Google PhD Fellowship Program 2025: Eligibility, Benefits, and Application Guide

The Google PhD Fellowship Program is designed to support outstanding graduate students conducting groundbreaking research in computer science and related fields. This initiative fosters strong connections between Google and the academic community while providing financial assistance to promising PhD candidates.

Funding and Benefits

Selected fellows receive financial support of up to $85,000, which covers:

• A stipend to support living expenses
• Costs associated with research activities
• Travel expenses, including international travel opportunities

Additionally, each fellow is paired with a Google Research Mentor, offering guidance and valuable industry insights throughout their research journey.

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Eligibility Criteria

For Current PhD Students

• Applicants must be enrolled full-time in a PhD program at a recognized university in Africa.
• Candidates in their first year of a part-time PhD program who plan to transition to full-time status may also apply.
• The program is open to early-stage PhD students, meaning applicants should not have completed more than one year of their doctoral studies.
• Those applying for the 2025 Fellowship must have commenced their PhD studies on or after January 1, 2022.
• Applicants must be pursuing research in computer science or closely related disciplines.
• Candidates must remain enrolled in their PhD program throughout the fellowship period.
• Individuals who are already recipients of another corporate-sponsored fellowship are ineligible.
• Google employees and their immediate family members cannot apply.

For Undergraduate, Master’s Students, and Working Professionals

• Those in this category must secure admission to a full-time PhD program at a university in Africa within the same calendar year they receive the award.
• Undergraduate and master’s applicants must be enrolled full-time in an African university.
• Professionals must be affiliated with an organization registered in Africa.
• The fellowship award does not guarantee admission into a PhD program. Candidates must independently complete the university’s admission process.
• The fellowship is subject to the rules and regulations of the university where the recipient enrolls.
• Google employees and their family members are not eligible.

Fellowship Benefits

The program provides:

• A named fellowship recognizing the student’s academic excellence.
• A financial award (up to $50,000) covering the stipend, research activities, and travel.
• Mentorship from a Google Research Mentor, offering technical guidance and professional development opportunities.
• Fellowship tenure of up to three years, depending on the recipient’s country.

Required Documents

Applicants must submit the following documents in English:

1. Resume with links to personal websites and published research (if available).
2. Academic transcripts from the first year of a bachelor’s degree to the most recent semester.
3. Research proposal (maximum three pages, excluding references).
4. Two to three letters of recommendation, with at least one from the PhD thesis advisor (for current PhD students).
5. A short resume (one page) of the PhD program advisor.
6. A 350-word essay responding to:
   • The impact of this fellowship on the applicant’s education.
   • Personal circumstances affecting the need for financial support and how the fellowship would help achieve academic goals.
7. Additional documents may be required based on the applicant’s country of study.

Application Deadline

The deadline to submit applications is May 15, 2025.

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