Emerging Leaders in AI (ELAI) - Grad Prep Program

The Emerging Leaders in AI (ELAI) - Graduate Prep Program is a free, cohort-based program designed to help aspiring Master’s and PhD students prepare for graduate school in AI-related disciplines.

The program combines hands-on graduate school preparation, mentorship, knowledge sharing, and community building. The core program runs for three months and focuses on key aspects of graduate school readiness. Participants can then continue into an optional three-month, self-paced phase, where they can utilize additional resources/support based on their individual needs.

ELAI is open to participants around the world and is designed with financial accessibility in mind, helping reduce some of the barriers that can prevent talented students from pursuing graduate education in AI-related fields.

Program Timeline

The program follows the graduate school academic calendar, beginning in the fall and concluding in the spring.

Information about the next application cycle, including eligibility, application requirements, and deadlines, will be announced on this page and through our social media channels.

Mentorship

Mentorship is an important part of the ELAI experience. Our mentors bring their experiences from graduate school, academia, and industry to help participants better understand and navigate the graduate school application process.

Interested in becoming a mentor?

‍Learn more about mentoring with ELAI →

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Questions?

If you have questions about the ELAI - Graduate Prep Program, please contact the Education and Career Programs team at academic@blackinai.org.

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Testimonials

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Emmanuel Ikpesu

PhD Candidate, University of Texas at Austin (Austin, TX, USA), Petroleum Engineering with a focus in Data and AI

"Black-In-AI gave the organization I needed to prepare my applications well, on time, and track my process... In addition, the cohort system gave me a sense of belonging and motivation to see other like-minded individuals and have the opportunity to be helped by others and help others."

Sitota Ezra Mersha

Ph.D. Candidate, University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI, USA) in Computer Science and Engineering

"Participating in the Emerging Leaders in AI program has been a transformative experience. The mentorship from AI leaders and the structured approach to the graduate admission process provided invaluable support as I navigated my PhD applications. Moreover, forming connections and learning from a diverse cohort of aspiring AI professionals has enriched my journey, empowering me to break through barriers and confidently pursue my ambitions in the AI field."

Eberechukwu Uwadoka

PhD Candidate, Oregon State University (Corvallis, OR, USA) in AI

"The ELAI - Grad Prep Program was instrumental in my graduate school application process. The comprehensive curriculum, comprising application guidance and school tracking, combined with insightful cohort sessions, equipped me with the skills and confidence needed for applications. I highly recommend this program to anyone serious about getting into graduate school."

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