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Scholarships for TMU Graduate Students

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Join a uniquely interdisciplinary research community and enrich your academic journey

Every year, Bridging Divides (BD) offers a limited number of stipends to full-time Master's and PhD students studying or applying to study at Toronto Metropolitan University on a topic related to one of Bridging Divide’s four research themes (opens in new window) . 

Student recipients of the BD Graduate Student Stipend will be expected to participate in BD’s research training activities and workshops and will be integrated into a vibrant research team of scholars and graduate students, enjoying a comprehensive scientific and professional development experience. Supervisors or co-supervisors must be TMU faculty members directly involved in the BD program.

Funding amount

Master's – Entrance & Existing students stipend: Up to $20,000 per year for domestic and $30,000 for international, for a maximum of two years for incoming students. Renewals are subject to an annual review of the student’s progress and availability of funds. Available to prospective first-year students and existing students entering their second year of a Master's program at Toronto Metropolitan University in Fall 2024. 

PhD – Entrance & Existing students stipend: Up to $30,000 per year for domestic and $40,000 for international, for a maximum of four years for incoming students. Renewals are subject to an annual review of the student’s progress and availability of funds. Available to prospective first-year PhD students and existing PhD students enrolled in a Toronto Metropolitan University PhD program in Fall 2025.

Graduate students holding external grants (such as SSHRC/CIHR/NSERC or similar scholarships from independent sources or foundations) can apply for a top-up from the BD program provided they have a strong justification for receiving the additional grant. These will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Scientific Director and Co-Director.

Instructions for incoming graduate students

Deadline to apply: April 1, 2025

First-year incoming Master's students

Candidates must apply to a Toronto Metropolitan University Master's program of interest (see the appendix for eligibile affiliated programs) as per the specific program’s guidelines and requirements.

After applying to your Toronto Metropolitan University program(s) of interest, submit an online application form: Entrance Master's Bridging Divides Stipend Application (2025-2026) (external link) .

Online application form requirements include:

  • Indication of which program(s) at TMU you have applied for
  • CV
  • Transcript
  • Statement of Interest/Letter of Intent from Master’s program application
  • BD motivation letter (maximum 2 pages) stating your intent to apply for the BD Graduate Stipend, providing justification for why you should be given the stipend, and explaining how you research relates to at least one of the four research themes outlined on the Bridging Divides website

Additional requirements for FEAS applicants only:

  • Name of proposed\expected supervisor(s), one of which must be a Bridging Divides researcher
  • Written statement from the FEAS Associate Dean of Graduate Studies, stating that the applicant meets admission requirements.

If the candidate is accepted to the chosen TMU Master's program, their BD Graduate Student Stipend application will be considered.

Deadline: February 1, 2025

First-year incoming PhD students

Candidates must apply to a Toronto Metropolitan University PhD program of interest (see the appendix for eligible affiliated programs) as per the specific program’s guidelines and requirements.

After applying to your program(s) of interest, submit an online application form: Entrance PhD Bridging Divides Stipend Application (2025-2026) (external link) .

Online application form requirements:

  • Indication of which program(s) you have applied for
  • CV
  • Transcript
  • Statement of Interest/Letter of Intent from PhD program application
  • Writing Sample (max 10 pages)
  • BD motivation letter (maximum 2 pages) stating your intent to apply for the BD Graduate Stipend, providing justification for why you should be given the stipend, and explaining how you research relates to at least one of the four research themes outlined on the Bridging Divides website

Additional requirements for FEAS applicants only:

  • Name of proposed\expected supervisor(s), one of which must be a Bridging Divides researcher
  • Written statement from the FEAS Associate Dean of Graduate Studies, stating that the applicant meets admission requirements.

If the candidate is accepted to the chosen TMU PhD program, their BD Graduate Student Stipend application will be considered.

Instructions for existing graduate students

Deadline to apply: April 1, 2025

Candidates must be TMU Master's students entering their 2nd year of an eligible affiliated program in the 2025-26 academic year, whose thesis or MRP aligns with at least one of the Bridging Divides research themes.

Interested candidates must send an online application form: Existing Master's Bridging Divides Stipend Application (2025-2026) (external link) .

Online application form requirements include:

  • TMU ID Number
  • Indication of which program at TMU you are enrolled in
  • CV
  • Transcript
  • Statement of Interest/Letter of Intent from Master’s program application
  • BD motivation letter (maximum 2 pages) stating your intent to apply for the BD Graduate Stipend, providing justification for why you should be given the stipend, and explaining how you research relates to at least one of the four research themes outlined on the Bridging Divides website

Additional requirements for FEAS applicants only:

  • Name of your supervisor(s), one of which must be a Bridging Divides researcher.

Deadline: February 1, 2025

Candidates must be TMU PhD students enrolled full-time in an eligible affiliated program, whose doctoral thesis aligns with at least one of the Bridging Divides research themes.

Interested candidates must send an online application form: Existing PhD Bridging Divides Stipend Application (2025-2026) (external link) .

Online application form requirements:

  • TMU ID number
  • Indication of which program(s) you are enrolled in
  • CV
  • Transcript
  • Statement of Interest/Letter of Intent from PhD program application
  • Writing Sample (max 10 pages)
  • BD motivation letter (max 2 pages) stating that they wish to apply for the Bridging Divides Graduate Stipend, providing justification for why they should be given the Stipend, and explaining how their research relates to at least one of the four research themes outlined on the BD website.

Additional requirements for FEAS applicants only:

  • Name of your supervisor(s), one of which must be a Bridging Divides researcher.

BD offers graduate student stipends for a maximum of 2 years for incoming Master's students and up to 4 years for incoming PhD students. Students applying for stipends in subsequent years will only be eligible for funding that covers the remaining duration of their program. Funding will not be provided for Master's students who exceed 2 years or for PhD students who exceed 4 years.

The following graduate programs at Toronto Metropolitan University are eligible for the Bridging Divides Graduate Student Stipend. This list is not exhaustive; students in other graduate programs may also qualify. In those situations, eligibility will be considered on a case-by-case basis, with emphasis on the connection between the student's research and the BD thematic area as outlined in the application process.

Faculty of Arts

Criminology

Economics

Politics and Public Administration

Psychology

Spatial Analysis

Faculty of Community Services

Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science (FEAS)

Civil engineering (contact your current or prospective advisor for more details)

Electrical, Computer and Biomedical Engineering (contact your current or prospective advisor for more details)

Students applying to or enrolled in other graduate programs within the Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science may be eligible for a Bridging Divides Graduate Student Stipend. Contact your prospective or current advisor for more details.

Ted Rogers School of Management

The Creative School

Yeates School of Graduate Studies – Interdisciplinary Programs 

Environmental Applied Science and Management

Communications and Culture

Immigration and Settlement Studies

Data Science and Analytics