NVIDIA Graduate Fellowship Program 2027-28 in USA
Introduction
The NVIDIA Graduate Fellowship Program 2027-28 supports PhD students conducting research in artificial intelligence, robotics, autonomous vehicles, and related areas. Open to international applicants from around the world, the program combines research funding with access to NVIDIA technologies and expertise. Selected fellows must also complete an in-person summer internship before the fellowship year begins.
The fellowship provides up to $60,000 per award, administered through the recipient’s university. Selection considers academic achievement, research quality, professor nominations, and the potential impact of the proposed work. Applications and recommendation letters must be received by 30 October 2026.
Scholarship Overview
This paid graduate fellowship is intended for researchers who have already completed their first year of doctoral study. Recipients must remain active, full-time PhD students throughout the nine-month award year. Alongside financial support, the program offers opportunities to engage with NVIDIA professionals, connect with other researchers, and present research at GTC San Jose.
Host Country
The opportunity is listed as a fellowship in the United States, while the required internship may take place at an eligible NVIDIA research office in several countries. These locations include the United States, Canada, Germany, Sweden, Finland, Switzerland, Israel, Taiwan, and Singapore. Applicants must be available to attend the internship in person before the fellowship year starts.
Host Institution or Organization
The program is organized by NVIDIA Corporation, a technology company specializing in graphics processing units, or GPUs. Founded in 1993, NVIDIA is headquartered in Santa Clara, California. Through its graduate fellowship, the company supports academic researchers and provides opportunities to work with its technologies, products, resources, and experts.
Degree Level
The fellowship is available to students pursuing a PhD. Applicants must have completed their first doctoral year before applying and must be actively engaged in research for their thesis. They must not plan to graduate before the end of the academic year covered by the award.
Available Fields of Study
Eligible academic areas include Computer Science, Computer Engineering, System Architecture, Electrical Engineering, and related disciplines. NVIDIA invites submissions from students developing research in artificial intelligence, robotics, autonomous vehicles, and connected areas. Applicants should explain how their doctoral work relates to these research interests rather than relying solely on their degree title.
Scholarship Benefits
Each fellowship offers funding of up to $60,000 to support the recipient’s stipend, tuition, and mandatory fees. The university administers the award, and payment is made directly to the institution rather than to the student. Recipients may undertake part-time employment during their studies, provided it does not create a conflict of interest.
Fellows also gain access to NVIDIA resources, technologies, products, and expertise to support their research. The required summer internship provides practical experience and opportunities to engage with NVIDIA professionals. Additional benefits include connections with fellow researchers and the opportunity to present research at GTC San Jose.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must have completed the first year of their PhD and be pursuing an eligible or related discipline. Active involvement in doctoral thesis research is required. Successful candidates must maintain full-time, active PhD status for the entire nine-month award period and remain enrolled until the end of that academic year.
Availability for the mandatory in-person summer internship is another condition of participation. Full-time NVIDIA employees and immediate family members of NVIDIA employees cannot apply. International students are welcome, but every applicant must satisfy the academic, enrollment, and internship requirements.
Required Documents
The application requires a research overview or thesis proposal of no more than two pages, with the bibliography excluded from that limit. Applicants must also submit a resume or curriculum vitae that includes their contact information. Confirmation of availability for the in-person summer internship is required as part of the application.
Candidates must arrange at least two nomination or recommendation letters, with a maximum of three accepted. One letter must come from the thesis advisor or a professor. Other letters may be written by non-professors, allowing applicants to include additional perspectives on their research experience and capabilities.
Application Process
Apply through NVIDIA’s official website and its Graduate Fellowship submission portal. First, review the eligibility conditions and create a profile in the portal. Applicants can update their materials before submitting the final version, so the draft stage provides an opportunity to check completeness and accuracy.
Complete the application fields, upload the research overview or thesis proposal and CV, and confirm internship availability. Ask recommenders for permission before entering their contact details, after which the portal will email them submission instructions. Monitor the status of each letter, follow up where necessary, and submit once the application and all expected recommendations are complete.
Important Dates and Deadline
The application deadline is 30 October 2026, and all recommendation letters must also arrive by that date. Selected applicants will be notified on 15 January 2027. Applicants should plan their document preparation and referee requests around the requirement that every component be received before the deadline.
Tips for Applicants
As general preparation advice, begin by checking your doctoral timeline against the full award period. Confirm that your expected graduation plans and internship availability are compatible with the program before preparing the application. This can help identify practical issues early, particularly where an in-person internship requires advance coordination.
Request recommendation letters early and give referees a clear summary of your research, relevant achievements, and submission deadline. Keep a personal checklist covering documents, contact details, internship confirmation, and letter status. Allow time for a final review rather than treating the upload of your own documents as the end of the process.
How to Prepare a Strong Application
As general writing guidance, use the research overview to explain the problem you are addressing, why it matters, and how your work approaches it. Clearly distinguish completed results from planned research, and describe your individual contribution accurately. Since research quality and potential impact are selection considerations, make those aspects easy for reviewers to understand.
Use the two-page allowance carefully, keeping the main proposal focused and placing references in the bibliography. In your CV, prioritize relevant research experience, academic achievements, and technical work without overstating your role. Check that the proposal, CV, and information supplied to referees present a consistent account of your doctoral progress.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can international PhD students apply?
Yes, the fellowship welcomes international applicants from around the world. Applicants must nevertheless meet all academic and enrollment conditions. They must also be available for the required in-person summer internship.
Is the funding paid directly to the fellow?
No, NVIDIA pays the award directly to the recipient’s university. The university administers funding for the stipend, tuition, and mandatory fees. The maximum funding available is $60,000 per award.
Is the summer internship compulsory?
Yes, fellows must complete an in-person summer internship before the fellowship year begins. It must take place at an eligible NVIDIA research office. Applicants must confirm their availability during the application process.
How many recommendation letters are needed?
Applicants need at least two letters and may submit no more than three. One must be from a thesis advisor or professor, while other letters may come from non-professors. All letters must be received by 30 October 2026.
Conclusion
The NVIDIA Graduate Fellowship Program 2027-28 combines doctoral research support with an industry internship and access to NVIDIA expertise. It is intended for eligible PhD students who can maintain full-time enrollment throughout the award year. Interested candidates should prepare a focused research proposal, coordinate their recommendations, and submit all materials through NVIDIA’s official application system before the deadline.
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