Top AI Scholarships in the USA 2026 for International Students
Details
Top AI Scholarships in the USA 2026 for International Students
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is one of the fastest-growing academic and career fields in the world. Universities, technology companies, research institutes, and foundations across the United States are investing heavily in AI talent through fully funded scholarships, fellowships, research grants, and graduate funding opportunities.
Here are some of the best AI scholarships and fellowships in the USA for 2026.
1. Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program
Overview
The Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program at Stanford University is one of the world’s most prestigious fully funded graduate scholarship programs.
Benefits
- Full tuition coverage
- Living stipend
- Travel funding
- Leadership development programs
AI Fields
- Artificial Intelligence
- Machine Learning
- Computer Science
- Robotics
- Data Science
Official Website
Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program
2. Fulbright Foreign Student Program
Overview
The Fulbright Program supports international students pursuing master’s and PhD degrees in AI-related disciplines.
Benefits
- Full tuition fees
- Monthly stipend
- Airfare
- Health insurance
Official Website
Fulbright Foreign Student Program
3. NVIDIA Graduate Fellowship Program 2026–2027
Overview
NVIDIA offers one of the most prestigious AI research fellowships for PhD students working in artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, autonomous systems, and GPU computing. (International Students Scholarships 2026)
Benefits
- Up to USD 60,000 funding
- Research support
- NVIDIA mentorship
- Paid internship opportunities
Official Website
NVIDIA Graduate Fellowship Program
4. Google Generation Scholarship
Overview
Google provides scholarships for students pursuing AI, computer science, and technology-related degrees. (netroeg.site)
Benefits
- Scholarship funding
- Networking opportunities
- Mentorship programs
Official Website
5. Bloomberg Data Science PhD Fellowship
Overview
Bloomberg supports doctoral students conducting advanced research in AI, machine learning, data science, and computer science. (Bloomberg)
Benefits
- Fellowship funding
- Mentorship
- Research internships
- Career development support
Official Website
Bloomberg Data Science PhD Fellowship
6. Meta Research PhD Fellowship
Overview
Meta supports exceptional PhD students conducting cutting-edge AI research.
Research Areas
- Generative AI
- Machine Learning
- Computer Vision
- Natural Language Processing
- AI Systems
Benefits
- Research funding
- Industry mentorship
- Conference support
Official Website
Meta Research Fellowship Program
7. Microsoft Research PhD Fellowship
Overview
Microsoft funds doctoral students working on advanced AI and computing research.
Benefits
- Tuition support
- Research grants
- Microsoft mentorship
Official Website
Microsoft Research Fellowships
8. Stanford AI Graduate Funding
Overview
Graduate students in AI and Computer Science at Stanford University often receive full funding through fellowships, research assistantships, and teaching assistantships.
Benefits
- Full tuition
- Monthly stipend
- Research support
Official Website
Stanford Computer Science Funding
9. MIT AI and Computer Science Funding
Overview
Massachusetts Institute of Technology offers extensive funding opportunities for graduate students in AI-related fields.
Benefits
- Full funding packages
- Research assistantships
- Fellowship opportunities
Official Website
10. IAPS AI Policy Fellowship 2026
Overview
The Institute for AI Policy and Strategy (IAPS) offers a fully funded AI Policy Fellowship focused on AI governance, regulation, safety, and public policy. Fellows may participate remotely or in Washington, DC. (Bright Scholarship)
Benefits
- Up to USD 22,000 stipend
- AI policy training
- Mentorship
- Networking opportunities
Official Website
11. Astra AI Safety Fellowship 2026
Overview
The Astra Fellowship supports researchers working on AI safety, governance, and catastrophic risk reduction. The program is hosted in California.
Benefits
- USD 8,400 monthly stipend
- USD 15,000 research funding
- Travel support
- Expert mentorship
Official Website
12. OpenAI Residency Program
Overview
OpenAI periodically offers residency opportunities for researchers and engineers transitioning into AI research.
Benefits
- Paid training
- Research mentorship
- Practical AI experience
Official Website
13. Amazon AI and Machine Learning Scholarships
Overview
Amazon supports students pursuing AI, machine learning, and computer science studies.
Benefits
- Scholarship funding
- Internship opportunities
- Career development support
Official Website
Amazon Future Engineer Scholarships
14. IBM PhD Fellowship Program
Overview
IBM supports doctoral students conducting innovative AI and computing research.
Benefits
- Fellowship awards
- Research collaboration
- Industry exposure
Official Website
15. AAUW International Fellowships
Overview
American Association of University Women offers funding for women pursuing graduate studies in AI, computer science, and technology-related fields.
Benefits
- Tuition support
- Research funding
- Living expenses
Official Website
AAUW International Fellowships
Best AI Fields to Study in the USA
Students can specialize in:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Machine Learning
- Deep Learning
- Natural Language Processing (NLP)
- Generative AI
- Robotics
- Computer Vision
- AI Ethics
- AI Policy
- Autonomous Systems
- Reinforcement Learning
- Data Science
Top Universities for AI in the USA
Some of the strongest AI research institutions include:
- Stanford University
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Carnegie Mellon University
- University of California, Berkeley
- Harvard University
- California Institute of Technology
- Georgia Institute of Technology
Final Thoughts
The USA remains the global leader in Artificial Intelligence education and research. From fully funded government scholarships like Fulbright to elite AI fellowships offered by NVIDIA, Google, Meta, Microsoft, Bloomberg, and leading universities, students have access to significant funding opportunities in 2026. Many AI-focused PhD programs in the United States also provide full tuition waivers, research assistantships, and monthly stipends for qualified students.
Students interested in AI scholarships should build strong academic profiles, develop AI-related projects, gain research experience where possible, and apply early to maximize their chances of securing funding.
Specifications
| Type of Opportunity | Scholarships and Fellowships |
|---|---|
| Deadline | Ongoing |
| Country | USA |
| Open to | All Nationalities |