The Google PhD Fellowship Program recognises and supports outstanding graduate students doing exceptional research in computer science and related fields. Launched in 2009, it operates across regions worldwide (the Americas, Europe, Africa, India, Australia/New Zealand, East Asia, and Southeast Asia), each with its own set of research topics and awards. The fellowship covers full tuition and fees, provides a yearly stipend toward living expenses, and pairs each Fellow with a Google Research Mentor. Support typically runs for up to 2–3 years of the PhD (varying by region), giving students the freedom to focus on ambitious research. Students do not apply directly: each eligible university may nominate a limited number of PhD students (commonly up to 2–4, depending on region and rules) by the annual deadline. Nominees are then evaluated by Google on the strength of their research and record. The fields covered span areas such as machine learning, systems, algorithms, human-computer interaction, natural language processing, and more.
Your university nominates you. Connect with your department early; the university submits nominations to Google by the annual deadline for your region.
You cannot apply directly — work with your department/university, which nominates students. Eligible stage, number of nominations, and exact benefits vary by region.
Worldwide (organised by region)
Google evaluates university nominees on the quality and impact of their research, academic record, and leadership/community contributions. Because nominations are capped per university and assessed by Google researchers, the bar is high and research excellence is decisive.
Google Research supports the academic community through programs including the Google PhD Fellowship, which recognises exceptional doctoral students in computer science and related fields. The program reflects Google's commitment to fostering research talent and building long-term relationships with universities worldwide.
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
A program launched in 2009 that recognises and supports outstanding PhD students in computer science and related fields worldwide, providing tuition, a stipend, and a Google Research Mentor.
PhD students in computer science or closely related areas, nominated by their university, with an outstanding research record and research aligned with the fellowship's topics for their region.
Full tuition and fees, a yearly stipend toward living expenses, and a dedicated Google Research Mentor, typically for up to 2–3 years of the PhD (varying by region).
No — students cannot apply directly. Each eligible university nominates a limited number of PhD students, so you work through your department.
Nomination windows vary by region, with many in ~spring. Check the Google PhD Fellowship page for your region's exact dates and topics.
Computer science research areas such as machine learning, systems and networking, algorithms and theory, human-computer interaction, and natural language processing, among others.
A limited number — commonly up to ~2–4 depending on the region and the university's eligibility. Your department manages and prioritises nominations.
Typically up to ~2–3 years of the PhD, with the exact duration and benefits depending on your region.
Each Fellow is paired with a Google researcher who serves as a mentor, offering guidance and connection to Google's research community alongside the financial support.
Highly — nominations are capped per university and evaluated by Google researchers, so only the strongest research records are selected.
No — it is a fellowship for your PhD research, not an employment offer. The mentorship connects you to Google Research, but you remain a student at your university.
Generally you should have completed some graduate coursework and be engaged in active research; exact stage requirements vary by region.