Awards and scholarships

The University of Waterloo Senate sets the minimum amounts for PhD students each year, with changes typically being made each May. 

Information about the PhD funding can be found on the GSPA Minimum funding web page. 

Beginning in May 2018 the Waterloo minimum level of support for PhD students is $23,043. 

All funding is contingent on satisfactory academic progress throughout the duration of a student's program. 

PhD2 - Typical 4-year PhD

This commitment applies to the first four years (12 terms) of full-time enrolment in a doctoral program for students in the PhD2 Program. These students typically hold a Master's/MASc degree with a thesis component. This is the most common PhD program type. 

PhD3 - From a Bachelor's Degree

In Spring 2017, Engineering's Academic Policy Committee (APC)  approved to extend this minimum funding commitment to the first five years (15 terms) of full-time enrolment in graduate studies at the University of Waterloo for students in the PhD3 program. 

PhD3 students will typically NOT have a master's degree and be highly exceptional students. They will be directly admitted to the PhD3 after their undergraduate program or transfer from the MASc program before the end of term 3.

NOTE: This funding guarantee of 5 years begins the term a student starts their graduate studies. This means that in cases where the student has transferred from the MASc to the PhD3 the guarantee begins in the first term of the MASc. 

The Faculty of Engineering's Academic Policy Committee (APC) sets the minimum amounts for MASc students. 

Beginning in May 2018 the Engineering minimum level of support for MASc students is $17,500. 

If students have a valid study permit and are otherwise eligible, they will also receive the International Doctoral/Master's Student Award (IDSA/IMSA) in addition to the minimum funding noted above. 

Award details

Awarded: Spring, Fall, Winter

Description: A limited number of awards are available each academic term to support doctoral students who are within the last two terms of completing their program (term of award plus one additional term). These awards are made possible with funds provided by the Vice-President, Academic and Provost, the Graduate Studies Endowment Fund (GSEF), and the Graduate Studies and PostDoctoral Affairs (GSPA) and are intended to assist highly qualified, full-time doctoral students to complete their thesis writing and defence. This is a one-term award valued at $5,000.

Next Deadline: March 15, 2018 for Spring term

Award details

Awarded: Fall

Description: Open to any graduate of the University of Waterloo Faculty of Engineering undergraduate program who is intending to pursue doctoral studies at the University of Waterloo. This fellowship will be awarded to a student undertaking doctoral research in one of the University of Waterloo Engineering Departments.

One fellowship is granted annually and is tenable only at the University of Waterloo. This fellowship is granted for a one-year period and must commence September 1st of the year awarded. The award is not automatically renewed. However, a recipient may re-apply and be considered for a further one-year period. This award cannot be held concurrently with another major scholarship, i.e. NSERC, OGS, etc.

Next Deadline: Applications are due to department scholarship coordinators on the last Friday of July each year for the Fall term.

Award details

Awarded: Fall

Description: Open to any graduate of the University of Waterloo Faculty of Engineering undergraduate program. This scholarship will be awarded to a student undertaking Master's research in one of the University of Waterloo's Engineering departments. It will be awarded to the successful applicant in the first year of their program. The value of the scholarship is determined from time to time by the Office of the Dean of Engineering.

The applicant must maintain full time status throughout the tenure of the scholarship, in one of the Engineering departments at UW. Applicants will be evaluated based on two main criteria: academic excellence and leadership.

Doctoral students are only eligible for this award if they are in the first three terms of a direct-entry PhD or transfer PhD program. Doctoral students who have completed a Master's are not eligible. 

Next Deadline: Applications are due to department scholarship coordinators on the last Friday of July each year for the Fall term.

Award details

Awarded: Fall

Description: Students may nominate their current/former supervisor for this award. The competition runs in combination with the University-wide Award of Excellence in Graduate Supervision competition. Supervisors selected to move forward to the University-wide competition will be award the Faculty of Engineering Award of Excellence in Graduate Supervision. 

the criteria for this award is the same as the Award of Excellence in Graduate Supervision.

Application/nomination process description: 

Next Deadline: Applications are due to department scholarship coordinators in October for the next competition.