U of T launches Presidents’ Impact Scholarship: $80,000/year interdisciplinary PhD fellowships
The University of Toronto unveils the Presidents’ Impact Scholarship Program, backed by $100M (anonymous $50M gift plus university match). It will recruit 12+ PhD scholars yearly around a societal theme, provide $80,000/year for four years, and begin with an inaugural cohort in September 2027; applications to be announced.
The Presidents’ Impact Scholarship establishes a cohort-based interdisciplinary doctoral model that focuses each year on a defined societal challenge (e.g., AI and health). Enabled by a $50M anonymous gift and matching university funds (totaling $100M), the program aims to attract top PhD candidates from Canada and abroad. Selected scholars will receive $80,000 annually for four years, be supervised by two faculty from different disciplines and complete an external engagement placement with government, international or industry partners. U of T will issue a call for applications ahead of the September 2027 cohort start.