Artificial Intelligence (AI) is at the forefront of technological transformation across industries. For graduate students pursuing AI degrees, research fellowships offer not only financial support but also access to cutting-edge labs, expert mentorship, and career-defining opportunities.
Whether you're a master’s student focusing on deep learning or a PhD candidate specializing in natural language processing, AI research fellowships for graduate students can open doors to world-class research and global collaboration.
This guide covers the top AI fellowships available in 2025, including their benefits, eligibility, and how to make your application stand out.
What Are AI Research Fellowships?
AI research fellowships are competitive, merit-based awards that support graduate students conducting original research in fields such as:
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Machine learning
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Computer vision
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Natural language processing (NLP)
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Robotics
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Generative AI
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Ethical AI and AI policy
These fellowships may be university-based, government-funded, or sponsored by tech companies like Google, Meta, and Microsoft.
Top AI Research Fellowships for Graduate Students (2025)
1. Google PhD Fellowship
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Level: PhD students
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Focus Areas: AI, machine learning, NLP, computer vision, and more
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Benefits: Full tuition, $35,000 annual stipend, direct mentorship from Google researchers
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Regions: North America, Europe, Africa, India, East Asia, and Latin America
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Deadline: Varies by region (usually mid-year)
2. Meta AI (Facebook) Fellowship
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Eligibility: PhD students in 2nd year or beyond
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Fields: Computer vision, deep learning, AI system architecture, AI ethics
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Funding: Full tuition + $42,000 annual stipend + paid visit to Meta headquarters
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Added Perk: Networking with Meta AI research teams
3. OpenAI Residency
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Level: Graduate students or career switchers with strong programming/math background
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Format: Paid 6-month to 1-year full-time residency
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Focus: Research and development in reinforcement learning, alignment, LLMs
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Outcome: Many residents transition into full-time AI research roles
4. Microsoft Research PhD Fellowship
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Open To: Students in their 2nd or 3rd year of PhD
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Coverage: Full tuition, $42,000 USD/year stipend, invitation to Microsoft Research Summit
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Specialties: AI for healthcare, trustworthy AI, human-centered AI
5. NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) – USA
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For: U.S. citizens pursuing research-based master’s or PhD programs
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Benefits: $37,000 annual stipend + $12,000 education allowance for 3 years
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AI Eligibility: AI must be a core component of the proposed research
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Highly Competitive: Strong research statement and academic record required
6. ETH AI Center Doctoral Fellowship – Switzerland
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Program: Interdisciplinary AI research at ETH Zurich
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Funding: Full tuition + CHF 47,000–CHF 50,000 stipend/year
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Focus Areas: Robotics, ML, AI & society, computational neuroscience
7. DeepMind PhD Scholarship
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Partnered Universities: UCL, Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London, and others
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For: Underrepresented or under-resourced students
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Covers: Tuition + full stipend + travel + research equipment
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Bonus: Opportunity to intern or collaborate with DeepMind teams
8. AI4Science Fellowship (by Microsoft Research)
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Specialty: AI applications in scientific research (biology, chemistry, physics)
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Offered To: Graduate students with research in science + AI crossover
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Funding Includes: Research grant, stipend, collaboration opportunities
Typical Fellowship Benefits
| Benefit | Range |
|---|---|
| Tuition Coverage | Full or partial (varies) |
| Monthly Stipend | $2,000 – $3,500+ |
| Research Budget | $5,000 – $15,000/year |
| Mentorship Access | Industry experts & academics |
| Travel Support | For conferences, workshops, etc. |
Eligibility Requirements (General)
Each fellowship has unique criteria, but typically, you’ll need:
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Enrollment in a graduate (Master’s or PhD) program
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Research interest in artificial intelligence or related field
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Strong academic record (GPA 3.5+ or equivalent)
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Technical skills (Python, TensorFlow, PyTorch, etc.)
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Research proposal or statement of purpose
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Letters of recommendation from faculty or industry mentors
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Proof of language proficiency (for international fellowships)
How to Make a Strong Fellowship Application
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Tailor your research proposal – Make it specific to the fellowship’s focus and goals
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Demonstrate impact – Explain how your work advances AI or serves society
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Highlight your technical skills – Especially in coding, modeling, and experimentation
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Get strong references – Choose mentors who understand your work and potential
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Show prior research – Include published papers, GitHub projects, or conference presentations
Career Benefits of AI Research Fellowships
These fellowships are more than just financial support—they serve as springboards for:
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Internships and job offers at top AI companies
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Invitations to conferences like NeurIPS, ICML, and CVPR
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Publications in top-tier journals
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Access to research labs and supercomputing clusters
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Long-term academic or industry research careers
For AI-focused graduate students in 2025, securing a research fellowship is an incredible opportunity to deepen expertise, gain visibility, and work alongside the best in the field. With fully funded support, monthly stipends, and exposure to cutting-edge technology, these fellowships can be career-defining.