2025 Google PhD fellowship program

Eligibility Criteria

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.

Offered Benefits

• Up to 3 year Fellowship
• US $12K to cover stipend and other research related activities, travel expenses including overseas travel
• Google Research Mentor

Application Process

• PhD students from Africa, Australia, Canada, East Asia, Europe, India, Latin America, the Middle East, New Zealand, Southeast Asia and the United States, must be nominated for the fellowship by their university. 
• Applications must be submitted by an official representative of the university during the application window. Please contact your department or graduate school for more information on the internal nomination process

Required Documents:

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 Nomindated 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?"