Overview

The School of Graduate Studies (SGS) supports innovation in graduate education across the University of Toronto. Initiatives like Healthy Research Teams & Labs and the Centre for Graduate Mentorship and Supervision (CGMS) are in place to ensure that wellness, equity, diversity and inclusion are core principles in graduate education and research. Explore our new initiatives developed to improve the graduate student experience and assist supervisors and graduate units in promoting student success.

Graduate funding at the University of Toronto

The University of Toronto is increasing the base funding commitment for all PhD / SJD students in the funded cohort to $40,000, inclusive of tuition, effective Fall 2025. Graduate students are a key engine of our university’s success, driving cutting-edge research and innovation across all disciplines. This increased funding package will reduce some of the financial pressure on students and improve the overall graduate student experience.

Learn more about the base funding increase

In the Fall of 2022, the School of Graduate Studies (SGS) struck the SGS Graduate Funding Working Group. Chaired by Dr. Joshua Barker, Vice-Provost, Graduate Research and Education and Dean of SGS, the working group was formed to collectively enhance understanding of the graduate funding landscape at the University of Toronto (U of T) and identify strategic recommendations to address ongoing issues related to graduate funding and improve alignment and transparency across the University, where possible.

Read the SGS Graduate Funding Working Group reports

Graduate Education Innovation Fund (GEIF)

This new fund from the School of Graduate Studies aims to support projects within and across academic divisions and units, that create positive, innovative changes in the design and delivery of graduate education at the University of Toronto. Ten seed grants of a maximum of $5,000 each will be available on an annual basis. 

This is a three-year pilot project beginning Fall 2021, after which a review process will ensue, to ensure the initiative meets its goals. 

Goals

The goal of the GEIF program is to advance innovative educational practices within and across programs and curricula, including both the classroom and field settings, and in the student-faculty member mentorship relationship. We invite proposals that advance at least one of the fund’s nine themes. If you have a proposal that falls outside the areas listed, please liaise with SGS to discuss suitability.

Eligibility

University of Toronto faculty members with continuing appointments are eligible to apply. Typically, applicants will hold Graduate Faculty Membership with SGS. Collaborators can include librarians, graduate students, post-doctoral fellows etc., as appropriate to the project. 

Learn more and apply to the Graduate Education Innovation Fund (GEIF)

Healthy Research Teams & Labs

Healthy Research Teams & Labs celebrates promising practices to foster healthy research team environments in the University of Toronto community. The initiative includes educational programming, seed funding, and spotlight awards. Together, these program components are designed to promote a culture of continual learning and celebration of healthy research practices that shape our research environments into welcoming, inclusive, creative, collaborative and innovative settings. 

Learn more about Healthy Research Teams & Labs

Humanities Working Group

In the Fall of 2022, the School of Graduate Studies (SGS) struck the Humanities Working Group—composed of graduate students, chairs/deans or associate deans, faculty, and administrators—to review humanities student experience data, discuss current issues, share best practices, identify areas where there are opportunities to improve, and suggest practical measures graduate leaders, faculty, and students can take to help foster positive change within and across humanities graduate units.

Read the Humanities Working Group reports

Postdoctoral Review Working Group

Given their important role of postdoctoral fellows in fostering an enriching learning and research environment, it is imperative that they have the appropriate supports, resources, and tools to make the most of their time at the university and prepare for a fruitful and successful career. In the Fall of 2023, the School of Graduate Studies (SGS) struck the Postdoctoral Review Working Group to review key areas of postdoctoral fellowships, including governance, structure, programs, and services for postdoctoral fellows and developed a set of recommendations in each of these areas to enhance the postdoctoral experience.

Read the Postdoctoral Review Working Group report