The NVIDIA Graduate Fellowship Program 2027–2028 offers competitive research funding of up to $60,000 per award for outstanding PhD students conducting research related to accelerated computing and NVIDIA technologies. Open to eligible doctoral researchers worldwide, the fellowship supports research in artificial intelligence, computer vision, robotics, computer graphics, healthcare, autonomous vehicles, high-performance computing, and other related fields. Selected fellows receive funding administered through their universities, opportunities to collaborate with NVIDIA researchers, and the chance to complete a required in-person summer internship at an eligible NVIDIA research office. Applications opened on September 30, 2026, and the deadline is October 30, 2026, including recommendation letters.

NVIDIA Graduate Fellowship 2027–2028 – Key Details

• Host Country: United States and other eligible internship locations
• Organisation: NVIDIA
• Study Level: PhD | Doctoral Research
• Eligible Applicants: Domestic and international PhD students
• Fellowship Type: Competitive research fellowship
• Financial Benefits: Up to $60,000 per award
• Funding Coverage: University-administered funding for stipend, tuition, and mandatory fees
• Research Areas: Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Robotics, Computer Vision, Computer Graphics, Computer Architecture, and related fields
• Internship Requirement: Required in-person summer internship at an eligible NVIDIA research office
• Application Opening Date: September 30, 2026
• Application Deadline: October 30, 2026
• Winner Notifications: January 15, 2027
• Official Website: NVIDIA Research

About the NVIDIA Graduate Fellowship Program

The NVIDIA Graduate Fellowship Program supports exceptional doctoral researchers whose work advances accelerated computing and aligns with NVIDIA’s research interests. The programme encourages collaboration between academic researchers and NVIDIA’s technical community, helping students explore new ideas in computing, artificial intelligence, graphics, robotics, and other technology-driven disciplines.

For the 2027–2028 award cycle, NVIDIA is offering funding of up to $60,000 per selected student. The award is administered through the recipient’s university and is intended to support eligible stipend, tuition, and mandatory fee costs during the fellowship year.

In addition to financial support, fellows have opportunities to collaborate with NVIDIA researchers and present their research to the broader technical community.

Important: The award is competitive and is not an automatic full scholarship for every applicant. The amount awarded depends on eligible costs and programme conditions. Funds are paid to the university for administration rather than directly to the student.

Research Areas Covered by the Fellowship

The fellowship welcomes research proposals in areas relevant to NVIDIA’s technology and research priorities, including:

• Artificial Intelligence: Generative AI, language models, speech technologies, neural architectures, theory, and algorithms.
• AI Software Platforms: Systems and tools that support the development and deployment of AI.
• Autonomous Vehicles: Computing technologies for autonomous driving and intelligent transportation.
• Computer Vision and Computational Imaging: Image processing, visual understanding, and computational photography.
• Computer Architecture and VLSI: Processor architecture, circuits, chip design, and hardware optimisation.
• Computer Graphics: Rendering, visual computing, and graphics systems.
• Healthcare and Life Sciences: Accelerated computing applications in medicine, biology, and scientific discovery.
• Networking and Interconnects: Technologies that support efficient communication between computing systems.
• Parallel Computing: Parallel programming systems, algorithms, and high-performance computing.
• Robotics: Intelligent robotic systems, perception, and control.
• Security and Privacy: Research addressing security and privacy in modern computing.
• Quantum Computing: Computing technologies and algorithms related to quantum systems.

Applicants should explain how their research connects with NVIDIA’s research domains and may influence the design, performance, or use of future GPUs.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the fellowship’s academic, research, and participation requirements.

• PhD Experience: Applicants should have completed their first year of PhD-level study before applying. Exceptional cases may be considered, but candidates without PhD-level research experience are unlikely to be competitive.
• Relevant Field: Applicants must study computer science, computer engineering, system architecture, electrical engineering, or a related discipline.
• Active Research: Candidates must be actively conducting research as part of their PhD thesis.
• Full-Time Enrolment: Fellows must remain full-time, active PhD students throughout the nine-month award year.
• Graduation Timeline: Applicants must not plan to graduate before the end of the fellowship award year.
• Internship Availability: Candidates must be available for the required in-person summer internship before the fellowship year begins.
• International Applicants: PhD students from outside the United States may apply.
• University Administration: The applicant’s university must be able to administer the award.
• Participation Restrictions: Full-time NVIDIA employees and immediate family members of NVIDIA employees are not eligible.

Eligible internship locations include the United States, Canada, Germany, Sweden, Finland, Switzerland, Israel, Taiwan, and Singapore. Applicants should review the official eligibility terms before applying.

NVIDIA Graduate Fellowship Benefits

1. Research Funding of Up to $60,000

Selected fellows may receive an award of up to $60,000. The funding is administered by the university and can support eligible stipend, tuition, and mandatory fee costs. The final amount depends on the recipient’s eligible costs and the programme’s terms.

2. Collaboration with NVIDIA Researchers

Fellows have opportunities to interact with NVIDIA researchers and technical experts. This collaboration can help doctoral students connect academic research with practical challenges in advanced computing.

3. Required Summer Internship

Selected candidates must complete an in-person summer internship at an eligible NVIDIA research office before the fellowship year begins. Applicants should confirm that they can meet this requirement before submitting their application.

4. Research Development

The fellowship supports doctoral research relevant to NVIDIA’s technology priorities, including AI, accelerated computing, robotics, graphics, and computer architecture.

5. Research Visibility

Fellows have the opportunity to share their work with the broader research community, including through participation at GTC San Jose, as described by NVIDIA.

6. International Research Opportunity

International PhD students are eligible to apply, provided they meet the academic requirements and can fulfil the internship and other programme conditions.

Required Documents

Applicants should prepare the following materials for their fellowship application:

• Research Proposal: A focused research proposal of up to two pages, plus a bibliography. The bibliography does not count toward the two-page limit.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Résumé: Include relevant academic qualifications, research experience, publications, achievements, and contact information.
• Recommendation Letters: At least two and no more than three letters. One must come from the applicant’s thesis advisor or professor.
• Internship Availability Confirmation: Confirmation that the applicant can complete the required in-person summer internship.
• Application Information: Any additional details requested through NVIDIA’s application portal.

Applicants should ensure that their research proposal clearly explains their work, progress to date, and connection to NVIDIA’s research priorities.

How to Apply for the NVIDIA Graduate Fellowship 2027–2028

Follow these steps to submit your application:

1. Visit the Official Website: Open the NVIDIA Graduate Fellowship page and review the eligibility criteria and application instructions.
2. Prepare Your Research Proposal: Describe your PhD research, progress, research goals, and potential relevance to NVIDIA technologies.
3. Update Your CV: Include your academic background, research experience, publications, and relevant achievements.
4. Contact Your Recommenders: Ask your thesis advisor or professor and other suitable referees to provide strong recommendation letters.
5. Create an Application Profile: Register through the official application portal and complete the required information.
6. Upload Your Documents: Submit your research proposal, CV, and other requested materials.
7. Confirm Internship Availability: Make sure you can complete the required in-person summer internship at an eligible NVIDIA research office.
8. Track Recommendation Letters: Check the portal regularly and follow up with recommenders to ensure their letters are received.
9. Submit Before the Deadline: Finalise your application and ensure all required recommendation letters have arrived by October 30, 2026.
10. Monitor Your Email: Check for updates and selection notifications from NVIDIA.

Applicants should begin early because recommendation letters are part of the deadline requirements.

Application Deadline

The application deadline for the NVIDIA Graduate Fellowship Program 2027–2028 is October 30, 2026. All required recommendation letters must also be received by this date.

• Applications Open: September 30, 2026
• Final Deadline: October 30, 2026
• Winner Notifications: January 15, 2027

Late recommendation letters may affect the application, so candidates should contact their referees well before the deadline.

Who Should Apply?

This fellowship may be suitable for:

• PhD students researching artificial intelligence and machine learning.
• Doctoral researchers working in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, or related fields.
• Students conducting research in robotics, computer vision, graphics, autonomous systems, or high-performance computing.
• Researchers whose work connects with NVIDIA’s technology and research priorities.
• Candidates with a strong research record, a focused proposal, and supportive academic references.
• International doctoral students who can meet the internship and other programme requirements.

Applicants should be prepared to demonstrate the quality of their research, academic achievements, and the potential relevance of their work to NVIDIA.

Apply Now

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the NVIDIA Graduate Fellowship Program 2027–2028?

It is a competitive research fellowship that supports eligible PhD students whose work advances accelerated computing and aligns with NVIDIA’s research interests.

2. How much funding does the NVIDIA Graduate Fellowship provide?

The programme offers up to $60,000 per award. Funding is administered through the recipient’s university to cover eligible stipend, tuition, and mandatory fee costs.

3. Is the NVIDIA Graduate Fellowship fully funded?

The fellowship provides substantial research funding, but it should not be considered an automatic full scholarship for every applicant. The award amount depends on eligible costs and programme conditions.

4. Can international students apply?

Yes. International PhD students are eligible, provided they meet the academic, research, internship, and other requirements.

5. Which fields of study are eligible?

Eligible areas include computer science, computer engineering, system architecture, electrical engineering, and related fields. Research may focus on AI, robotics, graphics, computer vision, networking, healthcare, parallel computing, or other relevant topics.

6. Do I need to have completed the first year of my PhD?

Applicants should have completed their first year of PhD-level study before applying. NVIDIA notes that exceptional cases may be considered, but applicants without PhD-level research experience are unlikely to be competitive.

7. Is an internship required?

Yes. Selected fellows must complete a required in-person summer internship at an eligible NVIDIA research office before the fellowship award year begins.

8. What documents are required?

Applicants need a research proposal of up to two pages plus a bibliography, a CV or résumé, at least two and no more than three recommendation letters, and confirmation of internship availability.

9. Who should write the recommendation letters?

At least one letter must come from the applicant’s thesis advisor or professor. Applicants may submit two or three letters in total.

10. What is the application deadline?

The deadline is October 30, 2026, including all required recommendation letters.

11. When will successful applicants be notified?

NVIDIA lists January 15, 2027 as the winner notification date for the 2027–2028 fellowship cycle.

12. Where can I apply for the NVIDIA Graduate Fellowship?

Applicants can review the official programme requirements and submit their application through NVIDIA’s website.