The Google PhD Fellowship Program is run by Google Research to recognise outstanding graduate students doing exceptional and innovative research in computer science and related fields. Students cannot apply directly — they must be nominated by their university, which must be an accredited research institution that awards PhD degrees in computer science or an adjacent field.
The program operates as separate regional tracks covering Africa, Australia, Canada, East Asia, Europe, India, Latin America, the Middle East, New Zealand, Southeast Asia and the United States, each with its own award amount and duration. Fellows continue their doctoral studies at their home institution while receiving Google’s financial support.
Benefits & funding
- United States & Canada: up to 2 years, US $85,000 per year towards education costs
- India (early-stage): up to 4 years, US $50,000; India (late-stage): 1 year, US $10,000
- Africa: up to 3 years, US $15,000
- Latin America: up to 2 years, US $15,000 annually
- Southeast Asia: up to 3 years, US $10,000 annually
- East Asia: 1 year, US $10,000
- Australia & New Zealand: 1 year, AUD $20,000
- Europe & Middle East: up to 2 years, a country-variable bursary
- Funds cover a stipend and other research-related activities, including travel expenses
Eligibility
- Open worldwide through region-specific tracks; no single nationality restriction
- Must be enrolled in a PhD program in computer science or an adjacent field
- Must be nominated by the university (no direct student applications); the university must be an accredited research institution awarding PhD degrees in the field
- Eligible year of study varies by region (e.g. incoming/early-stage in Africa, India, Latin America and Southeast Asia; first or second year in Australia/New Zealand; coursework completed in Canada/US and East Asia; any stage in Europe/Middle East)
- Google employees and their families are not eligible; students already supported by a comparable industry award are not eligible; past Google PhD Fellowship recipients cannot reapply
- All application materials must be submitted in English
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
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Education required
PhD Enrolled
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Application process
- 1Contact your university department or graduate school, since only universities may nominate candidates
- 2The university submits the nomination during the open application window (nomination caps apply — up to 4 students per university in Canada/US, up to 3 in most regions, unlimited in Latin America)
- 3Submit the required materials: CV, a research proposal (maximum 3 pages), transcripts and recommendation letters; Canada/US, East Asia and Latin America also require two 350-word essays
Program timeline
Applications open (2026 cycle)
Mar 5, 2026
Applications close (2026 cycle)
Apr 30, 2026
Proposal decisions made (by this date)
Aug 31, 2026
Recipients publicly announced (by this date)
Oct 31, 2026