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In-Course Awards

Adel S. Sedra Distinguished Graduate Award

In honour of the significant contributions made by Professor Adel S. Sedra, former U of T Vice President and Provost, the University of Toronto Alumni Association (UTAA) has established this award to recognize a doctoral student who demonstrates outstanding academic achievement and extracurricular leadership.

One fellowship of up to $25,000 is awarded annually. Finalists, up to 3, receive $1,000 each.

Apple Scholars in AI/ML

The Apple Scholars in AI/ML Program recognizes the contributions of emerging leaders in computer science and engineering at the graduate and postgraduate level. The PhD fellowship in AI/ML was created as part of the Scholars program to support the work of outstanding PhD students from around the world, who are pursuing cutting edge research in machine learning and artificial intelligence.

Nominations are only reviewed from invited institutions. Read about the first cohort of Apple Scholars here.

Autism Scholars Awards

The Autism Scholars Awards Program was established with the support of the Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU) to ensure that Ontario attracts and retains pre-eminent scholars studying autism. The Autism Scholars Awards Program aims to establish a research community that meets or exceeds internationally accepted standards of scientific excellence, in the creation of new knowledge concerning child autism, and its translation into improved health for children through more effective services and products for children with autism, and thereby adds to the province’s capacity in diagnosis and assessment of autism and the quality of its treatment system.

Burstow Scholarship for Studies in Activism from the Margins

The Burstow Scholarship for Studies in Activism from the Margins was established with the support of Professor Bonnie Burstow and other donors. This scholarship is awarded based on academic merit to registered graduate students working on a thesis focused on activism by populations traditionally thought of as mad, or which would once have been so conceptualized. The School of Graduate Studies is expecting to award approximately eight scholarships per year.

Canada Graduate Scholarships-Doctoral (CGS D​) Program​

The Canada Graduate Scholarships—Doctoral (CGS D) program is a federal program of scholarships awarded through national competitions by the granting agencies: the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC). The program aims to promote continued excellence in Canadian research by rewarding and retaining high-calibre doctoral students at Canadian institutions. By providing support for a high-quality research training experience to awardees, the CGS D program strives to foster impacts within and beyond the research environment.​

Canada Graduate Scholarships-Master’s (CGS-M) Program

​The objective of the Canada Graduate Scholarships-Master’s (CGS M) Program is to help develop research skills and assist in the training of highly qualified personnel by supporting students who demonstrate a high standard of achievement in undergraduate and early graduate studies. The Tri-council allocates CGS M awards to universities specifying the number of awards that each may offer to their students annually. CGS M awards can only be offered to students pursing graduate studies at eligible Canadian universities, and the award must be held at the university that has made the offer.

 

MINDS Master’s Scholarships for Indigenous Students

The Department of National Defence (DND) has partnered with the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) to deliver the Mobilizing Insights in Defence and Security (MINDS) scholarship initiative. The MINDS program, which comprises five pillars, is committed to fostering the next generation of security and defence scholars in the Canadian academic community and to encouraging a strong Canadian knowledge base in contemporary defence and security issues.

The MINDS Master’s Scholarships for Indigenous Students, valued at $17,500, are award supplements offered to successful Canada Graduate Scholarship—Masters (CGS M) applicants who self-identify as Indigenous and whose studies relate to defence and security.

Interested students must apply via the CGS M application form, and must complete the MINDS supplement module, which includes a personal statement and a statement of thematic relevance. For detailed instructions on how to apply, see the MINDS program description. The deadline to apply is December 1.

 

Indigenous Scholars Awards and Supplements

The Indigenous Scholars Awards and Supplements Pilot Initiative will provide financial support to meritorious Indigenous students who have applied to the NSERC and SSHRC Canada Graduate Scholars — Master’s program. To be considered, applicants must be eligible to apply to the CGS M program, self-identify as Indigenous for the purposes of this initiative, provide a one-page (3,000 characters maximum) personal statement, and have had their application deemed meritorious in the CGS M review process.

For detailed instructions on how to apply, see the pilot initiative description. The deadline to apply is December 1.

 

Black Student Researchers

The Government of Canada has deployed additional funds to increase direct support for Black student researchers. CGS M applicants who self-identify as Black and provide consent in their application to be considered for funds designated for specific groups may be able to receive this funding through a scholarship as part of this initiative. Each agency has a limited number of additional CGS M awards reserved for this initiative. For more information, consult the Frequently asked questions about the new Black scholars funding web page.

China Scholarship Council: Scholarships

In partnership with the University of Toronto (U of T), the China Scholarship Council (CSC) offers scholarships to outstanding Chinese students who will pursue doctoral or postdoctoral studies at U of T under the established collaborative program: China Scholarship Council – University of Toronto Joint Funding Program.

The CSC aims to fund in its annual competition:

  • 20 Chinese students for U of T’s PhD program for up to 48 months
  • 20 Chinese visiting PhD ​students at U of T, for up to 24 months
  • 10 postdoctoral fellows for up to 24 months
  • 10 visiting scholars for up to 12 months

Each year, CSC aims to fund 20 new Chinese U of T students in its annual competition for the PhD degree program. The average U of T success rate for receiving a CSC has been approximately 50%; CSC granted 10 awards to U of T applicants in 2021-22 and 11 in 2022-23. Successful applicants typically have excellent grades and one or more publications.

Connaught PhDs for Public Impact Fellowship Program

The Connaught PhDs for Public Impact Fellowship Program offers U of T doctoral students an opportunity to explore the world of public scholarship. Developing a public scholarship initiative allows doctoral students to make connections outside the university through innovative forms of scholarly communication. PhDs for Public Impact fellows focus on engaging the public through their scholarly work. This engagement can take a range of forms, from describing their work in a public forum to partnering with a school, community organization, or cultural institution in an ongoing two-way exchange of knowledge and practices. Read about the 2022-23 and 2023-24 fellows. 

Delta Kappa Gamma World Fellowships

The mission of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International is to promote the professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education. The World Fellowship Fund was established to provide opportunities for international women to pursue graduate studies in Canada and the United States.

Doctoral Completion Award (DCA)

The School of Graduate Studies created the Doctoral Completion Award (DCA) in 2010 to provide financial assistance for full-time PhD and SJD students in the final stage of their program. DCA funds are made available to graduate faculties to support eligible students who are beyond the funded cohort but still within the time limit for the degree. The DCA is managed locally by the graduate faculty/unit.

Graduate students experiencing a disruption in their program and/or otherwise impacted trajectory should inquire about supports and services through the Registrar’s Office or Graduate Unit. More information is available on the SGS Research and Academic Resiliency and Adaptation Tool Kit webpage.

Google PhD Fellowship

The Google PhD Fellowship Program recognizes outstanding graduate students doing exceptional and innovative research in areas relevant to computer science and related fields. Fellowships support promising PhD candidates of all backgrounds who seek to influence the future of technology. Google’s mission is to foster inclusive research communities and encourages people of diverse backgrounds to apply.

Iranian Student Memorial Scholarship

The University of Toronto has established the Iranian Student Memorial Scholarship Fund in honour of those who lost their lives in the crash of Ukrainian International Airlines Flight PS752, including eight members of the University of Toronto community. This endowed fund will provide needs-based awards to international undergraduate and graduate students from Iran who have been admitted to the U of T or students from any background studying Iranian studies at the U of T. The first of these needs-based awards were awarded in the Spring of 2020 for students studying at the U of T in the 2020-21 academic year.

Mackenzie King Open & Travelling Scholarship

Two types of Mackenzie King Scholarships were established to support graduates of Canadian universities who are pursuing graduate studies. U of T is permitted to nominate two (2) candidates from each category to the national competition.

The Travelling Scholarship is awarded to applicants who have a degree from a Canadian university and are pursuing graduate studies in the areas of international or industrial relations within the United States or the United Kingdom. The Mackenzie King Board receives about 25-30 nominations annually for four scholarships, each of approximately $10,500 (number of recipients and value are subject to change).

The Open Scholarship is awarded to an applicant who has a degree from a Canadian university and is pursuing graduate studies in any discipline, within Canada or elsewhere. The Mackenzie King Board receives approximately 80-90 nominations annually from all universities to award one scholarship of approximately $8,500 (value is subject to change).

Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplements

The Canada Graduate Scholarships – Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplements (CGS-MSFSS) Program supports high-calibre Canadian graduate students in building global linkages and international networks through the pursuit of exceptional research experiences at research institutions abroad. By accessing international scientific research and training, CGS-MSFSS recipients will contribute to strengthening the potential for collaboration between Canadian universities and affiliated research institutions and universities, or other research institutions outside of Canada. A total of 250 awards are available Canada-wide each year. The current distribution of supplements among the three agencies is: 125 for SSHRC, 80 for NSERC, and 45 for CIHR.​

Ontario Graduate Scholarship

The Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) program encourages excellence in graduate studies at publicly-assisted universities in Ontario. Since 1975, the OGS program has been providing merit-based scholarships to Ontario’s best graduate students in all disciplines of academic study. The scholarship program at U of T is jointly funded by the Province of Ontario and the University of Toronto. The Province allocates OGS awards to universities specifying the number of awards that each may offer to their students annually.

Ontario Women’s Health Scholars Awards

The Ontario Women’s Health Scholars Awards Program is administered by the Council of Ontario Universities (COU) and was established with the support of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to ensure that Ontario attracts and retains pre-eminent women’s health scholars. The Ontario Women’s Health Scholars Awards Program aims to establish a research community that meets or exceeds internationally accepted standards of scientific excellence in its creation of new knowledge about women’s health and its translation into improved health for women, more effective health services and products for women, and a strengthened health care system.

Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarships

This three-year leadership program is designed to train Engaged Leaders, equipping outstanding doctoral candidates with the skills to translate their ideas into action, for the betterment of their communities, Canada, and the world. Scholars are selected each year and receive leadership training, academic resources, and mentorship opportunities, all in the context of Brave Spaces, in addition to generous funding for their studies.

Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship in Science & Technology

The Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship in Science and Technology (QEII‐GSST) program is designed to encourage excellence in graduate studies in science and technology. The program is supported through funds provided by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities and funds raised by the University of Toronto from the private sector.

Scholars-at-Risk Fellowship​

Established with initial funding from the Donner Canadian Foundation, the School of Graduate Studies and Massey College provide this Fellowship, on an annual basis, as an established mechanism through which the University of Toronto is able to support eligible graduate candidates who meet the criteria listed below. The Fellowship offers financial support for academic endeavours and the opportunity to participate in the Massey College community.

Please note that the SGS Scholars-at-Risk Fellowship is separate from the Scholars and Students at Risk Award Program administered by the University Registrar’s Office (URO).  Students should apply to only one of these opportunities per academic year; either the SGS Scholars-at-Risk Fellowship OR the URO’s Scholars and Students at Risk Award Program.

SGS Accessibility Grant

The SGS Accessibility Grant supports significant educational expenses not normally covered by the student, the graduate unit, provincial, or federal agencies. We recognize that each student’s situation is unique and funding will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. The grant was established to assist with accommodations necessary to meet unexpected needs arising from the particular demands of the graduate program.

SGS Bursaries for Junior Fellows at Massey College

The School of Graduate Studies is pleased to provide funding for bursaries, developed in collaboration with Massey College, which is a graduate students’ residential community affiliated with, but independent from, the University of Toronto. Designed for Black Canadian, Indigenous, and International graduate students, these bursaries create opportunities that can provide academic and personal enrichment for high-achieving candidates who would not be able to afford the Resident or Non-Resident fees associated with the Junior Fellowship.

In joining Massey College, recipients will be welcomed into a community of scholars and professionals from across Canada and around the world.

Please review Massey College’s Junior Fellows webpage for more information.

SGS Conference Grant

The SGS Conference Grant provides financial support to encourage eligible students to actively present their research at an academic conference during the early stages of their graduate studies.

This grant aims to provide successful applicants with funds to cover at least the applicant’s minimum registration fee for the proposed conference. Depending on availability of funds, in-person presentations that require travel may receive top-ups based on the location of the conference; virtual presentations will be eligible for the registration fee portion only.

SGS Emergency Grant

The SGS Emergency Grant program aims to provide short-term financial relief to students experiencing an immediate financial crisis. The Emergency Grant cannot serve as a continued funding source or make up for a shortage in OSAP and other graduate funding sources. Students are encouraged to meet with a member of the SGS Financial Advising Team to discuss available resources including government financial aid programs and review grant eligibility and may be asked to complete a financial need assessment.

SGS Emergency Loan

The SGS Emergency Loan alleviates temporary cash flow problems for students who are expecting the release of funds in the near future (i.e., 30 to 120 days) from employment (U of T internal), a major award instalment, OSAP (Ontario Students’ Assistance Program), teaching assistantship, or research assistantship payment, etc.

SGS Indigenous Graduate Travel Award

The SGS Indigenous Graduate Travel Award provides financial assistance to University of Toronto Indigenous graduate students to travel and participate in educational and experiential learning in Canada or abroad in activities specifically focused on Indigenous student or educational issues. Possible activities include Indigenous-focused events, workshops, meetings, field trips, competitions, and other educational-related activities, online or in-person, approved by the Supporting Aboriginal Graduate Enhancement group (SAGE) and First Nations House at the University of Toronto.

Ten (10) awards of up to $1,000 each, will be available annually, and applications will be considered on an ongoing basis throughout the year. Amounts are based on the recommendation of the S.A.G.E. Award committee, in conjunction with the Centre for Indigenous Studies.  ​

​SGS Master’s Completion Bursary (MCB)

The Master’s Completion Bursary (MCB) is a financial aid program that serves to assist master’s students who have experienced a delay in their program due to unanticipated factors beyond their control, and must therefore register as a full-time student beyond the program length to complete a small or minimal amount of work in order to graduate. 

COVID-19 related delays: Students who were registered during or before the Winter 2020 session and whose academic progress has been significantly impeded due to COVID-19 related disruptions may be eligible for an SGS Tuition Fee Exemption. More information is available here: https://www.sgs.utoronto.ca/admissions/graduate-fees/#section_13 

SGS Parental Grant

Established in 2017, The SGS Parental Grant program, aims to provide financial support to doctoral students within the funded cohort by helping to offset the loss of their program’s base funding as a result of taking an approved parental leave of absence at the time of birth or adoption in order to provide full-time care during the child’s first year or the first year the child comes into care (see SGS Leave of Absence Policy).

The value of the grant will serve to cover the portion of their program’s base funding paused while the student is on an approved parental leave of absence. Parental Grants will be provided to eligible student parents  of up to two sessions (8 months). Birth-mothers may be eligible for a third instalment to support parental leaves 12 months or more in duration. The value of the Parental Grant will be calculated based on the graduate unit’s base funding level at the time of the leave.

SGS Research Travel Grant

The SGS Research Travel Grant provides financial support to eligible students who are registered in the Humanities or Social Sciences, in order to pursue research travel that is necessary for the final stages of their PhD or SJD program.

Funding for this competition is supported by the School of Graduate Studies, the Faculty of Arts and Science, the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), The Associates of the University of Toronto Travel Award, and The Edward W. Nuffield Graduate Travel Fellowship.

SGS Sponsorship Fund

The SGS Sponsorship Fund supports two types of initiatives designed, led, and attended by graduate students and/or postdoctoral fellows at U of T: (a) the SGS Events Fund and (b) the SGS Innovation in Graduate Professional Development Fund.

(a) The SGS Events Fund supports the planning and implementation of an event at U of T that contributes to the SGS mission of:

  • Working collaboratively to advance excellence and innovation in graduate research and education.
  • Fostering an outstanding graduate experience for our diverse student population.
  • Creating and promoting opportunities for graduate student and postdoctoral fellow professional development.
  • Advancing integrity and ethical conduct in graduate research and education.
  • Establishing policy and promoting best practices for graduate research and education.

For the 2022–23 cycle, the School of Graduate Studies is calling for proposals for both in-person and virtual initiatives involving U of T graduate students and / or postdoctoral fellows focused on community-building, engagement, and networking across programs and disciplines with particular interest in events focused on re-connection and community building activities. Preference will be given to events that have significant U of T student / fellow participation in planning and implementation and/or prioritize U of T students and fellows as participants.

(b) The SGS Innovation in Graduate Professional Development Fund supports the development of new or expanded Graduate Professional Development initiatives by and for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows that contribute to the SGS mission of:

  • Working collaboratively to advance excellence and innovation in graduate research and education.
  • Fostering an outstanding graduate experience for our diverse student population.
  • Creating and promoting opportunities for graduate student and postdoctoral fellow professional development.
  • Advancing integrity and ethical conduct in graduate research and education.
  • Establishing policy and promoting best practices for graduate research and education.

The SGS Innovation in Graduate Professional Development fund supports both in-person and virtual initiatives for the U of T graduate students and postdoctoral communities. Preference will be given to initiatives that have significant U of T student / fellow participation in planning and implementation and / or prioritize U of T students and fellows as participants.

University-Wide Awards

The School of Graduate Studies offers between 15–20 awards annually through it’s University Wide Award (UWA) competition. Awards vary in terms of the specific eligibility criteria (merit, financial need, student citizenship, area of research etc.) Accordingly, applicants are encouraged to review the award-specific criteria outlined within each award description, to ensure they are eligible before submitting their application. See description of each award below.

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship

The Vanier CGS program aims to attract and retain world-class doctoral students by supporting students who demonstrate both leadership skills and a high standard of scholarly achievement in graduate studies in social sciences and humanities, natural sciences and engineering, and health. The Vanier CGS program strongly encourages candidates to pursue their studies beyond the university that granted their previous degree(s).

Walter C. Sumner Memorial Fellowships

Up to 40 Walter C. Sumner Memorial Fellowships will be awarded nationally to doctoral students who are registered or about to commence studies in Chemistry, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or Computer Science.

*At the discretion of the Foundation, the amount and value of the fellowships awarded could vary each year depending on applicant pool.