Study AI for Free in South Africa – DeepMind Scholarship

Young African scientists, researchers, and innovators can now apply for the AI for Science Master’s Scholarship 2026/2027, a fully funded program offered through a partnership between AIMS South Africa and Google DeepMind. This highly competitive stream is part of the AIMS Master’s in Mathematical Sciences and is designed for students who want to explore the powerful connections between artificial intelligence (AI) and scientific research.

Program Overview

Introduced in 2023, the AI for Science Program offers an intensive, one-year residential master’s experience combining rigorous coursework with hands-on research. Scholars become part of a dynamic academic community working alongside peers and experts in mathematics, machine learning, and data-driven science.

Applicants must complete and submit all required materials by 6 March 2026 at 11:59 PM SAST.

The online application also includes practical problem-solving questions designed to understand your reasoning style—these are not formal exams.

Program Details

Host Institution: AIMS South Africa (in partnership with Google DeepMind)
Program Type: Fully Funded Master’s
Academic Level: Master’s in Mathematical Sciences
Program Duration: 1 year (residential)
Funding Available: 40 fully funded positions each year

Benefits of the AIMS–DeepMind Scholarship

Through generous support from Google DeepMind, selected scholars receive a comprehensive financial package, including:

Full tuition fees
Accommodation and living allowance
Access to high-performance computing resources
All required research and study equipment
Supervision and mentorship from leading experts in AI, machine learning, and scientific computing

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

Be living in Africa at the time of application
Hold citizenship in any African country
Have completed:
- a four-year bachelor’s degree, OR
- a three-year degree plus an honours year
  by August 2025, or December 2025 for applicants from Southern Africa
Not have previously received a scholarship to study at any AIMS centre
Demonstrate a strong interest in mathematics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence