Many graduate students at York are successful in winning prestigious external or internal scholarships and you are encouraged to seek eligible opportunities. The university also offers bursaries and other support funds to assist with your scholarly and research activities. Common types of funds include the following:
External awards such as SSHRC, NSERC, CIHR doctoral and CGS-Masters programs, as well as the Ontario Graduate Scholarship;
Bursaries that are allocated based on demonstrated financial need;
Research support funds to cover expenses related to scholarly and research activities;
Donor-supported internal awards: To find internal award opportunities, please use the award search.
Information about graduate funding as well as tuition fees are available here. Visit also this page to learn about graduate student employment types, including the Teaching Assistantship (TA), Graduate Assistantship (GA) and Research Assistantship (RA).
For further information, please visit the Faculty of Graduate Studies scholarships and awards page or please contact the Graduate Program Assistant.
Scholarships and Awards
MSc and PhD Biology graduate students are encouraged to apply for internal as well as external scholarships (from NSERC, CIHR, and other sources). Application eligibility, deadlines, and instructions are announced throughout the year.
Awards for Incoming Students:
Incoming students are automatically considered for all eligible awards through the admissions process and no separate application is required for these awards. For some awards, incoming students may be contacted to provide additional information.
Overview
The Carswell Scholarships will be awarded to an incoming PhD student in the Faculty of Science, who demonstrates outstanding academic achievement.
Value and Duration
- Up to 6 awards of $10,000 each (Subject to change)
- Non-renewable
Eligibility
- Must be an Incoming Doctoral student in the Faculty of Science
- Domestic or international
Contact
- Graduate Program Assistant or Graduate Program Director of student’s program.
Overview
Awarded to students, entering or continuing, in the Graduate Program in Biology, who are focusing on ecology, who are Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or protected persons, and are Ontario residents* who demonstrate financial need. Students must exhibit an outstanding academic record (minimum A- average) and demonstrate an interest in the field of Ecology. Interest can be demonstrated through coursework or participation in extracurricular activities. The graduate student will be supervised by a professor in Ecology/Evolution.
Value and Duration
- One award up to $12,500
- The value and number of award(s) in any given year will depend on the rate of distribution from the endowment fund and the number of recipients selected
- Non-renewable
Note: This award is comprised of matching funds. If you are expecting to receive the York Graduate Fellowship, this award will impact your Fellowship amount. Please visit Matching Funds to learn more.
Eligibility
- Full-time registered Master’s or doctoral York graduate student;
- Incoming or current students are eligible;
- Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and/or protected persons who are residents of Ontario;
- Selection criteria include:
- Research in ecology, supervision by a professor in ecology/evolution
- Academic accomplishments
- Financial need
- An outstanding academic record (minimum A-average)
Note: The student must be registered full-time for the upcoming academic year (Fall/Winter).
Award Period (when the award will be paid)
- Upcoming academic year
Deadlines
- Graduate program deadline: Program nomination, with complete documentation, is due to FGS by April 27. The Faculty of Graduate Studies Awards Committee will review nominees for eligibility.
How to Apply
- Students must be nominated by their graduate program
GRADUATE PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITY
- The admissions committee in the Graduate Program in Biology is encouraged to review all admission applications to the program to identify eligible students for nomination
- Encouraged to use this significant award to help persuade top applicants in ecology within the Graduate Program of Biology to accept an offer of admission from York University
- Programs will identify potential nominees and request the appropriate documentation
- Meet prior to April 1 to identify the nominee for the following academic year
- Nominate a maximum of two files to FGS in rank order
DOCUMENTATION
- Statement of Research
- CV
- Transcripts (supplied by the graduate program from the admissions file)
- Completed online Student Financial Profile
- Letter of nomination (supplied by graduate program director)
Contact
- Please contact the Graduate Program in Biology
Overview
York University established this graduate award in memory of the 14 women who died tragically at the Ecole Polytechnique on December 6, 1989.
The award is designed to encourage women to enter science disciplines. The scholarship will be offered to an entering, full–time female candidate in a program of study leading to a Master of Science degree.
Applications are reviewed and awarded by the Faculty of Graduate Studies Awards Committee.
Value and Duration
- One award of $2,500
Eligibility
- Incoming full–time female candidate in a graduate program leading to a Master of Science degree;
- Demonstrate superior academic excellence;
- GPA of A or higher.
Deadlines
- Students have to be nominated by their Graduate Programs.
- Graduate Program Deadline: nominations are due to the Faculty of Graduate Studies by January 31.
DOCUMENTATION (SUPPLIED FROM THE ADMISSIONS FILE WHERE POSSIBLE)
- Research Statement
- CV
- Transcripts
- Two academic letters of recommendation
ALLOCATION PROCESS
- After the Graduate Studies Awards Committee determines the recipients, the Office of the Dean, Graduate Studies will contact all applicants by e-mail and post the award to the successful applicants’ student account over the upcoming academic year.
Support
- If you require further assistance, please contact our Scholarship & Awards Coordinator or Research Officer by visiting our FGS Staff Directory.
Overview
The Elia Scholars Program is York University’s most prestigious graduate award for incoming domestic or international doctoral students. The Elia Scholars Program enables York University to attract doctoral students of the highest possible caliber and ensures that those students have the opportunity to participate in York's distinguished graduate programs. This commitment to excellence at the highest level of academic study both commemorates a distinguished benefactor of the university and his family and reinforces York's reputation for and commitment to excellence.
Value and Duration
- Up to 3 awards of $35,000 per year, up to 4 years
- Students may hold additional scholarships provided by York or received from other sources, so long as their total financial support, including support from the Elia Scholars Program, does not exceed $50,000
- Students may also hold up to 0.5 teaching assistantships per academic year
- In addition, the York Graduate Fellowship will be offered in the first two years of the degree program
Eligibility
- Full-time incoming York doctoral graduate student;
- Domestic and international students are both eligible;
- Selection criteria include:
- Academic accomplishments;
- Research and leadership potential
- Normally, one Scholar will be selected in each of three fields: (1) Sciences, Engineering and Health Studies, (2) Social Sciences, Education, Law, Business and Environmental Studies, (3) Humanities and Fine Arts.
Deadlines
- Graduate program deadline: Program nomination is due to FGS by January 31.
Award Period (when the award will be paid)
- Upcoming academic year
How to Apply
- Applicants for admission must be nominated by the graduate program.
Graduate Program Responsibility
- Graduate programs are encouraged to nominate outstanding candidates for this program.
DOCUMENTATION (SUPPLIED FROM THE ADMISSIONS FILE WHERE POSSIBLE)
- Research Statement
- Transcripts
- Two academic letters of recommendation
Support
- If you require further assistance, please contact our Scholarship & Awards Coordinator by visiting our FGS Staff Directory.
Overview
The Enbridge Graduate Student Award is available to graduate students at York University to support their research related to sustainability and the study of the environment, with particular emphasis on current and emerging issues and programs within fields such as, but not limited to: air quality; conservation; renewable resources; environmental engineering; climate change; and, the design of infrastructure. Applicants must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or protected persons, be Ontario residents*, and demonstrate financial need.
Value and Duration
- Up to 6 awards of up to $12,500
- The value and number of award(s) in any given year will depend on the rate of distribution from the endowment fund and the number of recipients selected
- Non-renewable
Note: This award is comprised of matching funds. If you are expecting to receive the York Graduate Fellowship, this award will impact your Fellowship amount. Please visit Matching Funds to learn more.
Eligibility
- Full-time registered current Master's or doctoral York graduate student;
- Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and/or protected persons who are residents of Ontario*;
- Selection criteria include:
- Research in sustainability and the environment; air quality; conservation; renewable resources; environmental engineering; climate change; and/or, design of safe infrastructure
- Academic accomplishments (minimum “B” average), and,
- Financial need
Note: The student must be registered full-time for the upcoming academic year (Fall/Winter).
Deadlines
- Student deadline: February 10
- Graduate program deadline (if applicable): Feb 28
Award Period (when the award will be paid)
- Upcoming academic year
How to Apply
Students must complete the Award Submission Portal with the following information:
- The applicant's statement section should outline how the student's experience and current research are aligned with the scope of the award; and
- Upload required material(s), merged into one PDF file, 1) an up-to-date CV, and 2) a copy of the transcript for the most two recent years of study (an unofficial transcript or records from student account are acceptable)
Also separately,
- Complete online Student Financial Profile;
Support
- If you require further assistance, please contact our Scholarship & Awards Coordinator by visiting our FGS Staff Directory.
Overview
The Nestmann Scholarship will be awarded to graduate students, entering or continuing, in the Graduate Program in Biology whose research specializes in molecular biology or genetics and who have demonstrated participation in academic activities related to molecular biology or genetics, including a high level of achievement in graduate courses, good communication skills through participation in teaching and in the presentation of seminars and research papers and submitted essays. Applicants must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or protected persons, Ontario residents*, and demonstrate financial need.
Value and Duration
- One award up to $12,500
- The value and number of award(s) in any given year will depend on the rate of distribution from the endowment fund and the number of recipients selected
- Non-renewable
Note: This award is comprised of matching funds. If you are expecting to receive the York Graduate Fellowship, this award will impact your Fellowship amount. Please visit Matching Funds to learn more.
Eligibility
- Full-time registered Master’s or doctoral York student;
- Incoming or current student;
- Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and/or protected persons who are residents of Ontario;
- Selection criteria include:
- Research in molecular biology or genetics;
- Academic accomplishments;
- Demonstration of communication skills (teaching, presentations, seminars, research papers, and submitted essays);
- Financial need;
- Students must exhibit an outstanding academic record (minimum A- average).
Note: The student must be registered full-time for the upcoming academic year (Fall/Winter).
Award Period (when the award will be paid)
- Upcoming academic year
Deadlines
- Graduate program deadline: Program nomination, with complete documentation, is due to the Scholarship and Awards Coordinator in FGS by April 27. The Faculty of Graduate Studies Awards Committee will review nominees for eligibility.
How to Apply
- Students must be nominated by their graduate program
GRADUATE PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITY
- The Graduate Program in Biology is encouraged to review all admission applications to the program to identify eligible students for nomination
- Encouraged to use this significant award to help persuade top applicants in ecology within the Graduate Program of Biology to accept an offer of admission from York University
- Meet prior to April 1 to identify the nominee for the following academic year
- students cannot apply directly to FGS. They must be nominated by their Graduate Program
- Nominate a maximum of one file to FGS
DOCUMENTATION
- Statement of Research
- CV
- Transcripts, unofficial or official, (supplied by graduate program from admissions file), or can be a student copy downloaded from the student account. Must include the last two years or all years of graduate studies
- Completed online Student Financial Profile
- Letter of nomination (supplied by graduate program director)
Contact
- Please contact the Graduate Program in Biology
Overview
The Vernon Oliver Stong Graduate Scholarships in Science are available to graduate students enrolled in their first year of Masters or first year of Doctoral studies in the field of science (excluding engineering). The scholarships will be awarded primarily on the basis of research excellence and academic performance but students must also demonstrate financial need.
Value and Duration
- $10,000
Eligibility
- Full-time registered graduate student in the Faculty of Science
- Must be either in Year 1 of Masters or Year 1 of Doctoral studies at the time of application
- Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or protected persons and be Ontario residents*
- Minimum grade point average of B+ over the last two academic years
Contact
- Graduate Program Assistant or Graduate Program Director of the student’s program.
Overview
Up to 23 scholarships are available for domestic and international (Masters and PhD) students. The topic of research must relate to the mandate of VISTA program, which is to support fundamental and applied vision research that combines biological and computational perspectives and has translational potential for health, industry, or other applications. The scholarships are supported by The Vision: Science to Applications (VISTA) program funded by the Canada First Research Excellence Fund.
For more information about Vista scholarships for Masters students, please visit here.
For more information about Vista scholarships for Doctoral students, please visit here.
Awards for Current Students:
Overview
The Peter Moens/AGSBS Graduate Award in Biology will be given to a full-time continuing graduate student enrolled in the Faculty of Science’s Biology program who demonstrates a commitment to and excellence in original research and who is an active member of York University’s graduate student community through involvement with CUPE, GSA, AGSBS, Biology Symposium or FGS. Students must also be actively involved in the local community.
Overview
The Provost Dissertation Scholarship is awarded to assist outstanding doctoral students in their final year of doctoral study to concentrate exclusively on and complete their dissertations. It is designed for students who have made significant progress on the research and writing of their dissertations to facilitate timely degree completion.
Value
- Up to six awards of up to $22,500
(must be held over a minimum of 2 terms to receive full value) - Program fees will be covered for both domestic and international students
- $1,000 Research Allowance to support you and your research, and,
- $1,000 Completion Bonus (within 6 weeks of completion of the award, upon submission of the dissertation, and all revisions, via the ETD system)
- Non-renewable
Eligibility
- Full-time registered York doctoral student;
- Both domestic and international students are eligible;
- The applicant must have completed all required course work and other program requirements except the dissertation, and have a dissertation proposal approved by the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies;
FGS will confirm approval of the dissertation proposal after submission of the nomination - The applicant must have completed no more than 48 months (4 years) of full-time doctoral studies at York University at the start of the award, which is normally the fall term following the award adjudication. Approved disability accommodations will be taken into account;
Note: Recipients of the Provost Dissertation Scholarship may not hold any graduate assistantships, teaching assistantships or course directorships during the tenure of the award. Students who held a TA or GA assignment in the previous academic year are eligible for the CUPE benefits plan.
The applicant must be in a position to complete all degree requirements within twelve months of the commencement of the award, and they will not be permitted to register full-time and will not be eligible to hold a TA or GA assignment in subsequent terms. Please be aware of any possible VISA and OSAP implications, due to switching to part-time status, if all degree requirements are not completed by the end of the award.
Deadlines
Please note that the Provost Dissertation Scholarship is adjudicated with the Susan Mann Dissertation Scholarship. The required documents, deadlines, and selection criteria are the same for both awards and only one application is required for both.
- Student deadline: March 1
- Graduate program deadline: March 30
*After the submission of applications by students, the Graduate Programs will be asked to confirm that applicant meets the criteria, including when the Program expects completion of the dissertation during the term of the Scholarship.
Award Period (when the award will be paid)
- Upcoming academic year
How to Apply
Students must complete the Award Submission Portal with the following information:
- The applicant's statement section should outline their research and plans for completion of the dissertation within the year;
- Upload required material(s), merged into one PDF file, 1) an up-to-date CV, 2) a copy of transcripts (an unofficial transcript or records from a student account are acceptable), and 3) a letter from the supervisor commenting on the nominee’s progress on the dissertation to date, and the plan for completion during the term of the Scholarship.
Support
- If you require further assistance, please contact our Scholarship & Awards Coordinator by visiting our FGS Staff Directory.
Overview
The Susan Mann Dissertation Scholarship is awarded to assist outstanding doctoral students in their final year of doctoral study to concentrate exclusively on and complete their dissertations. It is designed for students who have made significant progress on the research and writing of their dissertations to facilitate timely degree completion.
Value
- Up to nine awards of up to $22,500 over three terms
- Program fees will be covered for both domestic and international students
- $1,000 Research Allowance to support you and your research, and,
- $1,000 Completion Bonus (within 6 weeks of completion of the award, upon submission of the dissertation, and all revisions, via the ETD system)
- Non-renewable
Eligibility
- Full-time registered York doctoral student;
- Both domestic and international students are eligible;
- The applicant must have completed all required course work and other program requirements except the dissertation, and have a dissertation proposal approved by the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies;
FGS will confirm approval of the dissertation proposal after submission of the nomination - The applicant must have completed no more than 48 months (4 years) of full-time doctoral studies at York University at the start of the award, which is normally the fall term following the award adjudication. Approved disability accommodations will be taken into account;
Note: Recipients of the Susan Mann Dissertation Scholarship may not hold any graduate assistantships, teaching assistantships or course directorships during the tenure of the award. Students who held a TA or GA assignment in the previous academic year are eligible for the CUPE benefits plan.
The applicant must be in a position to complete all degree requirements within twelve months of the commencement of the award, and they will not be permitted to register full-time and will not be eligible to hold a TA or GA assignment in subsequent terms. Please be aware of any possible VISA and OSAP implications, due to switching to part-time status, if all degree requirements are not completed by the end of the award.
Deadlines
Please note that the Susan Mann Dissertation Scholarship is adjudicated with the Provost Dissertation Scholarship. The required documents, deadlines, and selection criteria are the same for both awards and only one application is required for both.
- Student deadline: March 1
- Graduate program deadline: March 30
*After the submission of applications by students, the Graduate Programs will be asked to confirm that applicant meets the criteria, including when the Program expects completion of the dissertation during the term of the Scholarship.
Award Period (when the award will be paid)
- Upcoming academic year
How to Apply
Students must complete the Award Submission Portal with the following information:
- The applicant's statement section should outline their research and plans for completion of the dissertation within the year;
- Upload required material(s), merged into one PDF file, 1) an up-to-date CV, 2) a copy of transcripts (an unofficial transcript or records from a student account are acceptable), and 3) a letter from the supervisor commenting on the nominee’s progress on the dissertation to date, and the plan for completion during the term of the Scholarship.
Support
- If you require further assistance, please contact our Scholarship & Awards Coordinator by visiting our FGS Staff Directory.
Learn More
The Graduate Program in Biology at York is an exciting environment to pursue innovative, socially engaging, career-ready education. Contact our Graduate Program Assistant to learn more.