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Centre for Vision Research
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CVR Vision Science Summer School

June 8th - 12th, 2026

The Centre for Vision Research Summer School 2026 brought together undergraduate students for an intensive, one-week, hands-on introduction to modern approaches in vision science, spanning neuroscience, behavior, and artificial intelligence. Through lectures, tutorials, and project-based learning, participants explored how biological and artificial systems process visual information, while developing practical skills in experimental design, data analysis, and computational modeling. The program culminated in student-led projects that reflect the interdisciplinary spirit of the CVR community. In addition to the academic program, students enjoyed many social activities including trips to downtown Toronto, attending a baseball game, pub night with CVR graduate students and more. They reported making many new friends they plan to keep in touch with.

This program will be held in-person

This program is presented in English

Applications are now closed. The next summer school will take place in 2028.

The summer school features talks by our faculty, who are world leaders in vision science research. The curriculum reflects the wide range of research areas at CVR, and includes research on human visual perception, computer vision, machine learning, visual neuroscience, 3D film, immersive environments, disorders of vision, and more.

The summer school features an interactive program, with hands-on research experiences, opportunities to speak with our graduate students and faculty, and social events with your fellow students.

This year, the CVR Summer School will adopt a focused theme that places the scientific method, used as a recipe for doing vision science in the age of AI, at the forefront. Each lecture will showcase how faculty research embodies this approach, demonstrating how well-defined questions give rise to computational hypotheses, experimental designs, and interpretable results that collectively advance vision science. The program will emphasize how modern AI models can be used not as black-box tools, but as explicit, testable hypotheses about brain computation. The program will be complemented by panel discussions on growing up in science and career development, as well as highly targeted, tutorial-style projects that provide hands-on experience. Students will leave with a heightened sense of how and why to pursue a career in vision research.

This program is designed for undergraduate students who are interested in pursuing graduate studies and research in vision science. The program itself is free and we cover most of the costs associated with attending it (see FAQ for more details).

For questions, please contact cvrss@yorku.ca.

Instructions for Applicants

  • Your statement of interest is the most important part of your application. We want to know why you want to attend the program, how this program fits into your academic plans, why we should pick you for the program, whether you have had the opportunity to engage in research, and anything else you think is important for us to know.
  • Please make sure you have your transcripts in unsecured PDF form before you begin to fill out the application form. We cannot put your application folder together if your transcripts are locked.
  • If you are applying from outside Canada or the USA, please calculate your GPA using this tool.
  • You will also need an academic reference letter from one of your professors.
    • The reference letter is the second most important piece of your application. It should include how long the professor has known you, your relationship (is/was the referee your teacher? someone you did research with/for?), and the professor's view of your academic ability and research potential.
    • Please do not send an employment reference letter.
    • Ask your referee to send the reference letter directly to cvrss@yorku.ca.
    • The email subject line should be "reference letter - <your name>".
    • The deadline for the reference letter is Friday, February 27th, at 11:59pm. It is your responsibility to make sure we get it on time.
  • Apply: You can apply here.

Is this program only for undergraduate students?
Priority is given to undergraduate applicants, but anyone who is considering applying to a vision-related master's or doctoral program is welcome to apply.

Is this program only for Canadian students?
We accept applicants from all around the world.

Is this program only for students with a background in biology, computer science, kinesiology, or psychology?
Vision science is a highly interdisciplinary field, and anyone with a strong interest in pursuing graduate studies in a vision-related research program is encouraged to apply. We especially want to encourage students with a background in philosophy or fine arts to apply.

What grades do I need to be accepted?
Admission is highly competitive, and most of our attendees have GPA's in the 4.0 range. However, other strengths such as laboratory experience, excellent quantitative skills, or an outstanding statement of interest can make up for average grades. To calculate your GPA, please use this tool.

I'm planning to go to medical school.  Is this program suitable for me?
The program is for students who plan to engage in a vision-related research program. If you plan to do vision-related research in medical school then you are welcome to apply.

I'm a professor, graduate student, etc.  Can I audit the program?
We are sorry, but in order to keep the group small and personal, we only allow admitted students and CVR members to attend the program.

How much does this program cost?
The program is almost fully covered by us. We cover the cost of your travel (airfare, taxis to/from airports, or train tickets, etc), although you will have to buy your own transportation ticket, we will reimburse these expenses after you've attended the program. We also cover the cost of accommodations from June 7th to June 13th - you will share a residence apartment with another student of the same gender. We cover breakfast and lunch each day from June 8th through June 12th too. You are responsible for your own dinners, any social events you attend, and food during your travel days.

Do I need a visa to travel to Canada?
Most people need either a Visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization to travel to Canada (the only exception is for those traveling from the USA). Please go to http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.asp to find out which travel document you need to get. If you are accepted into the program and need a visa, we will provide you with a letter to support your visa application.

Do I have to stay on campus?
Yes. An important goal of the program is to create a community of scholars and in order to do that we want our students to live together and spend time together outside of the school activities. We cover the cost of your accommodations at an on-campus residence.