NVIDIA has opened applications for its 2027-2028 Graduate Fellowship, which offers up to $60,000 in research funding per award, administered through the winner’s university, to PhD students in computer science, engineering and related fields. The deadline is October 30, 2026, and it includes recommendation letters. If you are building a research path in AI or data, this guide covers what to prepare before that date.
At a glance
| Deadline | October 30, 2026, including recommendation letters |
| Who can apply | Full-time PhD students in computer science, computer engineering, system architecture, electrical engineering or a related field who have completed the first year of the PhD |
| Benefit | Up to $60,000 per award, administered through the university |
| Format | Required in-person summer internship at one of nine locations listed on the page |
| Cost to apply | No fee mentioned on the official page |
| Official link | Graduate Fellowship page |
Who can apply?
The official page sets these conditions:
- You have completed your first year of PhD-level studies before applying.
- Your field is computer science, computer engineering, system architecture, electrical engineering or a close relative.
- You are actively engaged in thesis research and stay a full-time student through the award year.
- You complete a summer internship at NVIDIA, which is required.
- You are not a full-time NVIDIA employee or an immediate family member of one.
The page states that international students may apply and that past fellows may reapply each year.
What do you get?
For the 2027-2028 fellowship, the page describes funding of up to $60,000 per award, paid through the university to cover stipend, tuition and mandatory fees. It describes the award as a gift with no overhead or indirect costs. Winners are notified on January 15, 2027.
Research areas listed include generative AI, language models and neural architectures, autonomous vehicles, computational imaging, computer architecture, graphics, healthcare, networking, parallel programming, robotics, security and quantum computing.
How to apply
- Open the official fellowship page and check that your status matches the conditions.
- Write a research proposal of up to two pages, plus a bibliography.
- Prepare your resume or CV with contact details.
- Request two to three recommendation letters, at least one from your thesis advisor.
- Confirm your availability for the summer internship, then submit through the application portal linked from the official page before October 30, 2026.
Key dates: applications opened on September 30, 2026, the deadline is October 30, 2026 (including recommendation letters), and winners are notified on January 15, 2027.
Advice from the al-khwarizmi team
- If you are a researcher in AI or data science, tie your proposal to one of the research areas the page lists. Relevance to NVIDIA’s research domains is one of the stated evaluation criteria.
- The committee looks at student quality (recommendations, grades, achievements) and research quality (results, proposal, publications). Put your strongest results and publications up front.
- The page notes that at least one publication is typically needed to be competitive, so choose the work you highlight with that in mind.
- Ask your recommenders early. The deadline covers their letters as well as your own materials.
FAQ
Can international students apply?
Yes. The official page says international students are eligible.
Is the summer internship mandatory?
Yes. The page requires an in-person summer internship in the United States, Canada, Germany, Sweden, Finland, Switzerland, Israel, Taiwan or Singapore.
Can I apply in my first year of the PhD?
No. You must complete the first year before applying.
Can past fellows apply again?
The page says past fellows may reapply each year.
Source: NVIDIA, Graduate Fellowship.
