Google is offering a scholarship program to support underrepresented groups in technology and business, helping them attend key conferences in the tech industry and related fields.
An underrepresented group for Google’s scholarships includes women, individuals from lower-income backgrounds, people with disabilities, and other communities with limited access to opportunities in tech and business.
The conference scholarships, according to Google, seek to remove financial barriers and help students connect with peers, network with professionals, and explore career opportunities within the technology sector.
The scholarships are available in various regions, including the Asia-Pacific (APAC) and Africa. Eligibility and application details differ depending on the region.
These scholarships, as stated, provide financial support to cover costs related to travel, accommodation, and conference registration, helping students present their research and engage with global experts in the field of technology. A virtual link is also made possible.
Why apply
Details inform that attending the international conferences in the field of computer science offers a number of benefits, especially for students aiming to build a career in technology. Some of the key advantages include:
- A platform to present research at conferences
- Opportunities to network with industry leaders, researchers, and experts
- Financial support to help cover travel, accommodation, and registration costs
- Exposure to the latest trends and developments in technology and computer science
This is meant to encourage diversity in the tech industry by supporting students who might otherwise lack the financial resources to attend such events.
Eligibility criteria for Africa region applicants
For students from the Africa region, the requirements include:
- Being a full-time student enrolled at a recognized university in Africa
- Having a paper(research document or academic article). Check for a list of areas.
- Being the sole or joint first author of the accepted paper
- Google employees and applicants from embargoed countries are not eligible for this scholarship
Eligibility criteria for APAC region applicants
Students applying from the Asia-Pacific region must meet the following criteria:
- Be a full-time student enrolled at a recognized university in Australia, New Zealand, East Asia, India, or Southeast Asia.
- Have a paper accepted for full publication at a prominent computer science conference where Google has research interests.
- The paper must be accepted for oral or poster presentation in the main conference program (oral presentation is preferred).
- Be the primary author of the paper.
- Not be receiving any other industry-sponsored travel grant.
How to apply for the Google conference scholarship
Interested students must complete the scholarship application for their respective region. No deadline has been announced yet.
According to Google, people are encouraged to apply for the grant on time, as the payment completion timeline can be between 5-8 weeks. Once approved for a travel grant, the funds will be paid to the applicant’s university and the student may claim expenses using regular university procedures.
Google encourages students from marginalized groups to apply, driving to ensure inclusivity and provide equal access to such opportunities.
Claim process for approved scholarships
Applications for the Google Conference Scholarships are reviewed throughout the year. Students will be notified about their scholarship status before the conference.
Once approved, the scholarship funds will be transferred directly to the applicant’s university, and students can then claim expenses through the university’s reimbursement process.
The payment process, according to Google, takes between 5-8 weeks, so students are advised to apply well in advance to allow sufficient time for processing.
For more details on how to apply, students can visit the Google Conference Scholarships application page here.