For researchers looking to combine artificial intelligence with groundbreaking scientific research, the University of Toronto Schmidt Postdoc Fellowship 2027 in Canada presents an exceptional opportunity. This fully funded postdoctoral fellowship is designed for talented early-career researchers who want to use artificial intelligence to accelerate discoveries in the natural sciences and engineering.
Supported by Eric and Wendy Schmidt, the fellowship provides successful candidates with an annual salary of $85,000 CAD, comprehensive benefits, and research and professional development support. Fellows will join one of Canada's leading research universities and work in an environment where artificial intelligence, advanced computing, and scientific discovery intersect.
The program is particularly attractive to researchers in fields such as chemistry, physics, life sciences, mathematics, engineering, earth sciences, environmental science, and computer science. Through mentorship, collaboration, and specialized AI training, the fellowship seeks to prepare researchers for influential careers in academia, industry, and scientific innovation.
The Eric and Wendy Schmidt AI in Science Postdoctoral Fellowship is an international research opportunity that supports postdoctoral researchers applying artificial intelligence techniques to natural science and engineering problems.
Hosted by the University of Toronto, the program focuses on developing the next generation of scientists who can use AI as a powerful research tool. Rather than treating artificial intelligence as a separate discipline, the fellowship encourages researchers to integrate AI into scientific investigations and develop innovative approaches to complex problems.
The University of Toronto has a strong reputation for research and innovation, including important contributions to artificial intelligence and deep learning. Fellows therefore benefit from access to a highly collaborative academic environment and opportunities to interact with researchers across different disciplines.
The fellowship is expected to run for two years, providing researchers with substantial time to develop their projects, acquire new technical skills, collaborate with experts, and produce meaningful scientific outcomes.
The financial and professional support provided through the University of Toronto Schmidt Postdoc Fellowship makes it a competitive opportunity for researchers worldwide.
Successful fellows receive an annual salary of $85,000 CAD. This provides substantial financial support throughout the fellowship and allows researchers to focus on their scientific work.
The fellowship package includes comprehensive benefits. These benefits are designed to provide additional support during the postdoctoral appointment at the University of Toronto.
Fellows also receive support for research and professional development. This can help them strengthen their AI expertise, expand their research networks, and develop skills that can contribute to long-term academic or industry careers.
One of the biggest advantages of the program is the opportunity to work at the intersection of AI and scientific research. Fellows can develop practical experience applying AI techniques to real-world challenges in natural sciences and engineering.
The University of Toronto Schmidt Postdoc Fellowship is intended for highly promising researchers with strong academic and research backgrounds. Applicants should carefully review the eligibility requirements before beginning their applications.
Candidates are expected to demonstrate research leadership and strong academic performance. Their proposed work should have a significant possibility of success and should demonstrate how AI can be meaningfully applied to a scientific or engineering problem.
The fellowship also places importance on collaboration. A strong relationship between the candidate, supervisor or supervisors, and the broader academic research environment is an important part of a competitive application.
Applicants should hold a doctoral degree in a natural sciences or engineering discipline. Eligible areas can include:
Applicants must also demonstrate the potential to effectively apply artificial intelligence research techniques to their proposed scientific project.
For certain categories, doctoral degree requirements must have been fulfilled by January 1, 2023, at the latest, according to the stated fellowship criteria. International applicants must complete their PhD before the fellowship begins, while Canadian citizens and permanent residents may have a limited period after starting the fellowship to complete their doctoral requirements.
Applicants should carefully verify the doctoral completion rules applicable to their category before applying.
Applicants must have an appropriate research environment at the University of Toronto. Where a primary supervisor is new to AI research, the candidate must have a co-supervisor with AI experience.
This requirement reinforces the fellowship's focus on interdisciplinary collaboration and ensures that researchers have access to appropriate AI expertise during their projects.
Applicants cannot hold another postdoctoral fellowship concurrently with the Schmidt award.
A complete application is essential because incomplete submissions may not be reviewed. Applicants should prepare the required materials well before the deadline.
The application package includes:
Applicants must submit a three-page research proposal explaining their proposed project, its scientific importance, and how artificial intelligence will contribute to the research.
A one-page bibliography should accompany the research proposal and provide relevant academic references.
Applicants must prepare a one-page AI in Science Training Plan explaining how they intend to develop their AI-related capabilities during the fellowship.
A two-page candidate statement should communicate the applicant's background, goals, research interests, and suitability for the fellowship.
Applicants must provide a one-page statement on the significance of their leadership contributions. This gives candidates an opportunity to demonstrate their broader impact and leadership potential.
Applicants should submit an up-to-date academic CV and two confidential letters of reference, with each letter limited to two pages.
A supervision letter is also required as part of the application package.
Overall, applicants should prepare the following:
Applying successfully requires careful preparation. Candidates should begin by identifying a suitable University of Toronto research environment and potential supervisor or supervisors whose expertise aligns with their proposed project.
The next step is to develop a clear research proposal. The proposal should explain the scientific problem, demonstrate its importance, and show precisely how AI methods can contribute to solving it. Applicants should avoid presenting AI simply as an additional tool. Instead, they should demonstrate why AI is important to the project's scientific objectives.
Candidates should then prepare their training plan, personal statement, leadership statement, CV, and other supporting documents. Reference letters should be requested early so referees have sufficient time to prepare strong and detailed recommendations.
Applications are submitted through the official online Schmidt Fellows application portal.
Application deadline: October 5, 2026Applicants should not wait until the final day. Preparing a competitive postdoctoral application involves coordinating supervisors, research proposals, references, and several supporting documents.
Apply on the official University of Toronto Schmidt Fellows website
The University of Toronto offers an outstanding environment for researchers interested in artificial intelligence and scientific discovery. Its international research profile and interdisciplinary culture create opportunities for collaboration across academic fields.
For Schmidt fellows, this environment can be particularly valuable because modern scientific problems often require expertise from multiple disciplines. A researcher working in biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, or environmental science may benefit from collaboration with AI specialists, data scientists, computational researchers, and other scientists.
The fellowship therefore offers more than financial support. It provides an opportunity to develop a research identity at the intersection of two rapidly developing areas: artificial intelligence and scientific discovery.
It is a fully funded postdoctoral research program at the University of Toronto for researchers applying AI to natural sciences and engineering. The fellowship provides an $85,000 CAD annual salary, comprehensive benefits, and research and professional development support.
International researchers and Canadian citizens or permanent residents with doctoral-level backgrounds in eligible natural science, engineering, mathematics, or computer science fields can apply, subject to the program's specific eligibility requirements.
Eligible areas include chemistry, computing, earth science, engineering, environmental science, life science, mathematics, physics, applied science, and related natural science or engineering disciplines. The proposed project should meaningfully incorporate AI techniques.
Successful fellows receive an annual salary of $85,000 CAD, together with comprehensive benefits and research and professional development support.
Yes. International applicants are welcome. They must satisfy the applicable PhD completion requirements before the fellowship begins.
The Schmidt Postdoc Fellowship is designed as a two-year postdoctoral opportunity, providing researchers with time to conduct research, develop AI skills, collaborate with experts, and advance their professional careers.
No. Applicants cannot hold another postdoctoral fellowship concurrently with this award. Candidates should review their existing funding arrangements before accepting the fellowship.
The stated application deadline is October 5, 2026. Applicants should submit all required materials before the deadline and avoid waiting until the final day.