Academic awards and financial aid

Since 2008, the Mauro Institute has awarded more than $1.6 million in academic and bursary awards to graduate students in the Peace and Conflict Studies graduate programs.

The Mauro Institute PACS Academic Awards program exists due to the generosity of our founder, Dr. Arthur V. Mauro and the many friends and supporters who have made financial contributions to support student awards and programs at St. Paul's College.

Would you like to make a gift to support student awards and programs? Please visit the St. Paul's College Foundation page on the CanadaHelps website to make your gift or contact the Foundation at 204-474-9148 or spcfoundation@umanitoba.ca. Thank you!

Administration

The Mauro Institute PACS Academic Awards program is administered by the Mauro Institute with the support and assistance of the Peace and Conflict Studies graduate programs.

It is important to note that the Mauro Institute PACS Academic Awards are not the only awards available to PACS students. There are other departmental and university awards, each having their own administrative process and eligibility requirements. The information that follows is specific to the Mauro Institute PACS Academic Awards program.

Eligibility requirements

Graduate students enrolled in (or applying to) the University of Manitoba's Peace and Conflict Studies Graduate Programs (PhD and Joint Masters) are eligible to apply. All students, regardless of citizenship, are eligible to apply.

Current students must be full-time students in good standing in their respective programs at the time of application and all students who receive awards must remain enrolled and in good academic standing throughout the academic year of their award. The application process is highly competitive. Applicants require a minimum GPA of 3.75 to be eligible to apply.

Applicants are encouraged to apply for awards and funding from other potential awards and granting agencies for which they may be eligible. Students that do not apply for a national, UMGF, and/or major awards may be deemed ineligible for a Mauro Institute PACS Academic Award.

Full time students are eligible to apply for and receive a Mauro Institute PACS Academic Award during the first four years of their PhD program and during the first two years of their Joint Masters program in Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Manitoba.

For more information and a complete list of eligibility requirements, please refer to the application form.

Application process and important dates

There is one application form for use by all applicants. Each year, approximately nine different awards are available, some of which are available only to PhD applicants, some of which are only available to Joint Masters applicants, and some of which are available to either a PhD or a Joint Masters student. In all cases, there is one application form for all applicants and for all awards.

2025-2026 Application Form and Referee Information and Rating Form

The 2025-2026 Application Form and Referee Information and Rating Form will made available on this webpage in November 2024.

All application forms, referee forms, supporting documents, and awards-related correspondence can be directed to: mauro.institute@umanitoba.ca

Marjorie Blankstein Emergency Graduate Student Bursary for Peace and Conflict Studies

The purpose of the bursary is to provide emergency funds for graduate students enrolled in the Peace and Conflict Studies Program who require immediate financial assistance, to address needs related to their studies/personal hardships/barriers and or living expenses.

Eligible students must be enrolled full-time in the PhD or Joint Master's program in Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Manitoba; have achieved a minimum grade point average of 3.0 based on the last 60 credit hours of study; and, have completed the Peace and Conflict Studies Program Emergency Assistance Application.

Applications can be made at any time and will be considered on a case-by-case basis. For full eligibility details and to access the application form, please contact the Mauro Institute at mauro.institute@umanitoba.ca.

The Bob and Marnie Puchniak Family Graduate Scholarship

The purpose of this award is to celebrate the Puchniak family's relationship with St. Paul's College with an annual scholarship dedicated to a current, full-time graduate student member, either PhD or Masters, of our College who are pursuing Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Manitoba.

The Puchniak family have been long-time members and supporters of St. Paul's College. Mrs. Margaretmary Puchniak (nee Downey) served as Vice-Stick from 1967- 68 and received the Paulinian of the Year award. Mr. Robert Puchniak oversaw the initial fundraising which established the Arthur V. Mauro Centre for Peace and Justice at St. Paul's College.

The Bob and Marnie Puchniak Family Graduate Scholarship is awarded annually in January. Students wishing to be considered for this award must complete the Application Form which will be posted on this webpage in October with a deadline for submission in December.

The Dr. Karl Riese (SPS’54) Bursary in Peace and Conflict Studies

The Dr. Karl Riese (SPC’54) Bursary in Peace and Conflict Studies recognizes the legacy of Dr. Karl Riese, along with his passion for St. Paul’s College, the Arthur V. Mauro Institute for Peace and Justice, the Peace and Conflict Studies program, and the University of Manitoba, by providing an annual bursary for a Ph.D. student enrolled in the Peace and Conflict Studies Ph.D. Program.

The recipient must be in financial need and actively engaged in volunteer outreach events or research activities with the Arthur V. Mauro Institute for Peace and Justice. Further, the recipient must also be ineligible for academic aid (scholarships, fellowships, grants) and have successfully defended their dissertation proposal. The most likely recipient is a PhD Candidate who is in financial need, is actively engaged in Mauro Institute events and activities, has defended their dissertation proposal, and is actively engaged in the research and writing of their dissertation.

The application form is available among the Bursary Awards listed on this St. Paul's College webpage.

Other St. Paul's College awards

Undergraduate and graduate student members of St. Paul's College may be eligible for a variety of different awards and bursaries. Those awards are adjudicated by the St. Paul's College Dean of Students and require a different application form and process than the Mauro Institute awards.

• How to become a member of St. Paul's College
• More information about St. Paul's College Scholarships and bursaries

Other University of Manitoba Graduate Student awards and aid

• Faculty of Graduate Studies - funding, awards and financial aid. Find out how you can access funding so you can focus on your studies.