Internal Awards

Arrell Graduate Scholarships

The Arrell Food Institute at the University of Guelph is seeking emerging scholars who are not only academically outstanding but also passionately committed to ensuring that future generations are well fed, that diets are nutritious and equitable, and that agriculture is sustainable.

Arrell Scholarships are valued at $50,000 per year to support research focused on agriculture and food.

Click here for complete competition details. 

Skills for Communicating Change in Agri-food Scholarship (E/I6084)

Food from Thought at the University of Guelph is now accepting applications for a new funding opportunity for graduate students, Leadership Skills for Communicating Change in the Agri-food Sector. Food from Thought is seeking emerging scholars who are passionately committed to fostering sustainable agriculture, promoting nutritious and equitable diets, and developing resilient supply chains for a successful Canadian agri-food system.

These scholarships (up to twelve) are valued at $10,000 to support University of Guelph graduate students whose research focuses on agriculture and food.

As a complement to your graduate research, successful applicants will participate in UNIV*6050, a graduate student course where students participate in multi-disciplinary teams to collaborate with an external partner (NGO’s, government agencies, or industry) on a project related to a key agri-food challenge as identified by the partner. Teams are comprised of 3-4 graduate students of mixed disciplines who are required to work together on the project for this 8-month (2-semester) course. Through these projects and a series of modules, students build knowledge and competencies in the foundational skills of communication, teamwork, problem solving, and knowledge mobilization to make them highly employable in the sector.

In addition to group work on the project, students will receive lectures on specific topics to support this work, such as qualitative research methods, and will also be provided with the theoretical and practical knowledge (media training, clear language writing for non-academic audiences) to develop engaging and effective communication tools (i.e., infographics, podcasts, explainer pieces) to translate their agri-food research to various stakeholders. This is a unique opportunity to be a part of the ‘Food from Thought’ research program, a $76.6 million investment from the Canada’s First Research Excellence Fund (see https://foodfromthought.ca).

Eligibility

Students entering or registered in any full-time graduate program who will be participating in research focused on agriculture and food and who are (or will be) registered in UNIV*6050 Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Agri-Food Systems for the first time in the upcoming fall semester are eligible to apply.

UNIV*6050 is a two-semester course. The next course offering is Fall 2023/Winter 2024. To be eligible to receive scholarship payments, successful applicants must remain registered in UNIV*6050 in the fall and winter semesters.

Arrell Scholars, Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance - Food from Thought HQP Award Recipients and anyone who has already taken the UNIV*6050 course are not eligible.

Application Process

Applicants should be either registered in or currently applying to the University of Guelph to complete a graduate program of their choosing with a plan of research that aligns with Food from Thought’s and the Arrell Food Institute’s joint goals to improve the productivity and sustainability of food and agricultural systems. Successful applicants must be registered in UNIV*6050 for the upcoming Fall and Winter semesters.

Applicants who have not yet been admitted to a graduate program should ensure they meet the admission requirements for their desired graduate program before applying for this scholarship. Being selected for a scholarship does not guarantee admission to a graduate program. Please refer to the OGPS admissions website for information on how to apply to a graduate program and how to calculate your admission average. International applicants can utilize the International Credentials Guidelines to assess their academic background in relation to graduate program admission requirements.

For insights into some of Guelph’s agriculture and food scholars, please visit http://experts.uoguelph.ca/ and https://arrellfoodinstitute.ca/scholars.

To apply for this opportunity, please email your scholarship application to grschol@uoguelph.ca with the subject line ‘Skills for Communicating Change in Agri-food Scholarship’ by the application deadline. Applicants are solely responsible for ensuring all application materials are submitted by the deadline. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

A complete application package consists of:

• A letter of support from your graduate program advisor (for thesis based programs) or Graduate Program Coordinator (for course work based programs). Please ask your referee to email the support letter directly to grschol@uoguelph.ca. 
• A current CV
• A statement that includes the following (maximum 2 pages, references not included):
  • Your research interests and personal motivations and how they are important for the food system
  • An example of a past project that demonstrates your willingness to work collaboratively
  • An example of a past experience that best exemplifies your leadership capabilities
  • Tell us about your approach to communications and your experience sharing information about your research with other audiences
  • Please consider sharing motivations, projects, or leadership examples that demonstrate your commitment to IEDI (Indigenization and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion)

Application deadline: July 3

Selection Criteria

All complete applications received by the application deadline will be screened and then reviewed by the scholarship selection committee based on the following selection criteria:

• relevance of the graduate research to Food from Thought and Arrell Food Institute priorities (35%)
• evidence of and commitment to public engagement (35%)
• willingness and desire to participate in collaborative projects with other researchers and Arrell Food Institute leadership (15%)
• academic excellence (15%).

Conditions of Funding

• Being selected for a scholarship does not guarantee admission to a graduate program.
• Scholarship offers are conditional on an applicant also being admitted to and registering full-time in an eligible graduate program at the University of Guelph. 
• Registration in the course UNIV*6050 is mandatory.
• Ongoing receipt of the scholarship funding is dependent on the satisfactory progress of the student by the faculty advisor and completion of the UNIV*6050 course. Food from Thought reserves the right to withhold or withdraw funds if these requirements are not met.

Questions?

If you have questions about Food for Thought initiatives at the University of Guelph don’t hesitate to email the Food for Thought office at fft@uoguelph.ca.

For questions related to the scholarship application process please email the OGPS Awards Officers at grschol@uoguelph.ca. 

The Indigenous Graduate Scholarship was established to encourage Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, Métis) students to pursue graduate studies in any discipline. These scholarships vary in eligibility and application criteria, so please read the below instructions carefully. Applicants may apply for as many opportunities as they may be eligible for, and must do so through one central Qualtrics Application, accessible by clicking here. 

Indigenous Graduate Scholarship - Merit

• Eligibility - Students entering full-time graduate studies or are in semesters 1-3 of a full-time graduate application at the time of application, who self-identify as First Nations, Inuit, or Métis.
• Value and duration - master's $15,000/year for up to 2 years; and doctoral $15,000/year for up to 4 years
• Method of application - The online Indigenous Graduate Scholarships Application is available via a Qualtrics Webform. Please include:
  • A statement self-identifying as Indigenous. This could be as simple as a sentence or two. 
  • A resume/CV
  • 1-page research proposal.
• Two letters of support from academic and/or community-based references must be emailed by the referees to grschol@uoguelph.ca 
• Selection criteria - Academic excellence (40%); research potential (40%); intellectual curiosity/critical thinking/passion (20%) 

Indigenous Graduate Scholarship - Leadership

• Eligibility - Students entering full-time graduate studies or are in semesters 1-3 of a full-time graduate application at the time of application, who self-identify as First Nations, Inuit, or Métis.
• Value and duration - master's $15,000/year for up to 2 years; and doctoral $15,000/year for up to 4 years
• Method of application - The online Indigenous Graduate Scholarships Application is available via a Qualtrics Webform. Please include:
  • A statement self-identifying as Indigenous. This could be as simple as a sentence or two. 
  • A resume/CV
  • 1-page research proposal.
• Two letters of support from academic and/or community-based references must also be emailed by the referees to grschol@uoguelph.ca 
• Selection criteria - Leadership experience in an Indigenous context (50%); the potential of research to impact Indigenous peoples (50%)

Indigenous Graduate Scholarship - Fulfilling Indigenous Community Responsibilities

• Eligibility - Students entering graduate studies in May, September or January following the application deadline or registered in any graduate program who self-identify as First Nations, Inuit or Métis
• Value and duration - up to $5,000 year for any graduate student for one year
• Method of application - The online Indigenous Graduate Scholarships Application is available via a Qualtrics Webform. Please include:
  • A statement self-identifying as Indigenous. This could be as simple as a sentence or two.
  • A 1-2 page research budget. 
• Selection criteria - research budget justification and demonstrated connection between research and fulfillment of indigenous community responsibilities. 

Indigenous Graduate Scholarship - Top-Up

• Eligibility - Students holding a Tri-Agency or Ontario Graduate scholarship who are entering or already registered full-time in graduate studies in May, September or January following the application deadline, who self-identify as First Nations, Inuit or Métis
• Value and duration - master's $5,000/year for up to 2 years; and doctoral $5,000/year for up to 4 years
• Method of application - The online Indigenous Graduate Scholarships Application is available via a Qualtrics Webform. Please include:
  • A statement self-identifying as Indigenous. This could be as simple as a sentence or two.
  • A copy of your Notice of Award to the Qualtrics form for our records so we can confirm your award value/duration. If you have an OGS/QEII award, please upload a copy of your OGS offer e-mail if possible. 
• Selection criteria - successful receipt of a Tri-Agency Scholarship (SSHRC/CIHR/NSERC CGS-Master's, SSHRC Fellowship, NSERC PGS-D, SSHRC/CIHR/NSERC CGS-Doctoral, Vanier CGS) OR Ontario Graduate Scholarship (including QEII-GSST)

Questions? Please contact Graduate Awards Officers by email:  grschol@uoguelph.ca

Value & Duration

At $12,500 per year for up to four years, these scholarships essentially cover the difference between international and domestic tuition. The scholarship will be paid in three equal installments per year.

Eligibility Criteria

International doctoral students admitted to a full-time program with a minimum 80% (A-) admission average, and who are billed at international tuition rates, are eligible subject to the criteria listed below. International doctoral students admitted with an average lower than 80%, and who meet all other criteria, will be eligible in the semester following successful completion of their qualifying exam, for the remainder of the four-year period of eligibility. Students who transfer from a Master program to a doctoral program will be eligible for up to 12 semesters of IDTS funding, starting in the semester in which they are enrolled in the doctoral program.

• International students who become permanent residents or Canadian citizens will no longer be eligible for the scholarship.
• Incoming students who have not identified their residency status with the Office of Registrarial Services by the 14th class day are not eligible until such evidence is presented.
• Students must maintain full-time registration and satisfactory progress in their program.
• Not tenable with the International Graduate Tuition Scholarship, Ontario Trillium Scholarships, Brock Doctoral Scholarships, Arrell Scholarships, Vanier CGS-D, Dairy Farmers of Ontario, China Scholarship Council, CONACyT, Science without Borders or any other third-party funding (e.g., workplace funding, scholarships from a home government).
• Students who transfer from full-time to part-time status are no longer eligible to hold the award. However, should the student return to full-time status, and all other criteria are met, they will be eligible to hold the award for the remainder of the four-year period of eligibility (part-time semesters will be equated to full-time semesters on a 3:1 ratio).

How to Apply

• No application required. Students who meet all eligibility criteria will receive the scholarship automatically.

Questions?

Please contact the Graduate Program Assistant in the department to which you will apply (contact information available by program here).

The Graduate Awards Search tool provides a comprehensive list of all internal awards that are available university-wide or specific to a College. Students can also search for entrance awards, awards for in-course students, and travel awards using award name or keyword/phrase. 

Internal awards may be administered by the Office of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies (OGPS), Student Financial Services (SFS), the academic department/school, or in some cases, the College Dean’s Office. The Graduate Awards Search tool informs students of deadlines, supplementary material that may be required as part of the application package, as well as where to submit the application. 

Applicants are solely responsible for ensuring all application materials are submitted by the listed deadline for each opportunity. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Internal award opportunities administered by OGPS include:

• Latornell Graduate Scholarships (I5605)
• Latornell Travel Grants (T5606)
• Estill Family Graduate Scholarship in the Arboretum (I5961)
• Clan Fergusson Graduate Research Travel Grant (T5638)
• John Black Travel Grant (T5649)
• Doug and Esther Ormrod Scholarships for Parents (I5633)
• Abell Pest Control Scholarship in Lyme Disease Research (I5980)
• Abell Pest Control Scholarship in Pollinator Research (I5976)
• Dairy Farmers of Ontario (E5068)
• Egg Farmers of Ontario (E6000)
• Larry Milligan Graduate Prize (C6043)
• Brock Doctoral Scholarship (E5906)
• Nora Cebotarev Memorial Graduate Scholarship (E8012)
• Ellen Nilsen Memorial Award (E5847)
• Cecil Franklin Graduate Scholarship in Soil and Water Conservation (I5134)
• Fred Thompson Scholarship (I5113)
• ICI Scholarship in Biotechnology (I5130)
• Irmgard Zucker Travel Grant (T6050)
• Class of OAC'60 Award for Outstanding Teaching Assistant (I5160)
• Stanley Saunders Scholarship for Music (I8009)
• Ghanimat Azhdari Memorial Scholarship (E6036)
• Milad Ghasemi Ariani Memorial Scholarship (E6038)
• Arthur Richmond Memorial Scholarships (I5180)
• Alastair Summerlee Scholarship (I5320)

Please visit the Graduate Awards Search tool for details on these awards.