Google Data Center Community AI Fellowship — Fellowship

The Google Data Center Community AI Fellowship is a leadership and entrepreneurship program run by the Watson Institute, a Boulder-based organisation that has built and refined its network of local leaders since 2013, and funded by Google. It is built for impact-driven entrepreneurs and community leaders who are using technology or AI to address pressing challenges in the towns and counties where Google operates data centers. Fellows take part in workshops on leadership, AI skills and financial tools, get mentorship from practitioners and access to Google AI products, and run a local Basecamp workshop for their own community. The 2026 cohort runs from 1 September 2026 to 14 January 2027 and closes with a virtual Summit where fellows pitch their work. The program is delivered mainly online, with the in-person element taking place in each fellow’s own community. Earlier cohorts of Watson Institute fellows date back to at least 2024.

Benefits & funding

No fees are collected for the fellowship; Google funds the program.
A community development stipend of US$1,000 to support the fellow in organising a local Basecamp workshop.
Workshops in leadership and AI skills, plus financial tools and frameworks.
Mentorship from practitioners and access to Google AI products.
Grow with Google Career Certificate scholarships.
Pitch coaching and a place presenting at the virtual Summit.
Travel covered when a fellow is invited to speak at a Google event.
Fellows may still be responsible for some travel and meal costs during in-person programming.

Eligibility

Adults aged 18 or older.
Open to any citizenship; the form asks for country of citizenship without restricting it.
The applicant must be located in, or creating measurable impact within, one of the listed Google data center communities.
United States communities: Austell and Douglas County, Georgia, and the greater Atlanta area; Berkeley County, South Carolina; Council Bluffs and Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Fort Wayne and Allen County, Indiana; Loudoun, Prince William, Chesterfield and Botetourt Counties, Virginia; Midlothian and Red Oak in Ellis County, Texas; Omaha and Lincoln, Nebraska; Stillwater in Payne County, Oklahoma, and Tulsa, including the Pryor area in Mayes County and the Muskogee area in Muskogee County.
International communities: Groningen in the Netherlands; Hamina and Kotka in Finland; Waltham Cross and Hertfordshire, Thurrock and Epping in Essex, and the greater London area, in the United Kingdom.
Applicants are expected to show early traction: engaged participants or customers, measurable results, pilots or prototypes already running, and in some cases existing funding.
Both for-profit and non-profit structures are welcome.
Fellows must commit to 8 to 10 hours per week, including the virtual immersive week and workshops held Tuesday to Thursday mornings in US Mountain Time.

Can you apply?

Worth a closer look

Residence required
USA · Netherlands · Finland · UK
Not in your profile yet
Age requirement
≥ 18 yrs
Not in your profile yet

We only check the criteria we have data for. Always confirm full eligibility on the official page before applying.

Application process

1
Complete the online application, which the organisers say takes about 30 minutes.
2
The admissions committee reviews applications; the priority deadline was 12 July 2026 and review continues on a rolling basis until all places are filled.
3
Shortlisted candidates are invited to a 20-minute Zoom interview.
4
Final decisions are announced by 3 August 2026, followed by enrolment.

Program timeline

Priority application deadline; applications continue on a rolling basis until places are filled
12 July 2026
Final decisions announced
3 August 2026
1–11 September 2026
Virtual immersive week, Tuesday to Friday on 1–4 and 8–11 September
Fellowship period with weekly virtual workshops and local Basecamp facilitation
1 September 2026 – 14 January 2027
Virtual Summit and end of the program
14 January 2027