NVIDIA Graduate Fellowship Program 2027–2028

Research that combines computing with another discipline may also be relevant where there is a clear connection to NVIDIA's research interests.

Who Can Apply

The fellowship is intended for PhD students who have already progressed into doctoral-level research. Applicants should be enrolled in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, system architecture or a closely related discipline and should have completed at least one year of PhD study before applying.

Candidates should be actively working on a doctoral research project and should expect to remain enrolled as full-time PhD students during the fellowship award year. Applicants who are scheduled to complete their PhD before the end of the award year are not eligible.

The programme is open to international applicants, although individual candidates must satisfy the programme's academic, enrolment and internship requirements. Applicants should also confirm that their university is able to receive and administer the fellowship funding.

An important consideration is the summer internship requirement. Selected fellows must be available to undertake the required in-person internship at an eligible NVIDIA research location before the fellowship year begins. Prospective applicants should therefore consider visa arrangements, university commitments and the timing of their doctoral research before applying.

Fellowship Benefits

The programme provides a combination of financial support and professional research exposure.

Selected fellows may receive:

• Up to US$60,000 in fellowship funding.
• Funding administered through the recipient's university.
• Support for eligible stipend, tuition and mandatory fees.
• An opportunity to undertake an in-person summer internship with NVIDIA.
• Exposure to an industrial research environment.
• Opportunities to interact with NVIDIA researchers and technical teams.
• An opportunity to present research at NVIDIA's GTC San Jose event.

The fellowship is not simply a tuition award. Its structure is intended to connect doctoral research with practical developments in computing and technology, which can provide fellows with experience relevant to both academic and industry research careers.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants should meet the following requirements:

• Be enrolled in a PhD programme in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, system architecture or a related field.
• Have completed at least one year of PhD-level study before applying.
• Be actively conducting research as part of their doctoral programme.
• Remain enrolled as a full-time PhD student throughout the fellowship award year.
• Not be scheduled to graduate before the end of the fellowship award year.
• Be available to complete the required in-person summer internship.
• Attend a university that can administer the fellowship award.
• Have research that aligns with an area relevant to NVIDIA's research interests.

Applicants should assess their research fit carefully rather than relying only on the name of their academic department. The strength of the connection between the proposed research and the programme's research areas is an important part of preparing a competitive application.

Application Requirements

Applicants are expected to submit a focused research application demonstrating both their academic background and the significance of their doctoral work.

The application includes:

• A research proposal of up to two pages, excluding the bibliography.
• A current CV or resume.
• Two to three recommendation letters.
• At least one recommendation from the applicant's thesis advisor or professor.
• Additional information requested through the official application system.

The research proposal should explain the research problem being addressed, the approach being taken, progress or results achieved so far and the potential significance of the work. Applicants should also make the relationship between their research and NVIDIA's areas of interest clear.

Because recommendation letters form part of the completed application, prospective applicants should approach their referees early and allow sufficient time for the letters to be submitted through the application system.

What Applicants Should Consider

Before applying, candidates should look beyond the financial value of the fellowship and consider whether the programme's structure matches their doctoral plans.

The required NVIDIA internship is an important part of the award. Applicants should be prepared to spend time at an eligible NVIDIA research location before the fellowship year and should consider whether this can be accommodated alongside university requirements, laboratory work, fieldwork or other doctoral commitments.

Applicants should also make sure that their research proposal is understandable to reviewers outside the narrowest area of their specialization. A strong proposal should communicate the research problem, explain why it matters and show how the proposed work contributes to relevant areas of computing and technology.

Since the award is administered through the university, applicants should also confirm in advance that their institution can accept and process the fellowship funding.

How to Apply

Applicants should begin by reviewing the official NVIDIA Graduate Fellowship requirements and confirming their eligibility.

The application is completed through NVIDIA's official fellowship application system. Candidates should prepare their research proposal and CV before beginning the submission process and should arrange their recommendation letters early.

Applicants will need to provide their referees' information through the application system so that recommendation letters can be submitted directly. All required application materials, including recommendation letters, must be received by the stated deadline.

Candidates should carefully review their submission before finalizing it, particularly the research proposal, supporting information and recommendation status.

Important Deadline

The application deadline for the 2027–2028 NVIDIA Graduate Fellowship Program is October 30, 2026.

Recommendation letters must also be submitted by the application deadline. Applicants are therefore advised to begin the process early rather than waiting until the final days before the closing date.