Federal and provincial scholarships support high-caliber graduate students demonstrating strong academic excellence, research ability/potential, and outstanding professional or personal achievements.
Each competition has its own specific eligibility criteria. Prior to applying, you are encouraged to visit each scholarship webpage to confirm your eligibility. If you have specific scholarship questions after reviewing the scholarship webpage, contact your department graduate co-ordinator. If you are a prospective graduate student and have questions, please connect with the program contact as identified on each graduate program page.
Application checklist
Each major external scholarship application requires you to follow the steps below. It's important to start the process as soon as possible!
- Confirm your eligibility and read the application instructions.
- Familiarize yourself with the transcript instructions and request your transcripts on time.
- Talk to prospective referees about reference letters. Be sure to provide them with detailed instructions and any appropriate website links to assist them with writing and informed reference.
- References must be uploaded before your application can be submitted, so make sure to tell your referees to submit their reference ahead of the deadline to ensure you can submit on time!
- Work on your research proposal/program statement. See our tips for writing a strong statement.
- Complete the application and submit it by the deadline.
- Apply for admission to a graduate program at Waterloo, if applicable.
Referee selection
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Select referees who know you well and can make an informed assessment based on the evaluation criteria. It is recommended that at least one referee be someone who knows you from an academic perspective (e.g., a current or previous supervisor). A mentor or a supervisor from an industry setting may be appropriate as long as they can assess you based on the evaluation criteria.
- Be up front and ask your potential referees if they are able to provide a reference letter that can address your strengths based on the evaluation criteria and ensure they are committed to taking the time to write it. Remember, the references (also known as assessments) must be submitted to the application portal before you can submit your application.
- Reference letters should highlight qualities such as academic and non-academic leadership as well as research ability/potential, academic accomplishments, and the importance of any publications, if applicable. Provide your referees with a package of information that will assist them in writing a strong appraisal. This package should contain:
- Current curriculum vitae
- Transcripts
- A list of research contributions
- A list of community involvement or other extracurricular activities that demonstrate your leadership qualities
- A copy of your research proposal
- When requesting reference letters, ask your referees to comment on the broader impact of your research—such as its significance to society, governance, industry, or other relevant sectors—and to highlight the influence of your publications and contributions.
It's more important to choose a referee who knows you well and can offer informed insight rather than a referee with a prominent title.
Research proposals
Articulating your research contribution
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Craft a strong narrative. Your proposal should tell a compelling story about your research and its potential impact. Even in theoretical fields like mathematics or physics, clearly explain what you aim to prove and why it matters.
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Position your research. Describe how your work fits within the current research landscape. What gap does it address? What makes it innovative?
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Balance feasibility and impact. Demonstrate both your capacity to carry out the research (Is it realistic? Are the methods sound?) and the significance of the work (Why is it important? Who benefits?).
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Structure it like a martini glass. Begin with the big picture, narrow down to your specific research question, outline your methods and analysis plan, and explain how your work contributes to broader societal or disciplinary goals.
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Align with agency priorities. If your research supports a funding agency’s strategic priorities or action items, make this connection explicit in your proposal.
Writing and tone
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Use space and visuals wisely. Organize your proposal with clear headings and subheadings. Use visuals only if they enhance understanding and clarity.
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Write clearly and accessibly. Avoid jargon and define acronyms at first use. Ensure your writing is understandable to an interdisciplinary academic audience.
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Be confident and intentional. Use assertive language like “I will” rather than “I would like to,” but avoid exaggeration that could undermine your credibility.
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Use high-quality references. Cite credible, scholarly sources to support your arguments and acknowledge the ideas of others appropriately.
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Proofread carefully. Ensure your proposal is free of spelling and grammatical errors.
Equity, tools, and support
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Incorporate EDI guidance. If working with equity-deserving groups, refer to NSERC’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion guidelines and SSHRC's Guide to Including Diversity Considerations in Research Design.
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Use Generative AI responsibly. If incorporating GenAI in your process, review Waterloo's guidance on AI use.
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Seek diverse feedback. Ask peers from outside your discipline to review your draft as they can offer valuable clarity and perspective.
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Use campus writing supports. Access services from the Writing and Communication Centre, such as one-on-one consultations, workshops, and writing cafés.
Get expert feedback
When your draft is ready, share it with someone familiar with your research area. Consider reaching out to:
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Your current or prospective supervisor
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A faculty member recommended by your graduate chair/officer
Note: SharePoint login with WatIAM credentials is required. Proposal requirements may have changed since these samples were posted, so always consult the current application instructions.
Publications and experience
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The number of publications expected can vary widely depending on your discipline and stage of study. Reviewers understand these differences and will take them into account.
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If you have limited publications, focus on your relevant research experience. You likely demonstrated some research ability when applying to your graduate program. Build on your existing research ability by highlighting relevant work, undergraduate research projects, or other hands-on experiences that showcase your skills and potential.
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Clearly distinguish between peer-reviewed and non-peer-reviewed publications.
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Explain the importance and impact of your publications and research experiences. Why do they matter? Who benefits from them?
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While peer-reviewed publications are valued, other forms of research dissemination, such as blogs, public-facing articles, or presentations, can also be impactful. For example, a well-received blog post about your research may not be academically cited but could have strong societal or disciplinary relevance. Don’t undervalue these contributions.
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Where possible, connect your professional or industry experience to your academic work. How have the insights or skills gained through your work prepared you to succeed as a researcher? How do they strengthen your case for the scholarship?
Emphasize what you do have, rather than what you don’t. Reflect on your experiences and present them with confidence.
Special circumstances
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Refer to the specific scholarship instructions as each competition outlines what can be included in this section.
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Only address events/situations that impacted your academic progress or explain gaps in your academic record.
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Focus on substantial issues. Do not include minor concerns such as a single lower-than-expected grade or personal disagreements with supervisors.
Institutional selection committee review
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At Waterloo, the institutional selection committee is chaired by the Interim Associate-Vice President, GSPA and includes the six Faculty Associate Deans , Graduate Studies (ARTS, ENG, ENV, HEALTH, MATH, SCI) or their designates.
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Each application is reviewed by two committee members: one from your faculty and one from outside your faculty.
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Reviewer scores are compared and applications with the highest scores move forward in the competition.
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Reviewers have limited time to assess each application, so it’s essential to engage them quickly and clearly.
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Ensure your proposal is compelling, well-organized, and demonstrates both clarity and feasibility. Reviewers should come away excited about the potential outcomes of your research.