The Program’s mission is to change how science is done. Working with the scientific community, they want to help break down barriers to interdisciplinary science and accelerate positive impacts for global society. To help scientists solve bigger problems faster, they are identifying, developing, and amplifying the next generation of science leaders.? Through the Fellowship, they are building a community of scientists and supporters of interdisciplinary science and leveraging this network to drive sector-wide change.
About University of Toronto
The Lester B. Pearson International Scholarships at the University of Toronto provide an unparalleled opportunity for outstanding international students to study at one of the world’s best universities in one of the world’s most multicultural cities. The scholarship program is intended to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement and creativity and who are recognized as leaders within their school. A special emphasis is placed on the impact the student has had on the life of their school and community, and their future potential to contribute positively to... continue reading
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University of Toronto Schmidt Science Fellows Award
Aim and Benefits of University of Toronto Schmidt Science Fellows Award
- Receive a personal stipend of US$110,000 per year for up to two years of postdoctoral study in a different area from their PhD, at any approved location worldwide.
- Build a global network through our Science Leadership Program, a bespoke professional development curriculum delivered across three week-long residential convenings and a rich set of virtual offerings.
- Benefit from personalized mentoring delivered by experienced international interdisciplinary science leaders to develop as scientific and societal thought leaders.
- Join a lifelong community of exemplary interdisciplinary scientists.
- Receive unique scientific freedom to pursue ambitious research goals, take risks, and have bold ideas.
Requirements for University of Toronto Schmidt Science Fellows Award Qualification
n order to be eligible for nomination and potential selection as a Schmidt Science Fellow, candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Conducting their PhD degree in the natural sciences (astronomy, biology, chemistry, physics, and earth sciences), engineering, mathematics, or computing – and all sub-disciplines therein at the University of Toronto. Individuals on clinical track MD-PhD or Veterinary-PhD programs are not eligible;
- Expect to have their final PhD thesis accepted by the School of Graduate Studies at the University of Toronto between May 15, 2025 and June 30, 2026; and
- Able to start their Fellowship on July 1, 2026 or October 1, 2026 (start dates are firm as the cohort starts together in either July or October) and available from April 2026 to July 2027 to attend virtual onboarding activities, and from October 2026 to attend in- person convenings: the Science Leadership Program and the annual Schmidt Science Fellows Interdisciplinary Science Summit.
Interview date, Process and Venue for University of Toronto Schmidt Science Fellows Award
The Program is seeking those individuals with a special degree of brilliance and inventiveness, who are interested in broadening their horizons and pursuing a challenging and rewarding period of study with the world’s leading academics and institutions. Schmidt Science Fellows are expected to be future leaders and should demonstrate a keen interest in harnessing interdisciplinarity and interaction with wider society to accelerate discovery to achieve global impact.
Applications for the Schmidt Science Fellows program will be judged against the following selection criteria:
Intellect
- Extraordinary Achievement – Clear record of academic achievement of the highest quality in the sciences and an extraordinary degree of intelligence.
- Scientific Curiosity – High degree of intellectual curiosity combined with energy and creativity; a record of continuous innovation and/or use of new technologies.
Programmatic Fit
- Alignment with the Program – Interest in pursuing 12-24 months of postdoctoral study in a field different from the applicant’s PhD discipline and a belief that interdisciplinary science and the taking of appropriate scientific risks are important for the advancement of discovery.
- Collaborative Spirit – History of effective collaboration with diverse team members.
Leadership
- Character and Leadership – Genuine and demonstrable potential for science leadership; displaying perseverance, resilience, a moral compass, and a galvanizing force of personality.
- Global Ambition for Social Good – Desire to use one’s personal talents and science to make a positive difference in society and the world.
To learn more about the kind of candidates Schmidt is are looking for, please visit their website to view Fellow profiles and the feature videos: Fellowship Research Placement and Who is a Schmidt Science Fellow?
Documents Required for Application
The following will serve as a completed nomination package (Applicants are encouraged to review the slides from the 2025-26 Schmidt Presentation for applicants for guidance):
- Nomination letter from the Graduate Chair/Director;
- Description of PhD written by the applicant. Provide a brief overview of PhD studies, summarizing the main aims and outcomes. Clearly state individual contributions; address the aspects that are particularly exciting and innovative work; and highlight any outputs or activities that have significant impact or bring great pride.
- Fellowship Research Plan: The Pivot (max 1000 words) – regarding the potential postdoctoral research the applicant may wish to pursue if named a Schmidt Science Scholar. The shift in research focus or interdisciplinary pivot is central to Schmidt’s mission. Intellectual freedom and the pursuit of bold ideas is encouraged. How the proposal is a change in discipline and/or application must be clearly explained. Pivots should enable applicants to achieve a scientific goal that is not possible while continuing their current course, allowing them to overcome a scientific challenge using different approaches or perspectives. See Interdisciplinary Pivot description in the Additional Information section below.
The plan should be original, clearly written, innovative, ambitious, but feasible. It should have a hypothesis, objectives, provide enough detail to demonstrate an understanding of the new research area; explain what is innovative about the proposal; balance “big-picture” thinking and long-term goals with practicality within a 12-24 month Fellowship; describe the new tools and skills needed; outline technical approaches and desired outcomes; articulate a vision and ambition for potential short or long term impact. Keep in mind that reviewers (at the University and international competition) will not be experts in the applicants’ PhD/pivot field.
- Options for Placement: Three short creative proposals (max 500 words each) for potential postdoctoral fellowship labs any where in the world to develop new networks and skills. This part of the assessment is to understand the applicant’s approach to the pivot and training needs, prompting them to think early, ambitiously, and globally about the best place to undertake their research plan, and how the host lab and principal investigator can support the fellow’s training and development in the new area of research.
- Collaboration Statement: Articulate the importance of working collaboratively and convey an ambition to bridge disciplines and lead teams to potentially unlock transformative discoveries in the future. Describe experience/evidence of working collaboratively, either in an academic or non-academic setting. Outline what the applicant feels are the key elements that lead to successful collaborations. Outline approach to collaboration and the teams the applicant hopes to bring together in the future.
- Personal Statement (max 1000 words): The statement should describe the applicant’s personal motivations, ambitions, and interests; discuss relevant activities and interests outside of research and how these will have a positive impact on society; make clear what the applicant hopes the Fellowship will do for the applicant and what the applicant will bring to the community. Content should not focus only on research, be a repeat of the research plan, or an essay description of the applicant’s CV.
- Lay Summaries and Impact Statement: Summarize PhD and proposed research using lay (non-technical) language to provide an overview to a general audience; describe how the proposed research can make a positive impact on the world. These sections will help provide an overview of the application for reviewers and will be used in communications if selected as a Fellow.
- Up to date CV (no page restrictions), including links to relevant publications and research activities. For papers underway or pending publication, applicants should attach a copy of the final abstract (1 page or less) of the paper;
- Up to date transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate studies (including those from U of T). Non-U of T transcripts must include grading legend;
- Reference Letters: At least three but no more than five (3-5) reference letters (the Schmidt online application requires a minimum of 3 reference letters up to a maximum of 5); One letter must be from the applicant’s PhD supervisor(s). Letters may also come from other faculty, employers, supervisors, or collaborators; at least one should be outside of the PhD supervisory group or University. These letters are expected to be approx. two pages in length, address the applicant’s intellectual ability and research accomplishments, but also markers of leadership and future trajectory, describe the applicant’s achievements and contributions to date. Referees should be aware of the Schmidt selection criteria and the applicant’s research proposal, senior enough to have the experience and perspective to talk convincingly of the applicant’s current abilities AND future potential. Reference letters are to be sent directly to the nominating graduate unit, not to the students
Application Deadline
April 10, 2025
How to Apply
Interested and qualified? Go to
University of Toronto on www.sgs.utoronto.ca to apply
For more details, visit University of Toronto Schmidt Science Fellows Award webpage
