Awards | Funding
At Toronto Metropolitan University, there are a number of funding opportunities – internal and external – available to graduate students. You may be eligible for financial support in the form of scholarships, awards, prizes, bursaries, teaching assistantships, and research assistantships. See Graduate Studies: Financing Your Studies.
You can also search the database of university-wide scholarships (some of which are available to graduate students) on AwardSpring (external link) .
Below we have listed some of the many opportunities available to ComCult students.
Dr. Liss Jeffrey Graduate Award
Dr. Liss Jeffrey (1954-2009) was a media scholar and director of the McLuhan Global Research Network at the University of Toronto, where she taught graduate seminars in “Understanding McLuhan and Media,” “Communications, History, Theory and Technology” and “New Media and Policy.” In 1997, Dr. Jeffrey directed a new media and policy think tank called the byDesign eLab. It provided a public space network used to advance civic participation, community development and cultural content creation. This work was done through the national not-for-profit group Electronic Commons/Agora électronique.
When Dr. Jeffrey passed away, her family donated the collection of materials she had assembled on media studies and on Marshall McLuhan. They also donated a sum of money to establish the Dr. Liss Jeffrey Graduate Award in her memory. The purpose of the award is to provide financial support and recognize the academic achievement of a current Toronto Metropolitan University-registered doctoral student enrolled in the Joint Graduate Program in Communication & Culture whose research is in study of new media and/or the making of new media works.
The value of the award is $18,000. The tenure of the award is one year (12 months), non-renewable. For full-time PhD students going into year 2, 3, or 4. An application is required (external link) .
- Applicant must be a registered doctoral student in the Joint Graduate Program in Communication & Culture on the Toronto Metropolitan University side of the program.
- Applicant must going into 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year of the doctoral program.
- Applicant's research is in study of new media and/or the making of new media work.
- Applicant must be enrolled full-time.
- Applicant must have a clear academic standing.
- Applicant must have a cumulative GPA of 3.67 or higher.
- Applicant must demonstrate financial need.
- Applicant must be a Canadian Citizen, Permanent Resident or Protected Person.
- Applicant must be a resident of Ontario1.
- Applicant must not have previously received a Dr. Liss Jeffrey Graduate Award.
The application documents include:
- A project title and abstract
- A research proposal that outlines the goals this award would help you achieve. The proposal must make clear the intended impact the research will have on the study new media or on the making of new media works.
- unofficial transcripts
1 Resident of Ontario at the time of the application, is defined by one of the following criteria:
- Student has always lived in Ontario (i.e. Ontario is the only Canadian province/territory that the student has lived in); or
- Ontario is the last province in which student has lived for 12 months in a row without being a full-time postsecondary student; or
- Student lives in Ontario now and has lived in Canada for less than 12 months in a row.
Edward S. Rogers Sr. Graduate Student Fellowships
The Edward S. Rogers Sr. Graduate School Fellowship, first awarded in 2001, was established by Ted and Loretta Rogers to honour the contributions of Edward S. Rogers Sr. (1900-1939) to the Canadian communications industry. His alternating-current radio tube, perfected in 1925, revolutionized the home radio-receiver industry throughout the world.
The fellowships are available annually to recognize the accomplishments of Toronto Metropolitan University-based doctoral students in the Communication & Culture program who have demonstrated outstanding academic accomplishments in the communications field.
The value of this award is $20,000. The tenure of the award is one year (12 months). For students who have won an Ontario Graduate Scholarship, the Rogers endowment fund may provide the matching institutional funds. Consideration is automatic; no application required
Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarships
The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) CGS scholarships are named for Joseph-Armand Bombardier (1907-1964), a French-Canadian inventor and businessman, and founder of Bombardier. His most famous invention was the snowmobile.
Canada Graduate Scholarships-Master’s (SSHRC CGS-M)
The objective of the Canada Graduate Scholarships-Master’s (CGS M) Program is 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.
The value of this award is $27,000 for 12 months, non-renewable. An application is required. The deadline to apply is normally December 1.
Canada Graduate Scholarships-Doctoral (SSHRC CGS-D)
The SSHRC CGS-D award supports research that leads to the completion of a dissertation, major scholarly publication, performance, recital and/or exhibit that, as a requirement for completion of the program, is merit reviewed at the institutional level.
The value of this award is $40,000 per year for 36 months, up to a total of $105,000. An applicaton is required. The deadline to apply is in early October.
SSHRC Doctoral Fellowships
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) Doctoral Fellowships provide support for individuals undertaking doctoral studies at Canadian or foreign universities. The fellowships support students who demonstrate a high standard of scholarly achievement in undergraduate and graduate studies in the social sciences and humanities.
The value of this award is $40,000 for 12, 24 or 36 months. An application is required. The deadline to apply is normally in early October.
Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship
The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation (external link) is an independent and non-partisan charity established in 2001 as a living memorial to the former prime minister. The Foundation encourages research, reflection and action in four areas important to Canadians: human rights and dignity, responsible citizenship, Canada in the world, and people and their natural environment. The Foundation works through four programs: it grants doctoral scholarships, it awards fellowships to distinguished academics, it appoints mentors and it holds public conferences.
The value of this award is $40,000 per year for three years to cover tuition and reasonable living expenses and $20,000 per year for three years, as a research and travel allowance; and includes leadership training from Mentors and Fellows;
Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS)
Students in graduate studies at the master’s and doctoral levels can apply for a merit-based scholarship through the Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) Program. The Province of Ontario contributes two-thirds of the value of the award while Toronto Metropolitan University provides one-third.
The value of this award is $15,000 per year. Each OGS is tenable for a maximum of one year (three terms) and a minimum of two consecutive terms. An application is required.
Graduate Fellowships, Graduate Development Awards (RGF, RGDA)
All domestic applicants who apply before the Priority of Consideration deadline are automatically considered for Graduate Fellowships (RGF) and Graduate Development Awards (RGDA). Returning students students who perform at the level required will also be eligible for consideration for an RGF after their first year in a Toronto Metropolitan University graduate program. These awards will be dependent on availability of funding.
The value of the award varies (merit based - academic excellence) and is detailed in your Offer of Admission. Consideration is automatic - no application required.
Campus Employment
In the ComCult program at TMU, funding offers are provided without requiring students to work as teaching assistants. However, students have the option to accept research assistantships, graduate teaching assistantships (TAs/GAs), and other campus employment, such as contract lecturing or working as a writing consultant with Student Life and Learning Support. These roles provide valuable professional experience and offer competitive pay rates.
To support students interested in these opportunities, ComCult offers mentoring and guidance in applying for these positions, helping students gain meaningful on-campus employment that aligns with their career goals and academic interests.
Graduate Teaching Assistantships
A Graduate Assistant (GA) at Toronto Metropolitan University is a graduate student employed to support teaching-related duties. This position typically involves an average workload of 10 hours per week, with a maximum of 130 hours per term or 390 hours per year. GAs assist with teaching responsibilities, such as facilitating discussions, grading, supporting labs and tutorials, and contributing to an inclusive and engaging learning environment.
To prepare for these roles, GAs have access to professional development through a structured TA/GA Workshop Series. This includes four core workshops designed to orient new TAs/GAs, offered both in-person and online. Core workshops cover essential topics such as Equity and Inclusion in Teaching, Facilitating Active Learning, Grading Strategies, and Engaging Students in Discussions. Additionally, these workshops count towards Level 1 of the Graduate Teaching Development Program and qualify for Future Smart credit.
Those who complete the core workshop series earn the CanCred Digital Badge in Fundamentals of Teaching in Higher Education, recognizing their skills in effective discussion facilitation, active learning, inclusive teaching practices, and efficient feedback methods. Through these opportunities, TAs/GAs gain both practical teaching experience and credentials that support their professional development in higher education.
Disclaimer: The availability and monetary value of all awards, bursaries and scholarships are subject to change. The university reserves the right to change the listed award, scholarship or bursary information and/or value without notice. Toronto Metropolitan University's awards, scholarships and bursaries are not transferable to other postsecondary institutions.
TMU Senate Policy 161: Student Awards
Awards Subject to Cancellation: Students that withdraw, reduce their course load, alter their program of study, experience a decline in grades or no longer meet other scholarship eligibility/requirements may have to forfeit all or part of their award.
Privacy and Use of Information: TMU collects and uses your personal information to support decisions relating to scholarship, award, bursary eligibility and eligibility for government or other TMU financial assistance programs. We may need to disclose your personal information to limited third parties in order to assist you with financial assistance. Please refer to the TMU Notice of Collection for more information.
