Google PhD Fellowship Program (Africa)
Google Research
Up to 3-year fellowship (USD 15,000 for stipend, research and travel) for incoming or early-stage PhD students in computer science or adjacent fields at universities in Africa, nominated by their university (max 3). 2026 nominations closed 30 Apr 2026; next cycle expected 2027.
Verified today · verified by our team · Official page
Create a free student account to check your eligibility and get reminders.
Eligibility
- Who can apply
- All nationalities
- Education required
- Bachelors completed
- Fields
- Computer science, Data science
- Residency
- Must be nominated by, and register full-time for a PhD at, an accredited research institution in Africa that awards research degrees in computer science or an adjacent field (no nationality restriction stated)
- Also required
- University nomination only: direct applications from students are not accepted; universities in Africa may nominate up to three students
- Incoming or early-stage PhD student in computer science or an adjacent field; award contingent on full-time PhD registration within the award year
- Research in one of Google's listed research areas
- Not already supported by a comparable industry award
About this opportunity
The Google PhD Fellowship Program recognises outstanding PhD students in computer science and related fields. In Africa it provides USD 15,000 to cover a stipend, research activities and travel (incl. overseas travel) for up to three years, plus a Google research mentor. Incoming or early-stage PhD students can be nominated; the award is contingent on registering for a full-time PhD in computer science or an adjacent field at an accredited research institution.
Students cannot apply directly: every candidate must be nominated by an eligible university during the window (universities in Africa may nominate up to three students), so Ghanaian students should ask their department about internal nomination. Nominations include a CV, a research proposal (max 3 pages), a cover sheet signed by the department chair, the advisor's CV, 2-3 recommendation letters and transcripts.
- Level
- PhD
- Where
- Multiple countries
- Duration
- Up to 3 years
- Difficulty
- Very high · about 8 weeks to prepare
Funding
Partially funded
- stipend
- research costs
- travel
Africa region: USD 15,000 to cover stipend and other research-related activities and travel expenses including overseas travel; fellowship lasts up to three years. Fellows are also paired with a Google research mentor.
What you will need
- CV / résumé
- Research proposal
- Academic transcripts
- Reference letters (2)
- Other documents
Submitted by the nominating university: student CV with links to publications, research proposal (max 3 pages excluding references), cover sheet signed by the Department Chair, 1-page CV of the primary PhD advisor, 2-3 letters of recommendation from those familiar with the nominee's work, and academic transcripts.
Track this application and eStudent360 turns the list into a checklist and, with Plus, a dated plan that works back from the deadline.