MongoDB PhD Fellowship Program

Introduction

MongoDB created its PhD Fellowship to support exceptional PhD candidates who want to make significant contributions to the future of computer science or related fields. The Fellowship provides an opportunity for PhD candidates of all backgrounds to conduct computer science research, connect with MongoDB engineers, and attend and present research at MongoDB events.The nomination window for the 2025 PhD Fellowship is closed. Applications will open in the fall for the 2026 PhD Fellowship.

Description

The Fellowship includes an award of up to $50,000. The award will be given to universities to be distributed to recipients.

Eligibility

Applicants must be enrolled in a PhD program for the duration of the Fellowship. They must also demonstrate a strong research background, passion for computer science or related fields, and excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Information on the research areas that are of particular interest to MongoDB can be found in the FAQs.

Application

To apply, please complete this and provide the following information and documents:
  1. Your CV with links to website and publications
  2. Link to your advisor’s research and contact information
  3. Research summary including references (maximum two pages of text plus references with font no smaller than 10-point)
  4. Undergraduate and graduate transcripts
In addition, applicants must request one letter of recommendation from their doctoral advisor. Recommenders must submit their letters of recommendation and contact information (phone and university address) to phdfellowship@mongodb.com with the applicant’s name in the subject line.Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Application Process

The nomination window for the 2025 PhD Fellowship is closed. The deadline for submission was Thursday, October 31, 2024.At our discretion, MongoDB may request a virtual interview to discuss the application before selecting the recipient of the Fellowship.

FAQs

MongoDB welcomes all research that is related to document databases. In addition, we welcome research in the following areas:

  • AI/Machine Learning: including application of ML to database systems and query optimization, information retrieval and vector search, LLMs for developer productivity, representation learning of semi-structured data
  • Distributed Systems: including distributed consensus, distributed transaction commit protocols, practical formal methods, non-relational query optimization, and distributed and parallel query processing
  • Software for Multi-Cluster/Multi-Cloud management: including networking optimization tools, and connection management
  • Cryptography: including encrypted search algorithms, structured encryption, leakage suppression, leakage attacks, cryptography for distributed systems
  • Performance Testing: including analysis or optimization for databases and distributed systems
  • Software Engineering: including techniques to automate the analysis, design, testing, or implementation of software systems
  • No/Low code
  • Computer Science Education: including technical education especially related to data science, data management, machine learning, and privacy and security
  • Human Computer Interaction: especially data visualization
  • Energy Efficiency: including efficiency of data centers, cloud compute, or other measures which would reduce storage and compute usage for our customers

No, MongoDB employees are not eligible for the Fellowship.

Yes, we accept applications from all accredited institutions worldwide. Applications must be submitted in English.

Applications will be reviewed by a panel of 5 Distinguished Engineers, most of whom have published research and taught computer science at the graduate level.

The Fellowship will begin in February.

Yes, remote participation in the Fellowship is ok.

Awards are taxable based on tax laws where you are a resident. Fellows will need to submit necessary tax information after accepting their award. MongoDB does not advise Fellows on how to file their taxes.

All research conducted by Fellows belongs to Fellows in compliance with any university policies. Fellows are not subject to intellectual property restrictions unless they do an internship or consult separately with MongoDB during the Fellowship.

The award will be given to universities to be distributed to recipients.

Please reach out to phdfellowship@mongodb.com with questions.