The Tarapada and Nirmala Basu Scholarship for the Use of AI to Benefit Developing Countries

Eligibility criteria

Imperial College London is pleased to announce The Tarapada and Nirmala Basu Scholarship for Research on the Use of AI to Benefit Developing Countries for the 2025/26 academic year. 

Established in 2024 by Imperial alumnus Professor Amiya Basu (PhD Civil Engineering, Class of 1964), The Tarapada and Nirmala Basu Scholarship was named in honour of his parents and seeks to support a student with an interest in harnessing the potential of Artificial Intelligence to benefit developing countries.

This scholarship is available for Home and Overseas students who have an offer to study one of the following programmes within the Department of Computing, beginning in autumn 2025:

• MSc Artificial Intelligence;
• MRes Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning;
• MSc Computing

Applicants shall be ranked on the following basis:

• Academic merit (using your College application)
• Familiarity with AI and how it may be used to benefit developing countries
• Financial need 

Applicants shall be required to submit two written statements as part of their application:

1. A statement on their familiarity with, and interest in, AI to benefit developing countries;
2. A statement attesting to their financial need

To apply for this scholarship, applicants need to complete the application form and have an offer to study an eligible programme by 11:59 pm (UK local time), Thursday 27th March 2025.

 

Applicants who meet the above conditions will be ranked based on the criteria above. The successful candidates shall be notified by 31st July 2025.

 

Application process

Stage 1: Apply for one of the eligible master's degree courses within the Department of Computing at Imperial College London

You must submit an application for one of the eligible master’s degrees through the standard College application procedure as soon as possible and have an offer of admission by the deadline of 11:59 pm (UK local time), Thursday 27th March 2025.

Application fee: 

If you’re applying for a postgraduate course at Imperial, you may need to pay an application fee. For information on application fees and to check if you're eligible for an application fee waiver, please go here.

Stage 2: Complete the scholarship application form.

Applicants are required to complete the scholarship application form. Applicants will be assessed on academic merit or potential through the standard admission process. Through the scholarship application form, applicants will be required to successfully demonstrate their familiarity and interest in AI and how it may be used to benefit developing countries. In addition to this, applicants will be required to demonstrate that they come from a financially disadvantaged background and this will be assessed through the information provided on the scholarship application.

Value and Number of Awards

This scholarship is awarding a £10,000 cash bursary to one successful applicant.

Outcome of Award

The successful candidate will be notified by email no later than 31st July 2025.  If you have not heard from us by this date, please assume you have been unsuccessful in your application. 

The successful scholar may be expected to meet informally with the donors on occasions, participate in events surrounding this scholarship, or be required to submit a short statement of progress that will be shared with the donors.

This award is for students starting in the academic year 2025-26 and cannot be deferred. All scholarships are awarded subject to students accepting award Terms and Conditions.

Contact

If you have any additional questions, please contact us at student.funding@imperial.ac.uk.