Graduate Student Support

Issue

The value of the government's awards for university research trainees has remained stagnant for two decades, disproportionately impacting marginalized and underrepresented groups. Despite the immense value of graduate studies, students pursuing advanced degrees face numerous challenges that can impede their progress and hinder their full potential. This stagnant funding has led to financial hardships among graduate students, affecting their well-being and diversity within the talent pool. The consequences are evident, with increasing numbers of students struggling to afford nutritious meals and facing rising costs of living. These challenges not only hinder the academic and personal growth of graduate students but also have a knock-on effect on research intensity and the overall teaching and learning experience within the Queen’s community.  

Vision

At the heart of our vision is the belief that our students are the future changemakers who will create a better world. Their time at Queen’s will influence and shape their perspectives, skills, and aspirations as they embark on journeys that will have profound impacts on society.  

At Queen's, learning is inspired by an inclusive and collaborative community where we prioritize the well-being of our students for their academic and professional success. In line with this, our vision is to create an environment where graduate students are fully supported and empowered to reach their highest potential. We envision a future where the invaluable contributions of graduate students are not only recognized but also valued and adequately funded. In this vision, we strive to alleviate the financial burden on graduate students, ensuring that they can wholeheartedly focus on their scholarly pursuits, engage in impactful teaching, and actively contribute to the advancement of knowledge.

Together, we can shape a future where our graduate students become catalysts for positive change, driving progress, addressing global challenges, and making a lasting impact on society. By nurturing their well-being, growth, and professional development, we foster a community that thrives on inclusivity, collaboration, and academic excellence. Through our commitment to their success, we empower graduate students to become leaders, innovators, and change-makers, creating a ripple effect that extends far beyond the university, shaping a brighter and more prosperous future for all. 

The Opportunity  

To realize this vision, we invite you to invest in graduate students’ financial and support systems. By providing targeted funding for Teaching Assistantships (TAs), Postdoctoral Fellowships, scholarships, bursaries, and support services, we can empower graduate students to thrive academically and professionally.

Through TAships, we can offer graduate students valuable teaching experiences while simultaneously alleviating financial burdens. As mentors and guides, they inspire and support undergraduate students in navigating their academic journeys, fostering a community of learning and growth. Simultaneously, graduate students in TAships develop essential skills, expertise, and experience that shape their own career trajectories.

Postdoctoral Fellowships offer a critical bridge between graduate studies and faculty positions, providing talented individuals with valuable research opportunities, mentorship, and career development. Postdocs bring advanced research skills and expertise to the institution, contributing to cutting-edge projects, scientific discoveries, and technological advancements. They enhance the research output and impact of the university and foster a culture of collaboration and innovation.

Additionally, targeted investments in scholarships, bursaries, and support services will significantly alleviate the financial burdens faced by graduate students. By providing entrance scholarships for underrepresented groups, establishing emergency bursaries, implementing housing and food security initiatives, and enhancing stipends, we can ensure that financial hardships do not hinder students' ability to fully engage in their academic pursuits.

Together, we can seize this opportunity to invest in our graduate students, fueling their success, and creating a supportive ecosystem that empowers them to reach new heights of achievement. 

Make an Impact

Empowering Future Leaders

Our investment in the success of graduate students extends far beyond our university. By supporting these exceptional scholars, we are nurturing a new generation of leaders and change-makers who will shape the world. Through the alleviation of financial burdens and the provision of funding for TAships and Postdoctoral Fellowships, we enable these brilliant minds to fully immerse themselves in their scholarly pursuits, unlocking groundbreaking discoveries, revolutionizing industries, and addressing pressing global challenges.

This, in turn, will also empower other future leaders across diverse fields: undergraduate education is enhanced by the expertise and guidance that graduate students serving as TAs provide to undergraduate learning experiences, and Postdoctoral Fellowships play a crucial role in mentoring graduate and undergraduate students, guiding them in research techniques, scientific writing, and career development. Their mentorship contributes to the development of the next generation of researchers and scholars, creating a sustainable cycle of knowledge transfer.

Moreover, the availability of Postdoctoral Fellowships attracts top talent and provides early-career researchers with the resources and mentorship needed to conduct cutting-edge research. This investment yields breakthroughs in various fields, fosters collaboration, and strengthens the institution's research output and reputation.  

Fostering Diversity and Inclusivity

Targeted investments in scholarships, bursaries, and support services not only alleviate financial burdens but also foster a more diverse and inclusive graduate student population, unleashing a torrent of diverse perspectives that will reshape academia. By providing financial support, we can ensure that talented individuals from underrepresented backgrounds have equal opportunities to pursue graduate studies and contribute their unique perspectives and experiences to the academic community. This diversity enriches the research environment, leading to the cross-pollination of ideas, the emergence of innovative interdisciplinary research projects, and far-reaching impacts on society that drive progress, address complex challenges, and foster positive change.

In this tapestry of impact, the success of graduate students becomes a beacon of hope, demonstrating the transformative power of education and support. By investing in their future, we cultivate a world where their brilliance and ingenuity reshape industries, drive policy changes, and create lasting positive change. Together, let us unleash their potential, igniting a wave of progress that transcends boundaries and leaves an indelible mark on our global society. 

Donate Today

Contact KP Anand, Executive Director of Development, to explore how you can help support graduate students and discuss the various options available for making a meaningful difference through your donation. To give more generally to graduate student recruitment, donate directly to our Graduate Student Recruitment Fund.

Contact KP Anand

Donate Directly to our Graduate Recruitment Fund

Community and Wellness

Strengthening the health and sustainability of current and future societies: creating a supportive, inclusive, and nurturing environment that places the well-being of every individual at the forefront.

This initiative will foster diversity and inclusivity within our graduate student community, while also supporting our graduate students’ mental and physical wellness by alleviating financial burdens that currently make it difficult for students to afford the essentials for prioritizing their health and wellness. 
 

More about Community and Wellness

Sustainability and Research

Confronting pressing global issues through transformative research, collaborative initiatives, and innovative solutions, as we invest in Sustainability and Research for a more sustainable future.

Investing in our graduate students is an investment in our future leaders. This initiative will support us in developing and empowering our future researchers who will make profound advancements in various fields, including research that contributes to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. 
 

More about Sustainability and Research