Secure and Private AI Scholarship
Challenge from Facebook

Train smarter AI models by learning to safely and securely use distributed private data with differential privacy, federated learning, and encrypted computation techniques. Apply for a Challenge Scholarship for the chance to participate in a vibrant student community and to earn one of 300 follow-up Nanodegree scholarships to continue your education with PyTorch and other deep learning tools.

Learn PyTorch with Facebook

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Become a more valuable data scientist and AI practitioner by learning the tools to maintain user privacy and train smarter AI models

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Learn how to extend PyTorch with the tools necessary to safely and securely train AI models on distributed private data

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Join a rapidly growing global community of AI practitioners passionate about preserving user privacy

How it Works

This scholarship is open to all applicants interested in learning how to apply privacy-preserving techniques to deep learning. Applicants 18 years of age or older are invited to apply.

We’ll review all applications and select recipients to participate in the scholarship challenge course. This is where your learning begins! Recipients will spend 3 months building powerful deep learning models with PyTorch and other tools. The “Secure and Private AI” challenge course is intended for students with some experience in Python and deep learning, which you can read about in more detail here.

Top students from the initial challenge course will be selected for one of 300 follow-up scholarships to either the Deep Learning or Computer Vision Nanodegree programs.

Challenge Course

Start Here

Learn Secure and Private AI

  • Solving the world’s most important problems requires having access to a large amount of data.

  • Learn how to apply privacy-preserving tools and techniques to deep learning so that you can tackle more difficult problems and create smarter, more effective AI models.

  • Participate in a vibrant student community, commit to dedicating 5-10 hours a week on the course, and work towards earning one of the follow-up Nanodegree scholarships by showing your leadership and dedication to secure and private AI.

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300 Seats

Top performers from the challenge course will earn a Nanodegree program scholarship to one of the following programs:

Deep Learning

Nanodegree Program

Build deep neural networks to solve challenges like image generation and model deployment.

Intermediate

Computer Vision

Nanodegree Program

Master the computer vision skills behind advances in robotics and automation.

Advanced

How to Apply

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    Applications Due

    May 21, 2019 (9pm Pacific Time)

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    Recipients notified

    May 30, 2019 (9am Pacific Time)

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    Recipients begin program

    May 30, 2019 (9am Pacific Time)

The application is for all who want to expand their deep learning knowledge and are at least 18 years of age. The application process, as well as the student experience in the course, will be in English.

Apply by May 21, 2019 (9pm Pacific Time)

Enrollment Closed

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FAQ

  • What is the "Secure and Private AI Scholarship Challenge from Facebook"?

    Together with Udacity, Facebook is investing in a scholarship program that will enable students to learn the latest privacy-preserving tools and techniques, such as OpenMined's PySyft. With these tools, students will be able to build better AI models by securely accessing distributed private data and keeping this data secure and private during the model training process.

    This program has two stages:

    • Phase 1: 5,000 challenge scholarships to a scholarship challenge course based on Facebook’s newly released Secure and Private AI course with Udacity. This challenge course will last for three months, and program participants will receive support from community managers for the duration of the program and will be part of a dynamic student community.
    • Phase 2: 300 top performing students from phase 1, who show leadership and commitment to using secure and private AI for public benefit, will go on to earn full scholarships for either the Deep Learning or Computer Vision Nanodegree programs.
  • How do I know if I’m eligible to apply?
    The opportunity is open to anyone eager to expand their deep learning and AI skills, who is at least 18 years of age, and who possesses beginner-level experience in Python, beginner-level experience in Deep Learning or Machine Learning concepts, and at least one Deep Learning framework such as PyTorch. Check out the Intro to Deep Learning with PyTorch course for an introduction to some of these topics.
  • When will the results be announced? When do classes start?
    Applications open on May 1, 2019 and close on May 21, 2019 at 9 pm PST. Recipients will be notified by May 30 and begin learning the same day!
  • What are the criteria for being selected for one of the 5,000 available seats for the challenge phase of this program?

    Udacity will evaluate applications with a view to selecting recipients who possess:

    • Diversity of perspective and experience
    • Goal orientation, and the desire to make an impact
    • Demonstrated determination and grit
    • Willingness to dedicate sufficient time to their studies
    • Prerequisite knowledge where relevant
  • What are the criteria for earning a follow-up Nanodegree?

    From the 5,000 challenge course scholars, 300 will be selected for the full Nanodegree program scholarship based on:

    • Successful completion of the challenge course
    • Level of participation and support of classmates in the student community
    • Commitment to using lessons from the course for practical, beneficial purposes
    • Re-assessment of essays from the original scholarship application
    • All the selection criteria used in Phase 1
  • How many hours a week do I need to commit?
    Recipients should be prepared to commit approximately 10 hours of study per week during the challenge course phase. Follow-up Nanodegree scholarship recipients are expected to maintain that same level of commitment.
  • Is the curriculum taught in English?
    Yes, the program language for both the Challenge Course and the Udacity Nanodegree program is English.
  • Where does the program take place?
    The program takes place 100% online. Students can work from wherever they want to, as long as they have a working internet connection.
  • Are there specific class hours when students need to be online or can they go through the lessons and study whenever they want?
    Once the course has begun, participants can study on their own schedule as long as they complete the course in the predefined time. Complete access to the course, directly in the classroom, is available 24 hours a day. We understand that students have different schedules and will work on their course at different times and on different days. What’s important is that students make constant progress each and every week, and successfully complete all the content before the end of the course.
  • What are the technical requirements for participating in this program?
    Udacity’s full technical requirements are listed here
  • What are the Terms and Conditions?
    The full Terms and Conditions are posted here.
  • Who can be contacted in case of questions?
    For general questions about the scholarship program and for user support (e.g. application process, timeline), please contact the Scholarships team.