Awards and financial aid

The Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences offers numerous awards, bursaries and prizes to students enrolled in the programs offered by the Faculty.

Types of awards

Most awards and scholarships are presented on the basis of academic achievement. Many of the awards do not require applications as all students in the Faculty are automatically considered for them. The awards which do require an application, letter of application and/or letters of reference, are identified in the lists below.

Definitions:

Bursaries

Bursary criteria normally include a minimum grade point average requirement although financial need is the first and foremost consideration. Completion of the University of Manitoba General Bursary application will qualify you for most bursaries offered by the Faculty. Applications are available in mid-August each year through the Aurora Student portal.  Students are encouraged to complete the general bursary application form in order to be considered for all bursaries for which they are eligible. Completion of one application will qualify students for most bursaries offered by the Faculty.

Convocation prizes

These are prestigious awards presented to graduating students. These awards reflect the highest academic distinction earned by a student in a faculty or program. Many are presented at the convocation ceremonies.

Entrance scholarships

Entrance scholarships recognize the achievements of recent high school graduates and are designed to assist in financing their post secondary studies. Some entrance awards require application and some do not.

Fellowships

Fellowships are normally offered to full time students based on academic achievement and course load only and require that the recipient re-register at the University of Manitoba for the subsequent year. In most cases, students must register for, and complete at least 80 percent of a course load per term (i.e. a minimum of 12 credit hours per term), unless otherwise specified in the terms of the scholarship by the donor (or a representative of the donor).

Graduate students do not have to adhere to credit hour minimums provided they are registered as full time students over the fall and winter terms with the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

Prizes and medals

Prizes are offered to full and part time students based on academic performance in a particular course or program and do not require the recipient to re-register at the University of Manitoba.

Program medals are offered to students based on academic performance in a program, and do not require the recipient to re-register at the University of Manitoba. Students must be enrolled full time, minimum 24 credit hours (excluding summer) in the last two years of study with a minimum GPA of 3.75 in the last 60 credit hours.

Additional medals are offered based on individual criteria. Refer to Terms of Reference for complete eligibility criteria. 

Scholarships

Scholarships are awarded according to academic performance in a given program, year, or course. Scholarships are generally offered to full time students based on academic achievement and course load only, and require that the recipient re-register at The University of Manitoba for the subsequent year.

Undergraduate research awards

In summer, recipients work alongside professors in their research labs and gain valuable experiential learning in a scientific research environment. Application is required.

Centennial Entrance Scholarship

The University of Manitoba and Manitoba Agriculture are offering 10 Centennial Entrance scholarships valued at $2,000 to high school students with an interest in pursuing a degree or diploma in the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences.

You qualify to apply if you:

  • Apply for admission to the University of Manitoba;
  • Complete courses required for admission into the University of Manitoba from a Manitoba high school;
  • provide a 700-word essay describing how you aim to advance the agriculture and food industry in the province based on your decision to pursue further education in this sector;
  • Provide a current resume;
  • Provide a transcript with most recent/interim marks;
  • Provide a personal reference letter from an employer, supervisor or other (not a family member, personal friend, or Manitoba Agriculture staff member).

Diploma in Agriculture awards

Bursaries

The University of Manitoba General Bursary Application is available through the Aurora Student portal at the beginning of August every year with the awards given out late fall. Some bursaries require a supplemental application or an award-specific application. These requirements will be outlined in UM Learn.

Convocation prizes

These awards do not require application and are generally handed out to a graduating student who has achieved highest standing in selected course(s) or program.

Entrance awards

Entrance awards require application.

Scholarship and prizes

Scholarships and prizes are awarded according to academic performance in a given program, year, or course. Some require application, some do not. Specific course/program requirements are identified in the list below where applicable.

Faculty undergraduate degree awards

Awards open to all students in Faculty degree programs are categorized below by award type. Further below, awards where specific areas of study or program form part of the eligibility criteria are grouped accordingly.

Bursaries - general

The University of Manitoba General Bursary Application is available through the Aurora Student portal at the beginning of August every year with the awards given out late fall. Some bursaries require a supplemental application or an award-specific application. These requirements will be outlined in UM Learn.

Convocation awards - general

These awards do not require application and are generally handed out to a graduating student who has achieved highest standing in selected course(s) or program.

Scholarships and prizes - general

Scholarships and prizes are awarded according to academic performance in a given program, year, or course. Some require application, some do not. Specific course/program requirements are identified in the list below where applicable.

Entrance awards

Agribusiness

Bursaries

Scholarships/prizes

Agronomy, plant science, plant biotechnology, agroecology

Bursaries (application required)

Convocation awards

Scholarships/prizes

Animal systems

Bursaries (application required)

Convocation awards

Scholarships/prizes

Entomology

  • Garland, Dr. J.A. Summer Research Award in Entomology (prescribed course)
  • Kennedy, H.W. Prize

Food and human nutritional sciences

Bursaries (application required)

Convocation awards

Scholarships/prizes

Soil science

Bursaries (application required)

Scholarships/prizes

Undergraduate external awards in agriculture

Entrance and undergraduate

  • University of Manitoba Entrance Scholarships - students who apply to the U of M are automatically considered for these awards
  • AACT John Kitt Memorial Scholarship - The American Association of Candy Technologists is offering the AACT John Kitt Memorial Scholarship.  This scholarship is awarded to a second year or higher undergraduate student who has demonstrated an interest in food science (confectionary preferred) and meets the criteria noted.
  • Canadian Agri-Business Education Foundation - six $2,500 scholarships for students enrolling in a post-secondary agricultural degree or diploma program
  • Canadian Meat Science Association Scholarships- The CMSA is now accepting scholarship applications for both graduate (2 x $3,000) and undergraduate (2 x $2,500) students interested in meat science research.
  • Career Trek Scholarships - for graduates of any Career Trek program who meet the other requirements listed in the application.
  • Federated Co-operatives Limited Excellence in Ag Program for students enrolled in or entering an agriculture or business degree or diploma program. Scholarships, paid summer internships and fulltime career opportunities upon graduation.
  • FMC-CADAP Excellence Award for Agricultural Students - encourages students to enhance their communication skills and raise awareness of the importance of farm business management. Students must submit multimedia presentation, a video, a Twitter chat, a blog or a Wiki.
  • Future of the Breed Scholarship - supports who have made outstanding contributions to the Hereford industry. Valued at $1,000.
  • Hereford Youth Scholarship - supports excellence in ongoing studies in any undergraduate program leading to a career related to the livestock industry. Valued at $2,500.
  • Holstein Canada Education Awards - 6 awards of $1,000 for agricultural students across Canada
  • Keith Gilmore Foundation Awards - for Canadian citizens who are diploma, degree, and graduate students engaged in studies leading to a career in the beef industry.
  • KGF Prize for Beef Cattle Innovation - supports excellence and leadership for applicants in advanced studies leading to a career in the beef industry. Valued at $10,000,
  • Kirchner Food Fellowship program - fosters the development of individuals who have the practical skills and knowledge to make effective investments in emerging agricultural technologies that have the possibility of addressing global food security.
  • Lallemand Animal Nutrition Forward Scholarship - for students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees in agriculture. Applications are open to students in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
  • Major Jay Fox Memorial Scholarship - developed by the Manitoba Outstanding Young Farmers, this annual scholarship recognizes a student continuing in the field of agriculture that has made a significant difference in their communities. One bursary will be awarded annually in the amount of $500.
  • Manitoba Beef Producers Scholarship - for Manitoba Beef Producers members or their children attending a university, college or other post‐secondary institution or pursuing trades training.
  • Manitoba Canola Growers Association - valued at $1,000. Applicants must be from a farm that is a member of the MCGA and must plan on attending a Canadian post-secondary institution within two years of graduating from high school.
  • Manitoba Crop Alliance Bursary - valued at $2000. Students must have completed first or second year at the college or university level (Diploma or Degree) and be enrolled fulltime in an agricultural program in Manitoba. Must have minimum CGPA of 3.0 and must also be from a farm that is a member in good-standing of Manitoba Crop Alliance.
  • Manitoba Schools Science Symposium Scholarships - participants at the MSSS are eligible to apply for these entrance scholarships
  • Masterfeeds Future Masterfeeder Scholarship - $1000 scholarship to an individual (ages 17-19) pursuing post-secondary education in the area of agriculture within Canada. Preference will be given to students majoring in animal science or biology.
  • Precision Agriculture Scholarship – offered by Farms.com, this US$2,000 scholarship will be presented to a Canadian student who is enrolled FT in a college or university program (undergraduate or graduate) and whose social media video on a “new precision agriculture idea that will have a positive impact on the environment, or is socially responsible” is selected as the winner by a panel of judges.
  • Red River Exhibition Foundation - Agriculture & Agri-Food Scholarships - entrance and travel scholarships for agriculture students
  • Skip and Margaret Skaptason Memorial Scholarship - valued at $750. This scholarship is awarded to a student enrolled in the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences at the University of Manitoba. Application forms available by contacting Alicyn Goodman. Candidates are selected on the basis of academic excellence, good citizenship and leadership potential.
  • WestGen Education Awards - available to post-secondary students from Western Canada who are pursuing studies in agriculture or veterinary medicine. Applicants must be a WestGen member or son/daughter of a WestGen member.

Indigenous student awards

Awards for indigenous students

  • Racz, Geza and Trudi Entrance Scholarship in Agricultural and Food Sciences
  • Nutrien Ltd. Indigenous Student Bursaries in Agriculture
  • Anderson, Lee Dunlop Centennial Bursary
  • Carlberg, Monica and Jared Bursary

RBC Scholars in Sustainable Agriculture

Undergraduate and graduate students will work with Faculty researchers on low-emission agriculture and food systems research located at the Glenlea Research Station.

NSERC undergraduate student research awards

Experience research! Become immersed in the research environment working alongside professors in their research labs over a 16-week period from May to August.

The annual competition opens each December with a February 1 deadline. Awarded at the end of February, there are typically between 10 and 14 $6,000 awards to support full time, summer research.

UM undergraduate student research awards

UM is the first Canadian university to offer an Undergraduate Research Award open to undergraduate students.

Open to all fields and ranges of research, scholarly works, and creative ideas, this is a unique learning opportunity for undergraduate students. Interact with the best minds and research leaders outstanding in their fields and open up new possibilities for your research career in government, academic or industry sectors.

Faculty graduate student awards

The graduate student awards below are categorized according to the general areas of research. All require an application unless otherwise specified.

Bursaries

  • Ellis, Miriam Green Bursaries (animal science, plant science)
  • Skinner, George F. Memorial Bursary (agribusiness and agricultural economics)
  • Procter, P. John  Entomology Bursary
  • Murphy Foundation Incorporated Graduate Student Awards (Bursary)

Scholarships, fellowships and prizes-general

Scholarships, fellowships and prizes-agribusiness and agricultural economics

Scholarships, fellowships and prizes-animal science

Scholarships, fellowships and prizes-entomology

Scholarships, fellowships and prizes-food science

Scholarships, fellowships and prizes-human nutritional sciences

Scholarships, fellowships and prizes-plant science

Scholarships, fellowships and prizes-soil science

Travel awards

Graduate external awards in agriculture

Graduate

  • Animal Nutrition Association of Canada Graduate Scholarships - Since 2004, ANAC has offered annual scholarships for graduate students enrolled in Animal Science or a related field of study at a Canadian university, with a specific interest (research project/course selection) in animal nutrition. There are two annual scholarships of $2,000 each, one awarded to applicants east of the Manitoba/Ontario border, and the other awarded to applicants west of the Manitoba/Ontario border.
  • Aviagen Postgraduate Scholarship in Poultry Genetics - Aviagen and the Canadian Poultry Research Council offer this $5,000 postgraduate scholarship in poultry genetics. Applicants will be studying/conducting research on poultry genetic issues.
  • Canadian Dairy Commission Scholarship Program - maximum of $20,000 per year for up to two years for a full-time Master’s students and maximum of $30,000 per year for up to three years for a full-time Ph.D. students. Both scholarships include $5,000 for the development of soft competencies including additional elements of study that benefit employability such as internships, presentations at industry conferences (national or international), training in product development, marketing, human resources, etc.
  • Canadian Meat Science Association Scholarships - The CMSA is now accepting scholarship applications for both graduate (2 x $3,000) and undergraduate (2 x $2,500) students interested in meat science research.
  • Canadian Meat Science Association Travel Award - The CMSA is offering a $2000 travel award to attending the International Congress of Meat Science and Technology (an international scientific conference focused on meat science and technology.
  • Canadian Plant Breeding Innovation Awards - Four CPBI Scholarships (Formerly Seed of the Year Scholarships) will be awarded to students enrolled in plant breeding or genetics at a Masters or PhD level. Recipients will be selected from the following Canadian Universities: University of Alberta, University of Guelph, University of Manitoba, University of Saskatchewan, or McGill University. Two applications will be submitted from each university for consideration. Four scholarships will be selected from the 10 submitted.
  • CSA Group Graduate Scholarship - This $10,000/year (max 2-year) award supports graduate students in the pursuit of knowledge generation related to standards. Open to Masters students studying at public Canadian universities in any field, and must include standards as a component of the research.
  • Karl C. Ivarson Agricultural Scholarship - The Canadian Society of Soil Science offers a scholarship for students entering second or subsequent year of graduate studies in soil science (in areas of agriculture, agro-ecology, resource management, environment, geology or other related disciplines) at a recognized Canadian university.
  • Karl C. Ivarson Soil Science Scholarship - The Canadian Foundation for Food and Agricultural Education provides a scholarship for students entering second or subsequent year of graduate studies in soil science (in areas of agriculture, agro-ecology, resource management, environment, geology or other related disciplines) at a recognized Canadian university.
  • Keith Gilmore Foundation Awards - for Canadian citizens who are diploma, degree, and graduate students engaged in studies leading to a career in the beef industry.
  • Kirchner Food Fellowship program - fosters the development of individuals who have the practical skills and knowledge to make effective investments in emerging agricultural technologies that have the possibility of addressing global food security.
  • Lallemand Animal Nutrition Forward Scholarship - for students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees in agriculture. Applications are open to students in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
  • Precision Agriculture Scholarship – offered by Farms.com, this US$2,000 scholarship will be presented to a Canadian student who is enrolled FT in a college or university program (undergraduate or graduate) and whose social media video on a “new precision agriculture idea that will have a positive impact on the environment, or is socially responsible” is selected as the winner by a panel of judges.

UM Graduate Fellowships

The UM Graduate Fellowships (UMGF) are valued for a 12-month period at $14,000 for Masters students and $18,000 for PhD students. Please check with your department for how to be considered for a UM Graduate Fellowship.

Application deadline: Please contact your department.

Contact

Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences
160 Agriculture Building
66 Dafoe Road
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry Campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada

agawards@umanitoba.ca
204-474-9295