AI for Science Master’s at AIMS South Africa (Google DeepMind Scholarship) African Institute for Mathematical Sciences South Africa in South Africa

The African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) South Africa is now accepting applications for the 2026–2027 AI for Science Master’s programme, a unique one-year taught and research-based master’s degree at the intersection of artificial intelligence and the sciences. This program is made possible through a partnership with Google DeepMind, offering full scholarships to 40 selected students from across Africa. The program is designed for those who are passionate about mathematics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, and who aspire to accelerate scientific discovery in fields such as cosmology, epidemiology, and ecology.

Students admitted to the program will become Google DeepMind scholars, receiving comprehensive funding that covers tuition, equipment, and computation costs. In addition to financial support, scholars will have opportunities to connect with Google DeepMind researchers and engineers for mentoring and support, benefiting from world-leading expertise in AI for Science. The program is fully residential and draws on the expertise of local partners such as the Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO), South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO), Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI), and the South African Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis (SACEMA).

The curriculum includes foundational courses in mathematics and AI, as well as advanced topics that intersect with applied sciences. The initial focus areas are AI and machine learning applications in cosmology, epidemiology, and ecology, reflecting the program’s commitment to pioneering research and scientific discovery. The program aims to empower African students to contribute to groundbreaking research and address scientific challenges relevant to the continent and beyond.

Applications open on December 8, 2025, and the deadline for the first round is March 6, 2026, at 23:59 SAST. Interested students should visit ai.aims.ac.za for more information and to submit their applications. Only 40 students will be selected for the 2026–2027 cohort, making this a highly competitive and prestigious opportunity for aspiring scientists and AI researchers.