Awards and funding

Graduate research studentships

Highly qualified full-time MSc and PhD thesis-based students could receive graduate research studentships (GRS) from their supervisors. The PhD funding is based on good standing in the program and is guaranteed for four years.

Teaching Assistantships

A thesis-based, full-time graduate student in the MSc or the PhD program could be assigned one or more teaching assistantship (TA) tasks each year. Each TA task involves 10 hours per week for one term. Please refer to compensation rates on Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs website.

Cumulatively, GRS and TAs make up guaranteed funding. Effective May 1, 2022, the minimum guaranteed funding is $20,000/year for the MSc thesis program and $25,000/year for the PhD program.

We believe that excellence in graduate studies is reinforced by providing funding so you can devote time and energy to your studies.

Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA) works closely with our faculties, academic departments, the Office of Development, and external agencies to develop and promote scholarships and awards.

For more information on awards and funding, review the following web pages or contact the Kinesiology & Health Sciences Graduate Program Manager.

• University of Waterloo awards
• External awards
• International student funding
• Financial need funding
• Minimum funding
• Funding payment

University of Waterloo Graduate Scholarships are awarded at the departmental level for excellent progress and high academic achievement.

Academically strong full-time graduate students are encouraged to apply for external scholarships including: 

Tri-Council Scholarships:

• NSERC scholarships (for domestic master's and doctoral students in science and technology fields) 
• SSHRC scholarships (for master’s and doctoral students in social sciences and humanities)
• CIHR scholarships (for master’s and doctoral students involved in health-related research)

Other scholarships:

• The Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) and the Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship in Science and Technology (QEII-GSST) programs encourage excellence in graduate studies at publicly-assisted universities in Ontario. Both programs are jointly funded by the Ontario government and participating institutions. The government contributes two-thirds of the value of the awards and the university provides the remaining one-third.
• Exceptional scholars are encouraged to apply for the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship and should apply in the early fall (September and October deadlines) for the following academic year. Workshops are offered to assist with the application process.
• The University of Waterloo President's Graduate Scholarship (PGS) is available to supplement Tri-Council Scholarships, OGS/ QEII and Vanier scholarship recipients. A faculty component of this additional funding may include TA or RA opportunities.
• The Governor General's Academic Gold Medal and the University of Waterloo Alumni Gold Medal are awarded to outstanding students, following completion of all their degree requirements, in recognition of academic excellence. Students are nominated for these awards by their departmental graduate committees.

Students will be alerted to upcoming scholarship deadlines by the graduate co-ordinator and by your supervisor.