U of T announces anonymous $50M gift to create President’s Impact Scholarship Program and outlines three presidential commitments
On Oct. 20, 2026, University of Toronto president Melanie Woodin set out three commitments to boost the university’s economic and social impact. An anonymous $50‑million gift established the President’s Impact Scholarship Program, intended to convene PhD cohorts addressing societal challenges through experiential learning and cross‑sector partnerships.
At a Toronto Region Board of Trade event on October 20, 2026, Melanie Woodin outlined three presidential commitments: preparing future‑ready graduates, advancing responsible AI adoption at scale, and mobilizing knowledge for societal benefit. She said an anonymous $50‑million gift enabled creation of the President’s Impact Scholarship Program, which will bring PhD cohorts together to tackle major societal problems via interdisciplinary, experiential approaches and partnerships with industry and government. The address also highlighted efforts to commercialize discoveries domestically and initiatives connecting research to investment.