Academic Excellence Fund | Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS) /gradstudies Wed, 18 Mar 2026 15:41:19 +0000 en-CA hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 FGS launches Academic Excellence Fund /gradstudies/2021/09/02/faculty-of-graduate-studies-launches-academic-excellence-fund/ Thu, 02 Sep 2021 19:10:57 +0000 /gradstudies/?p=44138

91亚色's Faculty of Graduate Studies introduces the Academic Excellence Fund (AEF). The fund鈥檚 primary goal is to support graduate students in advancing their research and scholarly objectives by providing them with simple access to funding. The processing time to receive funds is shortened and the application process is easier compared to the previous funding model.

The Academic Excellence Fund allows graduate students to more easily participate in hands-on learning activities like conferences, publications and fieldwork research.

Graduate students often invest not only time but also money into their research and scholarly objectives. Now, the chance to present at an oversees conference or conduct remote fieldwork is going to be easier for them to afford. Previous funding models worked on a reimbursement basis: students paid out of pocket and waited an indefinite amount of time to be refunded. In contrast, the new Academic Excellence Fund can be accessed before expenses are incurred. Students can apply up to four months in advance of their expected event or expenditure to cover the costs. The program has three deadlines per year, one in each term: Oct. 30, Feb. 28 and June 30. There will still be an option to be reimbursed after an expense is incurred, during the next application cycle, and all funds will be directly deposited into the student's bank account.

Group of students

The Academic Excellence Fund allows graduate students to more easily participate in hands-on learning activities like conferences, publications and fieldwork research.

Whether full or part time, both master's and PhD students are given access to the AEF. Students can receive up to $2,000 for eligible expenses directly related to their own research and scholarship activities, as well as $300 for collective initiatives per academic year. Furthermore, students who are active members of their community will be provided with funds to promote research and professional development outside of the academic setting. AEF supports innovative knowledge dissemination activities that bring research into the community.

Additionally, students no longer have to figure out what specific fund to apply for (i.e. Graduate Development Fund, Fieldwork Cost Fund etc.). AEF provides access to funds under one program with a single and accessible application process. All the applicant needs to do is complete the , have their supervisor confirm the expense by completing the supervisor form and retain the required documentation for one year in case of audit.

There are four types of eligible activities supported by AEF:

  • conference support (i.e. registration fees, travel costs);
  • publication and other scholarly activities (i.e. submission fees, editing services);
  • research expenses (i.e. expenses for fieldwork, including travel, accommodation); and
  • professional development initiatives (i.e. workshops organized by graduate students).

91亚色 is committed to supporting its students by providing them with opportunities to develop both inside and outside of the classroom. AEF provides easier access to funds to allow graduate students to participate in hands-on learning activities like conferences, publications and fieldwork research. Students can feel confident knowing that there are financial resources available to aid in advancing their research and scholarly work at 91亚色.

For more information, visit the Academic Excellence Fund website.

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Academic Excellence Fund 

Launched in the fall of 2021, the Academic Excellence Fund (AEF) program supports graduate students in advancing their research and scholarly objectives through simple and timely access to funds. Activities that are supported by AEF include research, dissemination of scholarly or creative work as well as well as student-led initiatives, activities or events that advance graduate research and professional development. Students are able to apply for and access AEF funds before the expenses are incurred.

Value

Eligible students can be awarded up to $2000 for expenses directly related to their own research and scholarly activities combined across all categories per academic year.

Please note that the amount awarded may not always reflect your request or meet the maximum allowable limit. The final allocation is based on a number of factors including the availability of funds, the number of applications and your eligibility based on established criteria.

Eligibility

All actively registered part-time and full-time Masters and doctoral students are eligible, except for Schulich Masters and Osgoode Professional Development students. Students must be actively registered at the time the expenses are incurred as well as when they apply for AEF.

Supported Activities and Eligible Expenses

There are four types of activities subsidized by AEF described below as well as eligible expenses.

Formerly Graduate Development Fund

  • Transportation costs necessary to present scholarly or creative work at recognized events, e.g., conferences, colloquia, poster presentations and exhibitions.
  • Conference registration fees.
  • Accomodation.

Maximum of $1000 per academic year in this category

  • Expenses related to activities to disseminate scholarly or creative work to academic and non-academic audiences, including.
  • Materials related to dissemination activities.
  • Submissions fees to disseminate in academic (i.e. publications) and creative venues.
  • Editing services for publications.

Formerly Fieldwork Cost Fund

Graduate students undertaking research for graduate courses, major research papers, theses, or dissertations involving human participants are required to follow the appropriate procedures and obtain ethics approval before conducting research activities. Students also must maintain active registration status while conducting the approved research. Applicants are required to have ethics approval before incurring fieldwork expense and/or embarking on fieldwork.

  • Expenses for fieldwork including travel, accommodation.
  • Equipment, materials, supplies, and other services that are essential and that are exclusively used for the proposed research.
  • Honorarium for participant incentive.

Up to $300 in this category

  • Workshops and other initiatives that are organised by graduate students and enhance graduate research.

Up to an additional $1000

AEF supports students who have incurred or will incur additional expenses for accessibility accommodations while participating in eligible activities subsidized under Categories A鈥揇. Examples of eligible expenses include assistive devices, software, or guides.

Please note that expenses typically covered by medical insurance such as hearing aids, medications, appointments, etc. are not eligible for subsidy under AEF.

*Applications for category E will be assessed on an exception basis, subject to fund availability and may not be available for renewal.

  • Expenses that are not directly related to activities supported by AEF. For travel expenses, the main purpose must be research or a conference presentation. Vacation packages are not eligible under AEF.
  • Academic association membership fees
  • Tuition and Training fees (i.e. courses and workshops)
  • Expenses that have or will be reimbursed by another source of funds, or those that were previously supported by AEF or related prior funding such as Fieldwork Cost Fund and Graduate Development Fund.
  • Expenses for regular activities that are expected of a graduate student, including computers, books, internet service, phone and data usage as well as local transportation (within the GTA).
  • Wages, Research Assistantship and any other expense related to employment.

Application Process

1.

Submit the application details on the .

2.

After the student submits an application, their supervisor will be notified and asked to complete the supervisor form, within 10 days of the student deadline.

3.

Retain required documentation for one year in case of audit as described below:

  • Proof of payment for all expenses; and,
  • For conference presentation, confirmation of acceptance to present;
  • For travel, confirmation of travel including boarding passes, train tickets, gas receipts;
  • For other activities, confirmation that the proposed activity was carried out, including event information, research dissemination materials, and publications.
  • All expenses must be incurred within 4 months of the Academic Excellence Fund deadline.

Students who have been awarded participant incentives should keep a summary of the payments using the Research Participant Fees Log which protects the confidentiality of individuals.

Deadlines: October 30, February 28, and June 30 before 11:59pm

Approved AEF funds will be posted to students account, 4 - 6 weeks after the deadline. Students are not required to submit a claim for reimbursement; however, proof of payment and supporting documentation must be retained for one year and must be presented when audited. Failure to provide proof of payment/receipts may result in the reversal of the award.

Contact

If you require further assistance, please contact our Associate Director, Research, Scholarships & Awards by visiting our FGS Staff Directory.

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The following funding sources are available to eligible 91亚色 graduate students:

Academic Excellence Fund

Offered to subsidize provides funds for research and scholarly activities carried out by graduate students.

Research Cost Fund 

Assists with the costs directly connected to research undertaken by registered full-time 91亚色 graduate students who are or have been members of CUPE 3903 within their current program of study.

Ph.D. Completion Fund 

Assists members outside the priority pool who have no funding in the last term of their doctoral studies.

Thesis Allowance

Assists PhD students who are, or have been members of CUPE 3903 with the cost of production of the final form of thesis/dissertation.

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