The Apple Scholars in AI/ML PhD Fellowship 2026 is a highly competitive academic initiative that identifies and supports outstanding PhD students from a curated list of invited institutions. Scholars are nominated by their universities and evaluated on the strength of their proposed research, academic excellence, leadership potential, and alignment with Apple’s focus areas in AI and machine learning.
The Apple Scholars in AI/ML PhD Fellowship supports future leaders in artificial intelligence and machine learning. Designed for late-stage PhD candidates, the program offers generous funding, mentorship by Apple researchers, and global recognition. This opportunity is open only through nomination by select universities such as TUM.
This fellowship does not establish any formal employment relationship with Apple. Rather, it provides scholars with financial independence and academic freedom to pursue groundbreaking research in AI/ML domains, with the added benefit of expert guidance from Apple researchers throughout the two-year duration.
Core Research Areas
To be eligible, applicants must be conducting research in one or more of the following priority domains:
- Privacy-Preserving Machine Learning
- Human-Centered AI
- AI for Ethics and Fairness
- AI for Accessibility
- AI for Health and Wellness
- ML Theory and Algorithms
- Interactive Machine Learning and Autonomous Agents
- Speech and Natural Language Processing
- Computer Vision
- Information Retrieval and Knowledge Representation
- Data-Centric AI
These focus areas reflect Apple’s strategic vision for responsible, user-centric, and high-impact AI research.
Fellowship Benefits
Each selected university submits nominations to Apple, and successful scholars benefit from:
- A substantial stipend covering cost-of-living and academic needs for two years
- An annual travel grant of $5,000 USD to support participation in conferences, workshops, and research collaborations
- Direct mentorship from Apple researchers aligned with the scholar’s academic interests
Importantly, funding is provided to the scholar through their university and is contingent on continued full-time enrollment in the doctoral program.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for nomination, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be a full-time PhD student enrolled at an invited institution (e.g., TUM)
- Be in the final 2–3 years of their doctoral program at the time the fellowship begins (Fall 2026)
- Intend to remain enrolled full-time through Summer 2028
- Not hold another industry-sponsored full fellowship during the same award period
The fellowship is designed to support candidates who demonstrate the potential to become leading voices in AI/ML research.
Application Process (TUM Nomination Pathway)
Only universities invited by Apple are eligible to submit nominations. At the Technical University of Munich (TUM), the nomination process is coordinated through the TUM Graduate School. Candidates cannot apply directly to Apple.
Required Documents
Nominations must be submitted via email by the primary academic supervisor. The application dossier should include the following documents (in PDF format):
- Curriculum Vitae, including a full list of publications
- A 200-word research abstract summarizing the proposed work
- A detailed research statement (maximum four pages, excluding references)
- Two letters of recommendation, including one from the current supervisor
- Academic transcripts from all institutions attended
- A detailed estimate of tuition, fees, and cost-of-living for the award period
Internal Review at TUM
All nominations received by 1 August will be reviewed by the TUM Graduate School Prize Committee. Up to three exceptional candidates will be shortlisted and formally submitted to Apple for final consideration.
Evaluation Criteria
Apple evaluates nominations based on the following factors:
- Originality and scientific excellence of the proposed research
- Relevance and alignment with Apple’s core AI/ML focus areas
- Demonstrated research productivity, innovation, and leadership
- Potential impact of the research on the AI/ML field and society
A holistic assessment considers both academic achievement and broader contributions to scientific and ethical advancement in AI.
Key Dates and Timeline
- Nomination Deadline (TUM Internal): 1 August (annually)
- Apple Submission Deadline (by TUM): 9 September
- Fellowship Start: Fall semester (exact year based on award cycle)
- Duration: Two academic years (Fall start through Summer end)
- Next Cycle Update: July (we will update soon)
It is recommended that prospective applicants begin preparing materials at least 2–3 months in advance and consult with their primary supervisor and department.
Summary Snapshot
Feature | Details |
Program Name | Apple Scholars in AI/ML PhD Fellowship 2026 |
Host Country | Germany (TUM-based nomination) |
Funded By | Apple Inc. |
Duration | 2 years (Fall start – Summer end) |
Study Mode | Full-time on-campus PhD |
Eligibility | Late-stage PhD candidates (final 2–3 years) |
Financial Support | Living stipend, $5,000 travel grant/year, research mentorship |
Fields of Study | AI, ML, NLP, CV, Health AI, Human-Centered AI, Accessibility, etc. |
Deadline | Internal: 1 August; Apple submission: 9 September |
Official Link |
Why the Fellowship Matters
The Apple Scholars in AI/ML program is one of the most prestigious doctoral fellowships in the field. It provides not just financial backing, but also the credibility and resources to accelerate meaningful AI research. Scholars gain unparalleled access to mentorship, peer networks, and research opportunities that align with Apple’s global innovation agenda.
By participating in this program, candidates enhance their academic visibility, strengthen their research portfolio, and position themselves as future leaders in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
How to Proceed
- Discuss your interest with your PhD advisor at TUM.
- Begin assembling your application materials well before the internal deadline.
- Ensure all components meet Apple’s guidelines and formatting.
- Submit through your supervisor to the designated contact at TUM Graduate School.
For complete application instructions, always refer to the official program pages published by Apple and your institutional graduate school.
References
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The Apple Scholars Fellowship supports top PhD students in AI/ML with funding, mentorship, and recognition for research excellence.
Eligible applicants must be full-time PhD students in their final 2–3 years, nominated by participating universities.
You cannot apply directly. Your academic institution must nominate you with a complete application package.
Qualifying areas include privacy-preserving AI, health AI, human-centered ML, natural language processing, and computer vision.
The fellowship offers a generous stipend, annual travel grant, and mentorship from leading Apple AI/ML researchers.
Yes, as long as you are enrolled at an eligible university and meet all nomination criteria.
No. The fellowship provides support through your university and does not involve Apple employment.
Apple typically selects a limited number of scholars from globally nominated candidates across invited institutions.
Required documents include your CV, research abstract, statement, transcripts, recommendation letters, and cost-of-living estimate.
The fellowship begins in the fall semester and runs for two academic years, ending in summer.
