Application Deadline: September 17, 2024
The 2024 Young African AI Research Fellowship, initiated at the Deep Learning Indaba 2023 with generous sponsorship from Jeff Dean, Chief Scientist at Google DeepMind and Google Research, who was present at the event, is designed to nurture and develop emerging AI talent across the African continent. This innovative program is set to officially launch today at Deep Learning Indaba 2024, where one of the first distinctions will be awarded for the best poster presentation.
Focused on providing master’s graduates with substantial hands-on experience in cutting-edge AI research, this fellowship aims to empower fellows to contribute significantly to the AI field globally and within Africa. By engaging in rigorous research projects at InstaDeep Rwanda and presenting their findings at major international AI conferences such as Deep learning Indaba, ICLR, NeurIPS, and ICML, fellows are set to become key players in driving forward AI innovation. The fellowship also presents potential pathways for the fellows to pursue PhD opportunities, further contributing to AI innovation on the continent.
ASCEND360, a non-profit organization co-founded by one of the IndabaX organizers, the fellowship operates in partnership with InstaDeep and Deep Learning Indaba. This collaboration is part of a broader initiative to continue the efforts made by The Deep Learning Indaba in strengthening Machine Learning across Africa. The program aims to elevate African voices in the rapidly evolving AI landscape and address the underrepresentation of African researchers on the global stage.
InstaDeep is a pioneer in decision-making AI, driven by the belief that AI can help everyone. We work with businesses and communities to help them realise the benefits of the latest in AI technology. We excel in applying Machine Learning, and, in particular, Reinforcement Learning – systems learn to excel at tasks through experience – across industry sectors, including logistics, biotech, electronics design, and beyond, empowering businesses to harness AI to tackle their most complex challenges. At InstaDeep, human values are at the heart of what we do. We combine technical expertise with a commitment to knowledge sharing, democratising AI for a more inclusive future and nurturing young talent so they can participate in the global AI discussion. Our impact and global footprint expanded significantly in 2023 when InstaDeep became part of the BioNTech Group, which shares our innovative culture and a common vision to leverage AI for good.
Fellowship Details:Duration: The 2024 Young African AI Research Fellowship is a six-month program.Start Date: The fellowship begins in October 2024.Monthly Stipend: Each fellow will receive $1,000 USD per month.Travel Support: Additional support covers round-trip transportation costs up to $1,000 USD.Eligibility: Open to young African master’s graduates residing in Africa. Current PhD students who can commit to a full-time, six-month fellowship starting in October are also eligible to apply.Commitment: The fellowship requires a full-time on-site commitment in Rwanda. The stipend provided is designed to allow fellows to fully focus on their research without financial distractions.
Who can apply:
- Recent graduates with a Master’s or PhD in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Data Science, or a related field.
- Individuals with strong interest in AI research.
- Proficiency in machine learning frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, or Jax.
- Strong English communication skills, both written and verbal, for effective collaboration and reporting.
- Eagerness to collaborate with a research team and commit to a 6-12 month fellowship in Kigali, Rwanda.
- Open to African nationals residing on the continent, with a focus on fostering local AI talent.
Preferred Qualifications and Expertise:M.S. or PhD in Computer Science, Machine Learning, or a related scientific field.Experience using deep learning frameworks like PyTorch, TensorFlow, and/or Jax.Ability to collaborate with research teams and in-house experts to develop and test novel machine-learning methods.
Experience designing and implementing models, tools, and libraries to support AI for Social Good (AI4SG) research efforts.Knowledge of software engineering practices such as Object-Oriented Programming, Unit Testing, Profiling, CI/CD, and Docker.Strong verbal and written communication skills, with a proven ability to present research findings internally and externally.A collaborative and team-oriented mindset, with a commitment to contributing to research publications.