Funding for Graduate Students

Find information on the awards, scholarships and prizes available for graduate students at the University of Alberta.

Access the GSMS Awards Portal to apply »

College of Social Sciences and Humanities (CSSH) SSHRC Doctoral Scholarship Workshop

CSSH is hosting an intensive workshop to provide applicants with guidance through key elements of a successful proposal and applicant statement, while offering strategies to make the process more focused and manageable. Topics include: 

  • Refining your research question or problem
  • Connecting your question with theory and method
  • Positioning yourself as an effective researcher
  • How to pitch your research to adjudicators
  • Polishing your application
  • Navigating the emotions of grant writing

This is a valuable opportunity to get expert guidance, structured time to develop your application, and feedback in a supportive environment. Space is limited, so register early!

  • Aug. 14 | 9 a.m. -  4 p.m. MT | On-Campus, In-Person (Room TBC) | Register

Tri-Council Doctoral Scholarship Application Information Session

Hosted by GPS Award Services, this session aims to help doctoral students develop strong research proposals and strategies to obtain reference letters for the Tri-Council Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral (CGRS D) program. 

  • Aug. 18 | 1 - 2:30 p.m. MT | Register

2026 NSERC Scholarships and Fellowships Information Sessions

NSERC is hosting the following information sessions for the doctoral and postdoctoral programs. These sessions will be hosted as live Q&A MS teams meetings and will serve to provide details and guidance to students and postdoctoral researchers planning to apply to NSERC programs. Before attending a session, participants must read the relevant program description and come prepared with their questions. Please attend any of the sessions that best suits your schedule.

Killam Trusts Graduate Scholarships

The $400 million Killam Trusts are among Canada's largest and most prestigious endowments for scholarly activities. The Killam Bequest has provided more than $60 million to the University of Alberta between the three programs that GPS administers.

The Killam Award for Excellence in Mentoring recognizes outstanding performance in the area of mentoring summer research students, graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, visiting research scholars and undergraduate students.

Tri-Council Graduate Scholarships + Awards

Canada's three major research grant agencies offer fellowships for postdoctorates. In addition to the information provided on the U of A site, always check the agency website for detailed instructions and requirements.

Alberta Innovates Graduate Funding

Alberta Innovates invests in the support of academically superior graduate students undertaking full-time research education at an Alberta university, leading to a research-based master's or doctoral degree.

Thesis Completion Awards

These awards are offered in recognition of outstanding theses at the master's and doctoral level. Students must have completed, or are nearing completion of their graduate degree program.

Entrance and Recruitment Scholarships

These scholarships support the recruitment of outstanding graduate students to the University of Alberta. They recognize academic excellence and help attract exceptional master's and doctoral students beginning their graduate studies.

Department Awards

The Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies (GPS) administers over 500 Department Awards, valued in thousands of dollars, endowed or annually funded by donors to the University of Alberta. There are two donor funded Department Award categories: Department Specific Awards and Inter-Department Awards.

Alberta Graduate Excellence Scholarship

The Alberta Graduate Excellence Scholarship (AGES) recognizes outstanding academic achievement among graduate students studying in Alberta. Funded by the Government of Alberta, the scholarship supports the recruitment and retention of exceptional master's and doctoral students, including international students.

GPS Graduate Travel Award

Travel Awards provide financial support to graduate students who travel to disseminate their research or further their research development. 

Additional Graduate Student Funding

Minimum Guaranteed Funding for PhD Students

Minimum guaranteed funding for PhD students at the University of Alberta provides financial support for current and incoming doctoral students through years one to four of their program with minimum guaranteed funding of $100K CAD over four years and not less than $25K CAD in their first year.

Learn more about Minimum Guaranteed Funding