Recognition Reception awards and scholarships

AI & Data Science Challenge Award

Bishop Arthur Brown Award

This award was created to recognize the strong commitment of Bishop Arthur Brown, Chancellor Emeritus of Renison University College. The Bishop Arthur Brown Award supports full- or part-time Bachelor of Social Work and/or Master of Social Work students who have active experience in the community service or community care-giving.

Catherine and Feridun Hamdullahpur Graduate Scholarship

This scholarship, valued at $2,000, is awarded annually to a graduate student registered full-time in any master's or doctoral program at the University of Waterloo. This scholarship has been established by gifts made in honour of President Feridun Hamdullahpur. 

Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Banting and Best Canada Graduate Scholarship - Master's and Doctoral

This program provides special recognition and support to students who are pursuing a master's or doctoral degree in a health-related field in Canada. The specific objectives of this funding are to provide recognition and funding to students early in their academic research career, providing them with an opportunity to gain research experience, and to provide a reliable supply of highly skilled and qualified researchers. 

CIHR Canada Graduate Scholarship - Foreign Study Supplement

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.

GRADFlix Research Communication Award

This award of up to $750 is given annually to graduate students who presented their research in front of an adjudication panel.

Graduate Award for Black and Indigenous Students

This is a $5000 scholarship awarded to Black or Indigenous students in their first year of a doctoral program. Selection is based on academic achievement as well as any academic or non-academic extracurricular, volunteer, leadership, or entrepreneurial-related experiences they have been involved in within the last 3 years.

International Master's Award of Excellence (IMAE)

The International Master’s Award of Excellence will be awarded to eligible international master’s students normally entering a research-based graduate program at the University of Waterloo. Faculties will nominate eligible students based on the Faculty’s award allocation. Students will be selected based on academic excellence as demonstrated through their application for admission to the graduate program.

Jean and William Leach Memorial Scholarship

This award has been established in the loving memory of Jean and William Leach by their daughter's family. The award is presented to a graduate student currently registered full-time in the Health Studies Master's or Doctoral program.

John Christopher Toushan Graduate Scholarship in Mental Health

A scholarship, valued at $4,000, will be awarded annually to a graduate student registered full time in the Faculty of Health who is conducting research on mental health impacting children, teenagers or young adults.

KCCF Indigenous Award

This award valued at $4000 is given to a Renison registered undergraduate student who identifies as First Nations (Status or non-status). Métis or Inuit. 

Lyle S. Hallman Graduate Research Scholarship

The Lyle S. Hallman Graduate Research Scholarship was established for a student entering a graduate studies program in Health. This award has been made possible through a donation from Lyle S. Hallman OC, LL.D. Mr. Hallman was a major benefactor of the University of Waterloo, local philanthropist, and business leader.

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Alexander Graham Bell Canada Graduate Scholarship - Masters and Doctoral

Provides financial support to high caliber scholars who are engaged in a doctoral or masters program. The Canada Graduate Scholarship - Doctoral (CGS D) will be offered to the top-ranked applicants and the next tier of meritorious applicants will be offered a Post-Graduate Scholarship - Doctoral(PGS D). This support allows these scholars to fully concentrate on their studies and seek out the best research mentors in their chosen fields.

NSERC Postgraduate Scholarship - Doctoral

NSERC rewards excellence and nurtures Canada’s brightest young minds by funding top students in Canada’s post-secondary institutions. NSERC Undergraduate Research Awards enable the recipient to gain research experience by working full time with an NSERC grant holder on a research project in a university laboratory.

Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS)

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. 

Provost Doctoral Entrance Award for Women

The main purpose of this award is to provide any outstanding full-time female doctoral student (Canadian citizen, permanent resident or student on a study permit) an entrance scholarship in the amount of $5,000 for one year. The award is normally paid across two terms.

Queen Elizabeth II (QEII) Graduate Scholarship in Science and Technology

The Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship in Science and Technology (QEII-GSST) programs encourage excellence in graduate studies at publicly-assisted universities in Ontario. In 1998, the Ontario government introduced the QEII-GSST, a merit-based scholarship program targeted specifically toward graduate students in science and technology.

Recreation and Leisure Studies Alumni Endowment Scholarship of Graduate Studies

An award may be given annually on entrance to the MA program when a student, admitted directly from the University of Waterloo Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies honours program to the master's program, is judged to be outstanding. The criteria will include community service and overall academic excellence.

Ross and Doris Dixon Graduate Scholarship in Health

This award, valued at up to $1,000, is available annually to an outstanding full-time student enrolled in Year Two, Three or Four in the Faculty of Health who has a minimum overall average of 80%. Preference will be given to students who have a solid record of extracurricular and/or volunteer involvement.

The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Canada Graduate Scholarship - Foreign Study Supplement

Foreign Study Supplements support high-calibre Canadian graduate students in building global linkages and international networks through the pursuit of exceptional research experiences at research institutions abroad. 

SSHRC Doctoral Fellowship

The SSHRC Doctoral Fellowships support high-calibre students engaged in doctoral programs in the social sciences and humanities. This support allows scholars to fully focus on their doctoral studies, to seek out the best research mentors in their chosen fields, and to contribute to the Canadian research ecosystem during and beyond the tenure of their awards.

SSHRC J. Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarship - Master's and Doctoral

The Canada Graduate Scholarship - Master's (CGS-M) Program provides financial support to high-caliber scholars who are engaged in eligible Master’s or, in some cases, Doctoral programs in Canada. This support helps to allow these scholars to fully concentrate on their studies in their chosen fields.

SSHRC Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship

The SSHRC Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS) program was created to attract and retain world-class doctoral students and to establish Canada as a global centre of excellence in research and higher learning. Vanier Scholars demonstrate leadership skills and a high standard of scholarly achievement in the natural sciences and engineering, social sciences and humanities, and health-related fields. 

Susan Pearce and Leslie Harwood Endowment Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded annually to a full-time graduate student registered in the Faculty of Health based on scholastic excellence and a demonstrated interest in research related to aging and older populations, including Alzheimer's disease and dementia. The goal is that this scholarship will be awarded in conjunction with major external scholarships that require a matching or enhancement component. This fund is made possible through donations from Ken Murray and his daughters, Susan Pearce, and Leslie Harwood.

Waterloo AI Institute Graduate Scholarship

Waterloo AI Institute Graduate Scholarships, valued at $5,000, is awarded to graduate students registered full-time who are conducting research under supervisors affiliated with the Artificial Intelligence Institute at the University of Waterloo. Selection is based on academic achievement and demonstrated expertise in artificial intelligence.

William Laing Memorial Award

Renison University College values diversity and equity in our student body, and has designed this scholarship with the estate of William Laing to address historical and contemporary injustices that have created barriers to higher education for members of marginalized groups; particularly Indigenous, Black, and students of colour.

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"Proudly She Marched" - Jocelyn Cowan Scholarship

A scholarship is provided annually to an outstanding student enrolled in third or fourth year of the Health Studies program in the Faculty of Health or the Biomedical Sciences program in the Faculty of Science who intends to pursue a career in medicine. To be eligible for consideration, candidates must have a minimum cumulative average of 80%. Preference will be given to candidates who have a record of health-care related extracurricular or volunteer involvement. Preference will also be given to female candidates.

This scholarship is funded by the Canadian Federation of University Women Kitchener-Waterloo Charitable Fund (CFUW K-W Charitable Fund) from the proceeds of the sale of the two-volume “Proudly She Marched: Training Canada’s World War II Women in Waterloo County” which was written and published by CFUW K-W to raise awareness of the significant contributions of women veterans to the history of Canada, and through a bequest from the late Jocelyn Cowan’s family. As a young woman, Jocelyn attended medical school in Manitoba before moving to Waterloo. Over the years she was an active and strong supporter of CFUW K-W as well as one of the founding members of the CFUW K-W Charitable Fund.

Andrea Fraser Memorial Award

This endowment fund was established by classmates and friends in memory of Andrea Louise Fraser, BSc. One or more awards are presented to third- or fourth-year Kinesiology students who hold a minimum 75% average, show a special interest in rehabilitation and are widely involved in class and athletic endeavours.

Barkat Ali Community Service Award

An award, valued at $2,500, will be given annually to a full-time undergraduate student enrolled in Year Three or Four of any program at the University of Waterloo. Selection is based on academic achievement (minimum 80% cumulative average) combined with an essay (1,000 words maximum) describing the positive impact they have had on their community through involvement in volunteer activities related to community service. This fund is made possible by a donation from the family of Barkat Ali, who was involved in community service and political engagement throughout his life. This award will continue his legacy of giving back to the community and improving the lives of its residents.

BMO Financial Group Undergraduate Entrance Scholarship

Several scholarships, valued at up to $5,000 each, will be awarded annually to outstanding students entering first year at the University of Waterloo, St. Jerome's University, or Renison University College. This fund is made possible by a donation from the Bank of Montreal (BMO). It is BMO's desire to make continuous learning a reality for everyone by creating opportunity for students at all levels and in every stage of life.

Catherine P. Tracy Memorial Scholarship

One scholarship is awarded annually on the basis of academic excellence to an outstanding undergraduate student entering first year in the Department of Kinesiology. This fund is made possible by a donation from Jeff and Pat Tracy, parents of 1980 Kinesiology graduate, Catherine Tracy, who died in March 2009 after a valiant struggle with brain cancer.

Chachra Family Entrance Scholarship

One scholarship, valued at up to $1,500, is awarded annually to an outstanding student entering first year of a program in the Faculty of Health. This fund is made possible by a donation from Fakir and Saroj Chachra, in honour of their niece, Vidhi Adlakha, who received her BSc. in Honours Health Studies in 2005.

Croatian Language Learning Award

These awards are provided to undergraduate students who have successfully completed CROAT 101 or CROAT 102 in the Department of Germanic and Slavic Studies. Selection is made based on academic achievement.

Co-op Student of the Year

Every year, one student from each Faculty is presented with a Co-op Student of the Year Award for making exceptional contributions to their employer on one or more of their work terms.

Dr. Stanley F. Leavine Scholarship

A scholarship, valued at $2,500, is provided annually to an outstanding third- or fourth-year undergraduate student enrolled in any program who has a demonstrated interest in pursuing a career in medicine or medical research, as evidenced by work or volunteer experiences and/or involvement in entrepreneurial activities related to medical innovation. Candidates must have a minimum overall average of 80% or more. 

e-Launch Award

Up to five awards, valued at $5,000 each, will be provided each term to full-time undergraduate students enrolled in the Conrad Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology Centre (Conrad) Enterprise Co-op program (E-Co-op) based on clarity of business description, independent development of work plan and milestones, and preparedness to lead a venture or social enterprise. The E-Launch award is given out at the beginning of the E-Co-op term in a competitive process where students give presentations to a panel of external judges based on criteria of clarity, problem-solution fit (or product-market fit), and work plan.

Howard and Ilma Green Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded annually to a full-time undergraduate student enrolled in Year Three or Four in the Department of Kinesiology. Selection will be based on academic excellence and demonstrated interest in research. This fund is made possible by an annual donation from Howard Green.

James and Elise Devitt Entrance Scholarship

One or two scholarships, valued at up to $2,000 each, are awarded annually to outstanding students entering first year in any Faculty or program. This fund is made possible by a donation from Elise Devitt, a retired Waterloo staff member, in memory of her husband, T. James Devitt.

Jean and Raymond Yu First Generation Award

This award, valued at $2,000, is provided annually to a full-time undergraduate student enrolled in Year Two, Three, or Four of any program in the Faculty of Arts or the Faculty of Health. Selection is based on academic achievement and an essay describing the impact this award will have on the student's ability to pursue their educational goals. Preference will be given to students who are part of the first generation in their family to attend post-secondary education. This fund is made possible by a donation from Amanda Yu (MA '00), in honour of her parents Jean and Raymond Yu.

John Buchholzer Award

The John Buchholzer Award is awarded annually to a senior Recreation and Leisure Studies student in their final year, or a graduate of the Spring Convocation of that year. The award is intended to recognize a student who has faced a major personal challenge, but exhibits the determination to graduate. Some examples include, but are not limited to, the following: physically challenged, mature student, single parent. The recipient will have their name added to a plaque.

Joseph H. Lang Scholarship

This scholarship, valued at up to $6,000, is awarded to an outstanding student entering Year One. Preference is given to those who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents and who attended an eligible secondary school in the Region of Waterloo. The scholarship honours the Lang family which operated one of the largest and most important businesses in the Waterloo region for 130 years.

Kate Kenny Memorial Award

This award has been established in loving memory of Kate Kenny. The award is presented annually to a $250, is presented annually to a third- or fourth-year full-time Kinesiology student intent on specializing in chiropractic health care. Students who have an interest in chiropractic health care, who have shown a unique desire to help others through participation as a varsity trainer or other related experience, and who have demonstrated leadership as evidenced by involvement in university extracurricular activities and student organizations may apply.

Kaiulani Carr Award

The Kaiulani Carr Award is awarded annually to a senior Recreation and Leisure Studies student in recognition of superior contribution, academically, professionally, and personally, to the Department, Faculty, and student body. Selection is based on academic standing, other evidence of scholarship, involvement in student life, professional involvement, and other personal factors. The recipient will have their name added to a plaque.

Kinesiology Award: A Noble Pursuit

One or more awards, valued at up to $1,000 each, are provided annually to full-time undergraduate students enrolled in Year Three or Four in the Department of Kinesiology who have made an impact in the healthcare field through research, volunteer activities and/or co-op experiences. Candidates must have a minimum overall average of 80%. Interested students should submit an application by November 1. This fund is made possible by a gift from Ronald N. Noble, BSc. ’80 to encourage students to apply their academics in the real world.

Lois Matthews Scholarship

Three scholarships are awarded annually to the full-time students with the highest overall cumulative academic average (minimum 80%) at the completion of year two; one in each of Honours Health Studies, Honours Kinesiology, and Honours Recreation and Leisure Studies.

Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine Award

This award is given annually to a full-time undergraduate student enrolled in Year Two, Three, or Four of any program. Selection will be based on a combination of academic achievement  and an essay describing the demonstrable contributions they have made to the African, Caribbean, or Black communities within Canada through extracurricular or volunteer involvement. This fund is made possible by a generous donation from Briana C. Holmes, BMath ’90, to honour friend Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine.

Lyle S. Hallman Entrance Scholarship

Three scholarships, valued at up to $2,500 each, are awarded to outstanding students entering Kinesiology, Health Studies or Public Health, and Recreation and Leisure Studies. These awards have been made possible through a donation from the late Lyle S. Hallman, OC, LLD. Hallman was a major benefactor of the University of Waterloo, local philanthropist, and business leader.

Marion J. Todd Memorial Award

An award, valued at $500, is presented annually to a full-time, Honours Co-operative Health Studies student entering third or fourth year. Selection will be based on a minimum overall average of 75% and demonstrated interest in health-related research as evidenced by work-term experience or other related activities. Preference will be given to female applicants. This award has been established in memory of Marion Todd (BSc 1974) who was working as an epidemiologist at Health Canada at the time of her death. 

Mary N. Bales Entrance Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded annually to outstanding students admitted to the first year of an undergraduate program in any Faculty at the University of Waterloo. This fund was established in 2004 by Mary Bales, MEnglish '72 and MPhil '73 and 2002 recipient of the Arts Alumni Achievement Award.

Michael Gellner Memorial Scholarship

A scholarship is presented annually to a Health Studies or Kinesiology student enrolled in third or fourth year. This award is to be given to a deserving student with an excellent academic record (minimum 80% overall average), who will complete a degree in either of the above plans. Preference will be given to a student who has demonstrated interest in heart-related research. 

Michael Houston Memorial Scholarship

One scholarship, valued at up to $1,000, is awarded annually to an outstanding undergraduate student entering first-year studies in the Department of Kinesiology. This fund is made possible by memorial donations from family and friends of Michael Houston, a former professor in the Department of Kinesiology. He was a dedicated teacher and an international scholar in exercise physiology who played a key role in helping define the discipline of kinesiology as it was emerging in the 1960s until his death in 2008.

Michael T. Sharratt Award

This award, valued at $1,000, is provided annually to a full-time undergraduate student enrolled in Year Three or Four of any program in the Faculty of Health. Selection is based on academic achievement (minimum 75% cumulative average) combined with extracurricular and leadership involvement in sports (varsity or other), and participation in volunteer activities at UW or in the community beyond. This fund is made possible by donations honouring the memory of Dr. Michael T. Sharratt and his life of teaching, leadership and service, including his outstanding contributions to the Faculty of Health during his term as Dean from 1998 – 2005.

Recreation and Leisure Studies Founders Entrance Scholarship

This scholarship, valued at $1,000, is awarded annually to a full-time undergraduate student entering Year One in the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies on the basis of academic achievement combined with recreation-based community involvement and leadership as assessed through the Admission Information Form. This fund was established to honour the founders of the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies: Jack Pearse, Chuck Griffith, and David Ng.

Recreation Undergraduate Honours Thesis Award

This award, valued at $1,000, was established by the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies to encourage high-calibre students to consider undertaking an honours thesis, and to assist in providing financial support for some of the research expenses incurred. The award is available to students enrolled in REC 471A or 471B and may be applied for in any term. Applicants must submit a proposal describing their research topic, method of data collection, budget for research expenses, and an explanation as to how the money would assist in conducting the research.

Robert A. Fern Memorial Award

One award, valued at up to $400, may be presented to a senior undergraduate or graduate student in the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies who has made a significant contribution in either volunteer work with persons with disabilities or applied research which has relevance to the lives of persons with disabilities. Interested third-year and fourth-year undergraduates and graduate students are invited to apply. This award honours the memory of Robert A. Fern, an employee of Parks Canada and the Department of Canadian Heritage, who was recognized world wide as a leader in advancing accessibility and participation by persons with disabilities in all aspects of society.

Robin Atchison Prize

This prize is presented to a student who has made an exceptional overall contribution to the intellectual, creative, and collegial life of the Theatre and Performance program.

Ron May Memorial Award

An award, valued at up to $1,000, has been established in memory of Ron May, a member of the first Honours Co-op Recreation Class of 1973. This award is given annually to a third- or fourth- year Honours Recreation and Leisure Studies student who has maintained a minimum 75% average and who is involved in, or has contributed to, intramural athletics and has demonstrated interest and involvement in community recreation and sport activities.

Ronald George, Florence Elizabeth and Ronald Thomas Bolce Scholarship

A scholarship, valued at up to $3,000, will be awarded annually to a full-time undergraduate student enrolled in Year One of the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences. Selection will be based on academic excellence (minimum 85% admission average) and extracurricular involvement as assessed through the Admission Information Form. This award is made possible in loving memory of Ronald George and Florence Elizabeth Bolce and in honour of Ronald Thomas Bolce.

Shad Valley Alumni Entrance Scholarship

These scholarships are awarded to Shad Valley alumni who are entering first year of an undergraduate program in any Faculty at the University of Waterloo.

University of Waterloo - Waterloo County Entrance Scholarship

The University of Waterloo is pleased to offer several scholarships to outstanding students entering the University from eligible secondary schools in the Region of Waterloo. These scholarships are funded in part by the Ford S. Kumpf Endowment Fund, the Gladys and Norman Raiter Memorial Endowment Fund, the Mr. and Mrs. C.W. Snider Memorial Endowment Fund, and the Waterloo County Entrance Scholarship Endowment Fund.

University of Waterloo Alumni @ Microsoft Entrance Scholarship

These scholarships are awarded annually to outstanding students entering first year of any program in the Faculties of Arts, Environment, Health, Science, or in the Software Engineering program. This fund is made possible through donations from Waterloo alumni employed with Microsoft Corporation.

University of Waterloo Entrance Scholarship

These scholarships are awarded annually to outstanding students admitted to Year One of an undergraduate degree program.

University of Waterloo International Student Entrance Scholarship

Twenty scholarships, valued at $10,000 each, are awarded annually to outstanding international students admitted to Year One of an undergraduate degree program. International students must have an admission average of 90% or above to be considered.

University of Waterloo Retiree's Scholarship

Several scholarships, valued at up to $1,000 each, are awarded annually to outstanding students entering first year of any University of Waterloo program. This fund is made possible by the support of University of Waterloo retirees.

University of Waterloo Staff Association Award

These awards are provided annually to full- or part-time undergraduate or graduate students enrolled in a degree program at the University of Waterloo who are affiliated with the UW Staff Association (UWSA) as a member or as the child, spouse, grandchild, or dependent of a current UWSA member.

Walter A. Bean Waterloo Region Community Foundation Scholarship

Up to four scholarships are awarded to students from Waterloo Region, enrolled in Year One of any undergraduate program at the University of Waterloo who are recipients of a Waterloo County Entrance Scholarship or the Joseph H. Lang Scholarship. Selection is based on academic achievement combined with leadership and good citizenship through extensive involvement in extracurricular and/or volunteer activities within high school or the community. This scholarship honours the late Walter A. Bean, LLD., a distinguished friend of the University and business community leader in Kitchener-Waterloo for several decades. It is funded by an endowment with Waterloo Region Community Foundation.

Warren Lavery Memorial Award

An award, valued at up to $1,000, has been established in memory of Warren Lavery, a first-year Kinesiology student who excelled both academically and in extracurricular activities. Full-time undergraduate Kinesiology students who have completed first year with a minimum overall average of 83% are invited to apply in second year. The successful candidate will also have demonstrated a strong interest and/or accomplishment in extracurricular activities with a strong emphasis on athletics and will have demonstrated leadership qualities through involvement in extracurricular activities within the University.

Waterloo - Wellington Science and Engineering Fair Scholarship

These scholarships are awarded to the senior gold medal winners of the Waterloo-Wellington Science and Engineering Fair competition who enroll in first-year studies in any undergraduate program at the University of Waterloo.

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