IBM Scholarship Program Awards for PhD Students in the United States

The IBM PhD Fellowship Awards Program is a highly competitive scholarship program. The program attracts outstanding doctoral students from around the globe. Computer science, electrical engineering, cyber security, data analytics, and material sciences are all some of the eligible fields that can apply. All successful Candidates must have completed at least one year of their PhD programs. And they must reside in any country except countries that United States has sanctioned. They must also meet visa requirements.

Also Apply: Imperial College London Scholarships for PhD Students (Fully Funded)

About The IBM PhD Fellowship Awards Program

Since the year 1951, the IBM PhD Fellowship Program has collaborated with different faculties, students, and universities by recognizing and supporting outstanding PhD students who majored in focused areas of interest in science & technology. The IBM PhD Fellowship Awards nomination period is currently open. Hurry and apply.

What is the IBM PhD Fellowship Awards Program in Brief?

The IBM PhD Fellowship Awards Program is an extremely competitive worldwide PhD scholarship program, which honors excellent PhD students who want to make their mark in promising, innovative and disruptive technologies.

Also Apply: Yale University Scholarship To Study in The United States | Apply Now

Eligibility and Criteria

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.
• Those from U.S. embargoed countries are not eligible for the program.
• that 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. 

Awardees will be selected based on

• Their potential for research excellence. All awardees will have an IBM mentor for the duration of the award period and are strongly encouraged to intern during the first or second year of their award. All student visas must align with the terms of the internship. Nominating faculty must submit thoroughly developed proposals, remain engaged during the vetting and due diligence process, and use the university domain email address for all correspondence.
• The degree to which the nominees’ research aligns with IBM focus areas.
• academic standing, publications, and endorsements from faculty advisors and department heads receiving a comparable fellowship, internship, or support from another company or institution (except in the case of academic scholarships)

Nominating faculty must submit thoroughly developed proposals, remain engaged during the vetting and due diligence process, and use the university domain email address for all correspondence.

Check this: QUEEN ELIZABETH COMMONWEALTH SCHOLARSHIPS (QECS) – Fully Funded

When is the IBM PhD Fellowship nomination period?

Faculty members submit all nominations for the annual IBM PhD Fellowship program in the fall of every year, and exact times usually vary from one year to another. The 2026 application window is ongoing and will run from October 11 through November 5. Notification of nominee status takes place in early spring and is contingent upon the completion of all required documentation and due diligence requirements. All applicants are advised to submit all necessary documents on time

Am I eligible if I hold more than one fellowship/scholarship/internship during the award period?

Students receiving a comparable fellowship, scholarship, internship, or research funding from another government, company, or institution (does not include academic scholarships this time) during the same IBM-funded academic period are not eligible for an IBM PhD Fellowship.

Please contact phdfellow@us.ibm.com with any questions.

Is the internship mandatory?

The internship may not be mandatory, but it is highly encouraged. Many IBM PhD Fellowship interns, who are now working in different companies, tell us that the internships help them to understand the industrial research, development environment, or consulting services, which helps in making better career decisions. It also helps to broaden their range of technical contacts and strengthens their technical experience.

Recommended: Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships to Study in Switzerland 2027/2024 (Fully Funded)

How will I know if my Nominee is awarded an IBM PhD Fellowship?

Award recipients will be finalized in 2Q 2027. Shortly after, all nominated candidates will receive an email informing them of their nomination status. A formal letter to congratulate them will also be sent to the award winners, but finalization of the award is contingent upon the faculty member engaging with the IBM Global University Program to complete all required due diligence documentation.

Application Process

To apply for this scholarship, visit the official website here for more details

FAQs

FAQ 1: What is the IBM PhD Fellowship Program in the United States?

The IBM PhD Fellowship Program is a highly competitive global award that supports outstanding PhD students conducting advanced research in areas aligned with IBM’s priorities, such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, hybrid cloud, and security. In the United States, the fellowship provides financial support and connects students with IBM researchers for mentorship and collaboration opportunities.

FAQ 2: How much funding does the IBM PhD Fellowship provide for students in the U.S.?

For universities in the United States, IBM PhD Fellowship Awards typically provide about $40,000 in funding per award year, along with research mentorship from IBM scientists. The exact value may vary depending on program guidelines and institutional arrangements.

FAQ 3: Who is eligible to apply for the IBM PhD Fellowship in the United States?

Eligibility includes:

• Must be a full-time PhD student
• Must be nominated by a faculty member (students cannot apply directly)
• Should generally be within about two years of completing the PhD
• Must not be receiving a comparable industry fellowship during the award period
• Must remain in the same PhD program during the fellowship
  Students from eligible countries and U.S. institutions can apply, but embargoed regions are excluded.

FAQ 4: What are the benefits of receiving an IBM PhD Fellowship?

Recipients gain more than financial support. Key benefits include:

• Direct IBM research mentorship
• Opportunities to collaborate with IBM scientists
• Strong encouragement to participate in an IBM internship
• Recognition as a top-tier researcher in their field
• Access to IBM’s research ecosystem and cutting-edge technologies

These advantages help students strengthen both academic and industry research careers.