Funding opportunities for graduate students
We encourage all graduate students to apply for both internal and external awards for which they may be eligible. Before submitting any applications, we encourage you to take the time to consult with the ECE Graduate Funding Coordinator and thoroughly review the terms and conditions of each award. This will help you understand how each award interacts with your existing funding. Note that the list of awards provided below is not exhaustive and may be subject to change.
Minimum funding
The minimum funding is the base amount you will receive annually during your two years of MASc study or four years of PhD study. If you do not hold any other awards, your research supervisor will provide you with a Graduate Research Studentship (GRS) to cover this minimum funding level. Please be aware that the minimum funding level is subject to adjustment in accordance with university and departmental regulations.
Funding that can supplement the minimum funding
In addition to the minimum funding, several sources of funding can be added on top, regardless of the source of your minimum funding. These additional funding sources include:
- Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTAs)
- Faculty of Engineering Term Activity Awards
- Entrance Scholarships
- International Doctoral Student Award (IDSA)
- International Master’s Award of Excellence (IMAE)
If your minimum funding is covered by a Graduate Research Studentship (GRS), these additional awards will further increase your total funding.
Funding that can replace the minimum funding
Some major awards, typically valued over $15,000/year, can contribute towards the minimum funding level. At the discretion of your research advisor, these awards may reduce the amount of GRS funding you receive. Examples of such awards include:
- Tri-Council (NSERC, SSHRC, CIHR) CGSM
- Tri-Council (NSERC, SSHRC, CIHR) PGSD and CGSD
- IBET Momentum Fellowship
- OGS/QEII-GSST
- Ripple Graduate Fellowship
Note: The decision to adjust GRS funding based on major awards is at the discretion of your research advisor.