Research School "Foundations of AI"

This HPI research school focuses on foundational AI methods such as energy-efficient and privacy-aware algorithms, fair and explainable decision-making, and mathematical theories of AI. It is structured for doctoral researchers who want to build core AI methods rather than only apply existing tools.

Academic requirements

Supervision agreement; Report of intent to pursue doctoral studies; Copies of university transcripts; Curriculum vitae in tabular form

Minimum GPA

None stated.

English requirements

The official HPI research-school pages do not require a specific language certificate, but they state that applicants should have a decent level of English to conduct research and communicate with supervisors, fellow researchers, and project partners.

Accepted bachelor fields

Applicants need a relevant master's degree, such as Computer Science, Data Science, Mathematics, Physics, Cognitive Science with a strong quantitative and programming background, or a comparable field aligned with foundational AI research.

APS Certificate

Yes

Tuition fee

None

Semester contribution

354.80 EUR per semester if enrolled as a doctoral candidate at the University of Potsdam (current Summer Semester 2026 semester fee).

Funding info

Tuition: None Semester contribution: 354.80 EUR per semester if enrolled as a doctoral candidate at the University of Potsdam (current Summer Semester 2026 semester fee).

The programme prepares doctoral researchers for advanced AI research careers focused on core methods, theory, trustworthy AI, and related academic or industrial R&D roles.

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