Google PhD Fellowships directly support graduate students as they pursue their PhD. Nurturing and maintaining strong relations with the academic community is a top priority at Google. The Google PhD Fellowship Program was created to recognize outstanding graduate students doing exceptional and innovative research in areas relevant to computer science and related fields. Fellowships support promising PhD candidates of all backgrounds who seek to influence the future of technology. The research teams impact technology used by people all over the world and we encourage people of a wide range of backgrounds to apply. Google currently offer fellowships in Africa, Australia, Canada, East Asia, Europe, India, Latin America, the Middle East, New Zealand, Southeast Asia and the United States.
Google PhD Fellowship students are a select group recognized by Google researchers and their institutions as some of the most promising young academics in the world. The Fellowships are awarded to students who represent the future of research in the fields listed below. Note that region-specific research areas will be listed in application forms during the application window.
- Computer Architecture
- Algorithms and Optimization
- Health Research
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Machine Learning and ML Foundations
- Machine Perception
- Natural Language Processing
- Privacy, Safety, and Security
- Quantum Computing
- Software Engineering and Programming Languages
- Systems, Networking, and Cloud Computing
Table of Content
Summary
- Application DeadlineApril 30, 2026
- Study LevelPhD
- SponsorGoogle LLC
- Eligible CountryAll Countries
Subscribe for Scholarship Alert!
Benefits
Africa
- Up to 3 year Fellowship
- US $15K to cover stipend and other research related activities, travel expenses including overseas travel
Australia and New Zealand
- 1 year Fellowship
- AUD $20K to cover stipend and other research related activities, travel expenses including overseas travel
Canada and the United States
- Up to 2 year Fellowship
- US $85K per year towards education costs (tuition and fees), living expenses, travel, and personal equipment (effective from 2025 for new recipients)
East Asia
- 1 year Fellowship
- US $10K to cover stipend and other research related activities, travel expenses including overseas travel
Europe and the Middle East
- Up to 2 year Fellowship
- Yearly bursary towards stipend / salary, health care, social benefits, tuition and fees, conference travel and personal computing equipment. The bursary varies by country.
India
Early-stage PhD students
- Up to 4 year Fellowship
- US $50K to cover stipend and other research related activities, travel expenses including overseas travel
Late-stage PhD students
- 1 year Fellowship
- US $10K to recognize research contributions, cover stipend and other research related activities, travel expenses including overseas travel
Latin America
- Up to 2 year Fellowship
- US $15K per year to cover stipend and other research related activities, travel expenses including overseas travel
Southeast Asia
- Up to 3 year Fellowship
- US $10K per year for up to 3 years (or up to graduation, whichever is earlier) to cover stipend and other research related activities, travel expenses including overseas travel
Requirements
General Eligibility Requirements (All Regions):
- Students must remain enrolled full-time in the PhD program for the duration of the Fellowship or forfeit the award.
- Google employees, and their spouses, children, and members of their household are not eligible.
- Students that are already supported by a comparable industry award are not eligible. Government or non-profit organization funding is exempt.
- Past awardees from the PhD Fellowship program are not eligible to apply again.
Region-Specific Eligibility Requirements:
Universities should only nominate students that meet the following requirements
- Africa, India, Latin America, and Southeast Asia
- Incoming or early-stage PhD students can be nominated by their university; however, the Fellowship award is contingent on the awardee registering for a full-time PhD program in computer science (or an adjacent field) within the academic award year of the Fellowship award, or the award shall be forfeited.
- Grant of the Fellowship does not mean admission to a PhD program. The awardee must separately apply and be accepted to a PhD program in computer science (or an adjacent field) at an eligible institution.
- Grant of the Fellowship will be subject to the rules and guidelines applicable in the institution where the awardee registers for the PhD program.
- Australia and New Zealand
- Early-stage students enrolled in the first or second year of their PhD (no requirement for completion of graduate coursework by the academic award year).
- Canada and the United States
- Students who have completed graduate coursework in their PhD by the academic award year when the Fellowship begins.
- East Asia
- Students who have completed most of their graduate coursework in their PhD by the academic award year when the Fellowship begins. Students should have sufficient time for research projects after receiving a fellowship.
- Europe and the Middle East
- Students enrolled at any stage of their PhD are eligible to apply.
Selection Process
- Applications are evaluated on the strength of the research proposal, research impact, student academic achievements, and leadership potential. Research proposals are evaluated for innovative concepts that are relevant to Google’s research areas, as well as aspects of robustness and potential impact to the field. Proposals should include the direction and any plans of where your work is going in addition to a comprehensive description of the research you are pursuing.
- In Canada and the United States, East Asia and Latin America, essay responses are evaluated in addition to application materials to determine an overall recommendation.
- A nominee's status as a member of a historically marginalized group is not considered in the selection of award recipients.
- Research should align with Google AI Principles.
- Incomplete proposals will not be considered.
Application Documents
All application materials should be submitted in English.
The required materials vary depending on your region.
Universities will need to submit the following materials in a single, flat (not portfolio) PDF file.
Required Materials for All Nominated Students:
- Student CV with links to website and publications (if available)
- Research/dissertation proposal (maximum 3 pages, excluding references)
Region-Specific Requirements for Nominated Students:
- Africa, Europe, and the Middle East:
- Cover sheet signed by the Department Chair confirming the student passes eligibility requirements. (See FAQ "What are the eligibility requirements for students?")
- Short (1-page) CV of the student's primary PhD advisor
- 2-3 letters of recommendation from those familiar with the nominee's work (at least one from the thesis advisor for current PhD students)
- Transcripts of current and previous academic records
- Australia and New Zealand:
- Transcripts of current and previous academic records
- 1-2 letters of recommendation from those familiar with the nominee's work (at least one from the thesis advisor)
- Canada, East Asia, and the United States:
- Cover sheet signed by the Department Chair confirming the student passes eligibility requirements. (See FAQ "What are the eligibility requirements for students?")
- Short (1-page) CV of the student's primary advisor
- 2-3 letters of recommendation from those familiar with the nominee's work (at least one from the thesis advisor)
- Student essay response (350-word limit) to: "Describe the desired impact your research will make on the field and society, and why this is important to you. Include any personal, educational and/or professional experiences that have motivated your research interests."
- Student essay response (350-word limit) to: "Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes, or contributed to group efforts over time. (A leadership role can mean more than just a title...)"
- Transcripts of current and previous academic records
- India & Southeast Asia
- Short (one-page) resume/CV of the student applicant's primary PhD program advisor
- Available transcripts (mark sheets) starting from the first year/semester of Bachelor's degree to date
- 2-3 letters of recommendation from those familiar with the applicant's work (at least one from the thesis advisor for current PhD students)
- Latin America
- Cover sheet signed by an official representative of the university (e.g. advisor, department chair, etc.) confirming the student passes eligibility requirements. (See FAQ "What are the eligibility requirements for students?")
- Short (one-page) resume/CV of the student applicant's primary PhD program advisor
- Transcripts (mark sheets) starting from the first year/semester of Bachelor's degree to date
- Research proposal (maximum 3 pages, excluding references)
- 2-3 letters of recommendation from those familiar with the applicant's work (at least one from the thesis advisor for current PhD students)
- Student essay response (350-word limit) to: "Describe the desired impact your research will make on the field and society, and why this is important to you. Include any personal, educational and/or professional experiences that have motivated your research interests."
- Student essay response (350-word limit) to: "What are your long-term goals for your pathway in computing research, and how would receiving the Google PhD Fellowship help you progress toward those goals in the short-term?"
Check also:
2026 Fully Funded Humboldt Research Fellowship
2026 Konrad Adenauer Foundation Scholarship
Application Deadline
April 30, 2026How To Apply
Interested and qualified? Go to Google on googlefellowships.submittable.com to apply
To apply for the Google PhD Fellowship Program, please follow these steps:
- University Nomination: All students must be nominated by an eligible university during the application period; direct applications from students are not accepted.
- Review the eligibility and application requirements: Please carefully review the eligibility criteria and application requirements specific to your region.
- Submit application: Please contact your department or graduate school for information about your university's internal nomination process. If nominated, your university will submit your application on your behalf. The application submission portal will be available on the program page when the application period begins.
For more information, kindly visit Google Fellowship webpage.
