The 2026/2027 application round for the IBM PhD Fellowship Awards opens for students globally to participate. The fellowship is a two-year program anchored in major IBM research areas of interest and is fully funded. Eligible PhD students are welcome to apply.
Since 1951, the IBM PhD Fellowship Program has collaborated with faculty, students, and universities by recognizing and supporting exceptional PhD students who address focused areas of interest in technology.
Program Type: Fully Funded Fellowship
Program Location: Universities Worldwide
Program Duration: two (2) years
Number of Awards: Several.
Nationality: All Nationalities.
IBM PhD Fellowship Awards 2026-2027 | About The Program
The IBM PhD Fellowship Awards Program is an intensely competitive worldwide program that honors exceptional PhD students who want to make their mark in promising and disruptive technologies. Focus areas include the following topics of particular interest:
- AI / Cognitive Computing
- Cloud / Open Source
- Data Science
- Internet of Things
- Quantum Computing
- Security / Cyber Security
Since the creation of the IBM PhD Fellowship Program in 1951, thousands of PhD students have been supported worldwide, with more than 700 students supported over the past 10 years alone.
Eligibility Criteria
Nominations are welcome for students of all nationalities. However, all nominees;
- must be nominated by a doctoral faculty member; students cannot nominate themselves.
- must be enrolled full-time in a PhD program over the two consecutive academic years of the award or forfeit the fellowship.
- should have three years remaining in their program at the time of nomination, so the fellowship can be applied to the last two years of study.
- that are from U.S.-embargoed countries are not eligible for the program.
- Those who are receiving a comparable fellowship, internship, or support from another company or institution (except for academic scholarships) during the IBM PhD Fellowship funding period are ineligible for this award
- must stay in the same program for the duration of the award —no transferring of departments or schools.
Program Benefits:
- The IBM PhD Fellowships are awarded worldwide: the value of the awards varies by the country in which the university is located (Award values may also vary per year).
- Awards for universities in the United States are $60,000 in year one; $35,000 in year two.
- Awards for other countries vary between $6,000 and $25,000 each award year.
Application Procedures
Applicants who meet the eligibility conditions can be nominated to participate in the IBM PhD Fellowship Awards Program through the nomination link (available on the official page during the application period).
Application Period: October 11 – November 5, 2026.
More Details at Official Website
FAQs
1. When is the application deadline for the IBM PhD Fellowship Awards Program 2026/2027?
The nomination deadline for the IBM PhD Fellowship Awards Program 2026/2027 is expected to be around February 17, 2026 (11:59 PM EST). Faculty members must submit nominations electronically through the official IBM Fellowship Awards portal before the deadline. Students cannot apply directly; only university faculty can nominate eligible PhD candidates.
2. Who is eligible to apply for the IBM PhD Fellowship Awards Program 2026/2027?
To qualify, candidates must:
Be enrolled full-time in a PhD program.
Be nominated by a doctoral faculty member (self-applications are not allowed).
Have approximately two years remaining before completing their PhD.
Demonstrate strong academic performance and research potential aligned with IBM focus areas such as AI, quantum computing, cloud computing, and security.
Not receiving a comparable corporate fellowship during the same period.
3. What benefits do IBM PhD Fellowship recipients receive?
Award recipients receive financial support and professional development benefits, including:
A fellowship stipend (typically ranging from about $6,000 to $40,000 depending on country).
Mentorship from an IBM researcher throughout the fellowship period.
Opportunities to collaborate on advanced technology research projects.
Encouragement to participate in IBM internships and build industry experience.
4. How are candidates selected for the IBM PhD Fellowship Awards Program?
IBM selects fellows based on several criteria, including:
Research excellence and innovation potential.
Alignment of the student’s research with IBM’s strategic technology areas.
Academic achievements, publications, and faculty recommendations.
Overall contribution to science, technology, and industry advancement.
The selection process is highly competitive and involves thorough evaluation by IBM experts.
