GATE Institute at Sofia University is offering two fully funded Google DeepMind AI Master’s Scholarships for 2026–27 — covering tuition, housing, equipment, travel, and conferences. Total value: $28,695 per scholar. Deadline: October 9, 2026.
What Is This Scholarship?
GATE Institute at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” in Bulgaria is offering two fully funded Google DeepMind AI Master’s Scholarships for the 2026–27 academic year, up from one.
Funded through Google DeepMind’s global university scholarship programme (running since 2017), each award covers the full 18-month duration of an eligible Master’s programme, with a total indicative value of $28,695 per scholar.
This scholarship is specifically for students with demonstrated financial need who are admitted to one of three AI-related Master’s programmes at Sofia University’s Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics. It brings together academic excellence and financial need, identifying talented students who would otherwise struggle to access high-quality AI education.
Applications open: 7 July 2026
Deadline: 9 October 2026
Final selection: By 31 October 2026
Academic year start: October 2026
Eligible Master’s Programmes
The scholarship is available exclusively to students admitted to one of these three programmes at Sofia University’s Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Information Retrieval and Knowledge Discovery
- Big Data Technologies
You must apply for and be admitted to one of these programmes alongside your scholarship application. Admission examinations and programme details are available on the official FMI website.
What the Scholarship Covers
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Total indicative value | $28,695.06 per scholar |
| Duration | Full 18 months of the eligible Master’s programme |
| Tuition fees | Fully covered |
| Housing and living costs | Included |
| Academic travel | Covered |
| Equipment expenses | Covered |
| Relocation expenses | Covered |
| AI conference access | Included |
The package is designed to let scholars focus entirely on their education without financial distraction — from relocation through to graduation.
Who Can Apply?
All criteria must be met:
Residency:
- Ordinarily resident in Bulgaria or another EU Member State
Academic requirements:
- Candidate-student examination success rate of at least 4.50
- Bachelor’s degree with a minimum overall grade of 4.50
- Applied for or admitted to one of the three eligible Sofia University Master’s programmes for 2026–27
Financial eligibility:
- Total family income divided by number of household members must be below the minimum salary level in Bulgaria as of 1 January 2026
This financial eligibility criterion is what defines this as a need-based scholarship alongside academic merit. It is targeted at talented students who have the ability to excel in AI studies but face genuine financial barriers.
How to Apply
Submit your application through the official form:
Required documents:
- Completed application form
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Motivation letter
- Bachelor’s degree diploma and/or academic performance documentation
- Documents verifying financial eligibility
- Proof of application to or admission to an eligible Master’s programme
- Additional documents if applicable
Only complete applications submitted by 9 October 2026 will be considered.
Selection Process
Applications are reviewed by a panel of professors from the Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics and GATE Institute representatives. The process includes:
- Verification of eligibility requirements
- Review of supporting documents
- Assessment of academic performance
- Evaluation of motivation, qualifications, and experience from your letter and CV
- Verification of financial eligibility
Two scholars and one waitlist candidate are selected. Final decisions are completed by 31 October 2026.
About GATE Institute and Sofia University
GATE Institute is Bulgaria’s first Centre of Excellence in Big Data and Artificial Intelligence — bringing together researchers, students, industry, public institutions, and international partners to develop data-driven solutions for real-world challenges.
Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” is Bulgaria’s oldest and most prestigious university, founded in 1888. Its Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics has a strong research profile in AI, machine learning, and data science.
Bulgaria is an EU member state — which means scholars have access to the European research and professional ecosystem while studying in a country with significantly lower living costs than Western Europe. Sofia is a growing technology hub, increasingly connected to EU-funded AI research networks.
Why This Scholarship Is Worth Knowing About
The Google DeepMind AI Masters Scholarship programme has supported scholars across Bulgaria, Colombia, Greece, Poland, Romania, South Africa, Turkey, UK, US, Canada, and France since 2017. Being a Google DeepMind scholar — regardless of the host country — is a credential that travels globally in AI and technology circles.
For EU-resident students who meet the financial and academic thresholds, two available spots with $28,695 in comprehensive support is a genuinely competitive opportunity in a field where most funding goes to students at well-known Western European or North American institutions.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Scholarship | Google DeepMind AI Master’s Scholarship |
| Host | GATE Institute, Sofia University, Bulgaria |
| Number of Awards | 2 (plus 1 waitlist) |
| Total Value | $28,695 per scholar |
| Duration | 18 months (full programme) |
| Eligible Programmes | AI, Information Retrieval & Knowledge Discovery, Big Data Technologies |
| Residency Required | Bulgaria or EU Member State |
| Academic Minimum | Bachelor’s grade 4.50 |
| Financial Criterion | Family income per member below Bulgaria minimum wage (Jan 2026) |
| Application Deadline | 9 October 2026 |
| Apply | forms.gle/jL1Qk8wwzouLdwx56 |
For more information and application:
