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Google DeepMind Scholarship

by Google DeepMind

The Google DeepMind Scholarship funds exceptional postdoctoral researchers to pursue independent, original AI research at leading UK academic institutions, bridging the gap between industry-scale AI and fundamental academic inquiry.

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Funding

Fully funded (tuition, stipend, and research costs)

Duration

1–3 years (aligned with postdoctoral appointment)

Geography

United Kingdom

Eligibility

Open to researchers who have completed or are about to complete a PhD in computer science, machine learning, mathematics, neuroscience, or a closely related field. Must secure a faculty host at a participating UK university. Open to applicants of any nationality, but the research must be conducted at a UK institution.

Application

Annual (applications typically open in autumn)

Deadline

November 2026

AI & Machine LearningScience & ResearchDeep Tech

About This Fellowship

Google DeepMind, widely regarded as one of the world's leading AI research laboratories, established its scholarship program to invest in the next generation of AI researchers. The program funds postdoctoral scholars to conduct independent research at top UK universities, with the explicit goal of advancing fundamental understanding of intelligence — both artificial and biological.

Unlike many industry-funded programs, the DeepMind Scholarship emphasizes academic independence. Scholars are not expected to work on DeepMind's internal projects or produce commercially relevant outputs. Instead, they are encouraged to pursue ambitious, curiosity-driven research that pushes the boundaries of what we know about machine learning, neuroscience, mathematics, and related fields.

The scholarship covers the full cost of the postdoctoral appointment — including salary, tuition or bench fees, research expenses, and conference travel — removing financial barriers so scholars can focus entirely on their work. Scholars also benefit from informal connections to the DeepMind research community, including opportunities to attend seminars, visit DeepMind's London offices, and collaborate with DeepMind researchers on a voluntary basis.

What You Get

The scholarship provides comprehensive financial support and access to one of the most influential AI research communities in the world.

  • Full funding for a postdoctoral position at a participating UK university (typically 1–3 years)
  • Competitive salary aligned with standard UK postdoctoral pay scales, plus a research allowance
  • Coverage of tuition, bench fees, and other institutional costs
  • Conference travel budget for presenting work at top venues (NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR, etc.)
  • Invitation to DeepMind seminars, reading groups, and annual scholar gatherings in London
  • Optional (not required) opportunities to collaborate with DeepMind researchers

Research Focus Areas

DeepMind Scholars are encouraged to pursue fundamental research across a broad range of topics related to intelligence and computation.

  • Machine learning theory and foundations — generalization, optimization, representation learning
  • Reinforcement learning and decision-making under uncertainty
  • Neuroscience-inspired AI — computational neuroscience, brain-computer interfaces, cognitive modeling
  • AI safety and alignment — robustness, interpretability, value alignment
  • Mathematics of AI — geometric deep learning, algebraic approaches, information theory
  • Applications of AI to scientific discovery — protein folding, materials science, climate modeling

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through the host university in partnership with a faculty supervisor. The process is designed to identify researchers with exceptional potential for independent, original work.

  • Identify a faculty supervisor at a participating UK university who is willing to host your postdoctoral research
  • Submit a joint application including a detailed research proposal, CV, publication list, and letters of recommendation
  • Research proposals are evaluated by a panel of DeepMind researchers and external academics
  • Shortlisted candidates are invited for interviews (typically virtual) with the selection committee
  • Participating universities include UCL, Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London, and Edinburgh, among others
  • Candidates must have completed (or be near completion of) a PhD in a relevant field at the time of application

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