The Vector Institute announced its latest investment in Ontario's artificial intelligence future on May 8, 2025, awarding $2.1 million in scholarships to 120 top AI graduate students across the province.
The merit-based Vector Scholarship in Artificial Intelligence (VSAI) provides $17,500 to each recipient pursuing studies in Vector-recognized master's programs or individualized AI-focused study paths. This year's recipients represent diverse academic backgrounds including engineering, computer science, health informatics, and business analytics, and will attend 15 different Ontario universities.
"Through the Vector Scholarship in Artificial Intelligence, we're not just supporting graduate students — we're connecting them with opportunities that keep them building, innovating, and leading right here in Canada," said Melissa Judd, Vector's Vice President of Research Operations and Academic Partnerships. "Their success reinforces Ontario's position as a global centre for AI excellence."
The scholarship program, supported by Ontario's Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, offers more than financial assistance. Recipients gain access to networking events, career development opportunities, and connections with top AI researchers and industry leaders. Previous VSAI recipients have built careers at organizations including TD, OMERS, Trillium Health Partners, ChainML, and Cohere.
"The Vector Scholarship in AI was the critical bridge that legitimized my transition from finance to AI, giving me credibility in a competitive field," said Daniel Kur, a former recipient now working as Senior Machine Learning Scientist with Theoriq, an AI protocol by ChainML.
Since the VSAI program launched in 2018, the Vector Institute has awarded 802 scholarships, and the number of Vector-recognized AI master's programs has grown to 28 across Ontario. This growth reflects the increasing demand for AI talent in the province, which has become a global hub for artificial intelligence research and development. According to Vector, Ontario organizations have hired over 2,500 Vector-affiliated students from AI master's programs since 2018, with more than 90 percent building their careers within Ontario's vibrant AI ecosystem.