Google PhD fellowship programme: Indian students can apply by April 15, here's how

• The applications for Google PhD fellowship programme, which was formulated to recognize science students in innovative research, are open for Indian students.
  
• The last date to apply for the four year fellowship is April 15, 2020.
  
• The fellowship students research on a wide range of topics like mobile computing, machine learning, human-computer interaction and more.
  
• The selected students are alloted a Google Research Mentor during the programme and are eligible for a monetary award or stipend.

The applications for Google PhD Fellowship Programme, which was formulated to recognize science students in innovative research, are open for Indian students. The last date to apply for the four year fellowship is April 15, 2020. The students from Indian universities who have a major in computer science or related fields are eligible to apply.

What it entails?

The fellowship students will research on a wide range of topics like mobile computing, machine learning, human-computer interaction, system and networking, natural language processing and others.

The students who are recognised as Google researchers are eligible for a monetary award or stipend. In addition, Google extends funding to the universities of the selected candidates for student expenses including travel and research related activities. The total fund cover is $50,000 (₹3.6 million).

The selected student is alloted a Google Research Mentor during the programme. These students can also opt for an internship in the company. However, that completely depends on the performance.

“There will not be any employee relationship (except as an intern) between fellowship recipients and Google,” the company clarified.

In some cases, the fellowship recipients are eligible for scholarships like Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship, Google Scholarship for Students with Disabilities.

Who can apply?

While in countries like New Zealand, Australia and the United States, only the universities can nominate the students for the Google programme, it is also open for direct submissions in India. Students pursuing undergraduate, masters or professionals can apply to the fellowship.

This includes graduates pursuing PhD from any Indian universities and those who are currently in their first year of a part-time PhD programme and transferring to full-time positions. While the students in the UG and PG courses should be full-time students at the university.

In case of employed professionals, they should be affiliated to a recognised Indian organisation. However, “the receipt of the award is contingent on them joining a full-time PhD programme at an Indian university within the calendar year of the award,” Google said.

This excludes the employees of Google and their spouses and children.

Document checklist

• To complete the application process, the applicants must have their resume along with links to websites and publications.
• Marksheets from their bachelor’s degree to the highest qualification so far.
• Research proposal
• At least two letters of recommendation from research advisors or those familiar with their work.
• A 350 word essay response on — “Describe the desired impact your research will make on the field and society, and why this is important to you. Include any personal, educational and/or professional experiences that have motivated your research interests.”

Evaluation process

The applicants are shortlisted on the basis of their research proposal, research impact, student academic achievements, and leadership potential. This includes assessment of innovative concepts in the research, impact and direction of work. The research should align with Google AI Principles.

The applications start in February every year and the candidates are shortlisted by July.

See also:
IITs and IISERs provide internships to 500 science students from Jammu & Kashmir

This Fortune 500 company is looking for its ‘CEO for a month’ — offering ₹1.6 lakh a month as salary