Top 10 Artificial Intelligence Scholarships in Canada for International Students
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Canada now ranks among the very top destinations in the world for research and training in artificial intelligence. With its internationally renowned institutes — the Vector Institute in Toronto, Amii in Alberta, Mila and IVADO in Montreal — the country attracts thousands of international students each year eager to specialize in machine learning, deep learning, and data science. This guide brings together the ten most solid and verified AI scholarships for the 2026-2027 cycle, covering all levels, from the Bachelor’s to the postdoctorate.
1. Vector Scholarship in Artificial Intelligence (Ontario) — Master’s
Offered by the Vector Institute, this entrance scholarship rewards outstanding candidates admitted to an AI-related Master’s program at an Ontario university. Worth CAD 17,500 for one year of full-time study, it also opens the doors to one of the most dynamic AI ecosystems in North America, with access to a network of more than 960 researchers and numerous partner companies.
- Institution: Ontario universities recognized by the Vector Institute
- Level: Master’s
- Amount: CAD 17,500 for one year
- Eligibility: international students; program recognized by Vector or a study plan demonstrating an AI orientation; excellent record (A- / first-class standing over the last two years)
- Type: AI-specific scholarship, awarded by nomination — the student cannot apply directly
- Timeline: the 2026-2027 cycle closed on 18 March 2026; the next cycle (2027-2028) is expected to open around January 2027
2. Google DeepMind Scholarship — University of Alberta — Master’s
The University of Alberta, a global stronghold of reinforcement learning, offers this scholarship funded by Google DeepMind. It is aimed at first-year Master’s students in the Department of Computing Science whose field of study falls within artificial intelligence.
- Institution: University of Alberta (Department of Computing Science)
- Level: Master’s (1st year)
- Amount: up to CAD 28,350
- Eligibility: Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and foreign nationals holding a Canadian study permit; field of study in AI; preference given to technology valorization projects
- Type: AI-specific scholarship, awarded by nomination through the department
- Selection: academic excellence and commercial feasibility of the research project
3. Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship — University of Toronto — Bachelor’s
This is the most prestigious scholarship of the University of Toronto for international undergraduate students. Each year, about 37 recipients are named “Pearson Scholars” and have their entire Bachelor’s degree funded. It is one of the most generous undergraduate scholarships in Canada.
- Institution: University of Toronto
- Level: Bachelor’s (undergraduate)
- Amount: tuition fees, books, incidental fees, and full accommodation, for 4 years (renewable subject to academic results)
- Eligibility: international students (non-Canadians requiring a study permit), in their final year of secondary school or graduated no earlier than June 2025, beginning their studies in September 2027
- Type: AI-compatible (a computer science or AI program may be chosen), awarded by nomination from the school
- Deadlines (September 2027 intake): nomination by the school on 9 October 2026; admission application to Toronto on 16 October 2026; scholarship file on 6 November 2026
4. McCall MacBain Scholarship — McGill University — Master’s
The first Canadian leadership-based scholarship for Master’s and professional studies, the McCall MacBain scholarship fully funds a degree at McGill University. Stemming from one of the largest charitable gifts in Canadian history, it combines full financial support, mentorship, and leadership development.
- Institution: McGill University (Montreal)
- Level: Master’s or professional degree
- Amount: full tuition fees + an allowance of CAD 2,300/month during sessions + a relocation grant + French courses
- 2027 offering: up to 30 full scholarships and 100 entrance awards (130 distinctions in total)
- Eligibility: all nationalities; degree conditions (Bachelor’s earned recently or in progress); compliance with McGill’s admission requirements
- Type: AI-compatible (applicable to McGill’s Master’s programs, including computer science)
- Deadlines (2027 cohort): 19 August 2026 for international candidates; 23 September 2026 for graduates of Canadian/American universities and Canadians abroad; intake in September 2027
5. Arbour Foundation Scholarship — McGill University — Master’s and Doctorate
Reserved for the disciplines of computer science, engineering, and management, the Arbour Foundation scholarship is particularly well suited to students oriented toward AI, since computer science directly covers this field. Its amount was recently increased.
- Institution: McGill University
- Level: Master’s (MSc, MMF, MMA) and Doctorate
- Amount: CAD 23,000 at the Master’s level (renewable once) and CAD 35,000 at the doctoral level (renewable twice), for one year
- Eligibility: international students enrolled in computer science, engineering, or management, with at least two full semesters remaining at the time of the first disbursement
- Type: AI-compatible (computer science encompasses artificial intelligence)
- Deadline: application submitted to the academic unit; internal deadline of the Faculty of Graduate Studies set for 13 June
6. Waterloo AI Institute Scholarship — Master’s and Doctorate
The University of Waterloo Artificial Intelligence Institute (Waterloo AI Institute) awards three scholarships each year to graduate students conducting research under the direction of supervisors affiliated with the Institute. It is a targeted distinction, open to all faculties as long as the work falls within AI or data science.
- Institution: University of Waterloo (Waterloo AI Institute)
- Level: Master’s or Doctorate (full-time)
- Amount: CAD 5,000 — three scholarships awarded each year
- Eligibility: international and Canadian students alike; minimum cumulative average of 80%; demonstrated expertise in AI and data science
- Type: AI-specific scholarship; direct application (form, two-page letter, and transcript) to the Institute’s management
7. Vector-Recognized Master’s Programs in AI at Waterloo (MDSAI Scholarship) — Master’s
The University of Waterloo hosts Master’s programs recognized by the Vector Institute, such as the Master of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (MDSAI). These programs offer streamlined access to the CAD 17,500 Vector scholarship (see no. 1) and additionally provide a program-dedicated scholarship.
- Institution: University of Waterloo (Faculty of Mathematics)
- Level: Master’s
- Amount: MDSAI scholarship of CAD 17,500 per year (paid over three sessions); facilitated access to the Vector scholarship (CAD 17,500)
- Eligibility: students enrolled full-time in the MDSAI program; minimum average of 80%; candidates are automatically considered at the time of admission (preference given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents for the MDSAI scholarship)
- Type: AI-specific scholarship; automatic consideration via the admission application
8. Apple Scholars in AI/ML — University of Toronto — Doctorate
This prestigious doctoral scholarship program, funded by Apple, supports doctoral students in computer science and related disciplines conducting cutting-edge research in AI and machine learning. It operates by invitation: only certain partner universities, including the University of Toronto in Canada, may put forward candidates.
- Institution: partner universities by invitation (including the University of Toronto)
- Level: Doctorate
- Amount: full coverage of tuition fees for 2 academic years + a living allowance of up to $40,000 per year + $5,000 per year for research travel + mentorship with an Apple researcher and internship opportunities
- Eligibility: all nationalities; doctoral students entering their last 2 to 3 years of study; not holding another full industry-funded scholarship
- Type: AI-specific scholarship; by university nomination, with no direct application to Apple
9. Eric and Wendy Schmidt “AI in Science” Postdoctoral Fellowship — University of Toronto — Postdoctorate
Funded by Schmidt Sciences, this program is aimed at holders of a doctorate in the natural sciences or engineering wishing to apply artificial intelligence to their field. Notably, prior experience in AI is not required — only the willingness to master its methods.
- Institution: University of Toronto (Data Sciences Institute)
- Level: Postdoctorate
- Amount: CAD 85,000/year salary + CAD 11,000/year for benefits
- Duration: 2 years (possibility of a 3rd year depending on funding)
- Eligibility: international and Canadian candidates; doctorate in the natural sciences or engineering; supervision provided by a University of Toronto professor
- Timeline: deadline on 5 October 2026; funding start between May 2027 and January 2028
10. IVADO Ecosystem (Montreal) — Doctorate and Postdoctorate
Anchored in the francophone AI hub of Montreal, IVADO — which brings together, among others, the Université de Montréal, Polytechnique Montréal, HEC Montréal, and McGill — offers excellence scholarships and postdoctoral funding dedicated to “robust, reasoning, and responsible” artificial intelligence. It is a particularly relevant route for francophone candidates, as applications are accepted in both French and English.
- Institution: IVADO partner universities (Université de Montréal, Polytechnique Montréal, HEC Montréal, McGill, Université Laval; University of Alberta for certain doctoral scholarships)
- Level: Doctorate (excellence scholarships) and Postdoctorate (funding program)
- Amount: up to CAD 100,000 per year for two years for the postdoctoral program (salary and research funds combined)
- Eligibility: national and international researchers; excellent record (first-class for the doctoral scholarships); applications in French or English
- Type: AI-specific funding; annual program with fixed deadlines
Summary Table of the 10 AI Scholarships in Canada 2026-2027
| Scholarship | Institution | Level | Amount | International | Deadline / Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vector in AI | Ontario universities | Master’s | CAD 17,500 (1 year) | Yes | Opens ~ January 2027 |
| Google DeepMind | University of Alberta | Master’s | Up to CAD 28,350 | Yes (study permit) | By nomination (department) |
| Lester B. Pearson | University of Toronto | Bachelor’s | Full coverage, 4 years | Yes | 6 November 2026 |
| McCall MacBain | McGill University | Master’s | Fees + CAD 2,300/month | Yes | 19 August 2026 (international) |
| Arbour Foundation | McGill University | Master’s / Doctorate | CAD 23,000 / 35,000 | Yes | 13 June (via the unit) |
| Waterloo AI Institute | University of Waterloo | Master’s / Doctorate | CAD 5,000 (3 per year) | Yes | Institute’s annual deadline |
| MDSAI Program (Vector) | University of Waterloo | Master’s | CAD 17,500/year | Yes | Automatic at admission |
| Apple Scholars in AI/ML | Invited universities (including Toronto) | Doctorate | Fees + up to $40,000/year | Yes | By university nomination |
| Schmidt AI in Science | University of Toronto | Postdoctorate | CAD 85,000/year + benefits | Yes | 5 October 2026 |
| IVADO Ecosystem | Montreal universities + Alberta | Doctorate / Postdoctorate | Up to CAD 100,000/year (postdoc) | Yes | Annual program |
How Is AI Funding Structured in Canada?
A careful reading of these ten scholarships reveals a coherent logic. The awards explicitly focused on artificial intelligence — Vector, Google DeepMind, Waterloo AI Institute, Apple Scholars, IVADO — are concentrated at the Master’s, doctoral, and postdoctoral levels. It is at these stages that the institutes, technology companies, and research funds concentrate their efforts to attract talent.
At the Bachelor’s level, there is virtually no scholarship reserved for AI: the best opportunities, such as the Lester B. Pearson, are general excellence scholarships that the student can direct toward a program in computer science or AI. At the higher levels, funding comes through entrance scholarships (Vector, MDSAI), disciplinary scholarships (Arbour), prestigious doctoral fellowships (Apple Scholars), and well-endowed postdoctoral programs (Schmidt, IVADO). Understanding this distribution makes it possible to target the right schemes according to your level of study.
Tips to Strengthen Your Application
- Anticipate the nomination. Since most of these scholarships go through an institution, contact the program, department, or supervisor who will need to put you forward very early, often several months before the official deadline.
- Polish your academic record. A “first-class” level (A- or 80% minimum depending on the case) is frequently required for graduate scholarships.
- Check your residency status. Some scholarships, such as the Google DeepMind, require a Canadian study permit: factor this timeframe into your planning.
- Identify an affiliated supervisor. For research scholarships (Waterloo AI Institute, Schmidt, IVADO), the support of a recognized research director is decisive.
- Always confirm on the official pages. Amounts, quotas, and deadlines change from one cycle to the next; the information above should be rechecked before any submission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these AI scholarships open to African and international students?
Do you need to apply directly or be nominated?
Are there scholarships purely dedicated to AI at the Bachelor's level?
Which are the most generous scholarships?
When should you start preparing your application?
Canada offers a rare array of funding to train in artificial intelligence, from the undergraduate level up to the postdoctorate. The Vector, Google DeepMind, Lester B. Pearson, McCall MacBain, Arbour Foundation, Waterloo AI Institute, MDSAI, Apple Scholars, Schmidt AI in Science scholarships and the IVADO ecosystem currently form the most reliable foundation for 2026-2027. Each follows its own eligibility rules and its own timeline: the key is to identify early the scheme suited to your level, then to secure your institution’s nomination. Always consult the official pages to confirm the amounts and deadlines before submitting your application.