What is a research-based program?
Research-based programs include PhD programs and master’s programs that have the study option of a thesis or a master’s research paper. You can find this information listed on each program page.
In these programs, both domestic and international students are eligible for minimum funding.
Minimum funding is the guaranteed minimum level of funding you will receive for your studies from the University, provided you are within your program time limits and in good academic standing.
Jump to: Minimum funding | Scholarships and awards | International students | Self-funded
Research-based master’s students
Full-time research-based master’s students (both domestic and international) often receive minimum funding of $12,000 for one year. This applies to students in good academic standing in the first year of a non-co-op or coursework MA, MFA, MES, MASc, MMATH, or MSc program.
PhD students
Full-time doctoral students (both domestic and international) receive minimum funding of $27,130 per year (effective May 1, 2024, to April 30, 2025) for up to four years.
We review our minimum funding amounts for PhD students annually, and increases apply to both new (incoming) and current eligible doctoral students.
Did you know?
Many of our departments and schools offer minimum funding that exceeds the University’s minimum funding amounts. Check in with your Faculty/department/school for more information.
What makes up minimum funding?
Minimum funding can come from multiple sources including scholarships and awards, and graduate student employment like Teaching and Research Assistantships (TAs and RAs). Depending on the source(s) of your funding, it can be paid to you in different ways.
Awards and scholarships from Waterloo are applied directly to your Quest account on a termly basis. This money is then applied directly to your tuition and fees, and then any credit remaining is released to you as a refund.
Funding provided through Graduate Teaching Assistantships (TA) and Graduate Research Assistantships (RA) is considered employment income, which means that you’ll be paid that funding monthly by direct deposit to your bank account. Learn more about TAs and RAs.
Most internal awards from the University of Waterloo don’t require an application and you’ll automatically be considered based on specific award and selection criteria. Learn more about awards from Waterloo.
Other awards and scholarships are provided by institutions external to the University of Waterloo, like the federal and provincial governments and research councils. Learn more external awards and how to apply.
Outstanding graduate students who hold certain major federally and provincially funded competition-based scholarships are also provided with the President's Graduate Scholarship (PGS), valued at up to $10,000.
Browse the awards database for a listing of all the scholarships and awards available.
Global student relief initiative (GSRI)
The Global Student Relief Initiative (GSRI) is dedicated to offering extra financial assistance to students in need. Currently, the GSRI supports the Student Relief Fellowship (SRF), specifically supporting students living in, or who have lived in, the West Bank and Gaza. For more information, including the amount of support available and application deadlines, please visit the GSRI webpage.
International students in full-time research-based master’s programs may be awarded an International Master’s Award of Excellence (IMAE) by their Faculty on top of any minimum funding received.
International students in a full-time PhD program will be awarded an International Doctoral Student Award (IDSA) , which is approximately the difference between full-time domestic PhD tuition and full-time international PhD tuition.
Explore additional funding opportunities for international students.
As an international student, you may be eligible for funding through one of the University of Waterloo’s international agreements and sponsorships, which are formal agreements that are preset with governments and institutions abroad. If you are applying for graduate studies under one of these formal agreements, please review Waterloo’s sponsorship requirements which are an important part of your application process. Please note that international agreements and sponsorships may replace the minimum funding and IDSA.
Pursuing self-funded, full-time doctoral studies is available only on an exceptional basis, and must be approved by the academic unit and faculty of intended doctoral studies.
The following conditions will apply:
- Evidence of sufficient external sponsorship and/or personal funds to cover all study and living costs for the duration of your program. Note: This could include providing official documentation such as a sponsorship letter from an institution or a person providing you with funding, or personal bank statements from the past six months.
- Signed declaration stating that you will be responsible for all study and living costs for the duration of your program, and acknowledgement that you will not be eligible to receive funding from your department or Faculty.
Waterloo may re-evaluate your offer of admission and/or continuation in your doctoral program, should there be any change in your self-funding situation.
If you have any questions, please contact our Associate Director, Graduate Admissions.