Key Takeaways
- ✓Artificial intelligence and machine learning scholarships can reduce the cost of undergraduate, master’s, certificate, and doctoral study, but many awards are competitive or tied to specific universities.
- ✓DeepMind, AWS, and the Vector Institute all offer or coordinate notable AI and machine learning funding pathways, each with its own eligibility rules and application process.
- ✓Teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and doctoral fellowships can be just as important as named scholarships when comparing the real cost of an AI or ML degree.
- ✓Students should confirm each scholarship’s current deadline, participating institutions, and required materials before applying.
Students are seeking education in artificial intelligence and machine learning at every level, from undergraduate study through graduate research. Stanford’s AI Index found that the number of AI and ML courses for undergraduates doubled over the four academic years from 2016 to 2020, with enrollment in introductory courses increasing by more than 60% in the same period. At the graduate level, course offerings also expanded by 60% in recent years, while 18 top programs surveyed by Stanford added more than 60 new professors specializing in artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Those seeking training in AI and ML have good reason: the job market is strong, and companies in many industries are hiring people who can develop, evaluate, and implement AI and machine learning solutions. If you are still comparing pathways, AIFwD’s guides to artificial intelligence degree requirements, master’s programs in artificial intelligence, machine learning master’s programs, and machine learning bootcamps can help you understand the academic options before you apply for funding.
Despite the financial upside of an artificial intelligence career, the cost of higher education continues to make students carefully consider tuition, fees, living expenses, and debt. That includes learners interested in artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, and adjacent technical fields. The good news is that scholarships and other sources of financial aid are available if you know where to look.
In this article, we’ll cover several ways to finance your education without paying too much out of pocket or taking on too many loans: named scholarships, teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and fully funded doctoral fellowships. We’ll also highlight eligibility considerations and application timing so you can start planning.
“The best AI scholarship search starts with named awards, but it should not end there: assistantships and doctoral funding can change the true cost of a degree.”— AIFwD Editorial Staff
DeepMind Scholarship
The DeepMind scholarship program aims to increase representation in artificial intelligence by offering full financial support, which may include tuition, a stipend, a professional development fund, and mentorship, to talented students from currently underrepresented groups who are seeking graduate-level AI study.
DeepMind scholarships are offered by universities around the world, so U.S.-based and international students alike may be able to benefit. Participating institutions have included New York University, University of California–Los Angeles, and University of California–San Diego in the United States; McGill University in Canada; University College London, University of Edinburgh, and Cambridge University in the United Kingdom; Makerere University in Uganda; Universidad de Los Andes in Colombia; Istanbul Technical University in Turkey; and many others around the world.
Each university runs its own DeepMind scholarship program, so eligibility requirements can differ, including which underrepresented groups are targeted, whether students must apply separately, and which graduate programs qualify.
In the United States, for example, NYU lists two fully funded DeepMind scholarships for its Master’s in Data Science program. NYU says all applicants are screened for eligibility, so students interested in the award do not need to submit extra materials. For UCLA’s DeepMind fellowships, prospective master’s students in computer science may be asked to complete an application around the same time they apply for admission.
Your best move is to identify a participating program through DeepMind’s scholarship portal, then confirm the current application requirements directly with that university or department.
AWS AI & ML Scholarship Program
Amazon’s AWS AI & ML Scholarship program focuses on helping high school and college students from underserved and underrepresented communities gain skills for a career in artificial intelligence or machine learning.
Through AWS DeepRacer Student, young adults age 16 and older can access free AI and ML learning materials and apply what they learn in a student-focused online racing league. Students train a virtual race car with machine learning and can use the experience as part of the scholarship pathway.
The racing league is not the only way students can benefit from the program. Eligible students may apply for scholarships connected to Udacity’s AI Programming with Python Nanodegree program, and top performers may become eligible for additional advanced training. Scholarship recipients can also learn from experts through seminars on career guidance, practical experience, and related topics.
Students who want a preview of the competition format can watch AWS’s DeepRacer League Championship Finale, but applicants should rely on the current AWS scholarship page for official eligibility rules, cohort dates, and application steps.
Scholarship timeline
Exact timing can change by year, so treat this as a planning framework and confirm current deadlines on the AWS scholarship site before applying.
- October:
- Students typically complete AWS DeepRacer Student prerequisites to establish scholarship eligibility.
- February:
- Students may submit an application through Udacity for an upcoming scholarship cohort.
- June:
- The scholarship cohort may begin with the Udacity AI Programming with Python Nanodegree program.
Vector Institute’s Vector Scholarship
A more geographically specific opportunity is the Vector Institute’s Vector Scholarship in Artificial Intelligence, which is restricted to students pursuing master’s-level study in Ontario, Canada. Vector offers CAD 17,500 awards to students in approved AI master’s programs or students completing AI-focused independent study or study in a complementary field.
The original 2023–2024 application cycle opened in early January 2023 and listed a March 22, 2023 deadline. Current applicants should check Vector’s scholarship page for the newest award year, deadline, participating programs, and any changes to eligibility.
Applicants generally need strong undergraduate marks and must be entering a full-time master’s program in the applicable academic year. Because the scholarship is tied to Ontario programs, it can be especially relevant for students comparing Canadian AI master’s options.
Common application materials
- Academic records:
- Transcripts or other documentation showing undergraduate performance.
- References:
- Two references are commonly requested.
- Professional profile:
- A curriculum vitae or resume.
- Statement:
- A personal statement explaining interests, preparation, and goals.
- Identification form:
- A self-identification form and any additional materials required by the current application.
Teaching & Research Assistantships
The scholarships above are competitive, and many students will need to combine multiple funding strategies. For graduate students, teaching and research assistantships are among the most important options for reducing the cost of an AI education.
In a teaching or research assistantship, master’s and Ph.D. students assist professors with course management or research. This might mean grading exams, holding office hours, leading discussion sections, supporting undergraduate learners, or helping with work in an AI lab. In exchange, assistants may receive a stipend, hourly pay, tuition remission, health benefits, or some combination of those forms of support.
Assistantship availability differs widely by university, department, degree level, and funding source. Before enrolling, ask whether assistantships are guaranteed, competitive, limited to doctoral students, available to international students, or renewed each year. If you are deciding between formal graduate education and shorter training, compare assistantships against alternatives like online AI certificate programs and online machine learning certificate programs.
Doctoral Fellowships
In the United States, many top doctoral programs in computer science, information technology, artificial intelligence, and machine learning offer Ph.D. candidates full funding for the duration of their studies. This can include tuition remission, a living stipend, health insurance, and professional development support. These fellowships may require doctoral students to work as teaching or research assistants for some or all of their time at the university.
Getting paid to study can sound like a great deal, and it often is. But doctoral programs are long, research-intensive, and competitive. If you are admitted as a Ph.D. student, expect to spend roughly five to seven years in school while working long hours on a modest stipend.
That path can still be worthwhile for students who want to conduct original research or pursue senior research roles. While the primary focus of Ph.D. programs is academic research, many machine learning Ph.D. graduates enter industry as machine learning engineers and AI research scientists at labs such as Google’s DeepMind and Meta AI. Remaining debt-free while preparing for a research-focused AI career can be a major advantage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are AI and machine learning scholarships only for graduate students?+
No. Some opportunities, such as DeepMind scholarships, are typically tied to graduate programs, while the AWS AI & ML Scholarship Program is designed for eligible high school and college students. Assistantships and doctoral fellowships are usually graduate-level funding options.
Do I need to apply separately for every AI scholarship?+
Not always. Some universities automatically screen admitted applicants for certain awards, while others require a separate scholarship or fellowship application. Always confirm the current process with the scholarship sponsor or university department.
Can assistantships cover the full cost of an AI or ML degree?+
Sometimes. Assistantships may provide stipends and partial or full tuition remission, but policies vary by school, program, and degree level. Doctoral funding is more likely than master’s funding to cover the full cost of attendance.
Conclusion & Next Steps
Starting any course of study is a major decision, especially as tuition continues to rise. Scholarships can help simplify the decision, but they are limited and competitive. Most students should build a broader funding plan that includes institutional aid, assistantships, employer tuition support, savings, and careful borrowing when necessary.
To understand the return side of the equation, look beyond tuition and compare likely outcomes. AIFwD’s artificial intelligence engineer guide, master’s in artificial intelligence guide, and machine learning career guide can help you evaluate whether an AI or ML program is worth the investment for your goals.
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