Graduate Student Program
Connect with AI research supervisors at Canadian universities through one application.
Explore AI graduate programs across Canada, all in one place.
Whether you’re finishing your undergraduate degree and eyeing a master’s program or completing your master’s and ready to pursue a PhD, the Vector Institute connects top students with recruiting Vector-affiliated researchers across Canada to advance research in AI and machine learning.
Explore Vector-affiliated AI master’s programs at universities across Canada and find the right fit for your research goals.
Browse our Vector-affiliated researchers and connect with supervisors whose work aligns with yours, spanning 13 universities through a single, centralized application.
Through the program, Vector Faculty Members and Faculty Affiliates browse the applications of research-aligned candidates and initiate contact directly. You enter the formal university application process already knowing a potential supervisor wants to hear from you before committing to, or paying for, any university application.
Before you apply
The Vector Institute is a national AI research institute. While Vector is headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Faculty Members and Faculty Affiliates are appointed at universities in multiple provinces, including British Columbia, Ontario, and Nova Scotia. Vector is not a degree-granting institution; if a Faculty Member expresses interest in your work, you will need to apply directly to their university.
Take the time to review the Faculty profiles and research areas before submitting your application. Understanding a researcher’s current work and lab priorities will strengthen your research statement and help you identify the best fit for your interests.
Participating universities include:
What you’ll need to apply
Documents
- Most recent transcripts (undergraduate and graduate, if applicable). Unofficial transcripts are accepted at the application stage; official transcripts will be required when applying directly to a university.
- Academic CV (one to two pages)
- Research statement (one to two pages): describe your research experience, key questions you’re working on, why you’re interested in specific Faculty Members and any significant publications or projects.
References
- Contact information for two to three referees who can speak to your academic performance and research abilities.
- At least two referees should hold a position at the level of independent investigator, principal scientist, group leader, lecturer, or above.
- Referees will be prompted by email to upload a signed letter on institutional letterhead.
- References are due within two weeks of your submitted application.
Application form
- Personal information and academic background
- Primary and secondary research area selections
- Supervisor preferences (up to five Vector Faculty Members or Faculty Affiliates)
Optional
- Google Scholar profile
- LinkedIn profile
- Personal or academic webpage
- Additional information for reviewers (max 250 words)
Annual call for applications
The program opens September 10 and closes on October 23, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET for full consideration at all institutions with application review taking place in November and selected applicants will start receiving notifications in December. Applications can still be submitted until January 15, 2027. The Vector Institute is unable to extend the deadline for late submissions; plan to submit as soon as possible to avoid technical issues and remind your referees to upload their letters within the two-week window. Applicants will only hear from Faculty if there is mutual interest.
Benefits of Vector affiliation
Affiliating with Vector as a graduate student places you inside a research-forward AI community. Across Canada, Vector-affiliated students are connected to a network of 1480+ researchers, industry partners, and peers working at the intersection of AI research and real-world application.
Discover the benefits of joining the Vector community.
Vector’s affiliated students study across Canada, from large research universities to programs at institutions like Guelph, Dalhousie, and York, where strong researchers and smaller cohort sizes create close mentorship environments. Your university is your home base; Vector is your connector to Canada’s broader AI community.
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply?
The program is open to domestic and international students who are completing an undergraduate degree and intending to pursue a master’s or completing a master’s and intending to pursue a PhD.
Is there a cost to apply?
Submitting an application to Vector is free; there is no cost to apply.
Please note that if you choose to apply to a university graduate program, the university may have its own application fee. These fees are separate from the Vector application and are paid directly to the university. Application fees vary by institution and program, so please check the relevant university graduate program website for the most up-to-date information.
Does applying through the Program guarantee admission to a graduate program?
No. Submitting an application does not guarantee contact from a Faculty Member, an interview, a research opportunity, supervision, funding, or admission to a university graduate program. Faculty participation varies year to year depending on research interests, funding availability, and capacity to supervise.
Should I reach out to Faculty in advance of applying?
Please note that Faculty receive a significant number of emails and are not able to respond to every inquiry. That is why this program was created.
We strongly recommend doing your research on the Faculty Member and their current research direction in advance. You can learn about Faculty Members’ research interests and publications by visiting the Vector Institute website before reaching out.
When you apply to the Vector Institute, you will be asked to select up to five Faculty Members or Faculty Affiliates you are interested in doing research with. Once Faculty have had a chance to review all the applications, they may reach out to you if they believe there is a strong match between your background, research interests, and their research program.
What is the relationship between the Vector Graduate Program and university applications?
The program facilitates connections between prospective students and Vector Faculty based on shared research interests. It is not a substitute for the university graduate application process. If a Faculty Member expresses interest to supervise you, you must still apply directly to and be admitted by the relevant university. Admission decisions and funding are made independently by the universities and Faculty Members in accordance with their own policies.
What universities are part of the Vector network?
Vector works with Faculty Members and researchers from universities across Canada. Some of the major universities with Vector faculty members and research connections include:
Ontario
- Carleton University
- McMaster University
- Queen’s University
- Toronto Metropolitan University
- University of Guelph
- University of Ottawa
- University of Toronto
- University of Waterloo
- Western University
- York University
British Columbia
- Simon Fraser University
- University of British Columbia
Nova Scotia
- Dalhousie University
I’m an international applicant. Can I apply?
Yes, international applicants are welcome to apply. Please note that Vector is not responsible for immigration or visa processes, housing arrangements, relocation, or any costs associated with applying to or attending a Canadian university. Please review the requirements for your country of residence and the specific universities you are interested in before submitting your application.
When will I hear back?
Faculty review takes place throughout November. If a Faculty Member is interested in your application, they will contact you directly. Due to application volume, Vector is unable to provide individual status updates or respond to all applicants.
Which Canadian universities are best for AI research?
Vector Faculty Members and Faculty Affiliates are appointed at 13 Canadian universities spanning British Columbia, Ontario, and Nova Scotia, including the University of Toronto, University of Waterloo, University of British Columbia, and McMaster University, among others. Rather than ranking institutions, the program is designed to help you find the right research fit regardless of institution name. Strong AI research is happening across the full network, including at universities like York, Dalhousie, and Guelph that are often overlooked in favour of better-known names.
Is Canada a good destination for a master’s or PhD in AI?
Canada is home to one of the world’s most concentrated AI research ecosystems, anchored by national institutes including Vector Institute, Mila, and Amii, and supported by the Pan-Canadian AI Strategy. For students pursuing supervised graduate research in machine learning and deep learning, Canada offers direct access to leading researchers, strong connections to industry, and a growing network of AI-focused graduate programs. The Vector Graduate Student Program is specifically designed to make that ecosystem accessible to international and domestic applicants alike.
What are the application deadlines for the universities themselves?
University application deadlines vary by institution and may be earlier than the program’s closing date. You are responsible for reviewing and meeting each university’s individual deadlines. We encourage you to submit your university applications well in advance.
Can I select more than one Faculty Member?
Yes, you may select up to five Vector Faculty Members or Faculty Affiliates as supervisor preferences in your application. We encourage you to review each Faculty Member’s current research areas and lab openings before making your selections.
Who provides funding for graduate students?
Funding is provided through the supervisor’s resources at their university. The Vector Institute is not a degree-granting institution and does not provide direct student funding through this program.
Applicants may be eligible for the Vector Scholarship in AI, which is a separate application process.
What happens to my personal information?
By submitting an application, you consent to Vector processing and sharing your personal information with Vector Faculty Members and Faculty Affiliates to facilitate connections based on shared research interests. All personal data is processed in accordance with Vector’s Privacy Policy. Faculty Members or Affiliates may contact you if there is mutual interest.