Google DeepMind AI Scholarships 2027 in Bulgaria

Google DeepMind AI Scholarships 2027 in Bulgaria

The Google DeepMind AI Scholarships 2027 in Bulgaria offer an outstanding opportunity for students who want to pursue a Master’s degree in artificial intelligence and related fields at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski.” The scholarships are funded by Google DeepMind and hosted through the university’s GATE Institute, a research center focused on big data and artificial intelligence.

For the 2026–2027 academic year, two fully funded scholarships are available. Each scholarship provides comprehensive financial support covering tuition, accommodation, living expenses, travel and relocation costs, equipment, and participation in AI-related academic conferences. The published scholarship value is approximately USD 28,695 per student.

The application deadline is October 9, 2026. Importantly, applicants must be ordinarily resident in Bulgaria or another European Union member state. Therefore, students currently living outside the EU generally cannot apply for this particular Bulgarian scholarship, regardless of nationality.

Google DeepMind AI Scholarships 2027 - Overview

Category	Details
Scholarship Name	Google DeepMind AI Scholarships 2027
Host Country	Bulgaria
University	Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”
Host Institute	GATE Institute
Degree Level	Master’s
Academic Year	2026–2027
Number of Scholarships	2
Funding	Fully Funded
Approximate Value	USD 28,695 per scholarship
Study Area	Artificial Intelligence and related fields
Deadline	October 9, 2026
Residence Requirement	Bulgaria or another EU member state

What Are the Google DeepMind AI Scholarships?

The Google DeepMind AI Scholarships are designed to support talented students pursuing postgraduate education in artificial intelligence and related disciplines.

In Bulgaria, the scholarships are offered through the GATE Institute at Sofia University in partnership with the Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics. For the 2026–2027 academic year, successful candidates can pursue eligible Master’s programs while receiving comprehensive financial assistance from the scholarship.

The program is particularly relevant for students who want to develop expertise in AI, machine learning, big data, information retrieval, and other technology-focused areas. Google DeepMind says its education initiatives aim to make AI education and research opportunities more accessible to the next generation.

Benefits of Google DeepMind AI Scholarships

The scholarship provides extensive financial and academic support.

Fully Funded Education

The scholarship covers the tuition fees associated with the eligible Master’s program at Sofia University.

Accommodation and Living Expenses

Financial support includes accommodation and living expenses, helping selected students concentrate on their studies without carrying the normal financial burden of studying abroad.

Travel and Relocation Support

The package also includes travel and relocation costs associated with moving to Sofia.

Equipment Support

Selected scholars receive support for equipment required for their studies.

AI Conference Participation

Another valuable feature is support for participation in AI-related academic conferences and Google DeepMind events. This can give students exposure to researchers, academics, and developments in the artificial intelligence field.

Research Environment

Students study within Sofia University’s GATE Institute, which focuses on big data and artificial intelligence research. GATE's research areas include data management, analytics, insight, and engineering.

Eligible Master’s Programs

According to the GATE Institute's official announcement, applicants must be admitted to one of the following Master’s programs at the Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics of Sofia University:

• Artificial Intelligence
• Information Retrieval and Knowledge Discovery
• Big Data Technologies

These programs provide pathways into advanced areas of computing, data analysis, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must satisfy both the scholarship requirements and the admission requirements of the relevant Master’s program.

The main eligibility conditions for the 2026–2027 Bulgarian scholarship include:

• Applicants must be ordinarily resident in Bulgaria or another EU member state.
• Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree.
• The minimum overall Bachelor’s grade is 4.50 on the Bulgarian six-point grading scale.
• Applicants must apply for and be admitted to one of the eligible Master’s programs at Sofia University.
• Candidates should demonstrate a strong academic and professional interest in artificial intelligence.
• Applicants must satisfy the scholarship's financial eligibility requirements.

The financial eligibility assessment is based on household income. The official GATE announcement states that the income per household member must be below the Bulgarian minimum salary level applicable from January 1, 2026.

Important Residence Requirement

One of the most important points for international applicants is that residence, rather than nationality, is used for this scholarship's eligibility.

Students ordinarily resident in Bulgaria or another EU member state can be considered if they satisfy the other conditions. Applicants who are living outside the European Union are not eligible for this particular Bulgarian scholarship.

This distinction is important because an applicant may hold a non-EU passport but still qualify if they are ordinarily resident in an EU member state.

Required Documents

Applicants should prepare their documents well before the deadline. The application information indicates that candidates should be ready to provide:

• Bachelor’s degree certificate
• Academic transcript
• Proof of residence in Bulgaria or another EU member state
• Curriculum vitae
• Scholarship application
• Sofia University Master’s application
• Statement describing their interest in artificial intelligence

Applicants with foreign degrees should also check the procedure for recognition and conversion of their academic grades.

A strong CV should emphasize relevant academic projects, research experience, programming skills, machine learning work, data science projects, publications, internships, or open-source contributions where applicable.

How to Apply for Google DeepMind AI Scholarships 2027

The application process involves two connected steps: admission to Sofia University and application for the scholarship.

Step 1: Check Your Residence Eligibility

Before preparing the application, confirm that you are ordinarily resident in Bulgaria or another EU member state.

Step 2: Check Your Academic Qualification

Make sure your Bachelor’s degree meets the required academic threshold of at least 4.50 on the Bulgarian six-point scale. Foreign qualifications may need formal recognition or grade conversion.

Step 3: Apply to an Eligible Master’s Program

Submit your application for one of the eligible Master’s programs at Sofia University's Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics.

Step 4: Prepare the Scholarship Application

Prepare your CV, academic records, proof of residence, statement of interest, and other requested materials.

Step 5: Submit the Scholarship Application

Complete the scholarship application through the GATE Institute according to the instructions provided by the university.

Step 6: Apply Before the Deadline

The scholarship application deadline is October 9, 2026. Applicants should start both processes early because university admission and scholarship selection are separate procedures.

Application Deadline

The deadline for the Google DeepMind AI Scholarships in Bulgaria is:

October 9, 2026

Only two scholarships are available for the 2026–2027 academic year, making this a highly competitive opportunity.

Students should therefore avoid submitting their applications at the last minute and should allow sufficient time for academic-document verification and university admission procedures.

Why Apply for the Google DeepMind AI Scholarship?

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming industries ranging from technology and healthcare to finance, transportation, scientific research, and public services. Studying AI in a specialized postgraduate environment can help students develop skills that are increasingly valuable in both academia and industry.

The Google DeepMind scholarship offers additional advantages because it combines financial support with access to an AI-focused academic and research environment.

Students can potentially benefit from:

• Fully funded Master’s education
• International academic exposure
• AI-focused postgraduate study
• Living and accommodation support
• Travel and relocation assistance
• Academic conference opportunities
• Access to an AI research environment
• Exposure to Google DeepMind's broader educational ecosystem

Google DeepMind confirms that its Master’s scholarship initiative supports postgraduate students at partner universities and can include funding for tuition, living costs, travel, and opportunities related to AI conferences and events.

Final Thoughts

The Google DeepMind AI Scholarships 2027 in Bulgaria provide a valuable opportunity for eligible EU residents interested in advanced artificial intelligence education. With only two scholarships available, the competition is expected to be strong, so applicants should present a clear academic profile and demonstrate genuine interest in AI.

The scholarship offers comprehensive funding, including tuition, accommodation, living expenses, travel, relocation, equipment, and AI conference participation.

However, prospective applicants should pay particular attention to the EU residence requirement. Students living outside Bulgaria and other EU member states are not eligible for this particular scholarship. Applicants who meet the residence and academic requirements should begin the Sofia University admission and scholarship application processes as early as possible.

For the latest requirements and application instructions, applicants should consult the official GATE Institute and Sofia University information before submitting their applications. Apply Now