Google Conference Scholarships are awarded to increase diversity in the technology industry by eliminating financial barriers for historically underrepresented students and professionals. Google believes that building world-changing tools requires a diversity of attributes, experiences, and perspectives. This scholarship facilitates career advancement by providing access to premier industry conferences, networking with peers, and exposure to cutting-edge research.
The scholarship targets selected technical and business conferences across the globe, including major North American events like the Grace Hopper Celebration, AfroTech, and the Richard Tapia Celebration. By covering all primary costs, Google ensures that recipients can focus entirely on gaining insights into industry trends, exploring career pathways, and building professional connections with leaders in technology. This commitment supports students who identify as members of historically excluded groups in tech.
The program’s structure directly reflects its mission: to provide equal opportunity. Awards are granted based on the strength of a complete application, which demonstrates a candidate’s academic or professional background and commitment to technology. The Google Conference Scholarship is a powerful investment that funds not only conference attendance but also the future leadership of the global technology community.
Scholarship Coverage
The Google Conference Scholarship is a fully funded award that covers all major expenses associated with attending a selected industry conference.
There are three main components of the scholarship coverage:
- Full Conference Registration: The scholarship covers the entire cost of conference registration, providing full access to all sessions, workshops, and networking events.
- Travel and Accommodation: Recipients receive one round-trip ticket to and from the conference site, along with hotel accommodation for the duration of the travel dates.
- Financial Stipend and Swag: Scholars receive a $100 USD stipend to cover miscellaneous expenses, such as meals or local travel, and are given official Google merchandise (swag).
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility requirements for the Google Conference Scholarship vary by region (North America, APAC, Africa). For the North American program, there are three key requirements focused on student status, location, and age:
- Age Requirement: Applicants must be at least 18 years of age at the time of application.
- Academic/Professional Status: You must be a university student (undergraduate or graduate) or an industry professional.
- Location: You must be a citizen, permanent resident of, or currently studying in the United States, Canada, or Mexico.
The program is explicitly designed to expose career opportunities to individuals who identify as historically excluded in tech. This includes, but is not limited to, those who identify as Women, Black/African American/Caribbean/WestIndies, Hispanic/Latinx, persons with disabilities, veterans, and Native American/First Nations.
Application Process
To secure a Google Conference Scholarship, applicants must submit an application that highlights their background and professional potential. The application typically requires submission of three primary documents:
- Resume/CV: You must submit a current professional resume or CV that details your academic history, projects, and relevant experience in technology or business.
- Academic Transcripts: You must submit academic documents, such as unofficial transcripts from your current or most recent university.
- Application Form: You must complete the online application form, which gathers general background information, contact details, and confirmation of your ability to attend the conference in its entirety.
The selection process is based on a review of these materials, focusing on your qualifications and alignment with the scholarship’s diversity mission.
Deadline
The application deadline for the Google Conference Scholarship is not a single date; it is based on the specific conference you select.
- Varies by Conference: Deadlines are tied to the conference’s start date, with applications typically closing several months in advance. For example, recent deadlines for major events like the Grace Hopper Celebration fell in July.
- Check Official Site: You must confirm the precise deadline on the official application page for the Google Conference Scholarship 2026 as soon as the conference list is published.
