Overview of the Google PhD Fellowship Program

The Google PhD Fellowship Program aims to support graduate students pursuing their PhDs and connect them with a Google Research Mentor. This initiative underscores Google's commitment to fostering strong relationships with the academic community.

The program recognizes outstanding graduate students conducting innovative research in computer science and related fields. It supports promising PhD candidates from diverse backgrounds who aspire to shape the future of technology. Google's research teams impact global technology, and the company encourages applications from a wide range of backgrounds.

Fellowships are currently offered in various regions, including Africa, Australia, Canada, East Asia, Europe, India, Latin America, the Middle East, New Zealand, Southeast Asia, and the United States. This broad scope reflects Google's global commitment to advancing research and innovation.

Key Dates and Deadlines

Applications for the 2025 program will open on Thursday, April 10, 2025. Mark your calendars and prepare your application materials in advance.

The application deadline is Thursday, May 15, 2025, at 11:59:59pm AoE (UTC-12). Ensure your application is submitted before this deadline to be considered.

Notification of decisions will be made in August 2025. Successful applicants will be contacted directly.

Public announcement of new fellowship recipients will be by Oct. 31, 2025.

Eligibility and Application Process

The Google PhD Fellowship Program welcomes applications from outstanding PhD students worldwide. However, eligibility requirements and application instructions may vary by region. Refer to the FAQ for detailed information.

PhD students must be nominated for the fellowship by their university. Applications must be submitted by an official representative of the university during the application window. Contact your department or graduate school for details on the internal nomination process.

The application process involves internal nomination by the university, followed by submission by an official representative. Students cannot apply directly for the fellowship; nomination is a prerequisite.

Research Areas of Focus

Google PhD Fellowship students are recognized as promising young academics by Google researchers and their institutions. Fellowships are awarded to students who represent the future of research in various fields.

Some key research areas include: Computer Architecture, Algorithms and Optimization, Health Research, Human-Computer Interaction, Machine Learning and ML Foundations, Machine Perception, Natural Language Processing, Privacy, Safety, and Security, Quantum Computing, Software Engineering and Programming Languages, and Systems, Networking, and Cloud Computing.

Note that region-specific research areas will be listed in application forms during the application window. Tailor your application to align with the specific research areas relevant to your region.

Evaluation Criteria

Applications are evaluated based on the strength of the research proposal, research impact, student academic achievements, and leadership potential. A strong emphasis is placed on innovative concepts relevant to Google’s research areas.

Research proposals are assessed for robustness and potential impact on the field. Proposals should include the direction and plans for your work, along with a comprehensive description of the research you are pursuing.

In Canada, the United States, East Asia, and Latin America, essay responses are evaluated in addition to application materials to determine an overall recommendation. Prepare compelling essays that showcase your research and its potential impact.