The 2026/2027 AIMS South Africa/DeepMind AI for Science Masters Scholarship is a fully funded, one-year residential program focusing on the intersection of AI and Mathematical Sciences. It is exclusively open to African citizens residing in Africa, requiring a four-year or equivalent undergraduate degree. Google DeepMind funds 40 scholars annually, covering full scholarships, equipment, and computation costs. The application deadline is March 6, 2026.
AIMS South Africa/DeepMind AI for Science Scholarship 2026 Summary Table
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Host Institution | African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) South Africa |
| Program Focus | AI for Science (Master’s in Mathematical Science stream) |
| Category | Fully Funded Master’s Scholarship |
| Eligible Applicants | Citizens and Residents of African Countries |
| Program Duration | 1 Year (Fully Residential) |
| Max Financial Award | Full Scholarship + Equipment + Computation Costs |
| Application Deadline | March 6, 2026, 11:59 PM SAST |
AIMS South Africa/DeepMind AI for Science Scholarship Details
The AIMS South Africa/DeepMind AI for Science Master’s Scholarship Program for 2026/2027 represents a groundbreaking partnership between the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) South Africa and Google DeepMind. This exciting stream within AIMS South Africa’s standard Master’s degree in Mathematical Science focuses on the critical intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, and the Sciences.
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This fully residential program is a one-year taught Master’s degree that culminates with a significant research component, ensuring students gain both theoretical depth and practical research experience in this rapidly evolving field. The program is specifically directed at students from across Africa who possess a deep passion for mathematics and the innovative applications of AI.
Benefits and Specific Awards of the AI for Science Program
The program is comprehensively funded by a generous donation from Google DeepMind, ensuring that 40 scholars annually can participate without financial burden, maximizing the development of African talent in AI.
Tier 1: Core Financial Coverage (Full Scholarship)
- Full Scholarships: The award provides full scholarship coverage for the entire one-year residential program, eliminating tuition and housing costs.
- Fully Residential: The scholarship inherently covers the costs associated with the fully residential nature of the program in South Africa.
Tier 2: Research and Equipment Support
- Equipment Costs: Funding covers necessary equipment costs required for participation and academic work throughout the programme.
- Computation Costs: Scholars receive funding to cover all necessary computation costs, ensuring access to the resources required for advanced AI and Machine Learning research.
Tier 3: Professional and Academic Advancement
- Specialized Curriculum: Access to a cutting-edge curriculum focusing on AI for Science, positioning graduates at the forefront of interdisciplinary research.
- Cohort Experience: Opportunity to learn and collaborate within a high-performing cohort of 40 scholars per year, fostering valuable networking and collaborative skills.
Eligibility Requirements for AIMS South Africa/DeepMind AI for Science Scholarship 2026
The program is highly specific in its geographical and academic requirements, targeting the development of high-potential African graduates.
- Citizenship: Must be a citizen of any country in Africa.
- Residency: Must be a resident in Africa at the time of application.
- Prior Qualification: Must have completed one of the following by August 2025 (or December 2025 for southern African applicants):
- A four-year undergraduate degree.
- A three-year undergraduate degree with an honours year.
- AIMS History: Must not have held a previous scholarship to study at an AIMS centre.
- Passion: Must be passionate about mathematics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.
How to Apply for AIMS South Africa/DeepMind AI for Science Scholarship 2026 (Step by Step)
The application process is exclusively online and requires a comprehensive submission package that assesses the applicant’s academic history, passion, and problem-solving abilities.
- Access Application Site: Navigate to the official AIMS online application site for the Master’s degree in Mathematical Science.
- Complete Personal Details: Fill in all required personal and academic information on the online form.
- Upload Required Documents (Before Deadline): Ensure the following documents are uploaded before the deadline of 6 March 2026, 11:59 PM SAST:
- Your curriculum vitae (CV).
- A motivation letter of around 500 words.
- Academic transcripts (reflecting your strong performance in mathematics).
- Complete Problem-Solving Components (Online): Address the following components found directly on the application site:
- Representative examples of work that you have done in the mathematical sciences.
- A Coding problem.
- Final Submission: Submit the complete application online before the deadline. The online application questions are not an exam but provide the selection panel with insight into your problem-solving approach.
Application Deadline: 6 March 2026 11:59 PM SAST
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the application deadline for the 2026/2027 AIMS/DeepMind AI for Science Scholarship?
The application deadline is 6 March 2026, 11:59 PM SAST.
2. Who is the primary funding partner for this Master’s scholarship?
The program is made possible through a partnership with Google DeepMind, whose donation funds the scholarships.
3. How long is the AIMS AI for Science Master’s program?
It is a fully residential one-year taught Master’s degree with a research component.
4. What are the key subjects the program sits at the intersection of?
The program sits at the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and the Sciences, with a strong foundation in Mathematics and Machine Learning.
5. What are the two core requirements regarding nationality and location?
Applicants must be a citizen of any country in Africa and be a resident in Africa at the time of application.
6. What is the minimum educational requirement for the program?
Applicants must have completed a four-year undergraduate degree or a three-year undergraduate degree with an honours year by August/December 2025.
7. What does the funding cover in addition to the full scholarship?
The funding covers full scholarships, equipment costs, and computation costs for the students.
8. How many scholars are funded each year through the Google DeepMind donation?
The donation funds 40 scholars per year for the program intake.
9. What specific components must be included in the online application beyond the CV and motivation letter?
The application requires submission of academic transcripts, representative examples of work in mathematical sciences, and completion of a coding problem on the application site.
10. Are students who have previously studied at an AIMS centre eligible to apply?
No, applicants must not have held a previous scholarship to study at an AIMS centre to be eligible for this program.
