Congratulations, this is really great to hear, and seems like a fantastic opportunity!
Out of interest, what was the sequence of events, did you already have a PhD program lined up when you applied for funding? Or are you going to apply for one now that you have the funding? Also had you already discussed this with your current employer before applying for funding?
I only ask because I have been considering attempting to do something similar!
I did not have an advisor when I sent the original email, but I did have what amounted to a standing offer from my undergrad ML professor that if I ever wanted to do a PhD he would take me as a grad student. I spent a good amount of time over the past three months deciding whether I should take him up on that or if I should apply elsewhere. I ended up taking him up on the offer.
I did not discuss it with my employer before sending the original email. It did take some work to get it through bureaucratic red tape though (conflict of interest check, etc.).
Congratulations, this is really great to hear, and seems like a fantastic opportunity!
Out of interest, what was the sequence of events, did you already have a PhD program lined up when you applied for funding? Or are you going to apply for one now that you have the funding? Also had you already discussed this with your current employer before applying for funding?
I only ask because I have been considering attempting to do something similar!
I did not have an advisor when I sent the original email, but I did have what amounted to a standing offer from my undergrad ML professor that if I ever wanted to do a PhD he would take me as a grad student. I spent a good amount of time over the past three months deciding whether I should take him up on that or if I should apply elsewhere. I ended up taking him up on the offer.
I did not discuss it with my employer before sending the original email. It did take some work to get it through bureaucratic red tape though (conflict of interest check, etc.).
Very useful to know, thanks for the context!