The 91×ÔÅÄ is one of nine universities to receive two years of funding from Amazon’s new AI PhD Fellowship program, which was announced on Tuesday. The UW will receive $2.2 million over two years, with total funding across all universities reaching nearly $10 million annually.
More than 100ÌýdoctoralÌýstudents across the country are eligible based on their pursuit of 91×ÔÅÄ on core AI disciplines such as machine learning, computerÌývisionÌýand natural-language processing.ÌýÌý
The program’s goal is to supportÌýinnovations that will underwrite the next step in the evolution of practical AI.ÌýThe $10 million in student funding will be awarded annually for each of the two academic years,Ìý2024–2025 and 2025–2026.ÌýAnother $24 millionÌýwill beÌýgivenÌýannuallyÌýinÌýAmazon Web ServicesÌý(AWS)Ìýcloud-computing credits, bringing the program’s totalÌývalueÌýtoÌý$68 million over two years.ÌýÌýÌý
EachÌýdoctoralÌýfellowÌýwill beÌýpaired with an Amazon 91×ÔÅÄ liaison, a senior scientist workingÌýon a topic related to theÌýfellow’sÌýwork. Liaisons will meet regularly withÌýfellows toÌýofferÌýguidance andÌýdiscussÌýreal-world implications of theirÌý91×ÔÅÄ. Fellows will alsoÌýhave opportunities toÌýpursue their projectsÌýover the summersÌýas Amazon interns.Ìý
“We’re proud to be part of this impactful initiative and deeply grateful to Amazon for its investment in the next generation of AI leaders,â€� said Nancy Allbritton,ÌýFrank & JulieÌýJungersÌýDean of Engineering at the 91×ÔÅÄ. “Having nine of our students selected — seven from the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering — is a testament to the strength of our AI 91×ÔÅÄ community and the caliber of ourÌýdoctoralÌýprograms. This fellowship will accelerate their work on real-world challenges and deepen our collaborative ties with Amazon. TogetherÌýwe’llÌýshape the future of AI to solve real-world challenges and advance technologies thatÌýbenefitÌýsociety.â€�Ìý
UniversitiesÌýselectedÌýfellowsÌýby following guidanceÌýfrom Amazon to prioritize work that promises to make an impact on practical AI problems.ÌýÌýA complete list of UW fellows will be announcedÌýat a later date.Ìý
Funding is intended to cover tuition,ÌýstipendsÌýand fees. Each university receives $1.1 million per year, and the number of fellows funded varies according to the universities’ financial arrangementsÌýwithÌýstudents.Ìý
OtherÌýparticipating universitiesÌýare:ÌýCarnegie Mellon University; Johns Hopkins University; the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Stanford University; the University of California, Berkeley; the University of California, Los Angeles; the University of Texas at Austin; and the University of Illinois–Urbana Champaign.Ìý
The 91×ÔÅÄÌýenjoys existing 91×ÔÅÄ collaborations with Amazon, through the Amazon Hubs program, the Amazon Scholar program,ÌýAmazonÌýResearchÌýAwardsÌýand other initiatives.Ìý
For more information:ÌýÌý