Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA) is pleased to announce the launch of the Graduate Student Research Dissemination Award (GSRDA).This new award will replace the Graduate Studies Conference Assistantship (GSCA) effective May 1, 2023.
Through a commitment of financial support from the Graduate Studies Endowment Fund (GSEF) and Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA) this award is aimed at encouraging full-time or part-time graduate students to present their own research (oral, poster, paper) at an academic conference and engage in academic dialogue within their field of study and research. To be eligible to apply, students must be presenting their research.
GSRDA applications are now being accepted for conferences between May 1, 2023 to April 30, 2024. Awards are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, with the annual budget split across three terms - more budget will normally be allocated to the Spring term. Applications will be accepted each term until funds are depleted, at which time, an update will be made to the Competition Status section of the website.
Highlighted changes and benefits of the new Graduate Student Research Dissemination Award (GSRDA):
| Differences | GSRDA – NEW as of May 1, 2023 | GSCA – discontinued as of April 30, 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Award value | Awards are now two-tiered, set-value based on conference type: $250 for virtual conferences, $500 for in-person conferences. | Up to $500 based on expenses incurred. |
| Method of payment | Funds will now be paid as an award and coded to student’s Quest account according to Graduate Awards Payments regulations; Awards paid directly from GSPA-managed accounts. | Paid as a reimbursement via Concur while navigating selection of multiple accounts |
| Timing of payment | Awards disbursed prior to the conference*. | Reimbursements paid after conference. |
| Additional funding | Applicants no longer need to secure additional funding from other sources in order to be approved. Applicants are encouraged to still seek additional support from other sources to assist with their expenses. | Applicants required to secure additional funding from department/supervisor/faculty in order to be approved. |
| Opportunity to promote graduate student research |
To support internal tracking of research activity, students are now strongly encouraged to share their SCOPUS / ORCID ID at the time of application. Collection of research summaries and expected outcomes provided by the applicant on the application form may now be published on the GSPA website. |
Data not available for promotion purposes. |
*students are required to notify GSPA if their attendance type changes or they no longer plan on attending; GSPA will adjust award accordingly
*GSPA will perform audits of select award recipients to ensure students have adhered to award regulations.
For more information, review the Graduate Student Research Dissemination Award Application Form.