There are three main federal funding agencies (CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC) and a number of provincial funding agencies that offer awards to graduate students. Although applications for these awards are processed through the Office of the Dean of Graduate Studies, the funding agency makes the final decision.
If you are interested in applying to any of the external awards listed below, please check your eligibility, the application procedures and forms on the website of the target funding agency.
Some applications are done directly to the funding agency, but the majority of applications are made through the applicant's graduate program and home department. Applications submitted directly to the Dean of Graduate Studies office will not be accepted.
For applications being submitted directly to the funding agency, please refer to that agency's website for the deadline date. For applications that are processed through SFU, please contact your graduate program for the internal deadline.
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Accelerate BC Graduate Research Industrial Internship Program
Value: $15,000 - $10,000 stipend with a $5,000 research grant
Application deadline: none
Tenable: fall, spring or summer term
Available to all faculties, schools and departments at BC universities. It partners graduate student and postdoctoral fellow interns and their supervising professors in any discipline with BC companies, hospitals, government agencies and not-for-profit organizations. Graduate student interns spend 50% of their time over four months on site with the industrial partner researching an issue of interest to all parties. The balance of the intern’s time is spent at Simon Fraser University further advancing the research under the guidance of their faculty supervisor. The program is administered by MITACS, a federally-funded Network of Centres of Excellence. Apply through www.mitacsinternships.ca
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Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
Sir Frederick Banting and Dr. Charles Best CGS M Scholarships
Value: $17,500 year
Application deadline to the departments: December 6, 2010
Tenable: annual
How to Apply (http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/39310.html)
Terms of reference: The Canada Graduate Scholarships Master’s Awards administered by CIHR are intended to provide special recognition and support to students who are pursuing or intend to pursue a master’s degree in a health related field in Canada. Candidates are expected to have an exceptionally high potential for future research achievement and productivity. Candidates must have completed or be in the last year of a bachelor’s degree or have been enrolled for no more than 10 months as a full time student in a master’s program. Only those students engaged in full time master’s programs in which research is a major component and who are studying under the supervision of faculty members holding research funds obtained through a competitive peer reviewed process are eligible to apply.
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Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire War Memorial Doctoral Scholarships
Value: $12,000; $15,000
Application deadline: December 1
Terms of reference: Five scholarships will be offered for study towards a doctoral degree. A master’s degree or equivalent must be completed or in progress at time of application).
Eligibility: Canadian citizens; must have done or be doing postgraduate work.
Value: $12,000 for study in Canada, $15000 for study within the Commonwealth. Note: A candidate must apply in the province of the university from which he/she has graduated. Further information is available from the Office of the Dean of Graduate Studies.
Website: http://www.iode.ca/War-Memorial-Doctoral-Scholarship.aspx
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Mackenzie King Memorial Scholarships
Mackenzie King Open Scholarships
Value: $10,000 (subject to change)
Application deadline: February 1 to Dean of Graduate Studies.
Terms of reference: One award will be offered for study in any field at any university.
Eligibility: graduates of any Canadian university.
Website: http://www.mkingscholarships.ca/index-e.html
Mackenzie King Travelling Scholarships
Value: $11,000 (subject to change)
Application deadline: February 1 to Dean of Graduate Studies.
Terms of reference: Four scholarships are available for study in the fields of international or industrial relations (including the international or industrial aspects of law, history, politics and economics). Eligibility: Graduates of any Canadian university who propose to engage in postgraduate study of international relations or industrial relations in the United States or the United Kingdom.
Website: http://www.mkingscholarships.ca/index-e.html
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Minerva Foundation
Value: $10,000
Application deadline: May 1
Tenable: fall and spring terms
Terms of reference: A two-term award for a mature, single woman in a graduate or undergraduate program at Simon Fraser University. Granted on the basis of financial need and academic proficiency.
Website: http://www.theminervafoundation.com/programs/education/
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Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council Awards
Terms of reference: NSERC offers post-graduate awards and post doctoral fellowships in science including interdisciplinary research, physical geography and experimental psychology, and engineering. Canadian citizens and permanent residents who at the time of application are residing in Canada are eligible. An tutorial to assist with NSERC applications is available online and more information can be found at: www.nserc.ca.
Ingrid Woldenga (woldenga@sfu.ca) is the University Designate at SFU to upload transcripts, please address them to:
NSERC PGS M
Value: $17,300 for one year
Application deadline: October 6, 2010
Tenable: annual
Terms of reference: available to students for the first year of post-graduate study at the master’s level.
NSERC Alexander Graham Bell CGS M
Value: $17,500 for one year
Application deadline: October 6, 2010
Tenable: annual
NSERC PGS D
Value: $21,000 year
Application deadline: October 6, 2010
Tenable: annual
Terms of reference: tenable during the third and fourth or fourth and fifth year of doctoral study.
NSERC Alexander Graham Bell CGS D
Value: $35,000 per year for up to three years
Application deadline: October 6, 2010
Tenable: annual
NSERC Industrial Post-graduate Scholarships (IPS)
Industrial post-graduate scholarships provide financial support for highly qualified science and engineering graduates. The support allows them to gain research experience in industry while undertaking advanced studies in Canada. These scholarships are aimed at encouraging scholars to consider research careers in industry.
IPS 1
Value: $15,000 per year for up to two years plus company contribution of $6,000 minimum per year
Application deadline: may apply at any time
Tenable: annual, during the first three years of graduate study
IPS 2
Value: $15,000 per year for up to three years plus company contribution of $6,000 minimum per year
Application deadline: may apply at any time
Tenable: annual; must be held during the first four years of doctoral studies
NSERC Northern Research Internships
Value: $10,000
Tenable: summer term
Application deadline: anytime
Terms of reference: For senior undergraduate or graduate students or post-doctoral fellows pursuing research in the Canadian North, in natural sciences departments or in engineering. Must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. Contact the Office of the Dean of Graduate Studies for further information.
NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRAs)
Value: $5,625
Application deadline: January
Tenable: summer, fall or spring
Terms of reference:
To encourage undergraduate students to pursue a research career or diversify their research experience in the natural sciences and engineering, with the intent of potentially undertaking graduate studies upon completion of their bachelor’s degree. USRA recipients are employed as research assistants working on a specific research project with a faculty supervisor for a 16-week period during the summer, fall or spring term.
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Northern Scientific Training Program (NSTP)
Value: varies
Application deadline: mid-November latest
Tenable: summer term
Terms of reference: This program is administered by Simon Fraser University on behalf of the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs to assist with funding of graduate student research. NSTP will help pay for transportation and living costs while conducting practical field experiences in northern Canada.
Eligibility: Students must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Further information is available from the Office of the Dean of Graduate Studies, MBC 1100
Website: http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/nth/st/nstp/aw/index-eng.asp
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Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions Fellowships (PICS)
Value: $12,000/Masters & $18,000/PhD
Application deadline: March 21, 2011 (Directly to the program office at UVic)
Tenable: fall, spring, summer
Terms of reference: One year fellowships offered by the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions in collaboration with BC’s four research intensive universities and the province to build capacity in priority areas of climate research. Research topics must be in one of the following four areas: understanding future climate; understanding the implications; developing solutions and assessing options; and communicating the issues. Priority will be given to entering students and those who are in the early stages of their graduate program at Simon Fraser University.
Website: http://www.pics.uvic.ca/fellowships.php
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Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research Trainee Award Programs
Postdoctoral Fellowship Award
Value: $35,000 to $45,000
Research/travel allowance: $4,000 per year
Application deadline: varies
Tenable: Initially for two years, with the possibility of an additional one year extension.
Terms of reference: To enable highly qualified post graduates to prepare for careers in health research as independent investigators in biomedical research, clinical research, research respecting health systems and health services, research on societal, cultural and environmental influences on health and the health of populations. Information and application forms are available through the Office of the Dean of Graduate Studies, MBC 1100. Applications, guidelines and information regarding eligibility are also available for download from the MSFHR website locate at www.msfhr.org
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Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Awards
Alexander Graham Bell Canada Graduate Scholarships (CGS) Master’s Program
Value: $17,500 per year
Application deadline to departments: November 5, 2010
Tenable: One year, non-renewable
Terms of reference: Applicants must be applying for support to pursue a first graduate degree and not have completed, by the time of taking up the award, more than 12 months of full-time study.
Alexander Graham Bell DCGS Doctoral Scholarships
Value: $35,000 per year for up to three years
Application deadline to departments: November 5, 2010
Tenable: Annual
Website: www.sshrc.ca. Further information is available from the Office of the Dean of Graduate Studies.
*NEW* A SSHRC Resource Centre for Students has been created to help students plan for, prepare, and complete SSHRC applications. It provides tips for preparing successful master's or doctoral applications, frequently asked questions about the application process, and the checklists to help studetns finalize their applications for submissions.
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Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarship
Value:Up to $60,000
Application deadline: November 12
Tenable: annual award, up to three years of funding
Terms of reference:
Fifteen awards are awarded nationally each year to outstanding students in the social sciences and humanities who are enrolled in their first or second year of a PhD program, or entering a doctoral program. Research must be in one of four themes of the foundation. Application through Simon Fraser University. See www.trudeaufoundation.ca for full information.
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Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (CGS)
Value: $50,000 per year (up to three years)
Tenable: annual
Deadline to Departments: September 28, 2011
Terms of reference: To attract and retain world-class doctoral students who demonstrate leadership skills and a high standard of scholarly achievement in doctoral studies at Canadian universities. Canada's three federal granting agencies (Canadian Institutes of Health Research [CIHR], Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council [NSERC] and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council [SSHRC]) will provide a nomination quota to each Canadian university. Canadian, permanent residents and international students are eligible for consideration. Candidates must be nominated for a Vanier CGS via a Canadian university with a Vanier quota and be seeking support to pursue their first PhD.
Visit www.vanier.gc.ca for further information.
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Worksafe Research Training Awards
Value: $20,000, with a $2,500 research and travel allowance
Application deadline: March
Tenable: annual award