Vector Scholarship in Artificial Intelligence

Vector Scholarship in Artificial Intelligence

 Nominations Open: January 5

Nominations Close: March 18
4:00 p.m. EST

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. This scholarship is offered by the Vector Institute. 

Successful nominees will win the following award: 

  • $17,500 for one year (three consecutive terms) 

The one-year award will start in May, September, or January based on the award holder’s program start date. The award is non-transferable; selected recipients are required to register at the Ontario university and program to which they were nominated to receive the award. 

Please review the Vector Scholarship in AI webpage for the full scholarship details. 

Eligibility

Eligible nominees:

  • Have applied for entrance to a full-time master’s program in an AI-related field at an Ontario university for the upcoming academic year. The program must be Vector-recognized, or the nominee 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. 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.

Click here to see the full eligibility criteria. 

NOTE: The Vector Scholarship in Artificial Intelligence is an entrance scholarship for AI-related master’s students who will register and begin their studies in the upcoming academic year. Currently enrolled master’s students are not eligible to be nominated. 

Additionally, award holders must maintain enrolment in the program/collaborative specialization that nominated them to be eligible for the award. The scholarship cannot be transferred to a different program.

Timeline

  • January 5, 2026: Nominations open. 
  • Internal deadline to submit your application information to your program: Your graduate program/collaborative specialization will have an internal deadline for your submission of the necessary documentation for a nomination. Please contact them directly to determine their timeline.   
  • March 18, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. EST: Deadline for graduate programs/collaborative specializations to submit all nominations to the Vector Institute. 

How To Apply

Nominees must be nominated by a Vector-recognized program/collaborative specialization, or must be pursuing an individualized study plan that is demonstrably AI-focused.

Support

  • If you are an incoming Western student and you are unsure about who to contact to have your application considered for nomination to the Vector Institute, please email Alli McDonald, Scholarship Coordinator (amcdon72@uwo.ca).
  • Vector Institute Contact: aimasters@vectorinstitute.ai

Holding the Award at Western

Accept (or Decline) Award

  • Activate (or decline, if required) your scholarship for payment at Western by following these steps:
    • Log into your Student Center
    • Select ‘Student Financials’ from the main menu, then 'Financial Aid and Funding'
    • Select ‘Graduate External Scholarships’ and follow the activate/decline steps

Method of Payment

  • The annual value of a Vector Scholarship in AI is $17,500 which is divided into three equal installments of $5,833.34 each term. Funds are awarded to the student’s Student Center account at the start of every term (September, January and May). 
  • The award holder must maintain full-time enrolment and remain in good standing for the duration of the award. 

Terms and Conditions

  • It is the responsibility of the award holder to understand and abide by the terms and conditions of the award as set out of the Vector Institute in their Award Holder’s Policies and Processes Guide.  
  • Award holders must inform the Vector Institute as soon as possible if their eligibility changes at any point during the tenure of their scholarship.
  • Award holders must maintain enrolment in the program that nominated them for the duration of the award.