Arrell Scholarships | Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies

Arrell Scholarships

The Arrell Food Institute at the University of Guelph is not currently accepting applications. Please monitor this page for updates regarding the 2025-2026 competition.

As a complement to their graduate research, successful applicants will provide leadership within multi-disciplinary teams of graduate students, who will work with community, government and industry partners, and University of Guelph experts linked to the Arrell Food Institute to address global food issues.

For insights into some of Guelph's agriculture and food scholars, please refer to the Experts Guide at the University of Guelph and Arrell Food Institute at the University of Guelph. 

Value & Duration

            Master’s - $50,000 per year for up to 2 years (6 semesters)

            Doctoral - $50,000 per year for up to 4 years (12 semesters)         

The scholarship will be applied to the recipient’s student account in three equal installments per year for the duration of the award. In exceptional circumstances, a one semester extension may be awarded, subject to approval by the Arrell Food Institute. 

Scholarship offers are conditional on an applicant also being offered admission to and registering in an eligible graduate program at the University of Guelph. Being selected for a scholarship does not guarantee admission to a graduate program.

Eligibility

Students must be entering a graduate program in the Fall semester following the application deadline with a minimum first-class (A-) admissions average, whose research aligns with the vision of the Arrell Food Institute, and who have the support of a prospective University of Guelph faculty advisor. In cases of extenuating circumstances, students may be able to defer the start of the award, subject to approval by their graduate program and the Arrell Food Institute.

Applicants must meet the admission requirements for their desired graduate program. Please refer to the OGPS admissions website for information on 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.

Selection Criteria

The scholarships will be awarded following a selection process through which all application files will be screened and then reviewed by a scholarship selection committee based upon:

  • Outstanding academic achievement;
  • Relevance of proposed research and personal motivation to the vision of the Arrell Food Institute;
  • Demonstration of commitment to public engagement, as evidenced in the CV; and an
  • Interview with the scholarship selection committee for those applicants that are short-listed.

What is in an Arrell Scholarship application?

To be considered for an Arrell Scholarship, applicants must submit an application to a graduate program at the University of Guelph and an Arrell Scholarship Application.

Part 1: Submit a complete application for admission to a graduate program (including all required supporting documents) for Fall 2024 by the deadline:

  • Applicants to the Arrell Scholarships must submit an application for admission to a graduate program at the University of Guelph with a plan of research that is compatible with the Arrell Food Institute's vision (e.g. food security, plant science, consumer behaviour, diet and nutrition, etc.). 
    • For a listing of the many graduate programs offered and graduate application information, please refer to the website for Prospective Students.
    • Applicants are responsible for verifying they meet graduate program admission requirements before applying. 
      • International applicants can utilize the International Credentials Guidelines to assess their academic background in relation to graduate program admission requirements.
      • Questions about graduate program applications and requirements may be directed to the Graduate Program Assistant of the applicant's desired program.
      • Graduate application requirements can vary between programs. Applicants are advised to contact their desired department in advance to confirm if they meet the base eligibility requirements for their desired program.
  • The graduate program application must be fully completed by the deadline listed above to be eligible for consideration, including all required supporting documents. 
  • It is the applicant's sole responsibility to ensure that their graduate application is complete. 

Part 2: Submit a complete Arrell Scholarship Application by the deadline. A complete Arrell Scholarship application consists of the following items:

  • a statement of research interests and personal motivations (maximum 2 pages, references not included);
  • a current CV;

  • a letter of support from a prospective University of Guelph faculty advisor that confirms that the applicant meets the graduate program admission requirements and will be accepted into a graduate program.

    • Applicants are advised to seek support from a prospective University of Guelph faculty advisor before beginning the application process. 
    • The online Arrell Scholarship application will automatically send an email to your prospective advisor requesting their response.
    • Please confirm with your prospective advisor that they have received the email and advise them of the response deadline (listed above).

Information for Prospective Faculty Advisors

Support letters should: 

  • be a maximum of two pages 
  • be signed and submitted on University of Guelph letterhead
  • indicate if an applicant meets the graduate program admission requirements and will be accepted into a graduate program. To verify if a potential applicant meets graduate program requirements, please consult your department's Graduate Program Assistant before submitting a letter of support for an applicant.

Application Deadlines & How to Apply

Important note about deadlines: Please pay careful attention to the 12:01 AM time listed for each deadline. For example, a deadline of 12:01 AM 2/22/2024 means applicants must complete the step before 2/22/2024 (i.e. by midnight on 2/21/2024).

  1. Start the online Arrell Scholarship Application & Confirm Your Email before 12:01 AM - February 22nd, 2024
    • After you submit the online Arrell Scholarship application, you will receive an email asking you to confirm your email and Arrell submission. Please click the link in the email to continue your application.
  2. Submit the online application to a graduate program before 12:01 AM - February 22nd, 2024
  3. Receive Prospective University of Guelph Advisor's Response to the Arrell Scholarship Application before 12:01 AM February 28th, 2024
    • Please use your prospective advisor's University of Guelph email address (@uoguelph.ca). Your prospective advisor will be emailed a link after you have confirmed your email and Arrell submission (see step 1).
    • Please confirm with your prospective advisor that they have received the email and advise them of the response deadline.
  4. OGPS receives All Application Documents and References before 12:01 AM on March 4th, 2024
    • Please refer to Step 5 in the Applying to Guelph application directions and ensure you have submitted all required documents for your graduate program application.
  5. Complete your Arrell Submission before 12:01 AM on March 4th, 2024
    • You will receive a confirmation email for this step after your Prospective Advisor submits their response. By clicking the link in the confirmation email, you are confirming that you have completed your graduate program application and your Arrell Scholarship application.

Conditions of Funding

  • Scholarship offers are conditional on an applicant also being offered admission to and registering full-time in an eligible graduate program at the University of Guelph.
  • Being selected for a scholarship does not guarantee admission to a graduate program.
  • Award recipients will be expected to register for UNIV*6050 in their first year or commit to an equivalent experiential learning opportunity; recipients may also be expected to participate in collaborative projects with the Arrell Food Institute and other scholarship winners
  • Recipients must maintain satisfactory progress in their graduate program
  • This award cannot be held with the Ontario Graduate Scholarships/QEII- Graduate Scholarships in Science & Technology, Ontario Trillium Scholarships, the Brock Doctoral Scholarship, Dairy Farmers of Ontario Doctoral Research Assistantship, or Tri-Council Scholarships, including the Vanier.

If you have questions about the scholarship application process, please email the Graduate Awards Officers, in the Office of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies.

If you have questions pertaining to the vision of the Arrell Food Institute at the University of Guelph, please email the Arrell Food Institute directly.