NVIDIA Graduate Fellowship 2026: $60K for PhD Research

Are you a PhD student working on cutting-edge projects in AI, robotics, autonomous vehicles, or related fields? The NVIDIA Graduate Fellowship Program could be your gateway to funding and industry connections. In its 25th year, this global program awards up to $60,000 to outstanding doctoral researchers. Fellows also receive mentorship and support from NVIDIA experts, and they spend a summer doing a hands-on internship at an NVIDIA research lab. Since its launch in 2002, the program has supported over 200 PhD students (awarding more than $7.3 million total). If you have big ideas and the academic chops to match, this fellowship can be a fantastic way to supercharge your PhD research and career.

Overview of the NVIDIA Graduate Fellowship Program

NVIDIA’s Graduate Fellowship is a prestigious international competition for PhD students. It supports research in accelerated computing and its applications, welcoming proposals in areas like artificial intelligence, machine learning, graphics, robotics, healthcare, autonomous vehicles and more. NVIDIA describes the fellowship as a way to support academia’s pursuit of cutting-edge innovation while introducing the “future leaders” of the industry. In short, this program not only funds your thesis work but plugs you into an ecosystem where your ideas can have real-world impact.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the 2026–2027 fellowship, applicants must meet all of the following requirements:

• PhD Progress: Have completed at least the first year of your PhD program by the time you apply.
• Field of Study: Be enrolled full-time in a relevant field (for example, Computer Science, Electrical/Computer Engineering, Systems Architecture, or a related discipline).
• Research Status: Be actively engaged in research as part of your doctoral thesis.
• Enrollment Period: Be a full-time PhD student throughout the 2026–2027 academic year (meaning you should not plan to graduate before Summer 2027).
• Internship Availability: Be available for a 3–4 month in-person summer internship at an NVIDIA research lab in 2026.
• Family Restriction: Not be an immediate family member of a current NVIDIA employee.
• Administration: Note that the fellowship award is paid through your university (to cover your stipend, tuition and fees).

Meeting these criteria is crucial. NVIDIA selects fellows based on academic achievement and research potential – they look for candidates who are already producing results and can work closely with the NVIDIA research team.

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Funding and Benefits

• Funding: The fellowship provides up to $60,000 for the academic year. This unrestricted gift is intended to cover your PhD stipend, tuition, and mandatory fees. Because the payment goes directly to your university, it generally avoids extra taxes or overhead deductions.
• Mentorship & Resources: Fellows gain access to NVIDIA’s research community and resources. You will work with NVIDIA scientists, get guidance from mentors, and use cutting-edge NVIDIA GPUs and software tools in your research. This support can jumpstart your project and open doors for future collaboration.
• Summer Internship: A key perk is the required in-person summer internship at an NVIDIA research lab. During 3–4 months in summer 2026, you’ll do hands-on work at NVIDIA, gaining industry experience and networking with top engineers and researchers.

Application Process (Step-by-Step)

1. Register online: Create an account on NVIDIA’s Graduate Fellowship submission portal and fill out your student profile. Provide your contact and school information (you can save and return later).
2. Prepare your materials: Write a clear research summary/thesis proposal (up to 2 pages, plus bibliography) that explains your project and goals. Update your CV to highlight your education, research experience and publications. Upload both the proposal and CV to the portal.
3. Add recommenders: Enter the email addresses of 2–3 recommenders in the portal. You must include at least two letters (one of which must be from your PhD advisor). The portal will email them instructions to upload their nomination letters on your behalf. Be sure to ask your professors in advance if they can write a strong letter by the deadline.
4. Monitor submissions: Check your portal dashboard to see the status of each item. Confirm that all documents have been uploaded (the portal shows “completed” once each letter arrives). You cannot submit your final application until all expected letters are in place.
5. Submit your application: When everything is ready, click “Submit” on the portal by 3:00 PM Pacific Time on September 15, 2025. You’ll receive confirmation that your application was received. (Reminder: recommender letters must be submitted by 12:00 PM PT on the same day.)

Apply for the NVIDIA Graduate Fellowship – start your application today!

Important Deadlines

• Application deadline: September 15, 2025 (submit final application by 3:00 PM Pacific Time).
• Recommendation letters: Due September 15, 2025 by 12:00 PM Pacific Time.
• Internship period: Summer 2026 (awardees must complete their NVIDIA internship during this time).

Mark your calendar and give yourself plenty of time to prepare. The fellowship is competitive, so polish each part of your application well before the deadline.

Tips and Advice for Applicants

• Craft a strong vision. Explain your long-term goals, not just your current project. Describe what problems you hope to solve with your research and how the fellowship will help you get there. If you have ideas for your NVIDIA internship or for research after graduation, mention them.
• Show your progress. Highlight any results you’ve achieved so far (experiments, prototypes, publications, etc.). Concrete accomplishments make your proposal more convincing.
• Connect to NVIDIA. Make clear how GPUs or NVIDIA technology relate to your work. For instance, if you use CUDA, deep learning libraries, or high-performance computing in your research, say so. Show how your project could influence future GPU designs or fit into NVIDIA’s areas of interest.
• Choose recommenders wisely. Besides your required advisor letter, pick 1–2 other referees who really know your work. A strong letter comes from someone who has worked closely with you. Politely ask each recommender if they’re willing to write a detailed, positive letter.
• Communicate clearly. Send your recommenders the portal email early and confirm they received it. Give each professor at least two weeks’ notice and polite reminders if needed. Check the portal to ensure each letter is submitted on time (you’ll see a “completed” status when it arrives).
• Submit early if possible. Aim to finish a day or two before the deadline. This leaves a buffer for any last-minute issues. Proofread your entire application carefully. Once you click “submit,” you can’t make changes.

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Conclusion

The NVIDIA Graduate Fellowship offers a fantastic chance to supercharge your PhD with funding, mentorship, and industry experience. If you meet the eligibility criteria, don’t hesitate – prepare your strongest application and apply by the September 15, 2025 deadline. Share this opportunity with your classmates and advisors, because great research deserves support. Remember: your work could help shape the future of computing – dream big and take the leap! Good luck, and go make your mark!