Academic Year 2025-2026
Integrated circuit design and engineering is more critical than ever. With a slowing of Moore’s law and end of Dennard scaling, challenges abound to deliver ever increasing performance and power efficiency. Apple has long recognized these challenges and develops world-class silicon for its products. Apple's Hardware Technologies team is very excited to offer the Integrated Circuit and Systems Ph.D. fellowship program at Georgia Tech. This program recognizes a few top students with expressed interest in IC engineering, SoC design, verification, test, RF, analog, mixed signal circuit and computer architecture. This unique and highly selective program provides both a summer internship at Apple, and financial support covering costs of one academic year of Ph.D. (tuition, fees and stipend)* at Georgia Tech. To be eligible, you should already be a currently enrolled full-time ECE Ph.D. student at Georgia Tech and ideally have two years or more remaining to receive the full value of the fellowship.
Academic expectations of an Apple Ph.D. Fellow in Integrated Circuits and Systems include successful participation in the Ph.D. program and continued research related to IC engineering / computer architecture.
(*Disbursement of funds will be to Georgia Tech)
Timing
Applications can be submitted, and finalists will be interviewed as part of the evaluation process.
- Application open: October 3, 2024
- Application deadline: October 20, 2024, 11:59pm EDT
- To be eligible, you should ideally be between your first and fourth year of Ph.D.
- An Apple internship, offered as a part of the Fellowship, is generally the summer before the start of funding, but timing can be adjusted.
- Finalist interviews: from December 2024 to January 2025
- Decisions back: February/March 2025
FAQs
How are Apple Ph.D. Fellows in Integrated Circuits and Systems selected?
Georgia Tech and Apple evaluate all applicants against several criteria. This includes past expressed interest in courses, research, and/or internships in the areas of IC engineering, SoC Design, verification, test, RF, analog, mixed signal circuits or computer architecture. Furthermore, we are looking for top students whose research indicates a wish to continue to study in these areas. Georgia Tech and Apple are both interested in working towards achieving the benefits of a broadly diverse student scholarship group. Students selected as finalists will be informed and interviews will be scheduled. Feedback from this interview will also be considered in the selection process. Georgia Tech will make the final decisions on award recipients according to the outlined schedule. Note that it is possible to be offered an internship without designation as an Apple Ph.D. Fellow. Apple will coordinate with students directly on all internship opportunities.
How many Apple Ph.D. Fellowship in Integrated Circuits and Systems are there for this application round?
As of fall 2024 there will be up to two (2) one-academic year Ph.D. fellowship awarded per year at Georgia Tech.
What level of interaction can I expect with Apple?
Apple Ph.D. fellows are expected to interact regularly with Apple engineers. At a minimum, Apple Ph.D. fellows will give quarterly updates on their research and interact with Apple mentors on a regular basis.
I already have an internship lined up with another company for next summer, can I still apply?
Sure, Apple runs internships all year long, and so alignment of internships at Apple with any Georgia Tech semester is possi-
ble. Six-month internships are also possible.
Can I intern at Apple more than once?
If you and your manager (and advisor) agree and the timing works out, we would love to have you back for multiple in-tern- ships.
What courses are recommended?
Courses in IC engineering, SoC design, verification, test, RF, analog, mixed signal circuits, or computer architecture areas. Pref-erence will be given to students who have already expressed interest through their course selection. Some of the recommended courses are indicated below. Competitive candidates may also have similar experience professionally or in research project.
• Circuit Technology courses: ECE 4804/8804 (Analog Tape-out course), 6414, 6435, 6420, 6445
• Comp Eng. Courses: ECE 4804/8804 (Digital Tape-out course), 6100, 6130, 6133, 6135, 6140
• ECE Packaging courses: 6776, 6422, 6444
• ECE 4420, 6430, 6132, 6133, 6779
Whom Should I contact with any additional question?
For questions to Apple team: nsi@apple.com
For questions about application procedures and timelines: applensi@ece.gatech.edu
Eligibility
- The Fellowships are for students who are enrolled full-time at Georgia Tech.
- Students who currently hold another industry-sponsored full-fellowship will not be considered.
- Current Apple employees and household members are not eligible.
Requirements
- Student name (first and last), official school email address and Ph.D. year.
- Expected internship year and term (Summer, Fall, Spring). Summer preferred.
- A current copy of student resume or CV, including links to any publications if appropriate.
- Student transcripts graduate and undergraduate (unofficial) with GPA.
- Students must provide the names and email addresses of two references when they submit their application. One reference must be from the student's current Ph.D. advisor. The second reference may be from an academic or industry professional as appropriate for the candidate. Recommendation letters from references will be requested by early-November from competitive candidates.
- Student statement of academic and career interests, and include links to any relevant research.
- In 500 words or fewer, please describe why and how you're interested in IC engineering/SoC design/verification/test/ RF/analog/mixed signal circuits and/or computer architecture.
- Include which area(s) and classes of ECE interest you most academically and professionally.
- Also describe any work you’ve done up to this point that you think is relevant to future work in ICs.
Contact
For questions to Apple team: nsi@apple.com
For questions about application procedures and timelines: applensi@ece.gatech.edu
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