Higher Ed Faculty AI Fellowship is a fellowship program from Google for Education that funds higher education faculty who are pioneering AI in teaching, research, and institutional transformation. Fellows join a curated global cohort of academic leaders focused on responsible AI adoption, advancing institutional governance frameworks, assessment innovation, and student outcomes.

Eligible applicants are university faculty actively integrating AI in their disciplines with proven AI innovation experience; entry requires either a formal nomination by a Google leader or a self-application with a Portfolio of Innovation, an impact challenge proposal, and a letter of recommendation from a Dean or Program Chair.

The funding amount is unspecified; fellows must self-fund travel and accommodations for in-person convenings. The 2026 inaugural cohort application is currently open.

Google Higher Ed Faculty AI Fellowship - Google for Education Higher Ed Faculty AI Fellowship Join a global community of academic pioneers moving beyond instructional practice to become strategic change agents. This fellowship supports those who are thoughtfully integrating AI to advance research and discovery while elevating the student experience.

Showcase and grow your expertise As a Higher Ed Faculty AI Fellow, you will be uniquely positioned to shape the future of responsible AI through strategic leadership and institutional transformation. Become an Ambassador, guiding your peers and the academic community through the evolving landscape of higher education.

How you’ll make a difference As pioneers of AI, fellows are empowered to champion innovation not only for their institution, but also for higher education at large. Lead institutional transformation Gain a prestigious platform to address the most pressing AI challenges at your institution – from evolving assessment models to establishing governance frameworks.

Amplify your professional impact Join an exclusive global network of pioneers like you to investigate the systemic impact of AI on higher education. Master advanced skills and tools to enhance your instructional practice. Leverage collective insights to lead innovation and ensure your campus remains at the forefront of education.

2026 PROGRAM DETAILS Fellowship timeline Applications for our 2026 inaugural cohort are now open. Find out how to apply for the fellowship and review key program dates and deadlines below Apply for fellowship in 4 steps The Fellowship cohort is selected through a highly curated process designed for faculty already pioneering AI in their disciplines and research.

Entry is facilitated one of two ways: receive a formal invitation via a personal nomination from a Google leader, or submit a self-application directly through this website. Submit a brief “Portfolio of Innovation” (such as links to projects, publications, or course redesigns) that showcases your proven experience using AI in your teaching or research.

Propose an impact challenge Identify a key challenge at your institution or within your educational practice – related to assessment, policy, or student outcomes – that you wish to solve during your time as a fellow. Submit a letter of recommendation Using a provided template, include a letter from your Dean or Program Chair supporting your participation in the program.

Explore more fellowships and communities Learn about more opportunities to learn and collaborate with education professionals from all roles and experience levels. Google & GSV Ed Leadership Fellowship Explore an opportunity for education professionals at the top of their field to make a transformative impact on education.

Google Higher Ed Faculty Groups Join a community for higher education faculty and curriculum designers built around collaboration and learning in an AI-enabled world. Learn, collaborate, and earn recognition in the community or program that’s right for you. Find answers to common questions about the Google Higher Ed Faculty AI Fellowship What is the Google Higher Ed Faculty AI Fellowship?

The Google Higher Ed Faculty AI Fellowship is a program designed for university faculty who are integrating artificial intelligence into teaching, research, and institutional innovation. Fellows join a global community of academic leaders working to advance responsible AI and improve student outcomes across higher education. Who can apply to the Higher Ed Faculty AI Fellowship?

The fellowship is intended for higher education faculty who are actively exploring or implementing AI in their teaching, research, or institutional initiatives. Applicants should demonstrate experience with AI-driven innovation and a commitment to advancing responsible AI in higher education. What materials are required for the fellowship application?

Applicants are asked to submit a brief “Portfolio of Innovation” that may include links to projects, publications, or course redesigns demonstrating their use of AI in teaching or research. Submissions should highlight how AI has improved learning outcomes, research workflows, or institutional strategy. What are the benefits of becoming an AI Fellow?

AI Fellows gain access to a global network of academic innovators, opportunities to showcase their expertise, and resources to help lead AI-driven transformation within their institutions. Fellows collaborate with peers and experts to advance responsible AI adoption in higher education. Do applicants need to submit a video as part of the application?

Yes. Applicants are asked to submit a short 90-second video introducing themselves and sharing their vision for the future of AI in higher education. In the video, candidates should describe how they are driving AI adoption, the impact challenge they hope to address, and how they will advocate for responsible AI.

What is the “impact challenge” in the fellowship application? The impact challenge is a key problem in your institution or educational practice that you aim to address during your fellowship. This could relate to areas such as AI-enabled assessment, curriculum innovation, policy development, or improving student outcomes.

What topics or focus areas can applicants propose for their challenge? Applicants are encouraged to focus on areas where AI can drive meaningful change in higher education, including assessment and evaluation, responsible AI policy and ethics, curriculum design, and initiatives that improve student outcomes and AI literacy. What costs are associated with the Google Higher Ed Faculty AI Fellowship?

Fellows must be able to self-fund travel, accommodations, parking, and any meals outside of what the Fellowship covers during the in-person convening. To protect your intellectual property and institutional privacy, we do not require the submission of full syllabi or proprietary course materials.

Instead, applicants are asked to provide a structured overview of their leadership and innovation in the following sections: Provide 4-5 bullet points (max 150 words) detailing your most innovative applications of AI (such as Gemini or NotebookLM). Focus on how the tool was utilized to transform pedagogical practice, streamline research workflows, or enhance student outcomes.

Ensure all descriptions are institutional-compliant and do not contain sensitive data. Introduce yourself and articulate your vision for the future of AI in higher education. Specifically, we want you to address: How are you moving beyond individual tool usage to act as a Strategic Change Agent within your institution?

What is the High-Impact Challenge you intend to solve during your time as a Fellow? As an AI Fellow, how will you leverage this partnership with Google to lead your peers and establish new global standards for responsible AI adoption?

Propose an impact challenge Propose an impact challenge This is the challenge information- Identify a key challenge at your institution or within your educational practice – related to assessment, policy, or student outcomes – that you wish to solve during your time as a fellow. Propose an impact challenge Using AI to personalize content and simulate safe learning environments.

Developing frameworks for the responsible use of technology in research, or crafting departmental guidelines that balance academic integrity with innovation. Scaling specialized content and personalized learning pathways for diverse students. Addressing the digital divide or creating high-impact AI literacy programs that prepare students for the future workforce.

Submit a letter of recommendation Professional Leadership & Advocacy Please provide a list of up to 3 professional contributions that demonstrate your influence as a pioneer in this space. These may include: Professional Leadership & Advocacy Academic publications or white papers. Service on institutional AI committees or policy task forces You're now viewing content for a different region.

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