NMC Departmental Awards
The Arthur Stefanski NMC Community Building Award is given annually to a graduate student for significant contributions in strengthening the NMC community. This award is named in honour of NMC PhD student Arthur Stefanski who left us in June 2023. Arthur held numerous leadership positions in the Department, including: Lead WIT Teaching Assistant, President of the Graduate Student Association, and Graduate Professional Development Assistant. In addition to these leadership roles, Arthur was an important source of mentorship, encouragement, and support for peers in all areas of the Department. Please send your nomination with a brief note of support to NMC Chair, nmcchair@utoronto.ca, by Noon, Friday, April 5, 2024.
Each year in June, NMC distributes $2000 awards to students past the funded cohort who have made extraordinary progress on their dissertations in the past year, based on their PhD thesis Advisory Committee Report (due May 31), in comparison with the previous year’s report. ‘Extraordinary progress’ is assessed based on new material submitted. We consider extraordinary progress to consist of about 40% of the total planned dissertation (for example, 2 chapters of a planned 5-chapter dissertation). Students are ineligible if their report has not been submitted when the review occurs in mid-June, or if their report indicates ‘unsatisfactory progress’. The intention of this award is to recognize students making extraordinary progress, and to provide modest support toward dissertation completion in the following year.
The late Amir Hassanpour was a prominent Iranian-Kurdish scholar and researcher. This award was established by Friends and Family in honour of him. To be awarded to one or more graduate students (Masters or Doctoral) at the Department of Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations. The fund will support student research and experiential learning as it relates to Kurdish studies and is intended to be used for activities including (but not limited to): travel, archival research, and language study. To be awarded on the basis of financial need and academic merit at the discretion of the Department Chair.
Award Requires Application: Please provide the NMC Department, Graduate Administrator, with a cover letter, CV, and transcript. (Deadline: February)
Offered By: Faculty of Arts and Science
Type: Unrestricted
Citizenship: Domestic; International
Application Required: Yes
Nature of Award: Academic Merit, Financial Need
Estimated Value: between $1,200 - $2,500
To be awarded to one or more graduate students (Masters or Doctoral) undertaking field work and/or research travel as part of their studies. Funds will be distributed on the basis of financial need and academic merit at the discretion of the Department Chair, and are intended for the costs of these opportunities.
Award Requires Application: Please provide the NMC Department, Graduate Administrator, with a cover letter, CV, and transcript.
Offered By: Faculty of Arts and Science
Type: In-Course
Citizenship: Domestic; International
Application Required: Yes
Nature of Award: Academic Merit, Financial Need
Estimated Value: between $1,200 - $2,500
To be awarded to a graduate student in the Department of Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations.
NOTE: Since 2022, NMC has granted this award in June to a student past the funded cohort who has made extraordinary dissertation progress in the past academic year based on their annual supervisory report.
Offered By: Faculty of Arts and ScienceType: In-course
Citizenship: Domestic; International
Application Required: No
Nature of Award: Other
Estimated Value: between $600 - $1,100
Awarded to an undergraduate/graduate student(s) enrolled in a program offered by the Department of Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations and engaged in Turkish studies or Turkey-related activities. Recipients may be enrolled in Turkish language, culture or history courses; pursuing research related to Turkey; and/or aiming to carrying out studies or training in Turkey. The scholarship will be awarded based on merit and financial need to Ontario residents.
Offered By: Faculty of Arts and ScienceType: In-course
Citizenship: Domestic
Application Required: No
Nature of Award: Academic Merit, Financial Need
Estimated Value: up to $ 2,850
To be awarded to one or more graduate students on the basis of academic merit with preference given toward support for international students enrolled in a PhD program in the Department of Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations, specifically in Turkish Studies.
Offered By: Faculty of Arts and ScienceType: In-course
Citizenship: Domestic; International
Application Required: No
Nature of Award: Academic Merit, Other
Estimated Value: between $2,500 - $5,000
Awarded to full or part-time students on the recommendation of the Department of Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations for the best essay in an aspect of Hebrew Syntax with an A average.
Offered By: Faculty of Arts and ScienceType: In-course
Citizenship: Domestic; International
Application Required: No
Nature of Award: Academic Merit
Estimated Value: approx. $ 250
Awards for Conferences, Fieldwork, Travel, and Language Study
To be awarded to graduate students (Masters or Doctoral) on the basis of academic merit and financial need. Students must be undertaking Arabic language training in the Department of Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations. Funds will be distributed at the discretion of the Department Chair, and are intended for the costs of these opportunities.
Award Requires Application: Please provide the NMC Department, Graduate Administrator, with a cover letter, CV, and transcript. (Deadline: In late February or early March)
Offered By: Faculty of Arts and ScienceType: In-courseCitizenship: Domestic; International
Application Required: Yes
Nature of Award: Academic Merit, Financial Need
Estimated Value: between $2,500 - $5,000
To be awarded to doctoral students in the Department of Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations. For the purpose of travel to conduct research and/or expenses associated with attending an academic conference.
Appications are accepted at any time.
Offered By: Faculty of Arts and ScienceType: In-courseCitizenship: Domestic; International
Application Required: No
Nature of Award: Academic Merit, Financial Need
Estimated Value: Varies
* Please contact Michael Godwin, NMC Graduate Administrator, for an application.
The Study Elsewhere of Less Commonly Taught (SELECT) Languages for Research Purposes fund enables graduate students to pursue language study required for their research outside of U of T, if this language is not regularly taught at U of T. Funds are awarded to individual graduate students through the graduate unit.
If you meet the proposal requirements and are interested in applying for the SELECT Languages funding, consult with your Academic Advisor and send your completed application and your current U of T transcript to NMC Graduate Administrator Michael Godwin (michael.godwin@utoronto.ca. Additionally, ask your Academic Advisor to send Michael Godwin a cover letter briefly justifying the need for you to undertake this language study elsewhere in the time period specified by the application. The competitive process is overseen by the NMC Graduate Affairs Committee led by the Chair of the Committee, Professor Miller. For any questions, contact Michael godwin with “SELECT” in the subject line.
Deadline: In late February or early MarchEstimated Value: $2,000
The SGS Conference Grant provides financial support to encourage eligible students to actively present their research at an academic conference during the early stages of their graduate studies.
This grant aims to provide successful applicants with funds to cover at least the applicant’s minimum registration fee for the proposed conference. Depending on availability of funds, in-person presentations that require travel may receive top-ups based on the location of the conference; virtual presentations will be eligible for the registration fee portion only.
For more information, visit the SGS Conference Grant webpage.
The SGS Research Travel Grant provides financial support to eligible students who are registered in the Humanities or Social Sciences, in order to pursue research travel that is necessary for the final stages of their PhD or SJD program.
Funding for this competition is supported by the School of Graduate Studies, the Faculty of Arts and Science, the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), The Associates of the University of Toronto Travel Award, and The Edward W. Nuffield Graduate Travel Fellowship.
For more information, visit the SGS Research Travel Grant webpage.
University & Other Awards
Iranian Students and Iranian Studies
To be awarded on the basis of financial need to international students from Iran (admitted to the U of T) or current U of T students, from any background, studying Iranian studies. Students apply through the Iranian Student Memorial Scholarship program. For more information, visit the Iranian Student Memorial Scholarship webpage on the University Registrar's Office website.
Offered By: University Registrar's OfficeType: Admission
Citizenship: Domestic; International
Application Required: Yes
Nature of Award: Financial Need, Other
Estimated Value: Based on financial need
The University of Toronto has established the Iranian Student Memorial Scholarship Fund in honour of those who lost their lives in the crash of Ukrainian International Airlines Flight PS752, including eight members of the University of Toronto community. The Iranian Student Memorial Scholarship provides needs-based award(s) to international students from Iran (admitted to the U of T) or current U of T students, from any background, studying Iranian studies. For more information, visit the Iranian Student Memorial Scholarship webpage on the University Registrar's Office website.
Recipients shall be selected by a faculty review committee appointed by the Director of the EOM Institute of Iranian Studies. To be awarded to at least two graduate students in Iranian/Persian studies to conduct research, pursue language training abroad and participate in conferences.
Established In: Faculty of Arts and ScienceApplication Required by Student
Nature of Award: Other
Estimated Value: Varies
Recipients shall be selected by a faculty review committee appointed by the Director. To be awarded to up to two top graduate students in Iranian/Persian-related studies who have completed all coursework and other requirements for their PhD except the dissertation. EOM Dissertation Completion Fellowships shall be for a period of one year, with an option for a one-year renewal.
Established In: Faculty of Arts and ScienceApplication Required by Student
Nature of Award: Academic Merit, Other
Estimated Value: Varies
Domestic Students Eligible
The objective of the Canada Graduate Scholarships-Master’s (CGS M) Program is to help develop research skills and assist in the training of highly qualified personnel by supporting students who demonstrate a high standard of achievement in undergraduate and early graduate studies. The Tri-council allocates CGS M awards to universities specifying the number of awards that each may offer to their students annually. CGS M awards can only be offered to students pursing graduate studies at eligible Canadian universities, and the award must be held at the university that has made the offer.
For more information, visit the CGS Master's Program webpage.
The Canada Graduate Scholarships—Doctoral (CGS D) program is a federal program of scholarships awarded through national competitions by the granting agencies: the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC). The program aims to promote continued excellence in Canadian research by rewarding and retaining high-calibre doctoral students at Canadian institutions. By providing support for a high-quality research training experience to awardees, the CGS D program strives to foster impacts within and beyond the research environment.
For more information, visit the CGS Doctoral Program webpage.
All Nationalities Eligible
The School of Graduate Studies offers between 15–20 awards annually through it’s University Wide Award (UWA) competition. Awards vary in terms of the specific eligibility criteria (merit, financial need, student citizenship, area of research etc.). Accordingly, applicants are encouraged to review the award-specific criteria outlined within each award description, to ensure they are eligible before submitting their application.
For more information, visit the SGS University-Wide Awards webpage.
The Vanier CGS program aims to attract and retain world-class doctoral students by supporting students who demonstrate both leadership skills and a high standard of scholarly achievement in graduate studies in social sciences and humanities, natural sciences and engineering, and health. The Vanier CGS program strongly encourages candidates to pursue their studies beyond the university that granted their previous degree(s).
For more information, visit the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship webpage.
The Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) program encourages excellence in graduate studies at publicly-assisted universities in Ontario. Since 1975, the OGS program has been providing merit-based scholarships to Ontario’s best graduate students in all disciplines of academic study. The scholarship program at U of T is jointly funded by the Province of Ontario and the University of Toronto. The Province allocates OGS awards to universities specifying the number of awards that each may offer to their students annually.
For more information, visit the OGS webpage.
The Connaught International Scholarship for Doctoral Students is a cost-sharing initiative designed to assist graduate units in recruiting and supporting top international students by providing a top-up scholarship to each recipient, which will be paid in addition to the program’s normal funding package provided by the graduate unit.
For more information, visit the Connaught International Scholarship webpage.
The School of Graduate Studies created the Doctoral Completion Award (DCA) in 2010 to provide financial assistance for full-time PhD and SJD students in the final stage of their program. DCA funds are made available to graduate faculties to support eligible students who are beyond the funded cohort but still within the time limit for the degree. The DCA is managed locally by the graduate faculty/unit.
Graduate students experiencing a disruption in their program and/or otherwise impacted trajectory should inquire about supports and services through the Registrar’s Office or Graduate Unit. More information is available on the SGS Research and Academic Resiliency and Adaptation Tool Kit webpage.
- The SSEA Toronto Chapter offers, subject to available funding in any applicable year, a scholarship to Honour the memory of the late Curator of the ROM Egyptian Collection, Professor at the Department of Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations (NMC) and former Trustee and Multi-term President of the SSEA, Professor Nicholas B. Millet.
- This scholarship is intended by the Chapter to be in the amount of up to $1,000 and may be awarded to one applicant or split among several applicants in any year, as the Executive of the Toronto Chapter which is responsible for administering the award of the scholarship may determine, in its sole and absolute discretion.
- This scholarship is open to all Graduate students of the Department of NMC Studies who are members of the SSEA and also to other Graduate students of other Departments in the University of Toronto, who are also members of the SSEA, whose area of research encompasses work that will be meaningfully related to the study of Ancient Egypt up to 550 C. E.
- As a condition of being awarded any scholarship funds the applicant must agree that he or she will provide, on a mutually convenient date following the conclusion of that research, a lecture that is open to the general membership without charge, on the topic of their work, without further Honorarium from the SSEA.
- Successful applicants will be selected by a panel comprising the Executive of the Toronto Chapter of the SSEA, with the assistance of such other advisory personnel as they may seek advice from, prior to making their decision. The decision of the Executive will be final, binding on all applicants and not subject to appeal.
- The selection of the successful applicant(s) will be made in Mid October, and the name(s) will be announced at the AMOM of the Chapter. All applicants are advised to have their written proposals submitted electronically to the Society for the Study of Egyptian Antiquities-Toronto Chapter by no later than 4:00:00 PM on September 15. Late entries will not be considered for this scholarship. Applicants will have to apply in each year that the scholarship is offered by the Society, in order to be considered for that year's award(s).
- For clarification, the society will only consider an application for research that has been done within the 12 months previous to the application deadline.
- The condition of any award is that it is to reimburse costs that the student would otherwise be obliged to fund on their own. The amount of the scholarship will take into account all other amounts of funding received by the applicant.
- All applicants must sign a form, as part of the application process, indicating that they agree to be bound by all terms and conditions of any scholarship award they may receive from the SSEA.
- Further details, application forms and contact information may be obtained from the Society's Web Site. To apply for the Nicholas B. Millet Scholarship, please email your submission materials to the Toronto Chapter at: sseatoronto@gmail.com.
In honour of the significant contributions made by Professor Adel S. Sedra, former U of T Vice President and Provost, the University of Toronto Alumni Association (UTAA) has established this award to recognize a doctoral student who demonstrates outstanding academic achievement and extracurricular leadership.
One fellowship of up to $25,000 is awarded annually. Finalists, up to 3, receive $1,000 each.
For more information, visit the Adel S. Sedra Distinguished Graduate Award webpage.
Established with initial funding from the Donner Canadian Foundation, the School of Graduate Studies and Massey College provide this Fellowship, on an annual basis, as an established mechanism through which the University of Toronto is able to support eligible graduate candidates who meet the criteria listed below. The Fellowship offers financial support for academic endeavours and the opportunity to participate in the Massey College community.
Please note that the SGS Scholars-at-Risk Fellowship is separate from the Scholars and Students at Risk Award Program administered by the University Registrar’s Office (URO). Students should apply to only one of these opportunities per academic year; either the SGS Scholars-at-Risk Fellowship OR the URO’s Scholars and Students at Risk Award Program.
For more information, visit the Scholars-at-Risk Fellowship webpage.
If you have any questions, please contact Michael Godwin, Graduate Administrator, at michael.godwin@utoronto.ca.