Development Opportunities: AI Master's Scholarships, Grants for Journalists, and Civic Engagement Projects

The upcoming week promises to be rich in opportunities for students, journalists, and civil society organizations. Various forms of support are being offered – from full funding for specialized training in Sofia to international translation and media literacy competitions.

Artificial Intelligence Master's Scholarships at Sofia University

The GATE Institute has announced two full "Google DeepMind" scholarships for Master's programs at Sofia University (Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics). Candidates can choose between the following specializations: "Artificial Intelligence," "Information Retrieval and Knowledge Discovery," or "Big Data Technologies."

• Funding: Each scholarship is valued at approximately 28,700 USD and covers tuition, accommodation, living expenses, equipment, and travel for an 18-month period.
• Conditions: Candidates must be admitted to the specified programs, have a GPA above 4.50 from their bachelor's degree, and meet the financial criteria.
• Deadline: October 9, 2026.

Support for Journalists: Voices Festival 2026 in Thessaloniki

The Voices Awards competition provides 25 scholarships to participate in the European journalism festival in Greece. The project is aimed at journalists, students, and organizations working on media literacy and democratic values.

• Details: The scholarships are 1,200 EUR each and cover the costs of participating in the festival, which will take place at the end of November 2026.
• Criteria: Materials published between June 2025 and June 2026 must be submitted.
• Deadline: August 23, 2026.

International Translation Competition for Students

Shumen University, in partnership with Romanian and Turkish universities, is organizing a competition for students (undergraduate and graduate). Participants can submit translations in six languages: Bulgarian, English, Russian, Turkish, Romanian, or German.

• Important: The use of artificial intelligence in translations is strictly prohibited.
• Award: Outstanding works will be published in the international anthology "Bridges of Words II."
• Deadline: September 1, 2026.

Project for Young Content Creators – "Civic Micro-Influence Accelerator"

The International Organization of La Francophonie is looking for a Bulgarian civil society organization to assist in the implementation of a project to train 40 young content creators. The focus is on media literacy and civic engagement.

• For whom: Organizations with experience working with youth and women.
• Requirement: The application must be submitted in French.
• Deadline: July 24, 2026.