Apple Scholars in AI/ML PhD Fellowship Program

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 levels. This fellowship supports outstanding doctoral candidates pursuing cutting-edge research in machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI).

📖 About the Program

The Apple Scholars in AI/ML PhD Fellowship Program was created to support exceptional doctoral candidates from around the world. The program focuses on advancing research in the following areas:

• Privacy-preserving machine learning
• Human-centered AI
• AI for ethics and fairness
• AI for accessibility
• AI for health and wellness
• ML theory
• ML algorithms and architectures
• Interactive ML and agents
• Speech and natural language
• Computer vision
• Information retrieval, ranking, and knowledge
• Data-centric AI

Key Details:

• Date Published: June 28, 2025
• Application Deadline: August 1, 2025
• Category: Fellowship, PhD, Postdoctoral
• Location: Germany
• School: TUM Graduate School

🎁 Benefits of the Fellowship

The fellowship award includes the following benefits:

• Generous stipend for two academic years to cover living and related expenses.
• $5,000 USD travel grant per year for research-related travel and associated expenses.
• Mentorship with an Apple researcher.

Note: All monetary gifts are disbursed annually to the nominating university at the beginning of each academic year. The award is conditional upon the Apple Scholar’s full-time enrollment and continued eligibility.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the fellowship, applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. Be fully registered on the doctoral candidacy list of their school (in DocGS).
2. Be a full member of the TUM Graduate School at the time of application and remain enrolled through the 2026/2027 academic year.
3. Be entering their last 2-3 years of the doctorate as of Fall 2025.
4. Must not hold an equivalent industry-sponsored full fellowship during the fellowship period (Fall 2026 to Summer 2028).

📝 Application Process

Applicants must submit the following documents in separate PDF files:

1. CV and publication list
2. Research Abstract (200-word maximum)
3. Research Statement (4-page maximum, including citations) covering:
   • Past work
   • Proposed direction for the next two years
   • Hypothesis and expected contributions to the chosen research area
     (Avoid including personally identifiable information in the main body of the research statement.)
4. Two letters of recommendation (1 page maximum per letter), including one from the current supervisor.
5. Transcripts of current and previous academic records (Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees).
6. Estimated tuition and fees for the 2025-2026 academic year (or doctoral candidate bursary stipend, if regionally appropriate).

Submission Instructions:

• Submit the complete application documents to Marina Schmidt at marina.schmidt@tum.de by August 1, 2025.
• Applications must be submitted by the primary thesis supervisor.

Selection Process:

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

📅 Important Dates

• Application Deadline: August 1, 2025

🌐 Application Portal

For more details, visit the Apple Scholars in AI/ML PhD Fellowship Program.
To apply, visit the application page.

This fellowship is an incredible opportunity for doctoral candidates to advance their research in AI/ML while receiving mentorship and financial support from Apple. Don't miss the chance to apply!

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