Guaranteed funding
Incoming domestic research master's (thesis) students in the Faculty of Environment are guaranteed a funding offer of $17,000 over the course of their program. This applies to full-time incoming students in good academic standing. Many students receive more than the minimum funding.
Funding questions
Questions regarding funding can be directed to:
Cynthiya Subramaniam
Administrator, Graduate Studies
519-888-4567 x42784
c3subramaniam@uwaterloo.ca
2025 Funding packages for exceptional research masters students
Exceptional research masters students starting their studies in 2025 are eligible for the following funding packages.
Funding packages
| Academic average | Entrance award | Teaching Assistantships (TA) | Total funding across two years of study |
| 85%+ |
Entrance award: $5,000 (split in Terms 1 and 2) |
3 TA positions with a total value of approximately $26,773. | $31,773 |
| 80 - 84.5% | N/A |
3 TA positions with a total value of approximately $26,773. |
$26,773 |
| 75 - 79.5% | N/A |
2 TA positions with a total value of approximately $17,849. |
$17,849 |
In some cases, research supervisors will provide additional funding. Academic average is calculated from your last two years of full-time study. TAs are assigned based on faculty need and usually require regular on-campus presence.
Eligibility: Open to Canadian citizens (living in or outside of Canada) or Permanent Residents of Canada who have a completed application by February 1, 2025. Must be enrolled in a research masters program full-time (Geography [thesis option], Sustainability Management, Planning [thesis option], Social and Ecological Sustainability [thesis option]).
CAIVAN Future Cities graduate scholarship
Funded by CAIVAN, this $5,000 scholarship (split in Terms 1, 2 and 3) will be awarded annually to eight exceptional graduate students. The successful applicants must have a minimum cumulative average of 80% and focus on cities. Preference will be given to students who demonstrate leadership and community engagement, to be assessed through the student's application for admission to the graduate program. Preference will be given to students who demonstrate leadership and community engagement, to be assessed through the student's application for admission to the graduate program. Full scholarship criteria can be seen on the GSPA website.
Eligibility: Must have a completed application by February 1, 2025 and be pursuing a full-time or part-time admission to a master's program in the Faculty of Environment.
Waterloo awards and scholarships
The University of Waterloo has over 100 awards and funding opportunities for students in the Faculty of Environment. Some awards require an application, while others are awarded through Faculty/Department selection. The full database of awards and scholarships can be found on the GSPA webpage.
Notable awards that you may be eligible for are listed on the current graduate student funding webpage.
External funding
External awards are offered by federal and provincial agencies, foundations or private companies. Full details about external funding are available here.
If you are successful in being awarded an eligible scholarship (including CIHR CGS-D, NSERC CGS-D, and others) Waterloo will award you the President’s Graduate Scholarship (PGS). Full details on the PGS are available here.