Students are strongly encouraged to apply for scholarships. In addition to being financially beneficial in the short term, they provide enduring long-term documentation of meritorious academic and research performance. Several prominent scholarships are described below (the School of Graduate Studies maintains a comprehensive list of scholarships, fellowships, loans, and bursaries).
Note: all eligible domestic students are expected to apply for OGS and NSERC scholarships. Application instructions will be sent to students in the fall.
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada
NSERC offers graduate scholarships to Canadian citizens and permanent residents in a Canada-wide competition. The scholarships are awarded on the basis of high academic achievement and evidence of skill at research. Applications may be made through the student’s home institution prior to admission to the University of Toronto. Eligible students in the Department are required to apply and submit applications in the fall. Additional information and application forms are available from NSERC.
Value: Canada Graduate Scholarships for master's students (CGS-M) are valued at $17,500. This scholarships is awarded for one year. Post-Graduate Scholarships for doctoral students (PGS D) are valued at $21,000 per year and Canada Graduate Scholarships for doctoral students (CGS-D) are valued at $35,000. These scholarships are awarded for three years.
Application deadline: late September for doctoral awards and early December for master's awards (please contact the Graduate Administrator for further details).
The Graduate Centre for Academic Communication (GCAC) offers a free course in writing NSERC proposals in early September.
Ontario Graduate Scholarships (OGS)
The Government of Ontario offers these graduate scholarships for tenure at Ontario universities. These scholarships are intended primarily for domestic students, however, a small number are available to visa students. Additional information and application forms are available from the SGS.
Value: $15,000 per year (three consecutive terms).
Application deadline: usually in the spring term (for further details, please contact the Graduate Administrator)
Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarships in Science and Technology (QEII-GSST)
The Department of Earth Sciences has a number of QEII awards available each year for domestic students. The award is designed to encourage excellence in graduate studies in science and technology.
Value: $15,000 for one academic year.
Application deadline: Applicants who apply for OGS awards are automatically considered for a QEII, and thus need not submit a separate application. Therefore, to be considered for QEII, applicants must have applied for OGS.