AIMS South Africa is inviting applications for the AI for Science Master’s stream (part of AIMS South Africa’s Master’s degree in Mathematical Sciences), supported by a Google DeepMind Scholarship. The programme is a fully residential, one-year taught master’s with a research component, with the September 2026 cohort funded through the scholarship.
At a glance
- Sponsor/host: AIMS South Africa (AI for Science Master’s) with Google DeepMind scholarship support
- Level: Postgraduate (Master’s in Mathematical Sciences – AI for Science stream)
- Who it’s for: Applicants from African countries who meet the prerequisites (citizenship/residency and degree requirements)
- Study location: AIMS South Africa (Muizenberg, Cape Town)
- Closing date: 06 March 2026 (11:59 PM SAST – first-round deadline)
About the sponsor
The AI for Science Master’s is a stream within AIMS South Africa’s Master’s degree in Mathematical Sciences, made possible through a partnership with Google DeepMind. The programme focuses on the intersection of AI/machine learning and scientific discovery.
What it covers
According to the programme FAQ, the Google DeepMind Scholarship covers: flights to and from South Africa, tuition, accommodation, living expenses, medical insurance, and costs for running AI experiments and doing research. It also notes opportunities to connect with Google DeepMind researchers and engineers for mentoring and support.
Eligibility
- Be a citizen of any country in Africa.
- Be resident in Africa at the time of application (except where the residency requirement is waived for students displaced by war).
- Have completed a four-year undergraduate degree or a three-year undergraduate degree plus an honours year by the timelines stated on the application page.
- Not have previously held a scholarship to study at an AIMS centre.
Documents to prepare
- Curriculum vitae (CV)
- Motivation letter (around 500 words)
- Academic transcripts
- Representative examples of work in the mathematical sciences (as requested on the application portal)
- Coding problem (as provided on the application portal)
Closing date
06 March 2026 (11:59 PM SAST) – this is the deadline for the first (online) round of the application process.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Starting too late — the application includes problem-solving components and can’t be completed at the last minute.
- Uploading incomplete transcripts or missing documents (applications can be non-compliant).
- Ignoring the prerequisite degree requirement (four-year degree, or three-year degree plus honours year).
- Submitting without completing the portal’s required components (work examples and coding problem).
How this bursary was verified
This opportunity was verified using the official AIMS AI for Science Master’s website (programme overview, application page with prerequisites and deadlines, and the FAQ detailing scholarship coverage).
How to apply
- Read the programme overview and confirm you meet the prerequisites.
- Register on the AIMS application portal and complete the online application.
- Upload the required documents and complete the portal components (work examples and coding problem).
- Submit before the deadline and keep proof of submission.
Enquiries: ai-admissions@aims.ac.za