Fall 2027 funding guarantee
All full-time doctoral students in good academic standing are guaranteed a set amount per year. This amount is provided through a variety of sources, including employment, research opportunities, and awards.
Effective May 1, 2026, the minimum funding for doctoral students in good academic standing is $29,145 per year. Additional information about minimum funding is available on the GSPA website.
The majority of funding is covered by the supervisor. It is recommended you connect with prospective supervisors to confirm funding is available before applying.
In addition to minimum funding, an International Doctoral Student Award (IDSA) will be provided automatically to eligible students who are registered full-time in a doctoral program at the University of Waterloo. The amount of funding varies, but most receive $5,100 per term. More information on the IDSA can be found here.
Eligability
Open to international students (those studying in Canada on a study permit) who have a completed application by February 1, 2027. Applications submitted after the deadline are eligible for funding at the unit's discretion. Must be enrolled in a doctoral program full-time (Geography, Planning, Social and Ecological Sustainability, Sustainability Management).
Funding questions
Questions regarding funding can be directed to:
International agreements and sponsorships
Waterloo's collaborative approach to internationalization has been formalized in numerous agreements with institutions in many countries. The full list of sponsorship programs and award programs can be found on the GSPA Future Students site.
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 the Canada Graduate Research Scholarship - Doctoral [CGRS D] or the Ontario Graduate Scholarship [OGS]), the University of Waterloo will award you the President’s Graduate Scholarship (PGS). Full details on the PGS are available here.