Google Academic Research Awards 2026 | Up to $100,000 Research Grant for Professors

Applications are now open for the Google Academic Research Awards 2026, a global research funding programme that supports university professors conducting innovative research in computing and technology. The 2026 funding cycle focuses on Early Fault-Tolerant Quantum Algorithms & Applications and Quantum Computing Security, with awards of up to $100,000 available for selected research projects.

The programme provides unrestricted research grants to eligible universities and research institutions to advance groundbreaking research with the potential for significant scientific and technological impact.

Host Organization: Google Research

Programme Type: Academic Research Grant

Location: Global

Award Value: Up to $100,000 (larger awards may be considered for exceptional proposals)

Eligible Applicants: Professors at degree-granting universities and research institutions

Application Method: Online application

Application Deadline: 7 August 2026

The Google Academic Research Awards support outstanding academic researchers whose work contributes to advances in computing and technology.

For the 2026 funding cycle, Google is inviting research proposals focused on quantum computing, particularly projects that address challenges in early fault-tolerant quantum computing and quantum computing security.

The programme aims to encourage innovative research that advances scientific knowledge while promoting responsible technology development aligned with Google's AI Principles.

Applicants must submit proposals under one of the following research themes:

• Early Fault-Tolerant Quantum Algorithms & Applications
• Quantum Computing Security

Only proposals related to the published research areas will be considered.

Successful applicants will receive:

• Research funding of up to $100,000
• Larger funding awards for exceptional proposals with strong justification
• Flexible research funding provided as an unrestricted gift to the recipient's institution
• Funding to support research personnel and project activities
• Support for innovative computing and quantum computing research
• Recognition from Google Research
• Opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge scientific advancement

Note: Grant funds cannot be used for institutional overhead or indirect costs.

Applicants must:

• Be an Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Full Professor, or equivalent academic faculty member.
• Be employed at a degree-granting university or recognised research institution.
• Be actively advising students and conducting research in computing or technology.
• Submit a proposal aligned with one of the 2026 research focus areas.
• Serve as Principal Investigator (PI) or Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI) on only one proposal during the application round.
• Have no more than two Principal Investigators on a single proposal.

Applicants should prepare:

• Research proposal (maximum five pages for a single PI or seven pages for proposals with a Co-PI)
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Budget summary (submitted separately within the application portal)
• References (submitted separately within the application portal)

The proposal should include:

• Proposal title
• Abstract
• Research objectives
• Proposed methodology
• Expected outcomes
• Relationship to previous research
• Applicant qualifications
• Data-sharing intentions

Applications will be evaluated based on:

• Faculty research achievements and academic merit
• Quality and originality of the proposed research
• Potential scientific and technological impact
• Proposal clarity and feasibility
• Alignment with Google's AI Principles
• Relevance to the selected research topic

Successful applicants will be notified by 30 October 2026.

Interested professors should submit their application through Google's official online application portal before the application deadline.

Applicants should carefully review the proposal formatting guidelines and ensure that all required documents are submitted according to the published instructions.

7 August 2026