Research Manitoba
You can apply directly to Research Manitoba, which provides funds for research in the health sciences through a number of grants and awards programs.
Faculty of Graduate Studies
Funding, awards and financial aid
We want you to succeed as a graduate student. Find out how you can access funding so you can focus on your studies.
Award winners
UM Vanier Scholars
PhD candidates from the departments of psychology and Indigenous studies can now count themselves among Canada’s top graduate students. .
Vanier Scholars are Canada’s top graduate students, chosen for their academic excellence, research potential, and leadership – united by a passion to create a better world. They will receive $150,000 over three years towards their research.
Aurora Robert named a 2024 Pierre Elliott Trudeau Scholarship Finalist
Aurora Robert, a PhD student from the University of Manitoba, has been named as one of 30 finalists in the highly competitive Pierre Elliott Trudeau Scholarship process. The prestigious scholarship, which recognizes exceptional doctoral students who are committed to solving complex societal issues, has acknowledged Aurora’s research in computational modeling and its potential impact on policy formation, particularly in the realm of climate change mitigation.
Distinguished Dissertation Award Winners
University of Manitoba Distinguished Dissertation Awards are given to graduating doctoral students who have been nominated by their faculty/college/school for a dissertation that represents a ground-breaking piece of original work. Each year, one award is offered in each of the following categories: applied sciences, health sciences, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. Awardees receive a $3,000 prize.
2023 Winners
William Bugg
Williams research investigated the effects of changing temperatures on the physiology of developing lake sturgeon.
Cameron Verwey
Cameron's research looks at how droplets of fuel evaporate in an engine to reduce emissions.
Iloradanon Efimoff
Iloradanon's research is about education reducing racism towards Indigenous people in Canada.
Laura Forsythe
Laura's research is about Métis women in academia.
Previous Distinguished Dissertation Award Winners
2022
Wanda Philips-Beck
For her doctoral dissertation in the UM Faculty of Graduate Studies, Wanda studied the experiences of women who left their homes to give birth away from their communities.
Jose Sanchez
Jose's findings represent a major methodological contribution to the areas of archeology and anthropology which can help us better understand the lives of those who came before us.
Wesley Silva
For his doctoral research, Wesley studied a series of molecules using a specialized technique called microwave spectroscopy to examine the rotation of the molecules for the first time in a laboratory setting.
Anne Lindsay
Anne Lindsay wrote her doctoral thesis for UM’s department of history on how the Canadian fur trade reflected the violence of the French and British empires and was not as passive or innocuous as it is painted in most accounts.
Hongwei Lui
Hongwei has worked with Drs. Pooneh Maghoul, Ahmed Shalaby and others at UM to develop a device that uses ultrasonic waves that can be used in a lab or taken to a remote site to evaluate permafrost without disturbing the permafrost itself and possibly lead to structural problems.
Award opportunities
These are a sampling of the many awards available to UM graduate students.
Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS) Statement on Transcripts for Tri-Agency Award Competitions at the University of Manitoba
Students are responsible for obtaining official, up-to-date, and complete transcripts and for ensuring transcripts for all post-secondary institutions attended are included in their application(s).
FGS does not provide students with copies of transcripts from student records or copies of previously submitted transcripts. This includes transcripts from other Canadian or international post-secondary institutions, UManitoba, and transcripts submitted as part of previous or current admission or award applications.
Missing, unofficial, illegible, or untranslated transcripts may deem students’ applications incomplete or ineligible and will not be reviewed.
University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowships (UMGF)
For: Master’s and doctoral students
New annual rates effective September 1, 2024
The UMGF Fellowships are valued for a 12-month period at $20,000 for Master's students and $25,000 for PhD students. Please check with your department for how to be considered for a UM Graduate Fellowship.
Application deadline: Please contact your department.
G. Clarence Elliott Fellowship
For: Master’s and doctoral students
Established in honour of a former Winnipeg vice-president and treasurer of The Great-West Life Assurance Company, the fellowship is awarded to a maximum of $10,000.
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
For: Doctoral students
These scholarships help Canadian institutions attract highly qualified doctoral students. They are valued at $50,000 per year for three years during doctoral studies.
Departmental awards
Many University of Manitoba departments have internal awards based on academic merit, the values of which vary by department. Please check with your department for deadlines and details.
Upcoming and recorded award information sessions
Workshop Recording - Scholarships for Indigenous students 2024
For more information on Canada Graduate Scholarship – Master’s programs, please visit: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Students-Etudiants/PG-CS/CGSM-BESCM_eng.asp
Workshop Recording - Canada Graduate Scholarships – Master’s 2024: Applicant Workshop
For more information on Canada Graduate Scholarship – Master’s programs, please visit: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Students-Etudiants/PG-CS/CGSM-BESCM_eng.asp
Workshop Recording Canada Graduate Scholarships - Doctoral 2024
Research funding
Find available research funding for master’s and doctoral students.
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Mitacs
Mitacs is a national research network and funding agency that supports collaborative industrial-academic research projects and the training of highly qualified personnel.
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Tri-Council awards (federal funding)
Explore the three major government funding bodies that provide funding for scholarly research in Canada.
There are a number of funding opportunities available specifically for Indigenous and international students.
Indigenous graduate student awards
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Master’s Award for Indigenous Students
In years when funds are available, this merit-based award is open to Indigenous students who are enrolled full-time in a master’s program at the University of Manitoba.
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Doctoral Award for Indigenous Students
This merit-based award is open to Indigenous students who are enrolled full-time in a PhD program at the University of Manitoba.
International graduate student awards
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International Graduate Student Entrance Scholarships
These scholarships reward the excellence of incoming international graduate students. The scholarship value is equivalent to the international student differential tuition fee.
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International Graduate Student Scholarships
These scholarships reward the excellence of international graduate students enrolled full-time in master’s or doctoral programs at UM. Their value is equivalent to the amount of the international differential tuition fee.
Upcoming award deadlines
November 20, 2024 - Janice Filmon Award in Peace Studies
Value: Scholarship may be divided into more than one award total value $3,325.00
For: Full-time Master’s & PhD Students
Details: Pursing research into the process of peace building
Research field(s): Candidates have completed necessary course work towards the degree and obtained approval for a thesis or dissertation proposal prior to undertaking the research funded by this award
November 22, 2024 - Irena Knysh Graduate Scholarship in Ukrainian Studies
Value: (1) Scholarship valued at $8,925.00
For: Full-time Master's & PhD students
Details: Open to Canadian and International students who will write or is writing a thesis in any area of Ukrainian studies. Or for students registered in any Pre-Master’s program who are taking a minimum of 12 credit hours of course work in the area of Ukrainian studies
Research field(s): Ukrainian Studies
November 25, 2024 - James Gordon Fletcher PhD Fellowship for Research in Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals
Value: One Fellowship valued at $24,300
For: Ph.D. Students
Details: Open to Canadian and International students in their first two years of a Ph.D. program conducting research in a field pertaining to Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals.
Research Fields: Food Technology and Research
November 25, 2024 - Laura Bassi Scholarship
Value: Master’s students $750; Doctoral students $2,500; Junior Academics $500
Details: All currently enrolled students are eligible and there are no institutional, departmental, or national restrictions. Application fee can be waived
Research field(s): Open to every discipline conducting research which focuses on neglected topics of study, broadly construed, within their disciplines
November 25, 2024 - Pierre Elliot Trudeau Foundation Scholarship
Value: Up to $50,000 per year for three years
For: PhD students
Details: The Pierre Elliot Trudeau Foundation offers a scholarship that is more than a scholarship. This three-year leadership program is designed to train Engaged Leaders, equipping outstanding doctoral candidates with the skills to translate their ideas into action for the betterment of their communities, Canada, and the world
Research field(s): Humanities, Social Sciences, or Human Sciences
November 26, 2024 - AACR-CIHR Scholar-in-Training Awards (SITA)
For: Full-Time PhD Doctoral Students, Postdoctoral Fellows, or Post-Health Professional Degree Fellows
Details: Awards to support young investigators from Canada, particularly from underrepresented groups, to present their research at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2025, the world’s largest cancer research conference
Research Fields: Health; Cancer
November 30, 2024 - Korean Canadian Scholarship Foundation and Bursaries (KCSF)
Value: (30-40) Scholarships & Bursaries, variable values
For: Master's & PhD students
Details: Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or hold a student visa
Research Fields: Korean heritage or connection to the Korean community and enrolled full-time at an accredited post-secondary institution during the 24-25 academic year
December 2, 2024 - Canada Graduate Scholarship – Masters (CGS-M)
Value: $27,000 for one year
For: Master's students
Details: The Canada Graduate Scholarships – Master’s (CGS-M) program aims to help develop research skills and assist in the training of highly qualified personnel by supporting students who demonstrate a high standard of achievement in undergraduate and early graduate studies. Open to Canadian Citizens, Permanent Residents or Protected Persons who are enrolled full-time in research-based programs.
Research field(s): Health, Science, Engineering, Social Sciences, Humanities
December 4, 2024 - J.W. Dafoe Graduate Fellowship for Study in International Relations
Value: $10,000
For: Full-time UM Master’s thesis students
Details: Open to graduate students in the first or second year in departments of Economics, History, Political Studies; Faculty of Law and Arthur V. Mauro Centre for Peace and Justice
Research field(s): Pursuing a thesis stream related to the field of international relations and/or international comparative studies
December 15, 2024 - The Pathy Foundation Fellowship
Value: (12) Fellowships $50,000
For: Final year of Master’s program
Details: 12-month funding to support growth as leaders, lead innovative social change and make a meaningful impact in a community
Research field(s): Project in any field, sector, and community across the world
Mitacs Globalink Research Award
Value: $6,000
For: Master's, PhD and postdoctoral students
Research field(s): Unrestricted
Recommended to apply 16 weeks in advance of planned start date
NSERC Student Ambassadors
Value: $1,000
For: Master's and PhD students
Research field(s): Science, Engineering
Applications must be submitted at least two months before the start of a proposed outreach activity.
Financial aid
If you're facing financial hardship, or need support to pay your expenses as a student, there are programs available to help you. Apply for a loan, find on-campus employment or use our on-campus food bank.
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Teaching and research assistantships
Contact your department regarding teaching assistantships, where you help conduct undergraduate classes and laboratories, and research assistantships, where you may be able to use the research undertaken for your thesis.
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Work-study program
The Work–study program at UM provides supplementary financial assistance for students who are currently receiving government student loans.
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Government student loans
If you are a full-time Canadian or permanent resident you can apply for student loans from the federal and provincial governments to support your studies.
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Emergency loans
The University offers short-term loans to students facing unanticipated living costs and unexpected delays in government loans or other award funding.
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U.S. student loans
Learn about financial aid available to U.S. students, including government student loans.
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Bursaries
The University of Manitoba offers a wide range of bursaries ranging from $100 to $1,000 to support students with financial need. Complete the University of Manitoba General Bursary application to be considered.
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UM food bank
Students can use the food bank to help offset the costs of groceries during times of financial distress.
Support
Contact us
Faculty of Graduate Studies
500 University Centre
65 Chancellors Circle
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada
204-474-9377
(204) 474-7553