AskSia Scholarship is a competition offering two $1,500 USD awards for students to explore where the line falls between using AI and becoming dependent on it; essays are judged on argument alone and using AskSia is not required.
The scholarship is provided by AskSia and hosted on the University of Birmingham site for information. Awards are paid directly to the successful applicants’ institution and the programme is open to students from any country and field of study.
Benefits of AskSia Scholarship 2026
- AskSia is offering two scholarships of $1,500 USD for students interested in determining where the line falls between utilising AI and becoming dependent on AI
- This scholarship is offering two awards of $1,500 USD that will be paid directly to the successful applicants institution.
- The scholarship is paid directly to your institution in two instalments of $750 USD. This will be credited against tuition or other qualified educational costs. Awards are not paid to individuals. If your institution cannot accept third-party payment, we will work out an alternative with you. Any tax owed in your own country is your responsibility.
Eligibility Criteria for the AskSia Scholarship 2026
- Be enrolled at, or hold a confirmed offer from, an accredited institution
- Be 17 or older when you apply
- Have a cumulative average of 3.0 or a 4.0 scale, or the recognised equivalent (an average mark of approximately 57-60 at UoB).
- Students from all fields of study may apply and students from all countries are eligible to apply.
- You may not apply if you are an employee of AskSia or are an immediate family member of an employee of AskSia
- You may not apply if you have already applied in the current cycle (2026) – one application only per cycle
- You may not apply if you have previously received this scholarship
- Eligible Domiciles: All students from any country are eligible to apply for this scholarship.
How to Apply for the AskSia Scholarship 2026?
- Complete the application form and save it as a PDF (AskSia AI Literacy Scholarship Application Form)
- Write an 800-1000 word essay on one of the listed topics (Where the line sits; What changed in your own studying; What is worth learning yourself)
- Provide a transcript showing your current standing (official or unofficial) that shows your full name, institution name, and cumulative standing
- Provide one recommendation letter from a teacher, faculty member, advisor, counsellor, or community leader, sent from their institutional email address
- Send all four documents in one email to the AskSia Scholarship website instructions for formatting and submission
- You may use AI to check grammar and spelling only; submitting an essay whose argument or structure was produced by an AI system, or written by anyone other than you, ends your application
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the AskSia Scholarship. These answers cover eligibility, benefits, deadlines, payment, and how applications are assessed.
Do I need to be an AskSia user?
No. No purchase, subscription, account, or prior use of any AskSia product is required to apply or to win, and using AskSia will not improve your chances. Reviewers cannot see whether an applicant is an AskSia user.
My degree has nothing to do with AI or computing; can I still apply?
Yes. Every field is eligible and the questions are usually easier to answer well from inside a specific discipline. The scholarship explicitly states students from all fields of study may apply and gives examples such as history students addressing summarisation of sources.
How is the scholarship paid?
The scholarship is paid directly to your institution in two instalments of $750 USD. This will be credited against tuition or other qualified educational costs. Awards are not paid to individuals; if your institution cannot accept third-party payment AskSia will work out an alternative. Any tax owed in your own country is your responsibility.
What is the application deadline and timeline after applying?
The application deadline is 31 December 2026. After the deadline: 1-15 January 2027 blind reading by two readers; 16-22 January 2027 shortlist interviews by video call; 23 January 2027 recipients notified privately with seven days to accept; 31 January 2027 recipients announced and the 2027 cycle opens.
What are the eligibility grade requirements?
Applicants must have a cumulative average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or the recognised equivalent (approximately 57-60 at University of Birmingham). If your institution does not use a 4.0 scale, put your result in your own system on the form and give the published equivalent and attach your transcript for AskSia to convert.
Can I apply more than once or if I previously received the scholarship?
You may not apply if you have already applied in the current cycle (2026) — one application only per cycle. You also may not apply if you have previously received this scholarship.
What documents do I need to submit with my application?
You must submit four documents in one email: the completed application form saved as a PDF, an 800–1000 word essay on an approved topic, a transcript showing your current standing and full name and institution, and one recommendation letter from an appropriate referee sent from their institutional email address.
How are essays judged and what about using AI in essays?
Essays are judged on the argument alone. You may use AI to check grammar and spelling only. Submitting an essay whose argument or structure was produced by an AI system, or written by anyone other than you, ends your application. Arguing that AI is bad for learning will not count against you.
What happens to my application materials if I am not selected?
Materials are used only to assess your application and are never used to train or evaluate any AskSia product or model. Materials will be deleted within twelve months of the announcement of the successful applicants. Nothing from an unsuccessful application is published. You can ask for access, correction, or deletion of your information at any time.
Who can I contact for more information or where can I find full details?
For more information see the AskSia Scholarship website at https://www.asksia.ai/scholarship or contact the AskSia Scholarship Committee via email at [email protected]. The website includes the application form, topic details, and submission instructions.
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