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The Google PhD Student Fellowship Program was created to recognize outstanding graduate students doing exceptional work in computer science, related disciplines, or promising research areas. 

Each department may submit up to four nominations to the Graduate College. Each university is limited to 2 nominations.

Google will award two-year fellowships consisting of:

• Tuition and fees
• $35k yearly stipend (paid over 9 months of the academic year)
• Google Research Mentor
• Third year extension possible at Google's discretion

Google will award approximately 15 fellowships from among the following topical areas:

• Computational Neuroscience
• Health Research
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Machine Learning
• Machine Perception, Speech Technology, & Computer Vision
• Market Algorithms
• Mobile Computing
• Natural Language Processing (including Information Retrieval & Extraction)
• Privacy & Security
• Programming Languages & Software Engineering
• Quantum Computing
• Structured Data & Database Management
• Systems & Networking
• Operating Systems

Applications are evaluated Google will evaluate on the strength of the research proposal, research impact, student academic achievements, and leadership potential. Research proposals are evaluated for innovative concepts that are relevant to Google’s research areas, as well as aspects of robustness and potential impact to the field. Proposals should include the direction and any plans of where your work is going in addition to a comprehensive description of the research you are pursuing.

Additional Information Links:

• Grad College Fellowship Finder database: https://apps.grad.illinois.edu/fellowship-finder/index.cfm?action=main.fellowship&fid=3163
  
• Google: https://ai.google/research/outreach/phd-fellowship/
  

ELIGIBILITY

Full-time graduate students pursuing a PhD in the research areas represented by the fellowships

Must attend an eligible university, including Illinois.

Must be nominated by their department

Completed graduate coursework by the Fall of the award year, when the Fellowship begins. This is usually the 3rd year for US students.

Students who are already receiving another fellowship are not eligible.

Universities may nominate up to four eligible students from Computer Science or related fields. If more than two are nominated, then in order to increase opportunities for students who are underrepresented in the field of computing, additional nominees must self-identify as a woman, Black/African American, American Indian/Alaskan Native, Hispanic/Latinx, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, and/or person with a disability.  In other words, if a university chooses to nominate more than 2 students, then the 3rd and 4th student nomination should self-identify with the underrepresented group mentioned above.

REQUIRED MATERIALS

Required Materials:

1. Name of the area (from above list) in which student is being nominated.
2. Student's CV
3. Do you self-identify as a woman, Black/African American, American Indian/Alaskan Native, Hispanic/Latinx, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, and/or person with a disability?
4. Dissertation abstract (maximum 1000 characters).
5. Dissertation Research Proposal.  The recommended length is 4-5 pages (single-spaced), with maximum length of 8 pages.  The proposal must have 12 point font, in Times New Roman, and with 1-inch margins. Proposals not following this format will be disqualified. A descriptive title must appear at the top of the first page of the proposal.  An accompanying References Cited section (1 pages maximum) may also be submitted.
6. Essay #1: In an essay of 350 words max (single spaced, 12 point font, Times New Roman, 1 inch margins), describe the desired impact your research will make on the field and society, and why this is important to you. Include any personal, educational, and/or professional experiences that have motivated your research interests.
7. Essay #2: In an essay of 350 words max (single spaced, 12 point font, Times New Roman, 1 inch margins), describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes, or contributed to group efforts over time.
   • Tips for this essay: A leadership role can mean more than just a title. It can mean being a mentor to others, acting as the person in charge of a specific task, or taking the lead role in organizing an event or project. Think about what you accomplished and what you learned from the experience. What were your responsibilities? Did you lead a team? How did your experience change your perspective on leading others? Did you help to resolve an important dispute at your school, church, in your community or an organization? And your leadership role doesn’t necessarily have to be limited to school activities. For example, do you help out or take care of your family?
8. Letter of recommendation from thesis advisor.
9. Additional letters. 1-2 additional letters of recommendation from those familiar with the student's work.  (I recommend 2 letters).
10. Short CV of thesis advisor (1 page maximum)
11. Transcripts. Graduate and undergraduate transcripts (unofficial are sufficient).  (Unofficial Illinois transcripts can be obtained for free at: https://apps.uillinois.edu/selfservice/)

Materials should be submitted by 11:59PM on 9/10/20 to Michelle Wellens.

Note: Students, submit ONE PDF named "20-21. GOOGLE - Last Name, First Name."  Letters of recommendation should be sent from the letter writer directly to mwellens@illinois.edu. 

I recommend that students submit their CVs and drafts of their statement(s) to their letter writers at least a week prior to the deadline.