This year, the number of scholarships increases from one to two, expanding the opportunities to support the next generation of specialists in artificial intelligence.

The scholarships are available to students admitted to one of the following Master’s programmes at the Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics: Artificial Intelligence, Information Retrieval and Knowledge Discovery, Big Data Technologies.

Comprehensive Financial Support for Future AI Talent

Each of the two scholarships provides financial support throughout the full 18-month duration of the eligible Master’s programme.

The indicative total funding available to each scholar is USD 28,695.06.

The scholarship provides support for:

• tuition fees for the Master’s programme;

• housing and living costs;
• academic travel;
• equipment expenses;
• relocation expenses;

• access to AI-related academic conferences.

The comprehensive financial support is designed to enable scholars to focus on their education, academic development and preparation for future careers in artificial intelligence and related fields.

The increase from one to two scholarships for the 2026–2027 academic year expands the opportunity for talented students to pursue advanced education in artificial intelligence with comprehensive financial support. Through the programme, Sofia University and GATE Institute contribute to the development of the next generation of AI specialists and support access to high-quality postgraduate education in one of the most important technological fields today.

Who Can Apply?

Applicants for the 2026–2027 Google DeepMind AI Masters Scholarships at Sofia University must meet the following requirements:

• be ordinarily resident in Bulgaria or another European Union Member State;

• have a candidate-student examination success rate of at least 4.50;
• hold a Bachelor’s degree with a minimum overall grade of 4.50;
• apply for and be admitted to one of the eligible Master’s programmes at Sofia University for the 2026–2027 academic year:
  • Artificial Intelligence;
  • Information Retrieval and Knowledge Discovery;
  • Big Data Technologies;

• meet the scholarship programme’s financial eligibility criteria.

Financial eligibility will be assessed based on the applicant’s total family income divided by the number of household members. The resulting income per household member must be below the minimum salary level in Bulgaria as of 1 January 2026.

How to Apply

Candidates must submit their applications for the Google DeepMind AI Masters Scholarships by 09 October 2026.

Applications should be submitted through https://forms.gle/jL1Qk8wwzouLdwx56

Applicants are required to provide:

• a completed application form;

• Curriculum Vitae (CV);
• motivation letter;
• Bachelor’s degree diploma and/or other documentation demonstrating academic performance;
• documents required to verify financial eligibility;
• proof of application to or admission to one of the eligible Master’s programmes;
• Additional documents, if applicable.

Only complete applications submitted within the announced deadline will be considered.

Selection Process

Applications will be reviewed by a selection panel including professors from the Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics at Sofia University and representatives of GATE Institute.

The selection process will include:

• verification that applicants meet the eligibility requirements;

• review of the submitted supporting documents;
• assessment of academic performance;
• evaluation of the applicant’s motivation, qualifications and experience presented in the application, motivation letter and CV;
• verification of financial eligibility.

Following the evaluation process, two scholars and one waitlist candidate will be selected.

The final selection and nomination decision for the Google DeepMind AI Masters Scholarships will be completed by 31 October 2026.

Important Dates

Applications open: 07 July 2026

Application deadline: 09 October 2026

Admission examinations / admission to the eligible Master’s programmes: Follow the official FMI website

Final selection and nomination of scholars: By 31 October 2026

Beginning of the academic year: October 2026

About the Google DeepMind AI Masters Scholarships

Since 2017, Google DeepMind has provided scholarship funding to universities around the world to support their efforts to bring a wide range of experiences and perspectives to the fields of artificial intelligence and computer science.

Over the years, the programme has expanded internationally and supported universities and scholars in Bulgaria, Colombia, Greece, Poland, Romania, South Africa and Turkey, as well as the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and France.

Study and Develop Your Potential in GATE’s Research Environment

As Bulgaria’s first Centre of Excellence in Big Data and Artificial Intelligence, GATE Institute brings together researchers, students, industry, public institutions and international partners to develop data-driven technologies and solutions addressing real-world societal and economic challenges.

Students have the opportunity to study and develop their skills in an interdisciplinary research environment and gain exposure to research and innovation activities in artificial intelligence, Big Data, machine learning and related technologies.

Take the Next Step Towards a Future in AI

Apply here: https://forms.gle/jL1Qk8wwzouLdwx56

For additional information: career@gate-ai.eu

The award-winning research was developed within the Reliable Computational Modeling Research Group at the GATE Institute and addresses one of the fundamental challenges of modern engineering simulations: how to assess and ensure their reliability when supporting real-world decision-making related to urban environments, infrastructure, air quality, and building design.

Although often overlooked by the general public, the validation and accuracy assessment of computational models are essential prerequisites for developing reliable digital tools capable of supporting the creation of safer, more sustainable, and healthier urban spaces.

This distinction is yet another testament to the high quality of the research conducted at the GATE Institute and to the growing international recognition of the Bulgarian scientific community in the fields of digital technologies and engineering sciences.

About Radostin Mitkov

Radostin Mitkov is a researcher at the GATE Institute – the first Center of Excellence in Big Data and Artificial Intelligence in Eastern Europe. He is a member of the Institute’s Reliable Computational Modeling Research Group. For many years, he has also worked with the Cities of the Future team, which developed one of Bulgaria’s most innovative projects – the Digital Twin of Sofia.

His primary research focus is the study of wind effects and pollutant dispersion in urban environments using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. This approach helps researchers understand how air “breathes” between buildings, how pollutants accumulate or disperse, and how cities can be planned to become healthier and more comfortable places for their residents.

Before joining GATE, Radostin earned a degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics from the University of Southampton, United Kingdom, where his passion for aerodynamics first emerged. He is currently pursuing a PhD at the Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics of Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski,” under the supervision of Prof. Dessislava Petrova-Antonova and Prof. Andreas Mark from Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden.

Radostin is involved in the development of a tool for simulating urban wind conditions that will help architects and urban planners predict potential wind accelerations and turbulence before new buildings are constructed.

He participates in several international research projects and, in 2024, secured funding through the national programme “Young Scientists and Postdoctoral Researchers – 2” for his project focused on using CFD and machine learning to analyze urban microclimates and pollution.

In 2025, Radostin completed a research specialization at the Von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics (Belgium), one of the world’s leading institutions in aerodynamics and fluid mechanics. There, he worked on projects investigating urban wind processes, combining artificial intelligence and computational simulations to enable faster and more accurate analyses. The Von Karman Institute has long collaborated with leading aviation and aerospace companies in the development of aircraft engines, drones, and satellites, placing Radostin’s research within the framework of the highest international standards in engineering science.

The GATE Institute congratulates Radostin Mitkov on this well-deserved achievement and wishes him continued success in his scientific career.