How to Fund Your Studies

Current graduate students who remained enrolled full-time during the S20 COVID shutdown may be eligible for an additional semester of support. Please click the link for more information about an additional semester of support. [1]

MINIMUM STIPEND

Graduate students in CBS who undertake a research-based thesis on a full-time basis are guaranteed a minimum salary or stipend. Currently, the minimum stipend (effective Fall 2022) is $21,460 per year for a full-time MSc student, and $25,460 per year for a full-time PhD student (full details below). This stipend will include one Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA) appointment in CBS per year, with the balance of funds provided through a Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA), which comes from your supervisor’s research funds.

Please visit the links below for up-to-date information and break down of student stipends at the MSc and PhD levels.

Current Funding Levels: MSc Students (PDF) [2] Current Funding Levels: PhD Students (PDF) [3]

Please note that the HHNS 4-semseter coursework program offers 1 GTA for four-semesters of study. MBINF students who are approved to extend to a 4th semester are provided a stipend of up to $5,000 for that semester. The HHNS 3-semester program and the MBINF 3-semseter program do not offer a stipend.

GRADUATE TEACHING ASSISTANTSHIPS (GTA)

Graduate students who are appointed as graduate teaching assistants contribute to various (and vital!) teaching-related duties. Some of the roles that teaching assistants support are preparing and conducting tutorials, laboratories and seminars, and grading assignments, reports and examinations. While students are guaranteed a GTA per year in CBS, they can also apply and hold a GTA outside CBS. The value of the GTA is regularly negotiated by CUPE and any increases will be reflected in an overall increase to the minimum stipend amount. Effective Fall 2022, the value of a GTA is $6,125.96.

GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANTSHIPS (GRA)

Graduate students may be supported through research grants received by faculty members from external agencies or governments. The student's research must contribute to the research program of the faculty member under whose direction it is conducted, and be used in the preparation of the student's thesis. For more information see the Graduate Calendar [4].

SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS

Several scholarships and awards are available to students with a strong academic background and research potential. These scholarships differ in sponsor (e.g., University of Guelph, CBS, government, external organizations) as well as amount, eligibility requirements, and disciplinary area of research, among other criteria.

We have prepared a Scholarship Handbook [5] to help you navigate all these opportunities! Please download the Handbook by clicking on the image below and consult it before and during your grad studies in CBS.

[5]

The following are examples of major scholarships (and their deadlines) that CBS students are eligible for:

CBS Competitive Research Graduate Assistantship (for Racialized Students) [6] (June 30)

CBS International PhD Graduate Research Assistantship [7] (NOT AVAILABLE IN 2023)

Arrell Scholarship [8] (mid February)

Brock Doctoral Scholarship [9] (February 15)

CGS-M, PGS-D, CGS-D [10] (late September; check specific dates)

Competitive Matching Fund [11] (all year round)

Graduate Tuition Scholarship [12] (April 30; contact your supervisor)

International Masters Tuition Scholarship- Course-based [13] (NA; students are considered when they apply to their program)

International Masters Tuition Scholarship- Thesis-based [14](NA; students are considered when they apply to their program)

Morwick Scholarships in Aquatic Biology [15] (May, even calendar years)

One Health Graduate Student Scholarship [16] (February 5)

Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance Highly Qualified Personnel Scholarship [17] (2023 deadline TBD)

Ontario Graduate Scholarship [18] (January 31)

Vanier CGS [19] (Summer and Fall; check specific dates)

In addition to these major scholarships, please do not forget to check out the minor scholarship that we highlight in our Scholarship Handbook [5]! Several smaller awards specific to a department or research areas often get very few applicants, so it is worth perusing the awards list carefully. It is also a good idea to have a conversation with your advisor about scholarships to make sure you strategically plan your applications.

On top of the scholarships mentioned in our Handbook, there are also other significant external scholarships that support specific fields of study (e.g., Cancer Research Society, Brain Canada), so we suggest you actively and frequently search for these opportunities.

Please note that current and prospective applicants are responsible for checking sponsor websites for the most up-to-date information regarding eligibility, deadlines, and tenability with other awards. We encourage you to search the University of Guelph Graduate Award database [20]and the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies website [21] to double check deadlines and application process and requirements.

Important: Stipends and scholarships do not include tuition. Students are responsible for all tuition and associated fees, which must be paid in full at the start of each semester or via payroll deduction. See Student Financial Services [22] for current tuition rates and instructions on payment.