Apply for the Google Academic Research Awards 2026 - a fully funded university research call from Google Research awarding up to $100,000 for computing and technology projects. Deadline: 7 August 2026 (11:59:59 pm AoE).
This global open call supports professors and faculty at degree-granting institutions who advise students and work in computing or technology. For the 2026 cycle, Google is prioritising quantum computing, with focused requests for proposals on early fault-tolerant algorithms/applications and quantum computing security.
Awards are typically paid as unrestricted gifts to the host university (not for overhead/indirect costs). Decisions are expected by 30 October 2026.
Quick Facts - Google Academic Research Awards 2026
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Host | Google Research (United States) |
| Programme | Google Academic Research Awards (GARA) |
| Type | Research award / faculty research grant |
| Funding | Up to $100,000 (larger amounts possible for exceptional cases) |
| 2026 focus | Quantum computing topic calls |
| Who can apply | Professors / faculty at degree-granting institutions worldwide |
| PI limit | One proposal per person as PI or co-PI; max 2 PIs per proposal |
| Applications open | 26 June 2026 |
| Deadline | 7 August 2026, 11:59:59 pm AoE (UTC−12) |
| Results | By 30 October 2026 |
2026 Research Calls
Only proposals inside the open topic list are accepted. Current featured areas include:
- Early Fault-Tolerant Quantum Algorithms & Applications - algorithms and applications that can run on early fault-tolerant devices with a relatively small number of logical qubits, targeting classically intractable problems.
- Quantum Computing Security - including underexplored risks such as practical exploits at the classical-to-quantum interface and related protection of quantum computing efforts.
Read the full topic pages on Google Research before drafting; topic rules can include product, methodology, or open-sourcing requirements.
What Awardees Receive
- Research funding of up to $100,000 (exceptional proposals may justify more)
- Funds disbursed as an unrestricted gift to the university or degree-granting research institution
- Support for research activity aligned with the approved proposal (budget is entered in the application tool, not inside the PDF narrative)
- Visibility through Google’s academic research awards programme and network
- A pathway to collaborate around Google Research priorities in computing and quantum
Award money should not be used for overhead or indirect costs.
Who Is Eligible?
- Assistant, associate, full, or equivalent professors at a university or degree-granting research institution
- Currently advising students and actively researching computing or technology
- Proposal must relate to computing/technology and match an open 2026 RFP topic
- You may appear as PI or co-PI on only one proposal in this round
- Maximum of two PIs on a proposal
- Co-PIs normally meet the same faculty criteria (postdoctoral co-PIs are an allowed exception in Google’s FAQ)
PhD students cannot apply as independent PIs; they may contribute inside a faculty-led team.
Proposal Format (Must Follow Exactly)
Submit proposal + CV as one PDF named like JDoe-2026 (first initial + last name + year; letters, numbers, hyphens only).
- Length: 5 pages max (single PI) or 7 pages max (with co-PI + CV pages)
- Layout: single-spaced, 1-inch margins, font no smaller than 10 pt
- CVs: primary PI 2 pages max; optional co-PI CV 2 pages max
- Do not put references or budget inside the proposal PDF - use the form’s dedicated sections
Numbered proposal sections should cover title, PI contact/affiliation, abstract, goals, methods and expected outcomes, relation to prior work, qualifications, how funding advances ongoing work (if relevant), any RFP-specific product/method constraints, and a data-sharing / open output statement.
How Applications Are Scored
Only complete, eligible, on-topic, correctly formatted files are scored. Reviewers look at:
- Faculty merit - research record, community engagement, open-source impact, responsible innovation potential
- Research merit - fit with Google Research interests, originality, likely field impact
- Proposal quality - clarity, focus, organisation, credible execution plan
- AI ethics alignment - fit with Google’s AI Principles where relevant
How to Apply
- Open the official Google Academic Research Awards page.
- Choose the matching 2026 RFP (for example Early Fault-Tolerant Quantum Algorithms & Applications).
- Use Google’s Application Companion for structure samples and submission FAQs.
- Draft a tight proposal with a clear question, measurable outcomes, risks, and differentiation from prior art.
- Combine proposal and CV into one correctly named PDF.
- Enter references and budget in the online form fields.
- Submit before 7 August 2026, 11:59:59 pm AoE.
Application Tips
- Define one sharp problem, not a vague quantum wishlist.
- State minimum and best-case outcomes, datasets, and test cases.
- Write so a non-expert can understand motivation and impact.
- Explain why this gift unlocks work that would not happen otherwise.
- Stay inside the listed 2026 topics - off-topic proposals are not accepted.
Deadline
Last date to apply: 7 August 2026 (11:59:59 pm AoE / UTC−12). Late submissions are not considered. Questions: research-awards@google.com.
Official Links
Google Academic Research Awards - Official Hub
Related Opportunities on Opportunity Station
- Google Data Center Community AI Fellowship 2026
- Frontier AI Residency 2027
- Anthropic AI Research Residency 2027
- Browse all fellowships
FAQs
Is the Google Academic Research Awards 2026 fully funded?
Selected projects can receive up to $100,000 in research funding (as an institutional gift). Overhead/indirect costs are not covered.
Can researchers outside the USA apply?
Yes. Faculty at eligible degree-granting institutions worldwide may apply when they meet the call rules.
Can PhD students apply alone?
No. The call targets faculty PIs who advise students. Students may join a faculty-led proposal.
What is the 2026 topic focus?
Quantum computing, including early fault-tolerant algorithms/applications and quantum computing security.
When will results be announced?
By 30 October 2026.
When is the deadline?
7 August 2026, 11:59:59 pm AoE.
