Google Academic Research Awards

Applications are open to academic researchers who are currently advising students and conducting research in technology and computing at institutions. Please refer to the specific award's website for detailed information.

Our Application Companion supports applicants with structuring and developing high-quality applications. It includes the program overview, how to apply and formatting guidelines, samples of high-scoring responses, open advice to proposers and a submission FAQ.

Filename:

Submit your proposal and CV as a single PDF file. Name the file in the following format: "[InstitutionFullName]-2024" (e.g., "GoogleUniversity-2024"). Use only letters, numbers, and hyphens.

Proposal Length:

• 5 pages maximum for a single Principal Investigator (PI) submission

• 7 pages maximum for submissions with a co-PI with CV

Formatting:

• Single-spaced

• 1-inch margins

• Times New Roman 12-point font

Proposal should include the following numbered sections:

Overview (3 pages max):

1. Proposal Title
2. Full name, contact information (postal address, email address, phone), and affiliation (institution and/or department) of PI(s)
3. Abstract (concise summary of proposal)
4. Research goals and problem statement
5. Description of the proposed work, expected outcomes, and results
6. Discussion of how the research relates to prior work (including your own)
7. Explanation of your qualifications to conduct this research
8. For ongoing projects, explain how this funding (whether by unrestricted gift or another type, specified in the RFP) would enhance your existing project.
9. For RFPs that specify the use of a particular product, methodology, or other constraint, please clearly describe how your project will incorporate and utilize that specific requirement.
10. Data policy: Describe your intentions for sharing the project's output with the broader research community (e.g., open-sourcing code, making datasets public). Please note that for those awards that are structured as unrestricted gifts, there are no legal requirements once a project is selected for funding. This is simply a statement of your current intentions. However, for research area topics that are not awarded as unrestricted gifts (usually those that require the use of a specific product, methodology, or other constraint), open sourcing the software, models, or other intellectual property developed during the project will be a mandatory condition for receiving the award, unless otherwise specified in a separate agreement between Google and the recipient.

CVs (4 pages max):

1. Primary PI: 2-page max CV required
2. Co-PI: 2-page max CV (optional)

Important notes

1. The co-PI's CV is the only content allowed on the additional 2 pages of a co-PI proposal. Any submitted CV longer than 2 pages will be truncated before review.
2. Proposals without a co-PI's CV should not exceed 5 pages.
3. References and budget details should be excluded from the proposal itself. Instead, use the designated sections in the application form for this information.
   • The budget section requires a detailed breakdown of each expense, using the following format:
   • Description: [Brief description of the item]
   • Unit Cost: [Cost per unit] x Quantity: [Number of units] = Total Cost: [Total cost of the item]

References and budget details should be excluded from the proposal itself. Instead, use the designated sections in the application form for this information. The budget section requires a detailed breakdown of each expense, using the following format:

Description: [Brief description of the item]

Unit Cost: [Cost per unit] x Quantity: [Number of units] = Total Cost: [Total cost of the item]

Co-PIs must generally meet the same eligibility criteria as primary PIs, except in cases where the co-PI is a postdoctoral researcher.

No, we’re currently only accepting proposals within the research areas listed on our website. Please review them to ensure your proposal aligns.

Here's how to strengthen your proposal:

1. Clearly define the problem. Good research starts with a compelling question.
2. Describe a specific, achievable outcome. What will this research enable that wouldn't happen otherwise, and how? Outline both minimum expected and best-case scenarios, specifying the datasets and test cases you'll use.
3. Differentiate your contribution. Clearly explain how your work advances the state of the art, using citations and other standard practices.
4. Outline your approach. Explain your plan for addressing the research challenges, even if all answers aren't yet known. Identify potential risks and mitigation strategies.
5. Contextualize the work. Describe existing funding and how this proposal fits into your broader research goals. How will this research be used? Will it build research capability, create a tool, reproduce a result, foster collaboration, follow up on an idea, or explore a new one? We are interested in all possibilities.
6. Make it accessible to non-experts. While we try to have your proposal reviewed by a Google expert in your field, it will also be read by non-experts, so please ensure the motivation and outcomes are understandable to a broad audience.

Your proposal should ultimately demonstrate how your research aligns with our mission to recognize and support academic researchers whose work in computing and technology makes a positive difference in the world.

We completely understand the desire to receive feedback and do our best to meet this request. However, due to the high volume of applications received, you may not receive feedback on your proposal.

June: Applications open

July - September: Proposals are under review

October: Applicants are notified of decision

Only complete applications that meet the following criteria will be scored:

• Submitted by eligible applicants

• Related to computing or technology in one or more focus areas

• Adhere to the required formatting guidelines

Scoring will be based on the following areas:

• Faculty merit: Faculty is accomplished in research, community engagement, and open source contributions, with potential to contribute to responsible innovation.

• Research merit: Faculty's proposed research is aligned with Google Research interests, innovative, and likely to have a significant impact on the field.

• Proposal quality: The research proposal is clear, focused, and well-organized, and it demonstrates the team's ability to successfully execute the research and achieve a significant impact.

• AI Ethics principles: The research proposal strongly aligns with Google's AI Principles

• For research area topics that require the use of a specific product, methodology, or other constraint, we will evaluate your project based on how well it adheres to and utilizes these aforementioned factors, as well as the overall quality of your approach.

Funding awards made in any form should not be used for overhead or indirect costs.

Please reach out to research-awards@google.com with any questions or concerns, and our team will be happy to assist you.