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 (HWT) team is very excited to renew the Integrated Systems PhD fellowship program at UC Berkeley. 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 one year of the PhD program (fees and stipend) at UC Berkeley. To be eligible, you should already be a currently enrolled full-time EECS PhD student at Berkeley and ideally have two years or more remaining to receive the full value of the fellowship.

Academic expectations of an Apple PhD Fellow in Integrated Systems include successful participation in the PhD program and continued research related to IC engineering / computer architecture.*

(*Disbursement of funds will be to Berkeley)

Timing

Applications can be submitted and finalists will be interviewed as part of the evaluation process.

  • Application open: August 28, 2024
  • Application deadline: October 13, 2024 at 11:59 PM PST
    • To be eligible, you should ideally be between your first and fourth year of PhD
    • 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 October 2024 to January 2025
  • Decisions back: March 2025

Application

The application is available here:

https://berkeley.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9mZhz31MWKLj7xQ

FAQs

How are Apple PhD Fellows in Integrated Systems selected?

Berkeley evaluates all applicants against a number of 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 Circuit, and Computer Architecture. Furthermore, we are looking for top students whose research indicates a wish to continue to study in these areas. Berkeley 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. Note that it is possible to be offered an internship without designation as an Apple PhD Fellow. Apple will coordinate with students directly on all internship opportunities.

How many Apple PhD Fellowship in Integrated Systems are there for this application round?

As of Fall 2024 there will be up to 3 new one-year fellowships awarded per year at Berkeley.

Can I apply if I’ve received an Apple PhD fellowship or Apple IMB scholarship in Integrated Systems before?

Yes, if you meet the eligibility criteria and have two or more years remaining to complete your PhD studies.

What level of interaction can I expect with Apple?

Apple PhD fellows are expected to interact regularly with Apple engineering. At a minimum Apple PhD 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 with any Berkeley semester is possible. 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 internships.

Whom should I contact with any additional questions?

For the Apple team: nsi@apple.com

For questions about the application and procedures: grad-assts@eecs.berkeley.edu

What courses are recommended?

Courses in IC engineering, SoC design, verification, test, RF, analog, mixed signal circuits, or computer architecture areas. Preference will be given to students who have already expressed interest through their course selection. Some of the recommended courses include:

  • EE105, EE 140/240A,  EE 240B,  EECS 151/251A, EECS 194/290C, EECS 251B, EE 241B, EE142,/242A, EE242B, EE113, EE 113B.
  • CS152/252A, CS61C
  • Post Tapeout board bring up class (EECS 194/290C)
  • EE143, EE244, EE240C

Eligibility

  • The Fellowships are for students who are enrolled full-time at Berkeley
  • 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 PhD 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
  • Two letters of recommendation (one from current PhD advisor).  Students should provide the names and email addresses of two references and submit them with their application by the deadline. It is the responsibility of the applicant have to make sure the letters of recommendation are forwarded by their references, at most, one week after the application deadline, i.e, October 20, 2024 is the deadline for receiving the reference letters.
  • 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
    • Also describe any work you’ve done up to this point that you think is relevant to future work in ICs