The IBM PhD Fellowship Awards recognise exceptional doctoral students whose research aligns with IBM's areas of focus, such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, hybrid cloud, semiconductors, and security. IBM, founded in 1911, runs the programme worldwide and pairs awardees with an IBM mentor. The award provides a stipend for up to 2 consecutive academic years to support the student during the doctorate; the amount is set by region — for example several tens of thousands of US dollars, around USD 35,000 in the United States (est.) — and the exact value and any education allowance vary by country. Students must be nominated by their faculty advisor and be in the earlier years of their PhD. The programme runs an annual nomination window rather than a single global deadline, usually opening in the autumn. Treat the figures here as estimates and confirm the current focus areas, eligibility, and timing on IBM's official PhD Fellowship pages.
Work with your faculty advisor, who nominates you during the annual IBM PhD Fellowship window.
The award is by nomination, so work with your advisor early. Focus areas and regional eligibility can change year to year.
Worldwide (subject to regional programme rules)
IBM selects fellows on the quality and originality of the doctoral research, its alignment with IBM's areas of focus, and the strength of the advisor's nomination and the student's record. Because awards are by nomination and limited, selection is decided among the strongest candidates worldwide.
IBM Research, part of IBM (founded in 1911), runs the IBM PhD Fellowship Awards worldwide. The programme supports exceptional doctoral students working in IBM's areas of focus — such as AI, quantum computing, and security — with a stipend and mentorship, by faculty nomination.
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.
Awards from IBM Research recognising exceptional doctoral students whose research aligns with IBM's areas of focus, providing a stipend and an IBM mentor for up to two years.
A stipend set by region (for example around USD 35,000 in the US, est.), sometimes an education allowance, and pairing with an IBM mentor, for up to 2 consecutive academic years.
It varies by country/region — for example around USD 35,000 in the United States (est.). Confirm current values on IBM's pages.
Exceptional PhD students, usually in the earlier years of their doctorate, whose research aligns with IBM's areas of focus.
No — students are nominated by their faculty advisor; you cannot self-nominate, so work with your advisor.
IBM's areas of focus, such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, hybrid cloud, semiconductors, and security.
For up to 2 consecutive academic years during the PhD.
No — there is an annual nomination window (usually opening in the autumn) rather than one fixed global date.
Yes — it is open to doctoral students at universities around the world, subject to regional programme rules.
Fellows are paired with an IBM mentor and connected to IBM Research, alongside the financial support.
IBM traces its founding to 1911 and runs the PhD Fellowship programme through IBM Research worldwide.
On IBM Research's official PhD Fellowship pages, which list the focus areas, eligibility, stipend, and nomination window.