The Future of UCalgary Research Scholarships: Global Impact and Benefits
New Tri-Agency Funding (CRTAS) Opening in Summer 2025
Starting in summer 2025, Canada will streamline its major graduate-level funding programs—CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC—into the Canada Research Training Awards Suite (CRTAS).
This new suite brings significant enhancements:
- At the Master’s level, the Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Master’s (CGRS M) will include 300 additional awards nationwide.
- At the Doctoral level, the CGRS D will expand by 1,200 awards, be open to international students (up to 15% of total), and about 20% may be held abroad, with some restrictions on international applicants.
These changes signal stronger support for both domestic and international researchers pursuing graduate studies at UCalgary and beyond.
UCalgary-Specific Scholarships: Attracting Top Research Talent
UCalgary is fortifying its own award programs tailored to the scholarly community:
- President’s Doctoral Recruitment Scholarship in Transdisciplinary Research supports recruitment of PhD candidates aligned with UCalgary’s Framework for Growth, prioritizing interdisciplinary research, equity, diversity, and reconciliation.
- Distinguished Doctoral Recruitment Scholarships target outstanding domestic doctoral students to foster future research leaders.
These scholarships enhance UCalgary’s ability to recruit exceptional researchers from around the world, promoting leadership in emerging fields.
International Partnership and Global Research Initiatives
UCalgary’s commitment to global research collaboration is evident through initiatives such as:
- International Partnership Research Workshop Grant offering $10,000 to support collaborative workshops between UCalgary researchers and international partners.
- Global programs like Emerging Leaders in the Americas (ELAP), which facilitates faculty exchanges and research collaborations with Latin American and Caribbean institutions.
- Queen Elizabeth Scholars (QES) program, which supports reciprocal research placements both incoming to UCalgary and outgoing with countries like Ghana, Peru, and Costa Rica.
These measures enhance the university’s global research profile and foster cross-border collaboration.
Postdoctoral and Equity-Focused Funding Opportunities
UCalgary provides tailored support for postdoctoral and underrepresented scholars:
- Postdoctoral Match-Funding Program enables recruitment and institutional support for outstanding postdocs across disciplines.
- Alberta Innovates Postdoctoral Fellowship supports innovative postdoc researchers through competitive awards.
- CIHR REDI Award funds early-career researchers from underrepresented groups transitioning to faculty roles.
- Provost’s Awards for Indigenous and Black Scholars are dedicated fellowships aimed at equity and inclusion in academia.
These programs demonstrate UCalgary’s dedication to building a diverse and inclusive research community.
Real-World Perspectives: Graduate Funding Challenges
Voices from current graduate students reflect real concerns:
- Some students argue that stipends do not meet living needs, with amounts varying widely across departments. They also note that current policies allow excessive scholarship deductions, discouraging applications.
- International PhD students often report receiving a stipend of about $24,000, but after fees, they are left with around $17,500—barely covering necessities.
These insights signal the need for scholarship enhancements to meet rising living costs and to ensure effective financial support.
Summary of Advancements and Benefits
- CRTAS expansion provides more awards and opens opportunities for international scholars.
- Doctoral recruitment scholarships attract high-caliber, diverse talent aligned with strategic priorities.
- Global partnership programs promote cross-cultural collaboration and international research.
- Postdoctoral and equity-focused funding strengthens diversity and academic leadership.
- Overall, UCalgary is positioning itself as a hub for inclusive, global research excellence.
Final Thoughts
The future of University of Calgary research scholarships looks promising, with broader inclusion, enhanced international collaboration, and proactive equity initiatives. The integration of CRTAS funding, university-led scholarship advancements, and global programs means more opportunities for global researchers to engage meaningfully with UCalgary.
However, real challenges related to cost of living and stipend adequacy remain, and addressing these will be crucial for meaningful impact.
