These awards do not require an application, and many are part of funding packages given to students when they receive an admission offer. Queen’s Graduate Awards are administered by the School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs based on recommendations from individual departments. Thanks to the generosity of university benefactors, Queen’s offers numerous opportunities to graduate students to receive internal fellowships, scholarships, and awards. A list of these can be found on the Internal Awards and Financial Assistance page within the Graduate Calendar. Be aware that some are discipline specific.
The Tri-Council is comprised of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). Detailed information about applying can be found on each agency’s website. You may be required to apply for one of these awards during your time at Queen’s. These prestigious awards provide significant funding for your research at Queen’s. The University recognizes the success of those who receive Tri-Council awards by offering Tri-Agency Recipient Recognition Awards to incoming Master’s and PhD students. For the 2025-26 academic year this one time payment will be $5000. The Awards and Financial Assistance section of the Academic Calendar provides further information.
Ontario Graduate Scholarships (OGS) are merit-based, promoting excellence in Master’s and doctoral students. If you’re eligible, you’ll need to apply through the university where you’ll be enrolled in your graduate degree. OGS are valued at $15,000 for one academic year, usually paid in 3 equal installments. The award is not renewable. You may be obligated to apply for OGS and can ask your Graduate Coordinator for more details. The Academic Calendar’s Awards and Financial Assistance provides further information.
There are many opportunities for you to undertake research abroad while you are at Queen’s. The Student Affairs website outlines information about the Rhodes Scholarship program with links to the Rhodes Scholarship Canada page. This opportunity (first awarded in 1902) enables outstanding young people to study at the University of Oxford. Fulbright Canada runs a range of programs supporting exceptional Canadian students and scholars who wish to study, research, or lecture in the United States.
Mitacs Funding Opportunities
Mitacs supports fellowships and awards for Masters students, Ph.D. students & post-doctoral fellows, including internship programs, and student travel awards. For information on Queen's internal application process and the Mitacs Globalink Research Award, see all details outlined on the University Research Services website.
Information on funding specific to international students can be found on the Funding for International Students page.
Information on funding specific to Indigenous students can be found on the Funding for Indigenous Students page.
The School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs Conference Travel Awards support students traveling to conferences to present their scholarship. Departments manage these applications and should be contacted directly for details on how to apply.
The Graduate Dean’s Travel Grant for Doctoral Field Research is a competitive award for doctoral students pursuing dissertation research at a considerable distance from Queen’s. The maximum value of the award is $3,000. Graduate programs and departments receive details and application materials approximately 8 weeks prior to the annual competition deadline.
Queen’s offers a variety of financial assistance programs, some of which are administered by the Student Awards Office. Students can obtain needs-based financial assistance (e.g., the Queen’s General Bursary) or work programs. These programs are intended to supplement, not replace, a student’s and their family’s contributions. The Graduate Calendar provides further information on other non-competitive awards, loans, and financial assistance programs, including the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP), work study, and financial assistance for students with disabilities.
The $15,000 Bursary for Indigenous Students is “awarded on the basis of demonstrated financial need to Indigenous students in any year of any faculty or school at Queen’s.” Recipients may be full- or part-time students. You can apply to the Office of the University Registrar, Student Awards via SOLUS.
The SGSPA makes Maternity-Parental Leave Funding available to doctoral students. These funds provide support to a new parent taking a leave from full-time graduate studies to start or expand their family. The SGSPA provides $5,000 to funding-eligible PhD students who have been granted maternity or parental leave under the Maternity and Parental Leave Regulation.
The Ban Righ Centre offers financial assistance to women (note: all bursaries and awards are assessed based on the financial needs of applicants).
The Society of Graduate and Professional Students (SGPS) offers Activity, Emergency Assistance, Dental, and International Student Bursaries to support graduate students. The SGPS Activity Bursary subsidizes participation in Queen’s University clubs, intramural teams, events, and conferences to a maximum of $150.00. For more details see the SGPS website.
Student-led initiatives organized by and directed toward graduate students (e.g., organizing conferences or hosting events) may be awarded funding through the Dean of the SGSPA. At least two months before the need for funding, students should complete and submit a Request for Funding form to sgspa.admin@queensu.ca This SGSPA Student Initiative Fund does not exceed $1,000. Open the attached PDF for Guidelines and the application form (237KB).
The Vice-Provost and Dean of Student Affairs established the Student Initiative Fund to provide year-round funding opportunities for special projects and initiatives that enhance the student experience and enrich the University community. The Fund exists for projects dedicated to the principles of personal and community development and especially to provide extra- and co-curricular educational opportunities for students to build leadership, citizenship, intercultural awareness and/or community-building skills. Full details on the award and the online application form can be found on the Student Affairs website.