Are you confused on the right computer science scholarship to choose? If you want to know the best program to go for then this comprehensive guide is all you need. With the growing demand for computer science professionals, obtaining a computer science scholarship to help fund your education has become increasingly important. However, with so many options available, it can be difficult to determine which scholarships are the best fit. In this article, we will explore 5 of the top computer science scholarships to apply for in 2024.
The most lucrative five of the right computer science scholarship to chose in 2024 are as detailed below:
1. Facebook Fellowship Program
To begin, the Facebook Fellowship Program is one of the most prestigious computer science scholarships to apply for in 2024. As one of the largest technology companies in the world, Facebook offers this fellowship program to support outstanding graduate students pursuing degrees related to computer science, engineering, and technology.
The Facebook Fellowship Program provides selected students with a living stipend of $35,000 per year, as well as funding to cover tuition and academic fees. Additionally, fellows gain access to internship and career development opportunities at Facebook.
 Not only does this scholarship help fund your education, but it also allows you to build your professional network within the tech industry.
To qualify for the Facebook Fellowship, you must be enrolled or intend to enroll in a full-time master’s or PhD program starting in the fall of 2024.Â
Priority is given to applicants focusing their studies on artificial intelligence, machine learning, distributed systems, and other core computer science topics. The deadline to apply is typically in early November 2023, so be sure to start preparing your application materials well in advance.
 Overall, the Facebook Fellowship Program is an excellent computer science scholarship to apply for its generous funding and career benefits.
2. Microsoft Research PhD Fellowship
Next, we have the highly competitive Microsoft Research PhD Fellowship. As one of the largest corporate research labs, Microsoft offers this fellowship to recruit emerging leaders in computer science research.
Through this fellowship, PhD students receive a competitive annual stipend of $36,000 for three years, and funding to cover tuition and academic fees up to $15,000 per year. On top of the financial support, fellows gain mentorship and research collaboration opportunities with Microsoft scientists and engineers.
 They also have the chance to conduct internships at Microsoft labs worldwide.
To be eligible for the Microsoft Research PhD Fellowship, applicants must be nominated by a participating university’s department head.
 The nominating department must have an active research collaboration with Microsoft Research. As a result, this scholarship is unfortunately not open to all computer science PhD students. However, suppose your school participates in the program, this should be a top-priority computer science scholarship to apply for in 2024 given its generous funding package and prestigious affiliation with Microsoft.
3. NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program
Moving along, the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program, or NSF GRFP, is an excellent computer science scholarship for graduate students to apply for in 2024. Administered by the National Science Foundation, NSF GRFP awards fellowships across all fields of science and aims to support outstanding US students pursuing research-based master’s and doctoral degrees.
NSF GRFP fellows receive a three-year annual stipend of $34,000 as well as a $12,000 cost of education allowance to the graduate institution. Moreover, this prestigious early career award opens many doors and allows fellows to establish themselves as leaders in their research fields.
To qualify, applicants must be US citizens or permanent residents who intend to pursue a research-based master’s or doctoral degree. Fellowships are awarded based on a candidate’s demonstration of their potential for significant achievements in science and engineering research.Â
With proposals due in late October 2023, now is the time to start brainstorming your NSF GRFP application and positioning yourself as a competitive candidate for this highly competitive computer science scholarship. Its combination of generous funding and prestigious merit makes NSF GRFP one not want to pass up.
4. Google Anthropic Fellowship
As one of the most innovative tech companies globally, Google is committed to supporting advances in artificial intelligence through scholarships like the Google Anthropic Fellowship.
This fellowship aims to cultivate leaders in AI safety research, an emerging and critical field for developing beneficial artificial intelligence. Selected fellows receive a $150,000 stipend for their first year of graduate study and gain direct research mentorship from Anthropic scientists and engineers.
To qualify, applicants must be pursuing or intend to pursue a master’s or PhD related to AI safety at one of the fellowship’s partner universities. While open to international students, priority is given to candidates able to conduct their research full-time on campus in the United States.
Not only is the Google Anthropic Fellowship one of the most generous computer science scholarships in terms of funding, but it also provides invaluable research experience at the forefront of AI development. Overall, this is an excellent opportunity for motivated students looking to carve out careers in this important field.
5. NVIDIA Graduate Fellowship
As a global leader in AI computing, the NVIDIA Graduate Fellowship is another prestigious scholarship highly relevant to computer science students interested in artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Through this fellowship, selected master’s and Ph.D. graduate students receive a $25,000 living stipend for two years as well as necessary academic fees and expenses. On top of the financial benefits, fellows gain direct mentorship from NVIDIA researchers and engineers and networking opportunities within the company. Several fellows are also chosen for innovative summer internships at NVIDIA each year.
To be considered, applicants must be admitted or applying to a full-time master’s or doctoral program at an accredited university with a demonstrated focus on NVIDIA’s priority research areas like deep learning, computer vision, robotics, and more. Application deadlines are usually in mid-January each year.
The combination of generous funding, professional development support from NVIDIA experts, and opportunities to directly collaborate on cutting-edge projects make this one of the top computer science scholarships for AI-oriented graduate students to focus on for 2024.
Conclusion
In conclusion, obtaining competitive scholarships and fellowships is crucial for computer science students to fund their graduate education, gain valuable experience, and position themselves for successful careers.
 This article explored five of the best computer science scholarships to focus on applying for in 2024, including the prestigious Facebook Fellowship Program, Microsoft Research PhD Fellowship, NSF GRFP, Google Anthropic Fellowship, and NVIDIA Graduate Fellowship.
Whether you want to pursue core computer science research, artificial intelligence development, or other technology fields, at least one of the opportunities discussed here should be a priority on your 2024 scholarship application list. Start strategizing early to craft competitive proposals that highlight your motivation and qualifications.Â
With the continuous growth of technology, obtaining funding from elite programs like these will serve you well both academically and professionally for many years to come. I hope this overview has provided useful guidance on navigating the multitude of options available and deciding which computer science scholarships to focus your efforts on applying for in the coming year.