GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS & AWARDS

Scholarships available to students in the Department of Biology include:

Western Graduate Research Scholarship (WGRS)

All domestic graduate students in the Department of Biology who are admitted with and maintain a B+ (78%) average will receive a WGRS of $3,950.00/year. All international graduate students in the Department of Biology who are admitted with and maintain a B+ (78%) average will receive a WGRS of $10,450.00/year. In addition, major scholarship holders (NSERC, OGS, OGSST) will receive an additional WGRS of $4,000/year during the tenure of their external scholarship.

NSERC Scholarships (CGS and PGS)

Information and application forms can be found at http://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/. Applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents, and have an ‘A’ average. There are two categories of scholarships: Canada Graduate Scholarships (CGS) and Postgraduate Scholarships (PGS). MSc students are eligible for one-year of funding, valued at $17,500 for CGS and $17,300 for PGS-M (2004-2005 figures). PhD students are eligible for up to three years of funding, valued at $35,000 for CGS and $21,000 for PGS-D (2004-2005 figures). Holders of NSERC scholarships are entitled to receive a half-TA (5 hours/week over two terms), and may be offered a full Teaching Assistantship depending on availability of positions.

Application Deadline: Late September/early October. Check with the Graduate Program Coordinator for dates.

Ontario Graduate Scholarships (OGS)

Additional information and application forms can be found at http://osap.gov.on.ca/eng/not_secure/Plan_Grants_full_sepapp_OGS_12345.htm. O.G.S. scholarships are currently valued at $15,000/year, and are tenable for one year. Applicants may be Canadian citizens, Permanent Residents, or International Students, and must have an ‘A’ average. Holders of Ontario Graduate Scholarships are entitled to receive a half-TA (5 hours/week over two terms), and may be offered a full Teaching Assistantship depending on availability of positions. Please ensure that you use the correct forms as OGS will not accept applications submitted on a previous year's form.
Application Deadline: mid to late September. Check with the Graduate Program Coordinator for specific dates.

Ontario Graduate Scholarships in Science & Technology (OGSST)

Information and application forms can be found at http://grad.uwo.ca/faculty_staff/national_provincial_scholarships.htm.
OGSST scholarships, valued at $5,000 per term, are awarded to students enrolled in at least
their second full-time term. Applicants must be a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident, and
have an ‘A’ average. Students may hold the award for a minimum of two, and maximum of
three terms (one year), but may not simultaneously be holding an Ontario Graduate
Scholarship or an NSERC scholarship. Recipients of the OGSST are entitled to receive a half-
TA (5 hours/week over two terms), and may be offered a full Teaching Assistantship
depending on availability of positions. All applicants for OGSST must have previously applied
for both NSERC and OGS scholarships, if eligible.
Application Deadlines: early to mid-March. Check with the Graduate Program Assistant for
dates.

Graduate Student Travel Award

All graduate students in the Department of Biology. You must be presenting at a conference or workshop (oral/poster/other) to qualify for funding.
Priority for funding will go to those students who are presenting at a conference important to their academic career but whose supervisors are unable to cover the costs associated with the travel. Priority will also be given to students attending national or international conferences.

Robert and Ruth Lumsden Fellowships in Science (4)

Awarded annually to graduate students in any program in the Faculty of Science, with one fellowship reserved for students in the Department of Earth Sciences. Nominees must be registered in a Ph.D. program and must have completed at least two years of study in any graduate program at Western. Exceptional international students may also be considered. These fellowships were made possible by a bequest to Foundation Western by the late Ruth V. Lumsden (BA '79) and Robert O. Lumsden (BA '78). Students must submit an NSERC PGS-D application form including two current reference letters, as well as transcripts for all educational institutions. This documentation is to be submitted to the Graduate Program Assistant in early February (check with Graduate Program Assistant as date changes annually). Value: $1,000.00

Robert and Ruth Lumsden Graduate Awards in Science (2)

Awarded annually to graduate students in any Ph.D. graduate program in the Faculty of Science, based on financial need and academic achievement. Nominees must be either a Canadian citizen or Landed Immigrant and must have resided in the Province of Ontario for at least two years. Eligibility requires that students will have completed two full years of study at UWO in a graduate program in the Faculty of Science, maintained a minimum of B+ average over the two year period and the student must not hold a major scholarship or award such as NSERC or OGS.  At the time of nomination, the student should be receiving only the minimum total stipend which is normally guaranteed by the home department.  These fellowships were made possible by a bequest to Foundation Western by the late Ruth V. Lumsden (BA '79) and Robert O. Lumsden (BA '78). To apply, students must submit a letter of application along with a current C.V. and a Summary of Financial Information Form (OSOTF Awards form) to the Graduate Program Assistant in early February (check with the Graduate Program Assistant as the date changes annually). Value: $1,000.00 each.

Malcolm Ferguson Award in Life Sciences

Awarded to a full-time graduate student enrolled in a M.Sc. or PhD degree program in Biology based on academic performance (minimum 78%) and overall research contributions. Research contributions will be evaluated primarily based on refereed publications and presentations at national or international conferences. Applicants are requested to provide a covering letter, up-to-date curriculum vitae, academic transcripts and a reference letter from their graduate supervisor. Selection will be made by the Biology Graduate Education Committee. This award was established through Foundation Western in memory of Malcolm Ferguson by his wife Ruth to recognize his lifetime interest in Life Sciences and to reward excellence in the studies and research of graduate students in this field. Value: $1,000.00

Dr. Irene Uchida Fellowships in Life Sciences (2)

Two fellowships to be awarded annually to full-time graduate students currently enrolled in the Graduate Program of Biology (includes both Zoology and Plant Sciences) who have demonstrated financial need. Must be a Canadian citizen, Permanent Resident/Landed Immigrant or a Protected Person and meet the OSOTF requirements including OSAP Ontario Residency: You have always resided in Ontario OR Ontario is the last province you resided in for 12 consecutive months without being a full-time postsecondary student (high school education must have been in Ontario). To view the OSAP Ontario Residency requirements, please go to the following link: https://osap.gov.on.ca/eng/not_secure/App_elig_req_123.htm. Final selection will be based on academic excellence which includes grade point average and other scholarly activities (e.g., publications and presentations). Only students who have completed at least one year of graduate studies at The University of Western Ontario by the award date will be eligible. The application consists of the following:

All of the above supporting documentation must be submitted to the Biology Graduate Program Assistant in mid June (actual date to be communicated annually) for submission to the Office of the Dean of Science by June 30th. Value: $3,000 each.

Irene Uchida Fellowship Application Form
Financial Information for Graduate Students - OSOTF Awards

Ruth Horner Arnold Fellowship in Plant Sciences

This fellowship is awarded annually to a first year graduate student in the Graduate Program in Plant Sciences. Preference will be given to a student doing research in the field of mycology. Submit a letter of application, along with a current C.V. and a copy of your academic record which can be obtained from the Graduate Program Assistant. Applications are to be submitted to the Graduate Program Assistant by May 15. This fellowship is awarded in memory of the late Ruth Horner Arnold by Dr. John Arnold and colleagues. Value: $3,000.00 to be divided by 1, 2 or 3 students.

J.D. Detwiler Award in Plant Sciences

Awarded for demonstrated excellence in Plant Biology to any graduate student registered in the Graduate Program in Plant Sciences who has completed his/her assessment. A letter of application/nomination must be received by the Graduate Affairs Coordinator no later than May 15. This award was established in memory of Professor John D. Detwiler by his former students to reward excellence in the studies and research or graduate students and consequently may not be awarded every year. Value: $1,300.00

David E. Laudenbach Scholarship in Plant Sciences

To recognize the contributions of a graduate student in the Graduate Program in Plant Sciences who exemplifies a balance of research with the commitments of university, social and/or family activities. Minimum 78% academic requirement. Eligible graduate students may apply or be nominated for this award by other graduate students or faculty. A letter of application/nomination (outlining the excellence of the graduate student) should be submitted to the Graduate Affairs Coordinator by May 15. Value: $400.00

Michael Locke Graduate Travel Bursary in Zoology

Awarded to a full-time student in the Graduate Program in Zoology (interpreted as a student in the Biology Graduate Program working in the area of Zoology). Candidates must have achieved an academic average of 78%. Students must submit a letter of application and a one-page proposal to the Graduate Program Coordinator by March 1 outlining how the bursary will help them achieve their career objectives. Selection will be made by the Biology Graduate Education Committee. Value: up to $500

Chunfang Hu Award in Plant Sciences

This award will be given annually for the best Masters or Doctoral thesis in the Graduate Program in Plant Sciences. The selection will be made by the Biology Graduate Education Committee. This award was established by the faculty, staff and students of the former Department of Plant Sciences to honour the memory of Chunfang Hu and to reward excellence in graduate level research. Value: $300.00

J.D. Detwiler Award in Zoology

This award is given annually at Fall Convocation to the most meritorious graduate student obtaining a Doctoral or Masters degree in the Graduate Program in Zoology. The award is based on the merit of the candidate's thesis and oral examination, and selection will be made by the Graduate Education Committee. Value: $1,300.00

Dr. John W Arnold Fellowship in Zoology

One fellowship annually to be awarded to a Masters of Doctoral student in the Graduate Program in Zoology who ranks highest on his/her thesis and its oral defense. Selection will be made by the Graduate Education Committee. All things being equal, peference will be given to students in the area of Entomology or Ornithology. Eligible candidates must not hold any other major internal graduating award. Value: $1,300.00

This page was last updated on October 17, 2011
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