Indigenous Student and Postdoc Awards – School of Graduate Studies

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.

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.

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.

Inclusive Excellence Admissions Scholarships for Master’s Students

The School of Graduate Studies (SGS) Inclusive Excellence Admissions Scholarships (IEAS) aim to diversify academia by supporting the recruitment of underrepresented groups, specifically first-year Black and Indigenous master’s students to PhD-stream programs (i.e., MA, MSc, MSW, MEd, MPH, and other research and professional programs that are commonly a stepping-stone to a U of T PhD program). These scholarships are an SGS initiative developed in response to recommendations emerging from the Weecheehetowin Final Report of the Steering Committee for the University of Toronto Response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, The Anti-Black Racism Task Force Final Report, and the Scarborough Charter. These scholarships will increase graduate school opportunities for Black and Indigenous applicants whose paths to academia include significant accomplishments that may not be included in conventional graduate admission criteria.

Started in 2022, the 3-year pilot program will provide 100 admission scholarships over three years, each valued at $15,000, funded by SGS, to support the creation of new graduate funding packages and award opportunities for Black and Indigenous applicants who have potential to be highly successful (may require non-standard admission) but would otherwise remain unadmitted due to lack of funding availability (Departmental, Faculty or PI) in a funded program, or would not accept an offer of admission due to lack of resources to pay for an unfunded program. It is expected that the scholarship will enable the graduate unit to offer admission to these applicants, facilitated by this initiative and the availability of additional funding.

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.

Provost’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program

The University of Toronto Provost’s Postdoctoral Fellowship program provides funding to Graduate Faculties to increase opportunities for hiring postdoctoral fellows from underrepresented groups, specifically Indigenous and Black researchers only. These fellowships will enable postdoctoral researchers to grow their scholarly profiles, undertake academic work at the University of Toronto, and strengthen the research environment at the University with diverse perspectives.

This funding is designed to help the University compete with peer institutions for top-tier candidates, and to support the University in meeting its institutional goal of fostering increased diversity and representation at all levels of teaching, learning and research. Nominees must be nominated by their prospective Faculties/divisions following the timeline and processes outlined below. While the nomination/application process will normally begin with faculty advisors/mentors, funding for the successful nominees will be provided to their respective Faculty Research Office for administration.

Read about the recipients of the Provost’s Postdoctoral Fellows on the PPFP webpage.

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 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.