Google Academic Research Awards 2026

Google Academic Research Awards 2026 is sponsored by Google Research. Supports professors conducting groundbreaking research in computing and technology, with a focus on quantum computing in the 2026 cycle.

Google Academic Research Awards Google academic research awards Google holds global open calls for proposals that support groundbreaking foundational and applied research in computing and technology. This funding cycle, Google is interested in topics focused on quantum computing.

This call for proposals is open to professors (assistant, associate, etc.) at degree-granting institutions who are advising students and conducting research in the field of technology and computing.

2026 global requests for proposals Terms for Google academic research awards 2026 global requests for proposals Early Fault-Tolerant Quantum Algorithms & Applications Quantum computing promises to solve computational problems that are beyond the reach of classical systems. This call for proposals focuses on the immediate frontier of quantum computing: the early fault-tolerant era.

This call for proposals seeks to identify algorithms and applications that can run on early fault-tolerant devices - specifically targeting research that utilizes a relatively small number of logical qubits to solve classically intractable problems.

Quantum Computing Security The potential national security applications and scientific and commercial opportunities of quantum computers have led to increased focus in the industry and amongst policy makers on the importance of protecting quantum computing efforts from IP theft and other attacks. One underexplored aspect of this security landscape is the potential for practical exploits targeting the classical-to-quantum interface.

Who is eligible to apply? Applications are open to academic researchers who are currently advising students and conducting research in technology and computing at academic institutions. Please refer to the specific call for proposal’s website for detailed information.

What is the proper format for the proposal? Our Application Companion supports applicants with structuring and developing high-quality applications. It includes the call for proposal overview, how to apply and formatting guidelines, samples of high-scoring responses, open advice to proposers and a submission FAQ.

Submit your proposal and CV as a single PDF file. Name the file in the following format: "[First InitialLast name]-2026" (e.g., "JDoe-2026"). Use only letters, numbers, and hyphens.

5 pages maximum for a single Principal Investigator (PI) submission 7 pages maximum for submissions with a co-PI with CV No smaller than 10-point font Proposal should include the following numbered sections: Full name, contact information (postal address, email address, phone), and affiliation (institution and/or department) of PI(s) Abstract (concise summary of proposal) Research goals and problem statement Description of the proposed work, expected outcomes, and results Discussion of how the research relates to prior work (including your own) Explanation of your qualifications to conduct this research For ongoing projects, explain how this funding (whether by unrestricted gift or another type, specified in the RFP) would enhance your existing project.

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. 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.

Primary PI: 2-page max CV required Co-PI: 2-page max CV (optional) 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. Proposals without a co-PI's CV should not exceed 5 pages.

References and budget details should be excluded from the proposal itself. Instead, use the designated sections in the application form for this information. Do I need to include references and a budget in my proposal?

References and budget details should be excluded from the proposal itself. Instead, use the designated sections in the application tool for this information. The budget section requires a high-level overview of how funds will be used.

Does the co-PI need to meet the same eligibility criteria as the primary PI? Co-PIs must generally meet the same eligibility criteria as primary PIs, except in cases where the co-PI is a postdoctoral researcher. Can I submit a proposal outside of the featured research areas on the main webpage?

No, we’re currently only accepting proposals within the research areas listed on the call for proposals page. Please review them to ensure your proposal aligns with the current open call. What specific advice would you give to proposers to strengthen their applications?

Here's how to strengthen your proposal: Clearly define the problem. Good research starts with a compelling question. 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. Differentiate your contribution.

Clearly explain how your work advances the state of the art, using citations and other standard practices. 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. 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.

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. Will feedback be provided on the proposal that we submit? 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. What is the timeline for the selection process? June 26: Applications open August 7: Applications close October 30: Notification of proposal decisions What is the evaluation criteria when assessing proposals?

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. Can I use the award money to cover overhead expenses?

Funding awards made in any form should not be used for overhead or indirect costs. Where can I learn more about organization eligibility, application requirements, and other terms & conditions? Please see the Terms for more information.

How can I get in touch if I have any questions or concerns? Please reach out to research-awards@google. com with any questions or concerns, and our team will be happy to assist you.

See past Google academic research award recipients Terms for Google academic research awards See Terms for Google academic research awards Our resources are available to everyone We regularly share datasets, tools and services with the broader scientific community to be used, shared, and built on.