PhD at INSAIT in Bulgaria: Fully Funded Doctoral Fellowship of €39,684 Per Year for International Students

Overview

The Institute for Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Technology, known as INSAIT, in Sofia, Bulgaria, offers fully funded PhD positions in computer science, artificial intelligence, data science, mathematics, physics, statistics and electrical engineering. Admitted candidates receive a doctoral fellowship of €39,684 gross per year for up to five years. INSAIT was established in 2022 in partnership with leading technical universities including ETH Zurich and EPFL and operates as a special unit of Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski, which issues the degree. English is the working language.

What you get

The fellowship is meant to let students focus on research full-time. Support can continue through the first two years for candidates who enter with a Bachelor's degree and complete a Master's within the programme. According to INSAIT's FAQ, the fellowship does not have to be repaid if a candidate does not complete the doctorate. The amount is gross, so net pay may be lower after taxes. INSAIT also notes that fellowships may be available through technology companies including DeepMind and Amazon Web Services.

Who can apply

International applicants are explicitly welcome. Candidates need, or will have obtained by the start, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in a field such as computer science, data science, mathematics, physics, statistics or electrical engineering. A Master's degree is not required at entry. Visa and work-permit procedures can affect the start date for international students. Applicants do not need a single fixed research topic, as they can name several areas of interest that may change, and interdisciplinary work is encouraged.

How to apply

INSAIT uses rolling admissions, with no fixed deadline, and accepts applications throughout the year.