Call for 2026 Schwartz Reisman Institute Graduate Fellows now open
The Schwartz Reisman Institute for Technology and Society has launched its call for graduate fellows, open to all University of Toronto graduate students whose research explores the social impacts of new technologies. The deadline for applications is February 8, 2026.
Are you a University of Toronto graduate student committed to leveraging advanced technologies for social good? Do you envision artificial intelligence (AI) and data-driven tools fostering a more inclusive and just society—one that upholds equity, environmental sustainability, and social responsibility—while ensuring AI systems are deployed in ways that are safe and aligned with human values? Are you excited to join a vibrant research community and engage in interdisciplinary discussions with top scholars from across fields?
The Schwartz Reisman Institute for Technology and Society (SRI) is pleased to announce our 2026 call for graduate fellows, open to current U of T students across all three campuses whose work explores the social impacts of technology and who are committed to ensuring that advanced technologies benefit all of society.
Schwartz Reisman Institute Graduate Fellowships are awarded for a one-year term and include a stipend of $7,500, with an opportunity to renew as an SRI affiliate. Applications are now open and must be submitted by February 8, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET.
For more information on SRI’s fellowships program and to access the application form, please review our 2026 call for graduate fellows (PDF).
Supporting innovative research
Schwartz Reisman Graduate Fellowships are awarded to outstanding students advancing research at the intersection of technology and society, with alumni launching successful careers and driving innovation in their fields.
Recipients of past SRI fellowships hail from more than 25 unique U of T faculties and departments, spanning a wide range of disciplines, including computer science, engineering, information, healthcare, psychology, philosophy, political science, and law.
Schwartz Reisman Institute fellowships support a diverse array of innovative, solution-oriented approaches and offer a unique opportunity to foster new connections between established disciplines. SRI encourages original projects that aim to redefine and expand research at the intersection of technology and society and build human-centred solutions.
Past SRI graduate fellows have led projects exploring the role of AI in healthcare, new approaches to AI alignment, and the social impacts of data annotation.
As part of SRI’s 2026–27 call, we will be recruiting a PhD candidate with a scholarly interest in examining the implications of advanced technology within the workplace or generating innovating solutions where workers are centred. The fellow will be funded through the Partnership on AI and Quality of work (PAIQ), an initiative based at the Institute for Work & Health. This fellow will also receive additional mentorship opportunities from the PAIQ network of scholars at the intersection of AI, work, and health. Candidates interested in applying for this opportunity should briefly describe their application’s fit with PAIQ as part of their application.
Examples of the success and impact of past SRI graduate fellows include:
Evi Micha, a 2020–21 Schwartz Reisman graduate fellow, earned CAIAC’s 2024 Best Dissertation Prize for her work on designing fair and efficient AI systems for collective decision-making, and is now a faculty member at University of Southern California.
Julian Posada, a 2021–22 Schwartz Reisman graduate fellow, received multiple awards for his research on the dynamics of human labour and data annotation, and is now a faculty member at Yale University.
Alice Huang, a 2023–24 Schwartz Reisman graduate fellow, received the 2024 David Savan Dissertation Prize and is now Duncanson Chair in Ethics and Technology at Western University, jointly appointed in computer science and in philosophy.
Wenxi Liao, a 2023–24 Schwartz Reisman graduate fellow, completed her PhD advancing green infrastructure, and is now incoming faculty at the University of Guelph after previously holding an NSERC postdoctoral fellowship at McGill University.
Silviu Pitis, a 2023–24 Schwartz Reisman graduate fellow, received an OpenAI Superalignment Fast Grant for his work on aligning AI systems with human values, and is now a postdoctoral fellow at the Vector Institute.
Left to right: SRI Graduate Fellows Evi Micha, Julian Posada, Alice Huang, Wenxi Liao, and Silviu Pitis.
About the Schwartz Reisman Institute
Located at the University of Toronto, the Schwartz Reisman Institute for Technology and Society (SRI) supports world-class research to create new frameworks for understanding the societal impacts of powerful technologies, as well as the laws, institutions, and values that shape them.
SRI’s mission is to advance responsible, ethical, and human-centered approaches to technology that benefit all of humanity. By connecting scholars from the humanities, social sciences, and STEM fields, we foster innovative research that inspires new ideas, interdisciplinary conversations, and policy-oriented solutions.
Regular initiatives include our SRI Seminar Series, which showcases cutting-edge research from leading scholars working at the intersection of technology and society, and an annual conference, which gathers scholars from diverse disciplines to explore shared research questions from new perspectives. SRI also regularly hosts special events with experts on key topics including AI safety, education, and public policy.
The integrative research and solutions we pursue reevaluate technology’s role in today’s world, the evolving needs of human communities, and the systems that govern them. We are exploring how to best align technology with human values and apply it effectively.
The Schwartz Reisman Institute is a thriving hub for AI research at the University of Toronto, fostering collaborative projects that address the complex relations between technology and society, and supporting researchers to engage with key stakeholders across academic institutions, government, industry, and civil society on vital research and policy initiatives.
Our leadership team is comprised of experts representing diverse fields across STEM, social sciences, and the humanities, including computer science, engineering, philosophy, and law. Our community benefits from the insights of a network of accomplished researchers hailing from more than 20 unique disciplines, and an advisory board which includes U of T University Professor Emeritus and Nobel Laureate Geoffrey Hinton.
SRI researchers have authored hundreds of research papers and, secured numerous innovative grants, served as expert consultants in collaboration with governments and industry, and chaired leading conferences and journals—all of which advance the Institute’s mission to explore the social impacts of technology in novel ways.
Joining SRI enables researchers to build connections beyond their primary field of study, learn from other emerging and established scholars, and engage in interdisciplinary discussions on aligning technological progress with human-centered values. SRI fellows receive financial support for their projects, benefit from research events, participate regularly in meetings with their peers, and gain enhanced visibility for their work.
The Schwartz Reisman Innovation Campus at U of T is home to the Schwartz Reisman Institute for Technology and Society.
What our community says about us
“The interdisciplinary nature of the SRI community is a major strength. It has been extremely beneficial to be exposed to different analyses of the societal impacts of technology use… This provided important contextual information that can be used to frame my thesis.”
— Jo-Ann Osei-Twum, 2023–24 graduate fellow, PhD candidate, Department of Public Health Sciences
“Engaging peers across disciplines exposed me to ideas that I wouldn’t have considered and expanded my network. It has opened new research questions and avenues to explore for me.”
— Jamie Duncan, 2023–24 graduate fellow, PhD candidate, Centre for Criminology and Sociolegal Studies
“One of the things I appreciate most about being a part of the SRI community was learning about problems and solutions regarding the incorporation of AI in other fields. Often these transcended disciplines and provided valuable take-aways for my own work.”
— Michael Colacci, 2023–24 graduate fellow, PhD candidate, Institute of Health Policy, Management & Evaluation
“Participating in SRI’s community provided numerous benefits, particularly through the opportunities to discuss interdisciplinary projects and potential future research with other fellows. These discussions have the potential to lead to collaborative projects building on my current research.”
— Wenxi Liao, 2023-24 graduate fellow, PhD, Department of Forestry
Ready to apply? Here’s what you need to know
Located at the University of Toronto, the Schwartz Reisman Institute for Technology and Society (SRI) supports world-class research to create new frameworks for understanding the societal impacts of powerful technologies, as well as the laws, institutions, and values that shape them.
To apply for a Schwartz Reisman Institute Graduate Fellowship, review our 2026 call for fellows below and submit your application via our online form.
Up to 15 Schwartz Reisman graduate fellows will be appointed in 2026. Successful graduate fellows will be primarily enrolled in PhD programs, although exceptional master’s candidates are encouraged to apply.
The Schwartz Reisman Institute is strongly committed to diversity within our community, and we therefore especially welcome applications from racialized persons/persons of colour, Indigenous/Aboriginal people, women, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2S+ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas and experiences at the Institute.
Applications must be submitted via the online form linked below by February 8, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Late applications will not be considered. Applicants will be notified of outcomes in April 2026.
Read the official call below for more information about eligibility, compensation, and how to apply:
See below for a list of frequently asked questions.
Any other questions? Contact us at sri.research@utoronto.ca.
Schwartz Reisman Graduate Fellowships FAQ
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The deadline for graduate fellowship applications is February 8, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
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The following links provide details on the program and the application form:
CALL FOR SCHWARTZ REISMAN INSTITUTE GRADUATE FELLOWS (PDF)
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Unfortunately, this call is limited to University of Toronto graduate students only.
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SRI will not be running a faculty fellowship program in 2026. We encourage you to stay connected to our Institute through our mailing list for other funding opportunities that may be announced for faculty members in the future.
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Fellows are selected based on their alignment with the research priorities of the Institute. Please review the information above and the call for fellows PDF for more details. Applicants are encouraged to review SRI’s research page, 2021–24 strategic plan , and explain how their proposal aligns with SRI’s mission in their application.
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Yes; as long as you are enrolled in a full-time graduate program at the University of Toronto, you are eligible to apply. Travel is not a criterion of eligibility.
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An unofficial transcript is fine, so long as it provides an up-to-date overview of progress in your current degree at the University.
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No, it doesn’t. You are welcome to apply if your collaborators are outside of the university. However, they would not themselves receive funding or be appointed as Schwartz Reisman fellows.
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We recommend you send the best examples of your research achievements to date. If you don't have publications, you can send papers in progress or under review. If you don't have any papers on which you are first author, you can send co-authored papers, or other materials demonstrating your work.
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The 2026–2027 graduate fellowship runs from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027.
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While previous fellows may apply, we will prioritize applications from individuals who have not previously received a fellowship.
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