Google Scholarships
The passion of Google is knowledge access. Google doesn’t want anything to get in the way of promising researchers pursuing higher education. Because of this, Google is pleased to announce the Google Europe Scholarship for Students with Disabilities in collaboration with EmployAbility. By offering scholarships to students with impairments studying computer science, Google is dedicated to assisting the next generation of innovators in making the most of their potential.
For the academic year 2023–2024, each recipient of the Google Europe Scholarship for Students with Disabilities will receive a scholarship worth €7,000. Scholarships will be given out based on the applicants’ demonstrated love for computer science, leadership abilities, and academic standing.
ALSO SEE: Oxford-Weidenfeld and Hoffmann Scholarship and Leadership Programme
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Have a disability, mental health or long term health condition (which includes dyslexia, dyspraxia, visual impairment, hearing impairment, diabetes, epilepsy, depression, anxiety disorders, and any other physical or mental impairments or health conditions)
- Intend to be enrolled in or accepted as a student in a Bachelors, Masters, or PhD program at an accredited university in Europe or Israel for the 2023-2024 academic year
- Be studying computer science, computer engineering, informatics, or a closely related technical field
- Demonstrate a strong academic record
- Exemplify leadership and demonstrate a passion for computer science and technology
Application Process
- Applicants will be asked to complete an online application through EmployAbility which includes:
- General background information (e.g. contact information and details about your current and intended universities)
- Resume/CV
- Academic transcripts from your current and prior institutions (if you have earned a prior degree)
- One letter of reference from a professor, instructor, adviser or supervisor
- Responses to a series of questions about your passion for and ability in computer science.
- Recipients will be selected based on the overall strength of their essays and application materials compared to the entire applicant pool or respective peers (e.g. Bachelors students compared to other Bachelors students).
Please ensure that your chosen referees are aware of your application and are ready to supply you with the reference.
Application Questions
Passion for Computer Science
What initially piqued your interest in computer science? What motivated you to pursue computer science further and what do you intend to achieve with your degree and knowledge?
Please answer both sections of the question, being as specific as you can. Use concrete examples to show your enthusiasm for computer science. Try to consider how you will apply the knowledge you have learned during your studies and how you picture yourself acquiring these skills after receiving your qualification as you answer the final portion of the second question.
You can discuss your professional and academic accomplishments and goals in regards to computer science.
The suggested word count ranges from 400 to 600.
Technical Project
We would like to ask you questions about a technical project you have been involved in or a piece of research that you undertook, where your contribution and involvement was key to its success.
When answering the questions, please remember that the Computer Science professional reviewing your application may not share the same technical expertise or knowledge of your particular research field. Therefore, please make sure to explain all technical terms and processes accordingly.
Any evidence to support or to help illustrate your essay (e.g. graphs, diagrams, algorithms, sections of code etc.) can be uploaded in the ‘supporting documents’ section, for all such items please include the name of your evidence in square brackets in the appropriate place in your answer, for example [Mygraph1].
- What was the problem your project or research was trying to solve? (100-150 words)
- Was this done as part of your university studies, an internship/work experience or was it a personal project?
- What was your solution to the project or research? (100-150 words)
- What were the technical problems that you faced? (100-150 words)
- Was this a solo project or were you working as part of a group. If it was a group project, please state your personal involvement in the project. (50 words)
- Do you consider this project technically challenging, innovative or both? Briefly explain why. (100-150 words)
Leadership/Community engagement
The following questions relate to an example of a time when you exhibited leadership.
To answer these questions, you can draw from your academic, work or extracurricular experiences, responsibilities and/or achievements.
Please be sure to be clear about your role in any activities or achievements described, and the outcome of your involvement. Please quantify your achievements where it is appropriate to do so.
The term ‘technical community’ refers to any communities that you are connected to that are technology based communities, such as any IT/Computer Science related societies/ on-line forums, any other users/groups of specific technologies and social media platforms etc.
- Provide an example of a situation in which you demonstrated leadership. If possible, please choose an example which shows how you helped, influenced or had an impact on members of the broader community, such as your technical community, or your university. (150 words)
- What were your goals or what were you trying to achieve? (100 words)
- How were you able to influence others to achieve your goal or persuade them to your way of thinking? (250 words)
- Were you successful in achieving your goals, or if not, what did you learn from this experience? (100 words)
- In what ways were you able to have an impact on or influence members of the broader community, such as your technical community, or your university? (150 words)
How to apply
Please note that candidates should apply via EmployAbility’s site. You will not be able to apply directly via Google.
Should you wish to discuss any aspect of the application process with EmployAbility, including mitigating circumstances which have affected your academic and/or work experiences, please contact us at googlescholarship@employ-ability.org.uk