Apple Scholars in AI/ML PhD Fellowship Program 2026

The Apple Scholars in AI/ML PhD fellowship program recognizes the contributions of emerging leaders in computer science and engineering at the graduate and postgraduate level. The PhD fellowship in AI/ML was created as part of the Apple Scholars program to support the work of outstanding doctoral candidates from around the world, who are pursuing cutting edge research in machine learning and artificial intelligence.

Apple has announced the PhD Fellowships in AI/ML 2026 program. Nominees should be pursuing research in one or more of the following research areas:

1. Privacy preserving machine learning
2. Human centred AI
3. AI for ethics and fairness
4. AI for accessibility
5. AI for health and wellness
6. ML theory
7. ML algorithms and architectures
8. Interactive ML and agents
9. Speech and natural language
10. Computer vision
11. Information retrieval, ranking, and knowledge
12. Data-centric AI

Summary

1. Application Deadline: August 01, 2025
2. Category: Fellowship, PhD, Postdoctoral
3. Opportunity Locations: Germany
4. School: TUM Graduate School

Eligibility Criteria for Apple Scholars in AI/ML PhD Fellowship Program 2026

1. Applicant must be fully registered on the doctoral candidacy list of their School (in DocGS) and
2. Must be a full member in the TUM Graduate School at the time of application and expect to be enrolled through the end of the 2026/2027 academic year
3. Applicants should be entering their last 2-3 years of the doctorate as of Fall 2025.
4. Applicant must not hold an equivalent industry-sponsored full fellowship while they are an Apple Scholar in AI/ML (Fall 2026 to Summer 2028)

Benefits of Apple Scholars in AI/ML PhD Fellowship Program 2026

The fellowship award comprises

1. A generous stipend for 2 academic years to help with actual living expenses and related expenses
2. $5,000 USD travel grant each year to support research-related travel and associated expenses
3. Mentorship with an Apple researcher

All monetary gifts are disbursed to the nominating university annually at the beginning of each academic year, and are conditional upon the Apple Scholar’s full-time enrollment with the university for the upcoming year to which the monetary gifts would apply and continuing to meet the eligibility criteria.

Note: The award of the Apple Scholar in AI/ML PhD fellowship does not represent an employer/employee relationship between Apple and the receiving university and/or student. Apple Scholars may separately be invited to apply for Apple internships; participating in an

An internship is not a requirement or a guarantee of the fellowship.

How to Apply

1. CV and publication list
2. Research Abstract (200 word maximum)
3. Research statement covering past work and proposed direction for the next 2 years (4-page maximum, including citations, in a legible font size) clearly stating the hypothesis and expected contributions to the chosen research area. Personally identifiable information is redacted for phase one reviewers. We recommend not including personally identifiable information in the main body of the research statement in order to maintain research statement clarity for reviewers of the redacted copy.
4. Two letters of recommendation, one from current supervisor (1 page maximum per letter)
5. Transcripts of current and previous academic records (Bachelor's, master's)
6. Nominee’s estimated tuition and fees (including enrollment, health insurance, and books) for the nominee’s 2025-2026 academic year (or doctoral candidates' bursary stipend, if regionally appropriate). The amount entered will be used for planning purposes only and will not impact final Scholar recommendations and/or the actual gift amount, if awarded.

In order to apply, please submit the complete application documents in separate PDF files to Marina Schmidt marina.schmidt@tum.de, until 1 August 2025. Applications must be submitted by the primary thesis supervisor.

After the application deadline, the TUM Graduate School Prize Committee shall nominate the 3 most promising candidates for the Apple PhD Fellowship 2026 in AI/ML.

View details of Apple Scholars in AI/ML PhD Fellowship Program

Apply for Apple Scholars in AI/ML PhD Fellowship Program

Application Deadline

01 August, 2025

Application Link(s)

• Apply for Apple Scholars in AI/ML PhD Fellowship Program 2026