Vector Scholarship in Artificial Intelligence

The Vector Scholarship in Artificial Intelligence is a $17,500 entrance award that recognizes exceptional students pursuing AI master’s programs in Ontario. As a scholarship recipient, you gain enhanced access to Ontario’s thriving AI ecosystem. Connecting you with a community of over 960 researchers, major Canadian companies, and the startups solving tomorrow’s biggest challenges through unparalleled networking and career-defining connections.

Now accepting nominations!

The nomination period for the Vector Scholarship in AI 2026-2027 cycle is now open, and will close March 18, 2026 at 4 PM ET. Students may not directly nominate themselves for the scholarship.

Vector-recognized master’s programs may use Form A to submit nominations for the Vector Scholarship in AI for the 2026-27 academic year

Vector Scholarship in AI eligibility criteria:

Eligible nominees

Have applied for entrance to a full-time master’s program in an AI-related field at an Ontario university in the 2026 – 2027 academic year (start dates Spring 2026, Fall 2026, or Winter 2027 are eligible for nomination). The program must be Vector-recognized, or you must be pursuing an individualized study plan that is demonstrably AI-focused.

Hold first-class standing (minimum of A- or equivalent) in the last two years of full-time equivalent study from a recognized university (typically 20 half-courses). Students’ transcripts should reflect preparedness for the proposed master’s program.

Consideration will be given to nominees with upper second class standing (B+) and relevant work experience, only if rationale for consideration is included in the nomination package.

Nomination for the 2026 2027 academic year will open on January 5, 2026 and close on March 18, 2026.

Nomination package requirements

Students may not directly submit to the scholarship. Prospective students must provide all the following components to their programs before the Vector nomination deadline of March 18, 2026 at 4 PM EST, and before any internal deadlines set by the institution submitting the nomination to be considered:

• Any required nomination forms listed below can be found and downloaded from the Templates Page. Please carefully review the instructions for each form.
• Copies of all up-to-date transcripts (undergraduate and graduate, if applicable);
• Students who submit unofficial transcripts will be required to submit official transcripts if selected as scholarship recipients
• Two references, at least one of which is academic, using the Referee Form found on the Templates Page;
• Complete Referee Forms should be sent by the referee directly to the nominating program office and not to the student. Please reach out to your program administrator regarding the designated contact for the scholarship.
• An up-to-date one to two-page CV;
• A 500-word statement outlining your reason for pursuing a master’s in AI, relevant AI-related experience, and career aspirations, using the Student Statement Form found on the Templates Page;
• If the nomination is not to a Vector-recognized program, a signed and approved study plan, including a course list and a description of the master’s thesis/capstone project will also be required, using the provided Study Plan Template on the Templates Page;
• If the nominee’s GPA in the last two years of study is below an A- (i.e. below the equivalent to a Canadian university 3.7 GPA), a written rationale for consideration of the nomination (i.e. describing extenuating circumstances) must be included as an additional page within the nomination package;
• Self-Identification Questionnaire, which is submitted as a separate file. The questionnaire is confidential and is not evaluated or visible to the review committee. The questionnaire can be found on the Templates Page.

Award Information

The Vector Scholarship is non-transferable; selected recipients are required to register at the Ontario university and program to which they were nominated to receive the award. The scholarship funds will be provided directly to the university to disburse to recipients.