Best AI Scholarships and Fellowships to Apply in 2024

Artificial intelligence (AI) is currently the dominant force in technology. Hence, there is an increased demand for professionals with knowledge and experience in the AI domain. 

Luckily, even if you are a beginner, there are numerous ways to learn about AI and advance your career. From scholarships to fellowships, there are opportunities available for individuals at all levels of expertise. 

This article will cover the best AI scholarships and fellowships you need to apply for in 2024. Let’s begin. 

Best AI Scholarships and Fellowships

These are some  of the best AI scholarships and fellowships that you should apply for in 2024: 

Richard E. Merwin Scholarship

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Computer Society offers the Richard E. Merwin Student Scholarship. It recognizes and rewards active and promising students in IEEE Student Branches or IEEE Computer Society Student Branch Chapters. It offers up to $40,000 annually in scholarships and each recipient can earn up to US $1,000 to support their academic and professional development.

Key Details:

• Eligibility: Open to undergraduate and graduate students in electrical or computer engineering, computer science, or related fields. To apply, you must be an IEEE Computer Society member for at least three months before the application deadline and meet the GPA and enrollment criteria.
• Application Deadlines: 30 April and 30 September annually, with the fall cycle running from September 1st to September 30th.
• Evaluation Criteria: Involvement in IEEE branch activities (30%), academic achievement (30%), extracurricular activities (10%), a letter of recommendation (20%), and the quality of the Student Ambassador vision statement (10%).

Link to Apply

Google AI Residency

The Google AI Residency, formerly known as the Google Brain Residency, is a twelve-month program in machine learning research. Chosen candidates will be able to work with scientists and researchers from deep learning and machine learning teams at Google. 

Key Details:

• Eligibility: Open to candidates with a degree or equivalent experience in STEM fields such as Computer Science, Mathematics, or Statistics. To apply, you must be proficient in programming (Python or C++) and have foundational knowledge in relevant courses. Applicants with research experience in fields like mathematics, physics, or bioinformatics, or those with a strong interest in machine learning research, are encouraged to apply.
• Application Deadlines: Applications are currently open and will close on January 8th, 2018.
• Evaluation Criteria: The program seeks applicants who are highly motivated and have a strong desire to collaborate with Google’s researchers on machine learning projects. A background in STEM and relevant programming skills are essential.

Link to Apply

Inspirit AI + X Individual Research Mentorship

This research mentorship program is for high school students to work with an experienced mentor. Students will gain hands-on experience in extracting insights from large datasets, developing key research questions, and engineering machine learning models to answer them. 

Key Details:

• Eligibility: Open to high school students with prior programming experience in Python or a comparable language. Students should have an interest in AI research and the motivation to complete an independent project.
• Application Deadlines: The last date to apply for this research mentorship is October 15, 2024.
• Evaluation Criteria: Applications will be evaluated based on prior programming experience, commitment to AI research, and the ability to engage in independent, mentor-guided research projects.

Link to Apply

ESA Foundation Scholarship

The ESA Foundation scholarship is for women and minorities who want to pursue careers in the video game industry. Since 2007, the scholarship has awarded over 450 scholarships to underrepresented students pursuing degrees in computer science or video game arts and sciences across the United States. It provides financial assistance as well as non-monetary benefits such as access to professional development, mentorship, and internship opportunities in the video game industry through the ESA Student Network. 

Key Details:

• Eligibility: The scholarship is open to women and minority students pursuing a degree in computer science, video game arts, or related fields at an accredited college or university in the United States.
• Application Deadlines: The dates for the 2025-26 academic year are yet to be announced. The deadline for the 2024-25 school year has ended.
• Evaluation Criteria: Applications are evaluated based on academic performance, passion for the video game industry, leadership potential, and commitment to creating a more inclusive industry.

Link to Apply

The Bottom Line

If you are a student wanting to build a career in AI, then you must apply for these scholarships. These scholarships not only provide financial assistance but also provide you with experience, expertise, and a chance to network with industry professionals.