Research Manitoba
You can apply directly to Research Manitoba, which provides funds for research in the health sciences through a number of grants and awards programs.
Faculty of Graduate Studies
Funding, awards and financial aid
We want you to succeed as a graduate student. Find out how you can access funding so you can focus on your studies.
Award winners
UM Vanier Scholars
PhD candidates from the departments of psychology and Indigenous studies can now count themselves among Canada’s top graduate students. .
Vanier Scholars are Canada’s top graduate students, chosen for their academic excellence, research potential, and leadership – united by a passion to create a better world. They will receive $150,000 over three years towards their research.
Aurora Robert named a 2024 Pierre Elliott Trudeau Scholarship Finalist
Aurora Robert, a PhD student from the University of Manitoba, has been named as one of 30 finalists in the highly competitive Pierre Elliott Trudeau Scholarship process. The prestigious scholarship, which recognizes exceptional doctoral students who are committed to solving complex societal issues, has acknowledged Aurora’s research in computational modeling and its potential impact on policy formation, particularly in the realm of climate change mitigation.
Robert (Bobby) McHardy is a recipient of the Canada Graduate Scholarship to honour Nelson Mandela
This prestigious recognition is awarded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) to outstanding doctoral students whose research aligns with the values championed by Nelson Mandela, including national unity, democracy, freedom and human rights, leadership, and children’s participation in society and children's health.
- Read about Bobby's research
- Learn more about the Canada Graduate Scholarships to Honour Nelson Mandela
Distinguished Dissertation Award Winners
University of Manitoba Distinguished Dissertation Awards are given to graduating doctoral students who have been nominated by their faculty/college/school for a dissertation that represents a ground-breaking piece of original work. Each year, one award is offered in each of the following categories: applied sciences, health sciences, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. Awardees receive a $3,000 prize.
2024 Winners
Ali Safian
The smart sensors Ali created are hidden inside industrial machines and will make the environments they operate in safer and more efficient.
Qian Liu
Using the latest in advanced artificial intelligence (AI), Qian developed new models that can improve the interpretation of MRI scans, enhancing the early detection and accurate diagnosis of breast cancer.
Ying Yang
Ying Yang delved into the complex world of light-matter interaction.
Previous Distinguished Dissertation Award Winners
Award opportunities
These are a sampling of the many awards available to UM graduate students.
Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS) Statement on Transcripts for Tri-Agency Award Competitions at the University of Manitoba
Students are responsible for obtaining official, up-to-date, and complete transcripts and for ensuring transcripts for all post-secondary institutions attended are included in their application(s).
FGS does not provide students with copies of transcripts from student records or copies of previously submitted transcripts. This includes transcripts from other Canadian or international post-secondary institutions, UManitoba, and transcripts submitted as part of previous or current admission or award applications.
Missing, unofficial, illegible, or untranslated transcripts may deem students’ applications incomplete or ineligible and will not be reviewed.
University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowships (UMGF)
For: Master’s and doctoral students
New annual rates effective September 1, 2024
The UMGF Fellowships are valued for a 12-month period at $20,000 for Master's students and $25,000 for PhD students. Please check with your department for how to be considered for a UM Graduate Fellowship.
Application deadline: Please contact your department.
G. Clarence Elliott Fellowship
For: Master’s and doctoral students
Established in honour of a former Winnipeg vice-president and treasurer of The Great-West Life Assurance Company, the fellowship is awarded to a maximum of $10,000.
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
For: Doctoral students
These scholarships help Canadian institutions attract highly qualified doctoral students. They are valued at $50,000 per year for three years during doctoral studies.
Departmental awards
Many University of Manitoba departments have internal awards based on academic merit, the values of which vary by department. Please check with your department for deadlines and details.
Upcoming and recorded award information sessions
Workshop Recording - Scholarships for Indigenous students 2024
For more information on Canada Graduate Scholarship – Master’s programs, please visit: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Students-Etudiants/PG-CS/CGSM-BESCM_eng.asp
Workshop Recording - Canada Graduate Scholarships – Master’s 2024: Applicant Workshop
For more information on Canada Graduate Scholarship – Master’s programs, please visit: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Students-Etudiants/PG-CS/CGSM-BESCM_eng.asp
Workshop Recording Canada Graduate Scholarships - Doctoral 2024
Research funding
Find available research funding for master’s and doctoral students.
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Mitacs
Mitacs is a national research network and funding agency that supports collaborative industrial-academic research projects and the training of highly qualified personnel.
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Tri-Council awards (federal funding)
Explore the three major government funding bodies that provide funding for scholarly research in Canada.
There are a number of funding opportunities available specifically for Indigenous and international students.
Indigenous graduate student awards
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Master’s Award for Indigenous Students
In years when funds are available, this merit-based award is open to Indigenous students who are enrolled full-time in a master’s program at the University of Manitoba.
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Doctoral Award for Indigenous Students
This merit-based award is open to Indigenous students who are enrolled full-time in a PhD program at the University of Manitoba.
International graduate student awards
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International Graduate Student Entrance Scholarships
These scholarships reward the excellence of incoming international graduate students. The scholarship value is equivalent to the international student differential tuition fee.
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International Graduate Student Scholarships
These scholarships reward the excellence of international graduate students enrolled full-time in master’s or doctoral programs at UM. Their value is equivalent to the amount of the international differential tuition fee.
Upcoming award deadlines
May 15, 2025 - Eirikur and Thorbjorg Stephanson Scholarship
Value: (1) Award, variable value
For: PhD students
Details: Those who apply for this fellowship will be considered for the McCrorie-West Family Fellowship in Alzheimer’s Research
Research field(s): Conducting research directly related to finding a treatment or cure for Alzheimer’s disease in the Province of Manitoba
May 15, 2025 - Mccrorie-West Family Fellowship for Alzheimer’s Research
Value: (1) Award (1) Renewable award, variable value
For: PhD students
Details: Those who apply for this fellowship will be considered for the Eirikur & Thorbjorg Stephanson Scholarship
Research field(s): Conducting research directly related to finding a treatment or cure for Alzheimer’s disease in the Province of Manitoba
May 16, 2025 - Alzheimer Society of Manitoba Fellowships
Value: $4,000
Details: Full-time Master’s students, post-graduate medical program (medical residents electing to take a year off from residency to pursue full-time research), and PhD students attending universities in Manitoba
Research field(s): Interest in research in the area of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias
May 16, 2025 - Dr. Barbara Payne Scholarship
Value: $800 (Minimum amount)
Details: Full-Time Masters (1st or 2nd year or program) PhD (within first 4 years of program)
Research field(s): Conducting or will conduct thesis research in the area of social gerontology
May 16, 2025 - Centre on Aging: Betty Havens Memorial Graduate Fellowship
Value: $2,000 (Minimum amount)
Details: Full-Time Masters (1st or 2nd year or program) PhD (within first 4 years of program)
Research field(s): Has demonstrated outstanding interest or commitment to research in aging
May 16, 2025 - Esther and Samuel Milmot Scholarship
Value: $1,000 (Minimum amount)
Details: Full-Time Masters (1st or 2nd year or program) PhD (within first 4 years of program) in Faculty of Arts
Research field(s): Research focuses on aging
May 16, 2025 - Faculty of Graduate Studies Research Completion Scholarship
Value: Multiple scholarships to be awarded with minimum value of $2,500
For: Full-time Master’s & PhD students
Details: For Masters and PhD student enrolled full-time in a thesis-based program in the Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Manitoba
Research field(s): Must have, at the time of application, an approved thesis proposal
May 16, 2025 - Jack Macdonell Scholarship for Research on Aging
Value: $4,000 (Minimum amount)
Details: Full-Time Masters (1st or 2nd year or program) PhD (within first 4 years of program)
Research field(s): Research focuses on aging
May 16, 2025 - University of Manitoba Retirees Association Scholarship
Value: $1,000
Details: Full-Time Masters (1st or 2nd year or program) PhD (within first 4 years of program) in Faculty of Arts
Research field(s): Undertaking thesis research focused on human aging that has potential to enhance the lives of aging population
May 30, 2025 - The Ages Foundation Research Fellowship & Bursaries
Value: Variable awards, variable values with $15,000 awarded annually
Details: For Graduate students enrolled in a Canadian or International Institution
Research field(s): Research must be environment focused and should use rare (Charitable Research Reserve) as a field site, case study or another form of partnership; Research or project must occur between May 2025 and April 2026
June 1, 2025 - St. John’s College Scholarships and Bursaries: Arthur Uniacke Chipman Graduate Scholarship
Value: Scholarship Value up to $3,500
For: Master’s & PhD students
Details: Beginning a Master’s or PhD program
Research field(s): Preference given to those studying in the Humanities and Social Sciences
June 1, 2025 - St. John’s College Scholarships and Bursaries: The Dr. Bonnie C. Hallman Graduate Student Bursary
Value: Bursary – must demonstrate significant financial need
For: Master’s & PhD students
Details: Must be entering or continuing in a Master’s or PhD program
Research field(s): Preference given to those studying Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources
June 1, 2025 - St. John’s College Scholarships and Bursaries: Colin Inkster Memorial Award
Value: Award Value up to $2,450
For: Master’s & PhD students
Details: Students in Master’s or PhD program who show promise of achieving distinction in graduate work (may be doing graduate work at UM or at another university)
Research field(s): Preference given to applicants who appear to make a contribution in the fields of either Canadian Studies or Religion Candidates
June 1, 2025 - St. John’s College Scholarships and Bursaries: Divay Quackenbush Award
Value: Two Awards of approximately $600 each
For: Master’s & PhD students
Details: Full-Time or Part-Time Students in Master’s or PhD program
Research field(s): Faculty of Graduate Studies students in either: (a) the Faculty of Arts, Joint Master of Arts in History program or Doctorate in History; (b) the Faculty of Education, Master of Education or Doctorate in Education program; or (c) the School of Art, Master of Fine Art program; Also, has submitted a research paper with a focus on studies in either: (a) Manitoba History from 1910 to 1930, (b) Immigration, (c) Teaching Mennonites in rural areas, or (d) Economic & Social Conditions.
June 1, 2025 - St. John’s College Scholarships and Bursaries: The Kathryn & Robert Young Graduate Scholarship
Value: Award Value up to $350
For: Master’s & PhD students
Details: Full-Time or Part-Time Graduate Students pursuing Master’s or PhD in History at any Canadian university
Research field(s): Preference given to students who have participated in the life of St. John’s College
June 3, 2025 - Lois M. Brockman Graduate Student Thesis Research Fellowship in The Area of Child Development
Value: Variable Fellowships – Total Value $15,350
For: Master’s & PhD students
Details: The fellowship provides financial assistance to graduate students for master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation research that pertains to the development of the child (birth to 12 years).
Research field(s): Child Development
November 1, 2025 - 2025 John W. Davies Memorial Award from the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers – Arctic Section
Value: One Scholarship of $3,000
For: Full-time Master’s & PhD students
Details: Open to full-time Master’s and Ph.D. students at a recognized University in Canada
Research field(s): Research assists in providing solutions to problems specifically encountered in marine cold regions (such as in the Arctic, subarctic, Antarctic, Polar, subpolar, or other cold ocean/sea environments)
Mitacs Globalink Research Award
Value: $6,000
For: Master's, PhD and postdoctoral students
Research field(s): Unrestricted
Recommended to apply 16 weeks in advance of planned start date
NSERC Student Ambassadors
Value: $1,000
For: Master's and PhD students
Research field(s): Science, Engineering
Applications must be submitted at least two months before the start of a proposed outreach activity.
University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship (UMGF)
Value: Master's scholarship $20,000; Doctoral scholarship $25,000
For: Full-time Master's & PhD students
Details: Open to Canadian and International students who have demonstrated superior intellectual ability and academic accomplishment. Applications are submitted to students’ home department/unit.
Research field(s): Research-based program that is eligible for tri-council graduate student awards
Deadline: Contact your home department for deadline and application details
Financial aid
If you're facing financial hardship, or need support to pay your expenses as a student, there are programs available to help you. Apply for a loan, find on-campus employment or use our on-campus food bank.
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Teaching and research assistantships
Contact your department regarding teaching assistantships, where you help conduct undergraduate classes and laboratories, and research assistantships, where you may be able to use the research undertaken for your thesis.
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Work-study program
The Work–study program at UM provides supplementary financial assistance for students who are currently receiving government student loans.
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Government student loans
If you are a full-time Canadian or permanent resident you can apply for student loans from the federal and provincial governments to support your studies.
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Emergency loans
The University offers short-term loans to students facing unanticipated living costs and unexpected delays in government loans or other award funding.
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U.S. student loans
Learn about financial aid available to U.S. students, including government student loans.
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Bursaries
The University of Manitoba offers a wide range of bursaries ranging from $100 to $1,000 to support students with financial need. Complete the University of Manitoba General Bursary application to be considered.
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UM food bank
Students can use the food bank to help offset the costs of groceries during times of financial distress.
Support
Contact us
Faculty of Graduate Studies
500 University Centre
65 Chancellors Circle
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada
204-474-9377
(204) 474-7553