Funding

Fully Funded

PhD Scholarship•USA · Pittsburgh

Carnegie Mellon Machine Learning PhD Program

Carnegie Mellon University Machine Learning Department

Application Deadline

December 9, 2026

Official Page

Carnegie Mellon University’s Machine Learning PhD is a full-time, in-person research degree run by the Machine Learning Department in Pittsburgh. It combines interdisciplinary study in machine learning, statistics and computing with active research beginning in the first semester.

Students complete coursework, develop teaching, speaking and writing skills, and defend a doctoral thesis. The Fall 2027 application opens on September 9, 2026.

Benefits & funding

  • Full tuition and a stipend are provided while the student makes satisfactory progress.
  • Students without external funding are normally supported through graduate assistantships for the nine-month academic year from September through May.
  • Partial external awards are supplemented to the department’s full support level.
  • An eligible dependent may receive an allowance equal to 10% of the department’s monthly base stipend, subject to the published partner-income condition.

Eligibility

  • A master’s degree is not required; applicants may apply with a bachelor’s degree, and master’s degree holders may also apply.
  • The program is full-time and in person in Pittsburgh.
  • No nationality or prior-residency restriction is stated.
  • GRE General scores are optional.
  • Applicants who will study on an F-1 or J-1 visa and whose native language is not English must submit TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo results; prior English-medium study does not create a waiver.
  • The department recommends strong preparation in linear algebra, probability, proofs and computer programming, but presents these as preparation guidance rather than fixed admission thresholds.

Can you apply?

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  • Education required

    Bachelor · Master

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Application process

  1. 1
    Create an account in the School of Computer Science graduate application portal after it opens on September 9, 2026, and select the Machine Learning PhD.
  2. 2
    Upload unofficial transcripts, a current résumé or CV, and a concise statement of purpose describing research interests, relevant experience and doctoral objectives.
  3. 3
    Arrange three recommendation letters; at least two should normally come from faculty members or recent employers who can evaluate prior work and independent-research potential.
  4. 4
    Submit English-language test results when required; GRE scores are optional.
  5. 5
    Submit by November 18, 2026 for the reduced US$80 early fee or by the final deadline of December 9, 2026 with the US$100 fee. A fee-waiver request is available within the application for eligible applicants.

Program timeline

  1. Most recent completed application cycle closed

    Dec 10, 2025

  2. Fall 2027 application opens

    Sep 9, 2026

  3. Early application deadline at 3 p.m. EST

    Nov 18, 2026

  4. Final application deadline at 3 p.m. EST

    Dec 9, 2026

  5. Enrollment begins

    Fall 2027

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