Apr 2, 2026
U of T’s newest Eric and Wendy Schmidt AI in Science Postdoctoral Fellows are harnessing AI to revolutionize everything from sustainable development to expanding our understanding of the Milky Way.
From advancing our understanding of how the Milky Way formed and evolved, to supporting global climate adaptation and sustainable water management, the University of Toronto’s newest Eric and Wendy Schmidt AI in Science Postdoctoral Fellows are pioneering revolutionary AI-driven research across diverse scientific fields.
“Partnering with Schmidt Sciences, U of T is cultivating safe and responsible AI research, supporting emerging scholars as they push the boundaries of innovation and discovery,” says Timothy Chan, U of T’s associate vice-president and vice-provost, strategic initiatives.
Powering the next generation of AI-driven research
Launched in 2022 by Schmidt Sciences – a philanthropic initiative founded by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt and his wife Wendy Schmidt – the Schmidt AI in Science Postdoctoral Fellowship program supports the next generation of AI-driven scientific research.
The program was funded through a gift spanning nine partner universities and aims to accelerate AI-driven discoveries across a wide range of scientific disciplines. It is designed to boost the work of early-career scholars in engineering, mathematics and natural science by offering them collaborative research opportunities, a strong lineup of workshops, seminars and conferences, as well as hands-on training in AI applications. U of T is the sole Canadian participant in the program.
“We are seeing firsthand how this fellowship is giving early-career scientists the freedom to explore new approaches and push the boundaries of discovery,” says Lisa Strug, director of U of T’s Data Sciences Institute and co-lead of the Schmidt AI in Science Postdoctoral Fellowship program.
Fellows sharing innovative research with global impact
The first cohort of Schmidt AI in Science Fellows have moved onto new opportunities, and the second cohort is now well into the final year of their fellowships, with a focus on sharing their innovative research. They have been busy presenting their work at international conferences through invited talks and panel discussions. Four of the cohort two fellows were also awarded a competitive workshop grant from Schmidt Sciences and held a successful workshop on foundation models in November 2025.
Third cohort tackling urgent global challenges
The new, third cohort of 11 researchers brings fresh expertise and ambition, with much anticipation surrounding the impact of their work.
“Armed with advanced AI tools and training, this exceptional group of scientists is ready to tackle some of the world’s most urgent challenges with innovative solutions,” says Alán Aspuru-Guzik, director of U of T’s Acceleration Consortium and co-lead of the Schmidt AI in Science Postdoctoral Fellowship program.