PSI Start Program

Perimeter Institute invites students to join its world-leading research community for a part-time 10-week online school in theoretical physics beginning in May 2023. In addition, some of these students will also come to Perimeter to participate in groundbreaking research through a paid internship program. All students will learn research tools and collaboration skills while immersed (online or in person) in the multi-disciplinary environment of the world’s largest independent theoretical physics research centre.

Perimeter Institute’s PSI Start program consists of two parts, and is for students who intend to apply to a physics graduate program such as Perimeter’s PSI Master’s program. 

Applicants must meet one of the following criteria:

• Entering the final year of an undergraduate program in 2023; or
• Beginning a one-year Master’s program in physics or math in 2023; or
• Having completed an undergraduate program (in any year) and now intending to pursue graduate studies in theoretical physics within the next two years.

Ten-week online school

Approximately 40 successful applicants will take part in four courses on modern topics in theoretical physics, taught by exceptional researchers and teachers. Online participants in PSI Start will also have the opportunity to work on online group projects that examine topics in modern theoretical physics. The school will involve 4.5 hours of synchronous content and 1-2 hours of independent work or study each week for 10 weeks total. There is no cost to participate in the online school. Learn more about the online school.

Research internship

PSI Start applicants may also apply for an in-person paid research internship (up to 15 weeks in duration) at Perimeter Institute. The 10 students accepted as interns will be fully immersed in Perimeter’s renowned research environment, work on projects alongside Perimeter researchers, and potentially even publish their work. Students will have the rare opportunity to develop their research skills and absorb the rich variety of seminars and discussion groups at Perimeter Institute. Selection for the internship will occur at the same time that online school students are selected and interns will participate in 8 weeks of the online school. Learn more about the research internship.

Application process for PSI Start

In the PSI Start online application form, applicants can apply for the online school or for both the online school and the research internship. All positions will be awarded by the end of February 2023. All research interns will participate in 8 weeks of the online school. Learn more about the application process.

Perimeter Institute is committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from racialized persons, women, Indigenous/Aboriginal People of North America, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2+ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas. The Institute offers positions to researchers and students of any nationality who are at risk in their home countries or their intended place of work/study. Perimeter Institute provides support throughout the application process for applicants with disabilities. We work with you to understand the impact of your disability to appropriately accommodate you during the application process. Please contact [email protected] for assistance.