The University of Toronto Schmidt AI in Science Postdoctoral Fellowship offers $85,000 CDN per year for two years to researchers applying AI in natural sciences and engineering.
The Eric and Wendy Schmidt AI in Science Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Toronto is accepting applications for its fifth cohort. The programme supports researchers who have completed a PhD in the natural sciences or engineering and want to apply artificial intelligence to research questions in their field.
Fellowship Overview
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Host institution | University of Toronto |
| Fellowship | Eric and Wendy Schmidt AI in Science Postdoctoral Fellowship |
| Duration | 2 years |
| Salary | $85,000 CDN per year |
| Additional funding | $11,000 CDN/year toward standard benefit rate and postdoctoral levy costs |
| Start date | May 1, 2027 – January 1, 2028 |
| Deadline | October 5, 2026, 5 PM EST |
| Location | University of Toronto, Canada |
| Eligible fields | Natural sciences and engineering, including computer science and mathematics |
What the Fellowship Involves
The fellowship supports research projects that use AI methodologies to address domain-specific questions in the natural sciences and engineering.
AI experience is not required, but applicants must demonstrate a willingness to learn AI methodologies that could accelerate research in their field.
The programme also provides AI and related computational skills training and builds an interdisciplinary research community.
Fellowship Funding
Successful fellows receive a salary of $85,000 CDN per year.
An additional fixed amount of $11,000 CDN per year is provided toward the standard benefit rate and postdoctoral levy costs incurred by the supervisor or awarded unit.
Additional modest funding is available for conference travel and research training activities. However, research expenses such as consumables and fieldwork travel are the responsibility of host supervisors and co-supervisors.
The fellowship lasts for two years.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must demonstrate:
- Academic excellence and leadership in their research domain.
- Strong potential for success in their chosen field.
- Strong synergy between the applicant, supervisor(s) and institutional research environment.
- Potential to successfully adopt AI research methodologies.
Applicants must have completed all requirements for their doctoral degree no earlier than January 1, 2024.
An extended eligibility period to January 2023 may apply where a significant career interruption occurred within two years after PhD completion because of circumstances such as parental, medical or family responsibilities.
International applicants must have completed their PhD before the fellowship begins, while Canadian citizens and permanent residents must complete their PhD within six months of the fellowship start date.
Applicants must hold a degree in a natural sciences or engineering discipline, with computer science and mathematics included within the eligible NSE disciplines.
Supervisor Requirement
Applicants must secure a supervisor at the University of Toronto who has an eligible full-time budgetary tenure-stream or status-only appointment.
If the primary supervisor does not have AI expertise, an AI-experienced co-supervisor is required.
The programme prioritizes collaborative projects involving both a domain expert and an AI expert, as well as proposals involving a new postdoctoral project and new supervisor(s).
The programme does not help candidates find supervisors. Applicants are encouraged to search the University of Toronto’s research portal, department websites and professional networks.
Application Requirements
Applications must be submitted by email to the Schmidt Sciences Program Manager at schmidtfutures@utoronto.ca.
The required email subject is:
APPLICANT NAME: SCHMIDT FELLOWS PDF APPLICATION
Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
Applicant Documents
The applicant must submit sections a–g as one PDF file:
- Fellowship Application Form
- Research Proposal — maximum 3 pages
- Bibliography — maximum 1 page
- AI in Science Training Plan — maximum 1 page
- Candidate Statement — maximum 2 pages
- Significance of Leadership Contributions — maximum 1 page
- CV
Applicants must also provide two confidential reference letters, each no more than two pages. The proposed supervisor cannot serve as a referee.
Applicants must also complete the Applicant Demographic Survey.
Supervisor Documents
The primary supervisor must submit:
- Supervisor’s Assessment Form.
- Statement of endorsement, up to two pages.
- The applicant’s reference letters collected from the referees.
The programme recommends that reference writers be identified early, with letters ideally reaching the proposed supervisor by September 28, 2026.
How Applications Are Evaluated
The selection committee evaluates applications using four main areas:
| Evaluation area | Weight |
|---|---|
| Quality of research | 35% |
| Strength of candidate | 35% |
| Applicant/supervisor/institutional synergy | 20% |
| AI adoption and training plan | 10% |
Research quality considers the research question, scientific gap, rigor, innovation, feasibility, AI/ML integration and potential broader impact.
Candidate strength considers research excellence, career trajectory, motivation, leadership, broader contributions and commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
Research Areas and Important Restrictions
The fellowship funds projects that use AI methodologies to answer questions in the natural sciences and engineering.
Health or medical science projects are not eligible when their primary objective is improving health services, products or the Canadian healthcare system. However, projects in these areas may be eligible when their primary research objective advances natural science or engineering knowledge.
Computer science and engineering projects can qualify when AI is used to advance fundamental research and knowledge.
Projects whose primary objective is developing new AI tools or AI-optimized engineering technologies are not eligible under this programme.
Application Deadline
The application deadline is:
Monday, October 5, 2026, at 5:00 PM EST.
The adjudication meeting is scheduled for November 2026, with notifications expected in January 2027. Fellowship start dates are between May 1, 2027 and January 1, 2028.
Important Application Notes
Applicants do not need a Canadian visa or valid work permit when applying. If selected, they can begin the immigration process after acceptance.
Successful fellows cannot simultaneously hold another postdoctoral fellowship.
The fellowship cannot be transferred to another institution and must be held at the University of Toronto.
How to Apply
Applicants should prepare the required documents and coordinate with their proposed University of Toronto supervisor before submitting the application.
Application email: schmidtfutures@utoronto.ca
Schmidt AI in Science Fellowship – Apply
FAQs
How much does the Schmidt AI in Science Fellowship pay?
The fellowship provides a salary of $85,000 CDN per year for two years, plus an additional $11,000 CDN per year toward specified benefit and postdoctoral levy costs.
Is AI experience required?
No. The programme states that previous AI experience is not required, but applicants must demonstrate a desire to learn AI methodologies relevant to their research.
Who is eligible?
Applicants must have a PhD in a natural sciences or engineering discipline, including eligible computer science and mathematics fields, and meet the programme’s doctoral completion and supervisor requirements.
Can international researchers apply?
Yes. International candidates can apply, but they must have completed their PhD before their fellowship start date.
Do applicants need a University of Toronto supervisor?
Yes. Applicants must secure an eligible University of Toronto supervisor before applying.
Does the programme help applicants find supervisors?
No. The programme recommends using the University of Toronto research portal, department websites, professional networks and existing academic contacts.
When is the deadline?
The deadline is October 5, 2026 at 5 PM EST.
How long is the fellowship?
The fellowship lasts two years, with a possible start date between May 1, 2027 and January 1, 2028.
Opportunities Feed Assessment
The fellowship is designed for researchers who want to combine their existing expertise in natural sciences or engineering with AI-based research methods. The application places substantial emphasis on the research proposal, candidate record, supervisor relationship and AI training plan.
Applicants should begin discussions with potential supervisors early because a qualifying University of Toronto supervisor is required and reference letters must be coordinated before submission.
Disclaimer: Opportunities Feed is sharing this fellowship for informational and career purposes. We are not affiliated with the University of Toronto, Schmidt Sciences or the Eric and Wendy Schmidt AI in Science Postdoctoral Fellowship and do not recruit applicants on their behalf.
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