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Awards & Scholarships

G. Gordon Suffel Fellowship for Graduate Studies in Applied Economic Geology: This award is available to students whose thesis involves applied economic geology (i.e. field-based study of those aspects of metal concentrations in the Earth's crust which make them mineable). Value is $7,500, awarded partly as student income ($2,500) and partly to support cost of research ($5,000).

Arcangelo Rea Family Foundation Graduate Scholarship: This is intended for exceptional students involved in Faculty of Science research concerned with environmental issues, with preference being given to Earth Science students. Value is currently up to 2 awards @ $2000 each per year. This award may be held by MSc students for up to two years, and by PhD students for up to four years. Application is by letter of nomination from the Graduate Chair. Potential applicants must contact the Graduate Chair by 1st February each year.

Robert & Ruth Lumsden Graduate Fellowship in Earth Science: Four fellowships have been made possible through a bequest from the late Ruth V. Lumsden and Robert O. Lumsden. Each fellowship is valued at $1,000 and all graduate students in programs of Departments in the Faculty of Science are eligible for consideration. Eligibility is based on academic excellence and performance in graduate research. The weighting criteria in these areas will be the same as that used in applying for a PGS-D Fellowship and the same dossier used for that process must be submitted for consideration for one of these fellowships. Departments may also consider nominating exceptional international students for a fellowship and in such a case the same type of dossier would need to be prepared. Nominees must be registered in a Ph.D. program and must have completed at least two years of study in any graduate program at UWO. A selection committee will be established within the Dean’s Office and will select the top applicants among those nominated by departments. One of the four fellowships is specifically reserved for the Department of Earth Sciences but the remaining three have no restrictions.

Robert W. Hodder Travel Bursaries: Funding has been made available to support graduate student travel to the field or a conference. Applicants must meet Ontario OSAP residency requirements. Value: up to $500.

Geophysics Travel Scholarship: Awarded to students who are travelling to scientific conferences that are related to their thesis research. The scholarship is available to full-time students registered in the School of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies and enrolled in the Graduate Program in Geophysics. Students must have an average of 78% or higher.

The selection committee shall consist of the Chair of Earth Sciences plus two Geophysics faculty appointed by the Chair for a one-year term on a rotating basis. Apply to the Chair by October 31 each year. Academic standing is the principal criterion in the selection of successful candidates. Any one student will be limited to one travel scholarship per MSc program and two for the PhD program. However, at the discretion of the Selection Committee, a student may be awarded one additional scholarship, provided that it does not deny an award to another qualified applicant who has received fewer Geophysics travel scholarships. Up to three travel scholarships of $1000 each year.

Graduate Thesis Research Fund: Run by the Faculty of Science, this award will reimburse the necessary costs of thesis research. See the Faculty of Science for more details.

Faculty of Science Teaching Assistant Award: Given annually to the outstanding TA from each department under the Faculty of Science, as selected by the graduate committee based upon student and faculty nominations.

Alan D. Edgar Award in Petrology: Awarded biennially to a student entering the second year of a graduate program and specializing in Petrology. Selection is based on ingenuity in, and enthusiasm for, Petrology. The student also must have attained a minimum 78% average in their first year as a graduate student. The recipient will be selected by an Earth Sciences Departmental Committee that includes at least one member of the Graduate Committee. This award was established through Foundation Western by donations received from friends and family in memory of Dr. Alan D. Edgar, professor in geology from 1963 to 1998. Value: $1000.

External Funding

All students are encouraged to apply, where applicable, for Ontario Graduate Scholarships (OGS), Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), and Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship in Science and Technology (QEIIgsst) grants. Ph.D. students in particular are expected to apply for these scholarships, not merely because of the financial advantage but also because grant-writing is an essential part of academic training, and success in acquiring grants will be essential to finding employment in the highly competitive academic job market.

The Ontario Graduate Scholarship Program
osap.gov.on.ca

The Ontario Graduate Scholarship Program is jointly funded between the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities and matched funding through donations to The University of Western Ontario. The Ontario Graduate Scholarships are designed to encourage excellence in graduate studies at the master's and doctoral levels.

Annual Value: $10,000 to $15,000

Deadline for Application: The application deadline is set by your home department.

Eligibility to Apply:

  • Plan to be enrolled full-time in a graduate program at an Ontario university
  • Canadian citizen, permanent resident or an international student studying on a study permit
  • A- (80%) average over the last two years of study if less than two years of graduate work OR the cumulative graduate average, if more than two years
  • Have not exceeded the lifetime maximum of four years of government-funded awards including OGS, and awards from CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC.

How to Apply: Online application

Tools for submitting a successful application:

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)
www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca

NSERC Postgraduate Scholarships (PGS) provide financial support for masters and doctoral students in the natural sciences or engineering research programs.

Annual Value: $17,300 to $35,000

Deadline for Application: The application deadline is set by your home department.

Eligibility to apply:

  • Be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada
  • Hold (or expect to hold) a university degree in science or engineering
  • 1st class (A- or 80%) average in EACH of the last 2 years of study (full-time equivalent)
  • Intending to undertake full-time graduate studies at the master's or doctoral level in the natural sciences or engineering disciplines
    *Consult the NSERC website to verify your eligibility as more conditions may apply.

How to Apply: Application

Tools for submitting a successful application:

NSERC Industrial Scholarships (NSERC-IPS)

NSERC Industrial Scholarships (NSERC-IPS) are valued at a minimum of $21,000 per annum in 2008-2009. At least $6,000 per year of this amount will be contributed by a company, and the student will be expected to spend a minimum of 20% of time at that company working on his/her thesis project. Contact NSERC or the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies for further details. These scholarships have no deadline, therefore can be applied for throughout the year.

Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship in Science and Technology

Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship in Science and Technology (QEIIgsst), valued at $5,000 per term are awarded to students enrolled in at least their second full-time term. Students may hold the award for a minimum of two, and maximum of three terms (one year). Recipients may not simultaneously hold an Ontario Graduate Scholarship or an NSERC scholarship, and are permitted to hold a half TA per year during the award. All applicants for OGSST must have previously applied for NSERC and/or OGS scholarships, for which they are eligible. If winners are offered both the OGSST and external (NSERC, OGS) awards, they must accept the external award.

Application Deadlines: Typically April 1st, although internal Western and Departmental deadlines in March must also be met.

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