Thank you for your interest! Applications for the 2026 cycle have now closed. Applicants who submitted an Intent to Apply will receive information on the full submission.
Overview
| Student level | Graduate (Master's and PhD) - open to students in all McGill faculties |
|---|---|
| Award value | Master's: $27,000 for 12 months, non-renewable PhD: $40,000 per year for two years (totaling $80,000), possibility of renewal |
| Award tenure | Master's: 1-year award PhD: 2-year award |
| Letter of intent submission deadline | March 22, 2026 |
| Application submission deadline | April 12, 2026 |
| Contact | mccais.science [at] mcgill.ca (mccais[dot]science[at]mcgill[dot]ca) |
Eligibility
The student must:
- Be enrolled in a graduate program at McGill University at the master’s or doctoral level within the award Tenure for the competition year
- Have achieved a first-class average, as determined by McGill University, in each of the last two completed years of study (full-time equivalent)
- Have two supervisors from different disciplines (i.e. departments) to provide guidance through their research
Application Process
- Students submit the Intent to Apply form to help inform the review process.
- Once the Intent to Apply deadline has passed, students who have submitted the Intent to Apply form will receive a link via email to submit their full application.
Application Formatting Requirements
The full application must respect the following formatting requirements:
- A maximum of 4 pages (2 pages for your proposal, and 2 pages for the bibliography).
- 12-point, Arial font in black type.
- You can apply different fonts and sizes only in tables, figures and legends. However, the text must be clear and readable when the page is displayed at its normal size of 100%. Do not use condensed fonts.
- Minimum of single line spacing (not narrow spacing).
- Normal/standard character spacing (not condensed).
- Minimum margin of 0.79″ (2 cm) around all pages.
- Size all pages to 8 ½″ x 11″ (216 mm x 279 mm).
Selection Process & Criteria
The Selection Committee will review all applications and select the winning research projects based on the following criteria:
- The applicant demonstrates how becoming a BMO Responsible AI Senior Scholar will enhance their own research, and how they can responsibly influence the impact of AI on society
- The applicant demonstrates the interdisciplinary nature of their research
- The applicant has a minimum of two supervisors from different Faculties or Departments, and demonstrates how they will guide them throughout their research
- The applicant demonstrates academic excellence through past academic results, transcripts, awards and distinctions
- In alignment with McCAIS’ commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), exceptional students from equity-seeking groups will be prioritized to ensure a diverse and inclusive educational environment
Recipients will be contacted by email.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for the award?
The award is open to full-time, registered McGill graduate students in all faculties.
What is the award value?
The award value is as follows:
Masters: $27,000 for 12 months
PhD: $40,000 per year for two years (totaling $80,000)
What is the award tenure?
The award tenure is as follows:
Masters: 1-year award
PhD: 2-year award
I am the holder of another major award (e.g., FRQ, Triagency). Can I still apply for the BMO Responsible AI Fellowship?
Unfortunately, applicants who hold other major awards will not be considered.
Who can supervise my research project?
Full-time, tenure-track faculty members from McGill University can supervise your project. The supervisors should come from at minimum two different disciplines (i.e. departments) to highlight the interdisciplinary nature of the student research.
I have only identified one supervisor. Can I still submit an Intent to Apply?
The goal of the Intent to Apply application is to help our team best plan our application review process to avoid any conflicts of interest. As such, we ask that you still indicate a potential co-supervisor on the form (i.e. someone who you are planning to ask to co-supervise your work), but it is acceptable if this co-supervisor changes in your final application.
I have submitted the Intent to Apply form. How can I submit my full application?
Students who have successfully submitted their Intent to Apply will receive the link to the full application form via email following the Intent to Apply deadline.
What do I need to prepare for my proposal in the full application?
You must upload your proposal as a single attachment in PDF format. The single attachment must consist of two sections: a) the outline of the proposed research, and b) the bibliography and citations. Warning: Applications with excess pages will only be reviewed up to the section a) 2 page maximum. Please make sure to follow Application Formatting Requirements and presentation instructions listed above.
