As artificial intelligence continues to reshape global industries, the United States remains the epicenter of AI research, housing world-renowned institutions like Stanford, MIT, Carnegie Mellon, and UC Berkeley. However, obtaining a degree in AI, computer science, or data science in the US can cost tens of thousands of dollars annually. Fortunately, numerous federal grants, corporate fellowships, and institutional scholarships exist to relieve this financial burden for top-tier talent.
Whether you are an aspiring undergraduate, a Master's student, or a PhD candidate, securing financial aid is a critical step in your educational journey. Below is the definitive guide to the top 10 scholarships and fellowships in the USA for studying Artificial Intelligence.
1. National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP)
The NSF GRFP is one of the most prestigious funding opportunities for early-career graduate students in STEM disciplines, including machine learning, computer vision, and robotics. It supports outstanding students who are pursuing research-based master's and doctoral degrees at accredited US institutions.
- Coverage: $37,000 annual stipend plus a $16,000 cost-of-education allowance paid directly to the institution for three years.
- Target Audience: US citizens, nationals, or permanent residents entering or in the first two years of graduate school.
2. Google PhD Fellowship Program
Designed to nurture exceptional doctoral students pursuing cutting-edge research across computer science and related fields, the Google PhD Fellowship focuses heavily on AI subfields such as natural language processing, privacy-preserving AI, and computer systems for machine learning.
- Coverage: Full tuition coverage, a generous stipend for living expenses, and pairing with a dedicated Google Research Mentor.
- Target Audience: Full-time PhD students at participating North American universities.
3. Microsoft Research PhD Fellowship
The Microsoft Research PhD Fellowship identifies promising doctoral candidates whose research directly advances computing technologies. Given Microsoft’s heavy investments in generative AI and foundation models, students exploring deep learning architectures and ethical AI are prime candidates.
- Coverage: 100% tuition and fees for up to two academic years, plus a stipend of $42,000 per year to cover living expenses.
- Target Audience: PhD candidates in their second or third year at participating universities in the US and Canada.
Meta (formerly Facebook) funds doctoral research across core areas driving the next generation of social computing and AI infrastructure. Track domains include AI System Architecture, Computer Vision, AR/VR AI applications, and Machine Learning algorithms.
- Coverage: Tuition and term fees paid for up to two years, plus a $42,000 annual living allowance and conference travel support.
- Target Audience: PhD students enrolled at accredited universities globally, including the United States.
5. Apple Scholars in AIML PhD Fellowship
The Apple Scholars in AIML program recognizes computer science graduate students focused on machine learning and artificial intelligence. The fellowship supports field-defining research in privacy, hardware-accelerated ML, computational linguistics, and human-computer interaction.
- Coverage: Full financial support for tuition and fees, an annual living stipend, internship opportunities, and mentorship from an Apple scientist.
- Target Audience: Full-time PhD students nominated by eligible participating US institutions.
6. Hertz Foundation Graduate Fellowship
Recognized as one of the most competitive STEM awards in the country, the Hertz Fellowship funds doctoral students who demonstrate exceptional technical creativity and potential to solve critical real-world problems through applied physical and technological sciences, including artificial intelligence.
- Coverage: Up to $250,000 over five years, providing complete financial independence and flexibility in chosen research directions.
- Target Audience: Seniors or first-year graduate students planning to pursue a PhD in applied physical sciences or engineering in the US.
Funded by the US Department of Defense (DoD), the SMART Scholarship-for-Service Program offers full academic funding for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees in critical STEM fields, including AI, cybersecurity, and data analysis.
- Coverage: Full tuition, annual stipends up to $46,000, health insurance, and guaranteed summer internships at DoD facilities.
- Target Audience: US citizens pursuing undergraduate or graduate STEM degrees with a commitment to post-graduation defense employment.
8. Fulbright Foreign Student Program
For international students looking to study AI in the United States, the Fulbright Foreign Student Program is the premier global exchange scholarship. It enables graduate students, young professionals, and artists from abroad to study and conduct research in US universities.
- Coverage: Full tuition, living expenses, health insurance, round-trip air travel, and visa management support.
- Target Audience: International applicants from over 160 participating countries applying for Master's or PhD degrees.
9. AAUW Selected Professions Fellowships
The American Association of University Women (AAUW) offers Selected Professions Fellowships to women pursuing master's degrees in fields where female representation has historically been low, including Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence.
- Coverage: Stipends ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 to cover academic tuition and personal expenses.
- Target Audience: Women enrolled in eligible full-time master's programs who are US citizens or permanent residents.
10. NDSEG Fellowship (National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate)
Sponsored by the US Air Force, Army, and Navy, the NDSEG Fellowship is designed to increase the number of US citizens trained in science and engineering disciplines of military importance. AI, autonomous systems, and machine intelligence rank high among funded research topics.
- Coverage: Full tuition and mandatory fees covered for three years, alongside a monthly stipend ($38,400+ annually) and medical insurance allowance.
- Target Audience: US citizens or nationals planning to pursue or enrolled in a PhD program in eligible disciplines.
Pro Tip for Applicants: Winning top AI scholarships requires more than just high grades. Focus heavily on crafting a cohesive research narrative, showcasing previous open-source contributions or peer-reviewed papers, and securing compelling recommendation letters from recognized AI researchers.
Final Thoughts
Securing a scholarship to study AI in the USA requires careful strategic preparation, early application submission, and strong alignment between your research interests and the funding organization's mission. Whether through corporate fellowships like Google and Meta or government-backed grants like the NSF GRFP, these programs provide not only financial security but also essential industry exposure to propel your AI career forward.
