Internal and External Bursaries and Awards

Attention McMaster Researchers and Professional Librarians engaged in international initiatives related to their role at McMaster: The IIMF is intended to provide small, initial investments for first-time international research engagements, typically led by individual faculty members. This seed funding is designed to lower the threshold for starting international research activities, with the goal of fostering future joint projects and partnerships. Individual awards are generally capped at C $5,000, and this year, we anticipate offering up to 20 grants in this round.

• The application process is simple and straightforward:
  • A one-page project description
  • A one-page outline of the intended use of funds
  • Approval signature from your office
  • The applicant’s CV (SSHRC CV or NSERC Form 100 or equivalent)

Answers to frequently asked questions are available here: IIMF FAQs and Application Form is available here.

Proposals from each Faculty must be consolidated in a MacDrive folder, with a separate folder for each applicant labeled by their name. Once collated, please submit the link to the MacDrive for your faculty to IIMF@mcmaster.ca by February 3^rd. If consolidating proposals within MacDrive is not feasible, proposals may alternatively be sent directly to IIMF@mcmaster.ca

OIA welcomes any matching or supplementary funding contributions for IIMF awardees from your Faculty.

For more information or to submit your application, contact IIMF@mcmaster.ca.

Applications close: March 10, 2025, 11:59 p.m. EDT

The 2025 Canada-China Scholars’ Exchange Program (CCSEP) is now accepting applications. Canadian students, faculty, researchers, and mid-career professionals are eligible to apply. This prestigious scholarship offers a unique opportunity to pursue post-secondary studies, research, and Chinese language training at leading institutions across China.

Since its establishment in 1973, the CCSEP has been a flagship initiative of Global Affairs Canada and the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China. Over the years, it has helped foster deeper mutual understanding, built strong academic and professional ties between the two countries, and developed a generation of Canadian leaders with China-related expertise.

This year’s program brings exciting changes that expand eligibility and create new opportunities for participants:

• Longer Stays for Graduate Students: Graduate students can now stay in China for up to 24 months with the option to obtain a graduate degree from designated learning institutions in China.
• Shorter Stays for Professionals: The minimum stay requirement for faculty, researchers, and mid-career professionals has been reduced from 2 months to 1 month, offering greater flexibility for those seeking short-term professional development opportunities.

Review application guidelines for more information: Canada-China Scholars’ Exchange Program.

Applications for the Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program (ELAP) are now open. This opportunity is a short-term exchange in which a student from an institution eligible under ELAP can visit McMaster and work with specific faculty.

The Government of Canada announced ELAP in 2009 to support the development of human capital and the next generation of leaders in the Americas while strengthening the linkages between post-secondary institutions in Canada and the Americas. These scholarships provide students from post-secondary institutions located in Latin America and the Caribbean with short-term exchange opportunities for study or research at Canadian post-secondary institutions. ELAP is part of Global Affairs Canada’s International Scholarships Program.

ELAP- eligible countries:

• • Caribbean: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos;
  • Central America: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama;
  • North America: Mexico;
  • South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela.

For undergraduate students, McMaster must have a valid student exchange agreement with the student’s home institution that waives tuition fees for scholarship recipients.  Please find a list of partner institutions here.

Scholarship value and duration: 

For more information, please visit  Global Affairs Canada website.

Study in Canada Scholarships (SIC) aims to strengthen and diversify Canada’s international linkages and partnerships. By offering Canadian post-secondary institutions the opportunity to host international students from a diverse range of countries and territories for short-term exchanges, the program enriches Canada’s educational engagement with a wide range of partners.

SICS-eligible countries:

Asia: Bangladesh, Nepal, Taiwan

Europe: Türkiye, Ukraine

Middle East and North Africa: Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia

Sub-Saharan Africa: Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda

For undergraduate students, McMaster must have a valid student exchange agreement with the student’s home institution that waives tuition fees for scholarship recipients. Please find a list of partner institutions here.

Scholarship value and duration:

For more information, please visit the Global Affairs Canada website.

Preselection applications close: January 31st

Evaluation of applications and selection of candidates:   February 17th to April 30th

Start of classes (semester programs): August

Start of classes (quarterly programs):  September

Important note:The program requires students to attend classes on campus, and the courses are offered in Spanish.

Tecnológico de Monterrey (Mexico) offers the members of the Inter-American Organization for Higher Education (IOHE) Scholarships for Scientific Graduate programs taught on-site at TEC’s facilities. Full scholarships will be offered for in-person studies in research-focused graduate programs (Master’s and Doctorate) starting in the second semester of 2025.

Characteristics

• Addressed to professors, researchers, and directors of IOHE member Institutes of Higher Education.
• The scholarship is the exemption of 100% of the tuition payment without any commitment of subsequent retributionon the part of the beneficiary. In other words, Tecnológico de Monterrey absorbs the total tuition investment, depending on the program chosen.
• The beneficiary will cover the additional costs of transportation, maintenance, and insurance, among others.
• The scholarship may not be combined with any other educational support granted by Tecnológico de Monterrey.
• The number of scholarships to be granted per academic period is limited.

Academic Offer

• School of Engineering and Sciences

Doctorate in Biotechnology
Doctorate in Computer Science
Doctorate in Engineering Sciences
Doctorate in Nanotechnology

• School of Humanities and Education

Master in Humanistic Studies
Doctorate in Humanistic Studies
Doctorate in Educational Innovation

More information available here.

Applications open: 15 November 2024

Applications close: 30 January 2025

Candidate selection: March-April 2025

Start of PhD projects: September 2025

The Maison de la Création et de l’Innovation (MaCI), UGA’s International Center for the Humanities, is launching its annual Matching PhD Programme funded by the France 2030 ANR project GATES (Grenoble ATtractiveness and ExcellenceS).

The present call is open to proposals aiming to fund matching PhDs (thèses en miroir) involving a collaboration between an international partner in the humanities and social sciences and the Maison de la Création et de l’Innovation (MaCI). The aim of this call is to develop doctoral projects within the context of an international partnership in the humanities and social sciences.

This call for projects is intended for colleagues from the UGA scientific and academic community (researchers, professors-researchers and equivalent positions) in the field of the humanities and social sciences. The PhDs projects will largely take place at the MaCI and will be supervised, or co-supervised, by one or two faculty members from an UGA research unit matching a corresponding, fully funded thesis at the partner institution. A co-supervision of the MaCI matching PhD by the UGA supervisor(s) and the supervisor(s) from the international partner is recommended but not compulsory. In addition to a fully funded doctoral project, the recipient of the matching PhD fellowship will also benefit from an extra 15 k€ funding (5 k€ per year) for travelling expenses and the organization of research activities (workshops, conferences) at the MaCI with the international partner.

Contact address for general questions: humanitiesfellowships@univ-grenoble-alpes.fr

More information available here.

Applications Open: 1 November 2024

Applications Close:  1 September 2025

ACU Commonwealth Climate Resilience Challenge Grants are professional and academic staff at ACU member universities to support collaborative work focused on the priority
themes of the ACU Commonwealth Climate Resilience Network (CCRN).

What does the grant include? 

• Three grants of up to GBP 3,500 each   

How to apply

1. Be a staff member at an ACU member university.  
2. Submit an application through the online application form. 
3. If you already have a MyACU account, you can access the grant application form here. 
4. If you do not already have a MyACU account, please ensure that you first register for an account here and then follow the instructions in the registration email to log in to the system before accessing the application form.
5. Applicants are encouraged to collaborate with other ACU member institutions to promote further Commonwealth partnerships.  
6. Applications led by ACU members, but are in partnership with institutions outside of our network will also be considered. 
7. Grant applications that allow matching or additional funds from the applicant’s institution will be looked upon favourably. 

The grants can be used for a diverse range of projects, workshops and events in one of the following project focus areas:

1. Improving learning, teaching, and training for climate change adaptation – e.g. virtual exchange or collaboration, teaching or professional practice collaboration and sharing and co-development of learning materials.
2.  Increasing the research capacity of CCRN members in climate change adaptation – e.g. virtual fellowships or collaboration, comparative analyses, research management and uptake capacity building, understanding and documenting indigenous knowledge and resilience practices.
3. Improving institutional resilience policies and practice adopted by Commonwealth universities – e.g. developing tools, training and approaches to support contingency and continuity of operations planning at higher education institutions 

To date, the grants have funded a diverse range of climate action projects in universities across the Commonwealth – from sea-temperature monitoring in the coral reefs of Fiji, to integrating indigenous knowledge on climate change adaptation with academia in New Zealand. 

More information and how to apply available here

Applications close: Friday, January 31st 2025 at 23:59 (GMT-6)

CFLI contribution: CAD $30,000- $40,000

The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives – El Salvador is a program designed to support small-scale, high-impact projects in developing countries, which align with Global Affairs Canada’s thematic priority areas for engagement. The program is directed at projects conceived and designed predominantly by local partners. Projects are selected and approved by the relevant Canadian embassy or high commission.  The CFLI also serves to support positive bilateral relations between Canada and recipient countries and their civil societies, by deepening contacts and supporting local endeavours. 

How to apply

• Only those proposals using the designated application form and including the required budget document will be considered.
• For more information on the types of activities and costs that are eligible for CFLI funding, please refer to the list of CFLI approved activities and costs.
• Proposals must be completed in English or French.
• Applications submitted after this deadline will not be considered. Proposals should be submitted electronically to SSAL.CFLI-FCIL@international.gc.ca
• Project proposals must explicitly answer all questions in the CFLI project application form, including the required gender-based analysis. The proposed project budget should summarize the proposed activities and associated costs.
• Applications will be assessed for approval on their merits by a selection committee.
• Due to the large number of applicants, only the successful candidates will be contacted.
• To obtain an application form, please download the CFLI Project Application for Funding Form (PDF 249.15 KB)
  • To download and open a PDF form, you need to have Adobe Reader 10 or higher installed.
  • Help: Opening PDFs on your computer.
• Project applications are kept on file at missions in accordance with Global Affairs Canada’s information management policies.
• All projects must be completed between the date of signature of the Contribution Agreement and February 27, 2026.

Organizations eligible to apply for CFLI funding

Eligible recipients include:

• Local non-governmental, community and not-for-profit organizations,
• Local academic institutions working on local projects,
• International non-governmental organizations working on local development activities,
• Intergovernmental, multilateral and regional institutions, organizations and agencies working on local development activities,
• Municipal, regional or national government institutions or agencies of the recipient country working on local projects, and
• Canadian non-governmental and not-for-profit organizations that are working on local development activities.

The majority of CFLI funding is to be directed toward local civil society organizations (including non-governmental organizations) and other institutions working at the local level. Other entities, such as international, intergovernmental, multilateral and regional organizations may be eligible for funding, provided they are working with local partners and on local projects that are consistent with the objectives of the CFLI. Similarly, municipal, regional and national government institutions may receive funding, provided that their projects are essentially local in nature. The CFLI is always looking to fund innovative projects that deliver measurable results.

Thematic priorities

All projects must align with at least one of the two following CFLI thematic priorities globally:

• Gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.
• Peace and security, with a focus on conflict prevention and peace building.

Gender-based analysis

In 2017, Canada adopted its Feminist International Assistance Policy to advance gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls as the most effective way to reduce poverty and build a more inclusive, peaceful and prosperous world. In alignment with this policy, the CFLI project application process now requires a gender-based analysis (GBA). The purpose of this change is to enhance the gender equality outcomes of the CFLI program.

A GBA will require applicants to:

• Consider how women, girls, men, and boys are affected differently by the problem their project is aiming to address, ensuring, at the same time, that the project does not cause harm.
• Consult women and/or girls in the development of their project proposal.
• Ensure that the views of those women and/or girls inform the project’s design.

Note that consultations can include, but are not limited to, speaking to women and girls from the local community, women and other individuals who work for civil society organizations that have worked in the local community and female and male decision and change makers who have knowledge of the local community.

Inadequate completion of a GBA may affect the consideration of your proposal.

Eligible costs

The following project costs are eligible for CFLI funding:

• administrative costs specifically related to the project
• overhead costs specifically related to the project
  • overhead costs related to a project should not exceed 15%.
• capital and/or operating expenditures related to the lease and/or purchase and/or building of infrastructure (for example, office rent specifically relating to the project)
• installation, maintenance, shipping and/or transportation costs, including fuel
• computers^Footnote* and communication devices
• internet costs specifically relating to the project
• salary costs relating to the project
• civic education costs
• conference and event expenditures
• hospitality costs, excluding alcoholic beverages
• training and capacity building expenditures
• costs of services received by recipients
• outreach, communication and information dissemination costs
• environmental assessment costs
• advocacy and lobbying related costs
• legal costs
• accounting costs
• medical costs
• publishing costs
• radio and television broadcast fees
• facilities and equipment rental charges
• research-related costs
• security costs
• translation and interpretation fees
• travel expenses, using lowest fares possible but not exceeding full fare economy class (international travel expenses must receive prior approval from the CFLI Team)^Footnote**
• lease or rental of vehicles
• vehicle and equipment operation, installation and/or maintenance
• website development and related costs
• miscellaneous expenses integral to the project

The following costs are not eligible for CFLI funding:

• nuclear technologies and facilities
• assistance to military or paramilitary organizations
• gifts
• luxury goods
• direct fiscal support to a government
• seed funding and/or microfinance
• core funding or recurrent costs of an organization
• expenses incurred prior to the signing of the contribution agreement, or after it expires

Application open: 15 January 2025

Applications close: 10 March 2025

Types of funding:

1. Doctoral Research Grantco-funded by UGA and the partner (cotutelle and/or co-direction).
2. Postdoctoral fellowship co-funded by the UGA and the partner, lasting between 12 and 24 months.
3. Matching PhD: In the case of strategic partnerships only, and with partners of the Unite! alliance, matching PhDs may also be funded, one funded by UGA and the other by the international partner.

Webinar schedule:

Webinars will be held on the following dates:

– Thursday 16 January at 4 p.m.
– Tuesday 11 February at 9.00 a.m.
– Thursday 13 February at 1.30 p.m.

Register for the webinar

Here is the login information to access the meetings:
Meeting ID: 960 2312 0474
Secret Code: IDEX_RI

University of Grenoble Alpes (univ-grenoble-alpes.fr) in France launched its call for international doctoral and post-doctoral research projects.

The International Excellence and Outreach (IDEX-RI) call for proposals supports projects to fund theses or postdoctoral studies involving collaboration with an international partner.

The IDEX-RI call for projects is intended for the entire scientific and academic community at UGA with no restrictions in terms of disciplines or methodology. It is led by UGA’s Vice-Presidency for International Relations and Outreach, with support from UGA’s International Development Directorate.

Subject to available funding, the winners will also receive additional funding of up to €15k (€5k per year) for travel expenses and the organisation of research activities (workshops, conferences).

How to apply?

To find out more about the conditions of eligibility, the selection procedure, the evaluation criteria, the requirements… please consult the:
IDEX-RI 2025 call for applications in English
IDEX-RI 2025 call for applications in French

You can already download all the information you need to prepare your:
application files in English
application files in French

King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme. Inspired by His Majesty King Charles III, and his life’s work to create opportunity and to tackle contemporary challenges including climate change and inequality, the programme has been developed in response to urgent economic, social and environmental development challenges affecting Small Island Developing States (SIDS).  

An ambitious interdisciplinary three-part initiative, it will offer fellowships for mid-career professionals, undergraduate scholarships, and PhDs. Delivered together, these three strands will enable sustained short, medium and long-term impact for Commonwealth SIDS and their communities. 

Commonwealth Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are among the most vulnerable countries in the world, facing numerous economic and environmental shocks, youth out-migration and skills shortages in public services, and experiencing disproportionate and deeply damaging effects of climate change. 

Efforts to strengthen their resilience and capacity to tackle these intersecting development challenges are urgent. Inspired by The King and established with a significant personal donation from His Majesty, The King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme (KCFP) has been co-created in partnership with universities and stakeholders in SIDS and from across the Commonwealth.  

Activities included in the programme will take place in-country, with an emphasis on local impact and retaining skills and talent in SIDS regions. The programme aims to strengthen climate resilience, build capacity in education, health and engineering, and develop resilient public services and the skills of those who support them, by: 

• supporting civil servants, local government and mid-senior career professionals to further develop their skills, knowledge and understanding of climate resilience and its impact on other sectors through part-time fellowships undertaken alongside work; 

• addressing significant capacity challenges in key education, healthcare and engineering sectors via undergraduate training;  

• upskilling university academic staff and ‘train the trainers’ of future generations of researchers and workers in industries vital to SIDS resilience, through PhDs delivered in collaboration with ACU’s network of universities across the Commonwealth. 

This prestigious programme will fully fund, train and support multiple cohorts of undergraduate, postgraduate and mid-career King’s Fellows in its first few years and seeks to engage participants from every Commonwealth SIDS. The programme will be tailored to the specific and unique needs of SIDS, but with broad thematic focus areas to facilitate knowledge sharing. Participants will have the opportunity to join a cohort of SIDS King’s Fellows, with the opportunity to network and exchange learning and shared problem solving with peers across SIDS and with ACU’s wider network of universities.  

More information available here

Applications open:  4 February 2025

Applications close: 8 April 2025

Training programme for early- and mid-career researchers at ACU member
universities run by Universal Impact / The Conversation.

Kindly check back on February 4th for more information and how to apply.

Applications open: 9 April 2025

Applications close: 4 June 2025

Fully funded master’s degree (maximum two-years) at an ACU member university in
a low- or middle-income country. Open to applicants from Commonwealth countries.

Kindly check back on April 9th for more information and how to apply.

Applications open: 1 May 2025

Applications close: 26 June 2025

Grants for early career researchers at ACU member universities to participate in conferences, both in-person and virtual.

Kindly check back on May 1st for more information and how to apply.

Applications open: 1 May 2025

Applications close: 26 June 2025

Fellowships for academic and professional staff at ACU member universities to
promote the exchange of knowledge, skills and ideas between members.

Kindly check back on May 1st for more information and how to apply.

Applications Open:  3 March 2025

Applications Close: 5 May 2025

Funding for ACU member universities to train staff and support initiatives that will boost gender equity and equality.

Kindly check back on March 3rd for more information and how to apply.

Applications Open:  7 March 2025

Applications Close: 5 May 2025

Grants for staff working in human resources to support their professional development and the strengthening of HR processes/structures at ACU member universities.

Kindly check back on March 7th for more information and how to apply.

Applications Open:  4 February 2025

Applications Close: 8 April 2025

Grants for ACU member universities to provide training programmes to researchers, covering essential skills to enable them to succeed in their careers. (Formerly known as Early Career Researcher Training Grants.)

Kindly check back on February 4th for more information and how to apply.