Mila believes in the immense richness of a diversified and inclusive community. It is within the framework of the adoption of an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) policy in 2020 and the establishment of an EDI committee in 2021 that Mila is launching its Scholarships Program dedicated to women in AI, to research into EDI issues and to socioeconomic diversity (Emergency Scholarships). This initiative aims to provide increased financial support to foster the development of talent from historically underrepresented groups within the AI ecosystem as well as the implementation of equity, diversity, and inclusion values in AI research.
“We want to align the values that define us with a culture of excellence that is inclusive for all. We must therefore target inequities and foster the creation of opportunities for those who are part of underrepresented groups within our community” – Valérie Pisano, President and CEO of Mila.
Traditionally, the selection criteria for the various academic scholarships mainly favored a candidate profile with a similar and linear background. Mila prides itself on always rethinking how it does things in order to highlight talent across the board. This program is part of Mila’s current and future series of EDI initiatives. Each initiative is built around the various goals that will enable Mila to contribute holistically to a more diverse and inclusive AI ecosystem.
It should be noted that, over the past few years, Mila has collaborated with IVADO on an extensive consultation intended to provide a qualitative and quantitative picture of its research community. The results of this consultation helped to better identify the diversity and inclusion issues facing the Mila community. Just like the individuals who make up the Mila community, Mila values related skills as part of a concept of inclusive excellence that takes into account alternative backgrounds and profiles, thereby providing the impetus for a unifying EDI Scholarships Program that features three categories for its 2023-2024 edition.
Category 1 — Excellence Scholarships - Women in AI
Women are particularly under-represented at advanced university levels. To bridge this gap, the Women in AI category takes issues of intersectionality into account in awarding the scholarships in this category and is designed to attract and retain talent from this group.
Category 2 — Excellence Scholarships - EDI in Research
The EDI in Research category is aimed at supporting students whose work contributes to the values of equity, diversity and inclusion in AI research as well as to encourage diversity as a lever for innovation while playing a key role in countering research bias.
Category 3 — Emergency Scholarships
The Emergency Scholarships category is aimed at helping students respond to financial emergencies and unexpected expenses that might have an impact on their academic careers.
Important Dates
The first competition in categories 1 and 2 are open from December 15, 2023 to February 15, 2024, while category 3 is a continuous open competition. If you have any questions about the program, please contact edi.scholarships@mila.quebec.
