Funding and awards

The Centre on Aging adjudicates three categories of awards that are available to students. Review each category to learn more about it and how to apply.

• Centre on Aging awards
• Alzheimer Society of Manitoba Fellowships
• University of Manitoba Retirees Association Scholarship

Student award applications are now closed. Applicants will be contacted in early fall about final award decisions.

Each award has its own eligibility and application requirements. See the checklist of eligibility and application requirements for all awards adjudicated by the Centre on Aging for more information. 

In addition to the award eligibility criteria, all applications must meet the definition of aging research and use appropriate terminology.

Aging research definition

For the purposes of the student awards, the research should focus on some aspect of the aging process or study older participants/subjects. Studying diseases as the focus, even if that disease commonly occurs in older people, might make the application ineligible for funding.

Aging terminology

The Centre on Aging expects the use of appropriate and respectful language when describing older adults.  Refer to the American Psychological Association's guidelines for bias-free language as it relates to age inclusivity and respect, as outlined on their Web site.

Eligibility for the awards

Q    Can I apply for more than one award?
A    Yes, you can apply for as many awards as you like as long as you are eligible for the award. In fact, we encourage you to apply for more than one award!

Q    Do I have to be registered in a specific department/program to apply for any of the awards?
A    No. Any student, with a focus on aging related research and who will be registered full-time at the University of Manitoba in the coming academic year, is eligible to apply for the Centre on Aging awards. The exception is the Esther and Samuel Milmot Scholarship where you must be in a department in the Faculty of Arts. 
Any student attending a Manitoba university can apply for the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba Graduate Student Fellowship Award.

Q    If I received an award from the University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship, Research Manitoba, CIHR, SSHRC, etc., can I apply for the student awards?
A    Any student who receives a major award—whether it is from the University of Manitoba or is externally funded—and the value is greater than $10,000 and will be applied towards the upcoming academic year in which the Centre on Aging award is tenable, is not eligible to apply for or hold the Jack MacDonell or Betty Havens awards.

Q    I was recently awarded a scholarship award over two years for my full time graduate program. Am I eligible to apply for the student awards?
A    If the value of your award is over $10,000 and will be applied towards the upcoming academic year and would be held concurrently with a Centre on Aging award, then a student is not eligible to apply for the Jack MacDonell or Betty Havens awards.

Q    Can I use my award to fund my graduate research?
A    No, these awards are scholarships and will be applied to your student Aurora account. They cannot be used to fund your research.

Q    If I am starting my Master program in the upcoming fall semester, am I eligible to apply for the graduate student awards?
A    Yes. You may apply for any of the awards as long as you are currently accepted in a post-graduate program and will be starting full time in the upcoming academic year.

Q    I applied to two different graduate programs and am waiting to hear which program I will be accepted into. Which program should I list on my application form?
A    Identify one of the programs that you are applying to. Students who are not accepted into a post-secondary program are not eligible to receive graduate awards.

Completing the application form

Q    Is it possible to add additional pages to the fillable application form (e.g. publications/presentations)?
A    No additional attachments other than the research proposal and reference list will be accepted.

Q    I am currently applying to the University of Manitoba and do not have a UM email address yet. What email address can I use?
A    If you are not a current UM student and do not yet have a UM email address, you may use a personal email address until you receive your UM email address.

Submitting transcripts

Q    Am I required to submit my undergraduate transcripts, as I am currently registered in a graduate program?
A    Yes. You must submit your transcripts from all levels of study from each institution you have attended.

Q    I took some courses at a different post-secondary institution. Do I have to submit my transcripts from previous institutions?
A    Yes. Submit transcripts from all recognized, post-secondary institutions attended, whether or not a degree has been awarded with your application package. A post- secondary institution is any institution you attended after completing high school. NOTE: If any transcripts are missing, your application will be incomplete and not reviewed.

Q    I am an international student applying for an award. Do I still have to submit transcripts?
A    Yes. This may take time to arrange so start early. Late submission of any transcript will render your application incomplete and it will not be reviewed.

Providing recommendations

Q    I am applying to the University of Manitoba and have not started my program as of yet. Who should I ask to provide a recommendation form?
A    If you are in the process of applying to the University and have not yet started, you can ask your prospective UM advisor for a recommendation even though you have not started working with your UM advisor yet. Your prospective UM advisor should already be aware of your transcripts and research proposal and can speak to that.

Your second letter of recommendation may come from any faculty member who is familiar with your work. They do not need to be from UM. For example, a previous research advisor from a previous post-secondary institution. 

• Pay attention to all the informational documents shared for the awards before you start your application. Read the Guidelines, FAQ, use of appropriate langue article, definition of aging research, and application form so you know what is expected of you.
• Double and triple check your eligibility for each award you are applying.
• Start your application EARLY. We cannot stress this enough.
  • Some things will take time. For example, if you attended an international institution, it can take 6–8 weeks to receive a transcript.
  • Do not expect your references to drop everything they are working on to complete a reference letter for you the night before the application is due. It’s disrespectful of their time and they will not be able to provide you with the best quality reference letter if they feel rushed. Give them the time to truly reflect on your skills by requesting a reference letter well before the deadline.
• READ the instructions on the application and ensure you have answered every single question. There should not be any blanks. If something does not apply to you, use n/a (not applicable).
• Ensure your proposal is written clearly and concisely. Avoid dense prose. Make this an easy read for a reviewer.
• Choose your words carefully. Use of inappropriate language may result in unfavourable results.
• It is wise to have your advisor review your proposal for feedback and to be aware you are applying for a student award.
• Write your research proposal so anyone can understand your research. The reviewers may come from any discipline at the University of Manitoba or other Manitoba university. Avoid using discipline specific jargon unless you can easily define it.
• Ensure your proposal is logical. There should be a clear link from your rationale for the study to your methods and anticipated outcomes.
• Have others review your full application for errors and comprehension. Try to ask both people within your discipline as well as people not in your discipline. For example, you could ask a fellow student and a family member to review it (unless the family member is an expert in your field of study!).
• Keep to the guidelines. One page maximum is one page maximum. Yes, we check word counts where applicable. This is where being clear and concise is important and helpful.
• Ask for help and ask questions—if they are not addressed in any of the other documents provided to aid in your application.