Scholarship details
The Eric and Wendy Schmidt AI in Science Postdoctoral Fellowship, offered by the University of Toronto and sponsored by Schmidt Futures, is a prestigious and unique program that unites talented individuals who have obtained a Ph.D. in the natural sciences or engineering. The fellowship objective is to facilitate research projects that will incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) in their respective fields. The fellowship program fosters a community of interdisciplinary leaders by funding cutting-edge AI applications in the natural sciences and engineering.
Applicants are expected to demonstrate their expertise and potential within their field of study. While prior experience with AI is not mandatory, candidates should possess a strong commitment to acquiring new AI methodologies that have the potential to accelerate discoveries within their domain. The Fellowships offer financial support for the successful candidate’s research journey and provide training in AI and relevant computational skills, ultimately enabling scholars to explore a new direction in the application of AI without constraints.
Scholarship Provider: The University of Toronto
About the Provider
The University of Toronto was established in 1827 and is widely recognized as Canada’s premier institution of higher education. The university has a rich legacy of effective changes and pushing everyone’s boundaries, they have consistently demonstrated their commitment to societal and innovative transformation.
Their dedication to excellence and education is embodied by their distinguished faculty, alumni, students, and the unwavering support of their community. Throughout its long history, the University of Toronto has continually embraced the spirit of overcoming challenges and has played a pivotal role in shaping the intellectual landscape of the nation.
Source: The University of Toronto
In the fall of 2021-22, the University of Toronto welcomed a total of 17,218 new full-time students to its First Entry undergraduate programs. These programs encompass a wide range of fields, including Music, and the Transitional Year Program, Arts and Science, Architecture, Applied Science, Engineering, and Physical Education.
Among these new students, the distribution across the university’s campuses is as follows:
- St. George Campus: 9,244 students
- Scarborough Campus: 4,336 students
- Mississauga Campus: 3,638 students
The University of Toronto takes pride in its diverse community, attracting international students from 170 countries and regions.
The strategic priorities of the University of Toronto revolve around three key areas that guide the U of T community. These priorities align with the objectives outlined in the University’s Towards 2030 plan, which aims to reinforce its position as a globally recognized hub for research and a leader in research-intensive education. By focusing on these priorities, the university strives to solidify and enhance its reputation as a prominent institution known for its exceptional research contributions and commitment to delivering high-quality education.
Scholarship Summary
- Applicant’s Nationality: All Nationalities
- Degree Level: Postdoctoral Degree
- Field: Natural Science, Engineering
- Number of Awards: NA
- Duration: Two years
- Scholarship Awards: $85,000 CDN Plus Benefits
- Renewable: Yes
- Scholarship Country: Canada
- Offered Annually: Yes
Scholarship Eligibility
Before proceeding with the application the students must meet the eligibility criteria of the program.
- Must be able to demonstrate their leadership skills, and academic excellence in the research domain.
- Must have a high potential for success in the chosen fields.
- Must have a strong synergy between the institutional research environment, the supervisors, and the applicants.
- Show potential for successful adoption of AI research methodologies.
- Have completed all requirements for their doctoral degree no earlier than January 1, 2021. Exceptions can be made for applicants who experienced significant career interruptions due to parental, medical, or family-related responsibilities. These applicants should provide a section in their candidate statement explaining their special circumstances and career interruptions.
- The international applicants must have completed their doctoral degree while the Canadians and permanent residents must need to complete their Ph.D. degree within 6 months.
- The applicants must not be a holder of another Postdoctoral Fellowship in conjunction with the Eric and Wendy Schmidt AI in Science Postdoctoral Fellowship. Current Postdoctoral Fellowship holders must resign from their position before accepting the Eric and Wendy Schmidt Fellowship.
- Must be holding a degree in Engineering or Natural Science, which also includes the mathematics and computer science fields.
- Secure a supervisor (and co-supervisor, if applicable) who holds a full-time budgetary tenure-stream appointment or a status-only appointment at the University of Toronto. If the primary supervisor lacks expertise in AI, a co-supervisor with AI expertise is required. (Status-only Professors usually have full-time positions at affiliated hospitals.
- Must be able to commence the Fellowship between May 1, 2024, and January 1, 2025.
Application Process
To apply for the Schmidt Futures Program, applicants must submit their applications to the Schmidt Futures Program Manager at [email protected]. When emailing, please use the subject line “APPLICANT NAME: SCHMIDT FELLOWS PDF APPLICATION” for both the applicant and supervisor. Please note that incomplete applications will not be accepted.
Selection Process
The Selection Committee, composed of experts from various disciplines within the natural sciences and engineering (NSE) fields, will evaluate and recommend top candidates based on the following criteria:
- Academic Excellence
- Research and Leadership Skills
- Strong Synergy
- Potential for success
The selection committee will also evaluate the following:
- Application form
- Research Proposals
- Training Plan
- Statements
- Leadership Contributions of the Applicants
- CV
- Supervisors Statements and recommendation
- Letters of References
Awards
The fellowship value will be amounting to up to $85,000 CDN and will be awarded annually plus benefits. The fellowship program will be awarded for up to two years. Fellows in the program will have access to modest funding for conference travel and research training activities.
Depending on the availability of funding there may be opportunities for a third-year global research exchange, internship, or teaching-focused postdoctoral experience.
Application Deadline
The deadline to complete and submit the application is until October 2, 2023.
