Awards information

Awards Information

Each year, the Faculty of Science Foundation offers the Atkinson Citizenship Award, the Educational Travel Award, the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Award, the Mental Health Advocacy Award, and the Senior Undergraduate Science Research Award.

Recipients of these awards must be undergraduate students enrolled in an academic program within the Faculty of Science at the University of Waterloo, have at least satisfactory academic standing in their academic program, and can only receive each award once.

Fall term applications open on September 15 and close on November 15 each year.

Winter term applications open on January 15 and close on March 15 each year.

Spring term applications open on May 15 and close on July 15 each year. 

Atkinson Citizenship Award

The Faculty of Science Foundation bestows this award upon undergraduate students in the Faculty of Science who have made outstanding contributions that enhance the quality of life for students in Science at the University of Waterloo or within the Waterloo community. 

Multiple awards of $750 are granted for each of the Fall and Winter terms.

Important rules and considerations for applications to the Atkinson Citizenship Award:

  • A candidate for the Atkinson Citizenship Award must be nominated by at least one other undergraduate student, graduate student, staff member, or faculty member in the Faculty of Science who is familiar with the nominee’s contributions towards the enhancement of student life. Self-nominations are not allowed.
  • The nominee’s resume must provide a clear timeline and description of how participation in service roles, activities, and/or events have helped improve the quality of life for Science students.
  • The support statement (400-500 words) by the nominator(s) should provide an independent assessment of how the nominee’s contributions have improved the quality of life for Science students.
  • Please submit only one application for a nominee. If there is more than one nominator, please choose only one nominator to serve as the main contact person for the application. In the supporting statement section, please enter the names and supporting statements of all nominators together. 
  • Recipients of the Atkinson Citizenship Award participate in multiple service roles, activities, and/or events over a period of at least 2 years.

Submit nominations through the Atkinson Citizenship Award application. 

Educational Travel award

The Faculty of Science Foundation bestows this award upon undergraduate students in the Faculty of Science to support their participation in public service programs or international academic exchange programs.

Up to $2000 is available for each of the Fall, Spring and Winter terms. The maximum award per student is $1000.

Important rules and considerations for applications to the Educational Travel Award:

  • Applications will not be considered for travel to present research at conferences, travel to sites where students will undertake paid duties (such as co-op positions), travel to obtain visas or other immigration documents, travel for field courses, and travel for sightseeing/tourism.
  • Applicants must provide information on a) the reasons for requesting the award; b) how the travel activity will benefit your education and personal growth; and c) how the travel experience will benefit Science students. The Foundation places significant weight on experiential value. Each answer to these questions should be 400-500 words in length.
  • Applicants must provide a reasonable budget for the entire period of travel.
  • Applicants must provide information on any other major travel awards, scholarships, or bursaries received or applied for to support the proposed travel activity.
  • Recipients of the Educational Travel Award must submit a Travel Award Agreement. This agreement requires recipients to prepare a short report (1 single-spaced page) and powerpoint presentation (at least 1 slide) that describes and illustrates your travel experience. These materials must be submitted to the Foundation no later than 1 month from the end of your travel experience. This information may be publicly displayed on the Faculty of Science Foundation website or through other Faculty of Science communication platforms for promotional and educational purposes.
  • Typically, recipients of the Educational Travel Award have a travel activity lasting at least 5 days, clearly demonstrate the experiential value of the award, and provide evidence of financial need for the award (i.e., other travel awards do not fully cover the financial cost of the proposed travel activity as shown by the budget).

Submit your application to the Educational Travel Award.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Award

The Faculty of Science Foundation bestows this award upon undergraduate students in the Faculty of Science to recognize initiatives and efforts to promote the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion for the Science undergraduate student population.

Multiple awards of $750 are granted for each of the Fall and Winter terms

Important rules and considerations for applications to the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Award:

  • Applicant must demonstrate, in a report of 400-500 words, engagement with respect to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) principles through activities such as:
    • Involvement in advocacy groups
    • Community volunteering
    • Demonstration of EDI principles while serving in leadership positions
    • Participation on EDI-related committees
  • Applicant must provide appropriate evidence for participation in these EDI activities, which may include but is not limited to:
    • Education certificates
    • Evidence of EDI course completion
    • Web page links or screenshots
    • Pamphlets / brochures
    • Reference letters
  • Applicants should explain in a report of 400-500 words how their EDI activities enhance the scholarly life of Science undergraduate students. EDI-related activities in the broader Region of Waterloo community are also considered valuable contributions, particularly where the educational or leadership skills gained from such activities are applied towards EDI activities within the university and Faculty of Science.

Submit your application for the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Award.

Mental Health Advocacy Award

The Faculty of Science Foundation bestows this award upon undergraduate students in the Faculty of Science to recognize initiatives and efforts to advocate for improved mental health of the student population.

Important rules and considerations for applications to the Mental Health Advocacy Award:

  • Applicant must demonstrate, in a report of 400-500 words, engagement with respect to promoting mental health through activities such as: 

    1. Involvement in advocacy groups 

    2. Community volunteering 

    3. Promotion of mental health while serving in leadership positions 

    4. Participation on mental health-related committees 

    5. Providing education on mental health and resources available 

  • Applicants should explain in a report of 400-500 words how their mental health advocacy efforts enhance the scholarly life of Science undergraduate students. Such activities in the broader Region of Waterloo community are also considered valuable contributions, particularly where the educational or leadership skills gained from such activities are applied towards mental health advocacy activities within the university and Faculty of Science. 

  • Applicant must provide appropriate evidence for participation in these activities, which may include but is not limited to:

    1. Letters of support are strongly encouraged (these must be submitted directly to the Foundation by the person writing the letter of support, and not by the applicant)  

    2. Web page links or screenshots 

    3. Pamphlets / brochures  

    4. Educational training (certificates, courses) and how this was applied towards advocacy activities 

  • Recipients of this award must be undergraduate students enrolled in an academic program within the Faculty of Science at the University of Waterloo, have at least satisfactory academic standing in their academic program, and may only receive it once. 

Submit your application for the Mental Healthy Advocacy Award.

Senior Undergraduate Science Research Award

The Faculty of Science Foundation bestows this award upon undergraduate students in the Faculty of Science for outstanding research outcomes in senior undergraduate Science research courses.

Important rules and considerations for applications to the Senior Undergraduate Science Research Award:

  • Eligible Courses- EARTH 436A/B; BIOL 499A/B; PHYS 437A/B; CHEM 494A/B; OPTOM 441/451; PHARM 400/401

  • Departments and schools will select one (1) winner each per academic year (May 1 – April 30), who will each get $500

  • Thesis completion may occur in the spring, fall, or winter term 

  • Recipients of existing department / school undergraduate research awards (e.g., Marilyn Griffith award in Biology) are not eligible to receive the FSF award

  • Students in paid research (including NSERC undergraduate student research awards) or co-op positions are not eligible to receive the FSF award