Thank you for your interest! Applications for the 2026 awards have now closed. Applicants who submitted an Intent to Apply have received information on the full submission.
Overview
| Student level | Undergraduate - open to students in all 91Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ faculties |
|---|---|
| Award value | $5,000 |
| Research period | Summer 2026 |
| Letter of intent submission deadline | February 16, 2026 |
| Application submission deadline | March 3, 2026 |
| Contact | mccais.science [at] mcgill.ca (mccais[dot]science[at]mcgill[dot]ca) |
Eligibility
For students
The student must:
- Have two supervisors from different disciplines to encourage interdisciplinary research at the intersection of AI and society
- Invest between 20 to 30 hours of work per week on their research project during the Summer semester
- Produce a final report at the end of the research period with their supervisors
- Be enrolled full-time in an undergraduate program related to AI (e.g. computer science, engineering, statistics, etc.) and/or society broadly defined (e.g. health sciences, social sciences, etc.)
- Submit only one (1) application
Preference will be given to students who have not received scholarships for Summer 2026 (e.g. another undergraduate student award at 91Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ – SURAs, NSERC USRAs, etc.).
For supervisors
The two supervisors must:
- Be full-time, tenure-track faculty members from 91Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ.
- Come from different disciplines to encourage interdisciplinary research at the intersection of AI and society
- Be prepared to contribute a minimum of $3,700 total in matching funds – McCAIS and BMO provide the remainder. This is to ensure that students are fairly compensated for their work.
- Provide a set of clear and detailed expectations for the student's weekly schedule throughout the duration of the research project
Application Process
- Students submit the Intent to Apply form to help inform the review process.
- Students and supervisors submit their respective full application forms.
Selection Process & Criteria
The Selection Committee will review all applications and select five winning research projects based on the following criteria:
- The research project fostering interdisciplinary work on AI's impact on society
- The student's research plan and feasibility within the summer deadline
- The research project's outcome benefiting advancements of AI in society
- The supervisors' mentorship plan for the student
- 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 91Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ undergraduate students in all faculties. Students must be intending to register for the subsequent Fall semester.
What is the award value?
The total award value is $8,700. Supervisors are required to contribute a minimum of $3,700 total to the award; McCAIS and BMO provide the remaining $5,000.
Why are supervisors required to contribute a minimum of $3,700 to the award?
Supervisors are required to contribute a minimum of $3,700 total to the award to: a) demonstrate their commitment to the student’s research project and b) to increase the stipend amount to match the , an equivalent program, so that students are fairly compensated for their work over the summer period.
Who can supervise my research project?
Full-time, tenure-track faculty members from 91Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ can supervise your project. The supervisors should come from at minimum two different disciplines to highlight the interdisciplinary nature of the student research.
When is the research period?
The research period occurs over the summer semester (approximately May to August).
How is the award amount distributed?
The award amount is distributed as a stipend directly to the student.
My supervisor(s) cannot provide the $3,700 contribution to the award. Can I still apply?
You can still apply. However, on the application, the supervisors must demonstrate they have exhausted all options for the top-up portion of the funding ($3,700) for your research and have been unable to secure any additional funds that would go towards student support.
I am working on a research project with another student researcher; the project involves us a pair. Can I still apply?
As the award provides funding to the individual student and not for the project itself, each individual can submit an application. You and your co-researcher are both welcome to submit separate applications, but each application should make explicit what your individual contributions are to the project and will be considered separately. There is no guarantee that both partners will receive funding.
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, you should still indicate a preliminary 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 am graduating in the Winter semester before the summer starts. Am I still eligible to apply?
The awards follow similar eligibility criteria as the eligibility guidelines. The applicant must be registered for the fall semester while undertaking their research project.
