Graduate Awards and Scholarships
View awards and scholarships offered to graduate students in the physics and astronomy department.
The following scholarships are awarded through the annual Graduate Award Competition (GAC):
- Izaak Walton Killam Doctoral Scholarships
- Open Doctoral Scholarships
- Alberta Innovates Graduate Student Scholarships
- Special Awards
Apply using the online scholarship application. Go to your Student Centre and click the link apply for graduate funding in the financial aid section of your home screen. Instructions can be found by clicking the red view details button below.
In addition to the application, all students who apply for the Izaak Walton Killam Doctoral Scholarships and the Open Doctoral Scholarships must also submit their research contributions. Research contributions assist the Graduate Affairs Committee with ranking applications. Please download a blank copy of the research contributions form here. When completing the research contributions document, please combine all aspects of your submission into a single PDF. Email your research contributions to gradinfo@phas.ucalgary.ca. Make sure to read the form carefully. Your research contributions file must be named in the following format (Lastname_Firstname_GAC2020.pdf) and be combined into one PDF. Please note that you do not need to submit a research contributions document if you are only applying to the AITF and Special Awards.
Awarded by the Graduate Affairs Committee using funds received from the Faculty of Graduate Studies. Applicants must submit new or updated research contributions. Information on these awards is sent to graduate students in February each year.
Please download a blank copy of the research contributions from here.
Awarded annually to senior graduate students (not available to first year students) whose area of specialization relates to education in space science. Applicants are nominated by the Institute of Space Imaging Science. The award has a value of $750.
Awarded annually to a graduate student teaching assistant in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, chosen by the department based on student and faculty input. All graduate student teaching assistants will be considered. No application is necessary. The award has a value of $500.
Awarded annually to a senior doctorate student or postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. Special consideration is given to applicants in the areas of astrophysics and space physics. Applications available in the department office. The award has a value of $6000. Applications submitted to the department by April 15.
Tri-Council Awards (NSERC, CIHR, CGS-MSFSS)
The Tri-Council is made up of three granting agencies that provide research funding for high calibre master’s and doctoral students:
- Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)
- Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
- Canada Graduate Scholarship - Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplements (CGS-MSFSS)
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS) were created to attract and retain world-class doctoral students by supporting those who demonstrate a high standard of scholarly achievement and exemplary leadership.
The scholarship is intended to support students broadening their research horizons. Applicants who have completed both an undergraduate and master’s degree at the University of Calgary will not be considered.
Alberta Innovates - Technology Futures
The Alberta Innovates - Technology Futures (AITF) Scholarships support high calibre students undertaking a full time graduate program in areas of research important to Alberta.
Your research must be related to information and communication technology, nano, or omics (omics consists of genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, transcriptomics and regulomics) or additionally supporting the areas of health, bio-industries, or energy and the environment.
Alberta Learning Information Services - Ralph Steinhauer Award of Distinction (for study within Alberta)
Applications available from the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
The award has a value of $15,000 per year for master's students and a value of $20,000 per year for doctoral students.