This year is the second edition of the Best AI-Related MSc Thesis Awards! We are excited to annouce thesis submissions are now opened.
The Best AI-Related MSc Thesis Award (short: AI Thesis Award) is an award that celebrates outstanding master’s research at TU Delft dedicated to development, application or contexts of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Master students from all TU Delft faculties can participate with their finished thesis, on the condition that their research is centered around or involves AI. The winners receive a monetary award of € 500,- and their research will be including in a communication campaign. For the runners up prizes await as well.
This award is facilitated since 2025 by TU Delft | AI Initiative in collaboration with the eight TU Delft faculties, Mondai | House of AI and ELLIS Delft Unit.
(de voertaal van dit evenement is Engels)
Who can participate?
The prize will be awarded in two categories: IN AI for research that advances AI itself, and WITH AI for research that applies AI in a specific domain. One winner will be selected in each category.
Theses of all different areas of AI are welcome, for example but not limited to:
• Machine learning and foundational AI techniques
• Human-centered AI systems
• Application of AI
• Fairness, bias, legal, and ethical considerations of AI
• Education and AI
• Design with AI
• Reflexive and critical research on AI
Submission requirements
The prize will be awarded in two categories: IN AI for research that advances AI itself, and WITH AI for research that applies AI in a specific domain. One winner will be selected in each category.
Theses of all different areas of AI are welcome, for example but not limited to:
– The thesis must have AI as a central component, either by advancing AI methods (IN AI) or by applying AI techniques as a core part of the research (WITH AI);
– You graduated from your master’s education at TU Delft between 1 September 2025 and 31 August 2026;
– Your final grade is at least 8.0;
– To be eligible for the prize, a live pitch during the award ceremony (Thursday 19 November 2026) on TU Delft campus is part of the process;
– To submit your thesis, a TU Delft account is required. If you do not have this anymore, please ask your supervisor to submit your thesis;
– The use of AI-tools is not forbidden; however, it needs to be traceable. So please fill in question 12 for clarification.
The deadline for submission is Monday 14 September 2026 (09:00 hrs).
Selection process and criteria
The selection process consists of two rounds. In the first round, a first jury will review all eligible submissions based on the abstract and a brief impact statement written by the student (max. 300 words) and select a top three theses in each category. In the second round, a second jury will evaluate the full theses and a live pitch presented during the award ceremony on Thursday 19 November 2026 on TU Delft campus. The final decision will be based on both the thesis and the presentation. The work will be evaluated on (potential) impact, quality and the pitch at the award ceremony.
Notice: If the number of eligible submissions is less than 15 per category, the submissions of both categories will be combined and there will be only 1 prize to win.
Disclaimer: The organisation team reserves the right to modify the award process and criteria as necessary to ensure the overall quality of the award.
If you have any questions or remarks, please contact the organisation at ai-initiative@tudelft.nl.