Graduate Student Research Funding

Theory and Criticism students may apply for program funding through a variety of resources.

Graduate Student Conference Travel subsidy

Eligible expenses include:

  • registration
  • travel (from home or university to conference destination)
  • accommodation and meals where student is present for the purpose of a conference presentation
  • other costs related to conference presentations

Applicants are eligible to receive up to $700 per year. To be eligible, students must be presenting a paper at a recognized scholarly peer-reviewed conference. A copy of the conference program must be provided.

Original, itemized receipts must be submitted within 60 days for all expenses including boarding passes, if applicable. Credit card slips/statements are not accepted.
Mileage and meal rates can be found here and here. Per diems for private accommodations are not honoured. 

Documents are submitted online through Financial Services using your UWO user id and password. Contact the Program Coordinator for instructions.

Western encourages all Canadian citizens to register with the Government of Canada while abroad. Click here to learn how.

Cornell School of Criticism and Theory

Each year the Centre sends one Sponsored Participant to the Cornell School of Criticism and Theory summer session, valued at $3,000. The SCT offers advanced graduate students a chance to work with preeminent figures in critical thought -- exploring the relationships among literature, history, art, anthropology and the law. Participants work with the SCT's core faculty of distinguished scholars and theorists in one of four six-week seminars.

Preference will be given to PhD students who have passed their Qualifying exams, although exceptional candidates at an earlier stage in the program will also be considered. The sponsorship covers all tuition fees and does not cover residential costs, meals or travel. Applications must be submitted directly to the Theory Centre in either hard copy or electronic format and should include the following:

- A statement (no more than two pages) describing current scholarly interests and how the School of Criticism and Theory might further those interests and plans. The statement should include information about courses taken and/or taught in criticism and theory.
- Two letters of recommendation
- An up-to-date CV

Application deadline January 1st. Contact the Centre for more information.

Arts & Humanities Donor Awards

Graduate Donor Awards are designed to support the costs of research undertaken by full-time graduate students enrolled in a graduate program in Arts and Humanities. Applicants must be engaged in doing research as part of their degree requirements. Award values range between $800-$1200 per recipient. Funds can be requested to help offset the costs of field (including travel) research. Students will be notified via email once the competition opens, and the deadline is usually in January of each year. Contact Gabbi Whitlock at gwhitloc@uwo.ca for more information.

Graduate Thesis Research Awards

Funds for this award are provided jointly by the Office of the Vice-President (Research & International Relations) and the Faculty of Arts. The purpose of this award is to help support costs of research undertaken by graduate students at The University of Western Ontario that are directly related to the successful completion of their thesis/dissertation.

Faculty of Arts and Humanities Alumni Graduate Awards

Awarded to graduate students registered in the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (SGPS) and enrolled in any graduate program in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities. These Fellowships will be awarded to graduate students in order to cover expenses incurred as a result of a need to consult archival material off campus, or to otherwise travel in the context of their research. Candidates must have maintained a minimum A- average and exhibit research ability or potential.

Mary Routledge Fellowships

Awarded to full-time graduate students registered in the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (SGPS) and enrolled in a graduate program in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities who can demonstrate financial need and are maintaining a minimum 80% average.

Lynne Lionel Scott Scholarships

Awarded to full-time graduate students registered in the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (SGPS) and enrolled in a graduate program in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities with a demonstrated interest in Canadian studies and a minimum average of 78% average. Doctoral candidates have priority, but Masters candidates are also eligible. The Scholarship will be used to support research in Canadian arts, culture, literatures, language, or philosophy.

Other Sources of Funding

GTA Funds through PSAC 610

Graduate students employed as Graduate Teaching Assistants can apply for funds through their union, PSAC 610. The union has both scholarships and funds for various student issues. These applications are accessed, applied and adjudicated entirely through the union. Please visit their website here for more information.

SOGS Travel subsidy

The Society of Graduate Students Travel Subsidy covers up to a maximum of $500 based on demonstrated need. Subsidy deadlines are the last business day of each term.  Applications must be submitted within the term of the conference and are adjudicated once each term after the deadline. Learn more.