… pic.twitter.com/2Xdrc13uj5
— Palantir (@PalantirTech) December 7, 2025
The surge of applicants marks a “defining moment” for the company as it works to keep the US ahead in the global AI race, the company said Wednesday in a post on X.
The job is based in New York or Washington, DC, and pays $110,000 to $200,000 a year. The company said the program is not a diversity initiative.
Neurodiversity is a blanket term that includes conditions like ADHD, autism, Tourette’s syndrome, dyslexia, dyspraxia, and others. Karp has previously spoken about having dyslexia and about how neurodivergent thinkers approach problems.
The program continues a broader hiring strategy that bypasses traditional routes into the tech industry. Earlier this year, Palantir launched the Meritocracy Fellowship, a four-month internship for high-scoring high school graduates who aren’t enrolled in college. Applicants need high SAT or ACT scores, and Palantir says the program is a response to what it sees as the shortcomings of university admissions.
The company has been outspoken about the value of alternatives to higher education, describing campuses as distracted by political battles and failing to reward merit. It has also expanded a second Meritocracy Fellowship cohort for 2026, offering monthly stipends and full-time job prospects for standout performers.
Together, the fellowships reflect Palantir’s focus on recruiting candidates with unconventional backgrounds.
Applications for the “Neurodivergent Fellowship” remain open, the company said.
This story was written using Business Insider’s AI tools and edited by a Business Insider editor.
