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 21st. 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.

Internal deadline for applications:  Monday, March 3, 2025

External deadline: Tuesday, March 31, 2025, 11:59 p.m. EDT

Announcement of Results : Spring 2025

Note: Only applications for Fall 2025 will be accepted. Selected students may arrive as early as August 1, 2025 for the fall semester and no later than October 1, 2025 for the winter/spring semester. Failure to arrive during this time may result in the cancellation of the scholarship. 

Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development program provides students, from member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), with short-term exchange opportunities for study or research in Canadian post-secondary institutions at the college, undergraduate and graduate levels.

Overview

On August 6, 2017, the Government of Canada announced the Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development (SEED) program to provide opportunities for students from ASEAN member states to conduct short-term study or research in Canadian post-secondary institutions in areas that contribute to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development (SEED) program aims to reduce poverty in the developing countries of ASEAN and to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Scholarships and educational exchanges will contribute towards the achievement of all Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). SEED contributes to strengthening people-to-people ties between Canada and the Indo-Pacific region.

SEED scholarships are facilitated through institutional collaborations and student exchange agreements between post-secondary institutions in Canada and their partner institutions in ASEAN countries.

McMaster’s Faculty interested in hosting/supervising interns should:

• Complete the google form available here by relevant faculty members to share details on the program they seek to host students for and the nature of the research. The results will be shared with our partner universities.
• For students who opt to apply for course only, the university is committed to waiving the fees.  Concerned Faculty will need to verify that it is agreeable and that there are relevant courses offered during the time the student is at McMaster.
• Departments/supervisors must email all the required documents as individual files to gacexpro@mcmaster.ca no later than Monday, March 3, 2025. 

Students interested in studying in Canada under this scholarship should:

• Review the eligibility requirements by going to the Study in Canada Scholarships website  
• Ask your international office if your school has an exchange agreement with McMaster University  
• Contact your international office to learn more about the application process and any admission requirements at McMaster University  
• For graduate applications, an inter-institutional agreement is desirable but not mandatory. If there is no existing exchange agreement, graduate applications that involve a new or established collaboration between professors from a Canadian institution and the candidate’s home institution will be accepted. Graduate applicants must secure a supervisor at McMaster before they can apply for this scholarship.  
• For undergraduate course-only applications, an inter-institutional agreement is required.
• For undergraduate research applications with no agreement, a letter issued by McMaster’s Office of International Affairs will be accepted instead of an inter-institutional agreement. 

Scholarship value and duration:

Eligible Expenses  

Selected students may use scholarship funds towards:  

• Visa or study/work permit fees  

• Airfare via the most direct and economical route  

• Health insurance  

• Living expenses, such as accommodation, utilities and food  

• Ground transportation, including a public transportation pass  

• Books and supplies required for their study or research, excluding computers and other equipment  

SICS-eligible countries:

To be considered for a scholarship, candidates must:

· be citizens of an ASEAN member state (Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos (Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR)), Malaysia, Myanmar, The Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, or Vietnam);

· be enrolled as a full-time student at a post-secondary institution in an eligible country and paying tuition fees to that institution at the time of application and for the full duration of the exchange.

Candidates are not eligible:

· if they hold or have a pending application for Canadian citizenship or permanent residency;

· if they are already participating in a scholarship program funded by the Government of Canada;

· if they are already enrolled in a degree or diploma program at a Canadian post-secondary institution; or

· if they have previously received a scholarship under the Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development.

Selection process  

The following guidelines are followed for the review, assessment and selection of applications:  

All online applications received by the deadline will be pre-screened to ensure they meet the eligibility requirements established for the program.  

Eligible and complete applications will be evaluated based on the following selection criteria:  

• the linkage of the proposed research or study that the student will undertake in Canada to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development;· the candidate’s commitment to use their proposed research or studies in Canada to help combat poverty and narrow the development gap in the ASEAN region;· merit of the research or study to be undertaken in Canada;· benefit to the home institution and peers;· benefit to the Canadian institution, supervisor and peers;· strength of the linkages to be created through the proposed exchange;McMaster will be required to rank the eligible applications based on the above selection criteria and then provide the rankings to Global Affairs Canada.  

Supporting documents  

Applicants are to provide the following documents to their department:  

Proof of citizenship  

• A copy of the candidate’s passport or national identity card with a photo and valid dates  

• Documents not accepted as proof of citizenship are: driver’s license, permanent residence card, work permit, student card, health card, birth certificate or baptismal certificate  

• Proof of citizenship selected must be from the same country/territory as the citizenship selected in the online application form  

Signed Privacy Notice Statement  

• A copy of the Privacy Notice Statement for non-Canadian participants signed by the candidate and dated within the last six months  

Letter of intent from the candidate (maximum one page)  

• Explains the nature of studies or research to be undertaken  

• Provides rationale for study in Canada and for the choice of institution, program and supervisor and how the proposed program of study or research will relate to their future career  

Letter of proof of full-time enrolment from the home institution  

• On official letterhead  

• Dated within the last six months  

• Confirms that the candidate is currently enrolled in a full-time program  

• Copies of transcripts, a student card or a letter of admission are not acceptable  

Letter of support from the home institution (maximum one page)  

• On official letterhead  

• Dated within the last six months  

• From the candidate’s instructor, professor or international director  

• Explains the nature of study or research to be undertaken in Canada and how the candidate and the home institution will benefit from this scholarship program  

Additional application information: a Word document completed by the applicant that includes all the following information.  

• Candidate’s research project title  

• A summary of the research project or courses to be undertaken at McMaster (maximum 1000 characters).  

• History of Inter-Institutional Collaboration: Describe the nature of the agreement i.e., formal Memorandum of Understanding, informal agreement between post-secondary institutions or departments, research collaboration between professors, etc. (maximum 1000 characters).  

• How long is the candidate planning on staying? You need to choose A or B. A) Four months (one academic term) or B) Between 5 and 6 months.  

• Candidate’s expected arrival date to McMaster and departure date from McMaster. These dates are required for the application, but they can be changed at a later date.  

• Candidate’s McMaster Supervisor details: name, title, department, phone number and email address.  

• Name, job title, email address, name of institution and mailing address for the contact person responsible for the exchange program at the candidate’s home institution.  

• Candidate’s email address  

• Candidate’s current level of study. Undergraduate, Master’s or PhD? Current year? (1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th)  

• Candidate’s field of study and program at home institution  

• Candidate’s expected degree completion at their home institution  

• Candidate’s Gender  

• Candidate’s country of citizenship  

Only for Graduate Student applications – Departments to include the following document in the PDF:  

• Letter of invitation from the Canadian supervisor (graduate students only, maximum one page)  

• On official letterhead  

• Dated within the last six months  

• Signed by the Canadian supervisor  

• Describes the nature and scope of the research collaboration with the student’s home institution  

• Confirms their willingness to support and mentor the candidate during the exchange period  

• Explains how the Canadian institution, supervisor and peers will benefit from the exchange  

Conditions for successful students  

Students selected for the scholarship agree to:  

• Engage in full-time studies or research as defined by the Canadian institution  

• Abstain from clinical training or clinically-oriented research involving direct patient-care  

• Focus primarily on full-time studies or research during your stay in Canada  

• Return to your home institutions after the scholarship period to complete their studies  

Failure to meet these conditions may result in the cancellation of your scholarship.  

Student arrival in Canada 

Students should submit their visa or study/work permit application as early as possible to avoid delays. 

Additional information  

• Scholarships cannot be deferred and are not renewable  
• Scholarships are subject to availability of funding from the Government of Canada  
• Scholarships are not taxable for either the Canadian institution or the scholarship recipient 
• Students must return to their home institutions after the scholarship period to complete their studies 

Internal deadline for applications:  Monday, March 3, 2025

External deadline: Tuesday, March 18, 2025, 11:59 p.m. EDT

Announcement of Results : Spring 2025

Note: Selected students may arrive as early as August 1, 2025 for the fall semester and no later than February 1, 2026 for the winter/spring semester. Failure to arrive during this time may result in the cancellation of the scholarship. 

The Government of Canada announced the Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program 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.

McMaster’s Faculty interested in hosting/supervising interns should:

• Complete the google form available here by relevant faculty members to share details on the program they seek to host students for and the nature of the research. The results will be shared with our partner universities.
• For students who opt to apply for course only, the university is committed to waiving the fees.  Concerned Faculty will need to verify that it is agreeable and that there are relevant courses offered during the time the student is at McMaster.
• Departments/supervisors must email all the required documents as individual files to gacexpro@mcmaster.ca no later than Monday, March 3, 2025. 

Students interested in studying in Canada under this scholarship should:  

• Review the eligibility requirements by going to the Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program website  

• Ask your international office if your school has an exchange agreement with McMaster University  

• Contact your international office to learn more about the application process and any admission requirements at McMaster University  

• For graduate applications, an inter-institutional agreement is desirable but not mandatory. If there is no existing exchange agreement, graduate applications which involve a new or established collaboration between professors from a Canadian institution and the candidate’s home institution will be accepted. Graduate applicants must secure a supervisor at McMaster before they can apply for this scholarship.  

• For undergraduate course-only applications, an inter-institutional agreement is required.
• For undergraduate research applications with no agreement, a letter issued by McMaster’s Office of International Affairs will be accepted instead of an inter-institutional agreement. 

Scholarship value and duration: 

Eligible Expenses  

Selected students may use scholarship funds towards:  

• Visa or study/work permit fees  

• Airfare via the most direct and economical route  

• Health insurance  

• Living expenses, such as accommodation, utilities and food  

• Ground transportation, including a public transportation pass  

• Books and supplies required for their study or research, excluding computers and other equipment  

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.

Candidates are not eligible for this scholarship if:  

• You hold or have a pending application for Canadian citizenship or permanent residency  
• You are already participating in a scholarship program funded by the Government of Canada
•  You are already enrolled in a degree, diploma or certificate program at a Canadian post-secondary institution

Selection process  

The following guidelines are followed for the review, assessment and selection of applications:  

All online applications received by the deadline will be pre-screened to ensure they meet the eligibility requirements established for the program.  

Eligible and complete applications will be evaluated based on the following selection criteria:  

• Merit of the research or study to be undertaken in Canada  

• Benefit to the home institution and peers  

• Benefit to McMaster University, supervisor and peers  

• Strength of linkages to be created through the proposed exchange  

McMaster will be required to rank the eligible applications based on the above selection criteria and then provide the rankings to Global Affairs Canada.  

Supporting documents  

Applicants are to provide the following documents to their department:  

Proof of citizenship  

• A copy of the candidate’s passport or national identity card with a photo and valid dates  

• Documents not accepted as proof of citizenship are: driver’s license, permanent residence card, work permit, student card, health card, birth certificate or baptismal certificate  

• Proof of citizenship selected must be from the same country/territory as the citizenship selected in the online application form  

Signed Privacy Notice Statement  

• A copy of the Privacy Notice Statement for non-Canadian participants signed by the candidate and dated within the last six months  

Letter of intent from the candidate (maximum one page)  

• Explains the nature of studies or research to be undertaken  

• Provides rationale for study in Canada and for the choice of institution, program and supervisor and how the proposed program of study or research will relate to their future career  

Letter of proof of full-time enrolment from the home institution  

• On official letterhead  

• Dated within the last six months  

• Confirms that the candidate is currently enrolled in a full-time program  

• Copies of transcripts, a student card or a letter of admission are not acceptable  

Letter of support from the home institution (maximum one page)  

• On official letterhead  

• Dated within the last six months  

• From the candidate’s instructor, professor or international director  

• Explains the nature of study or research to be undertaken in Canada and how the candidate and the home institution will benefit from this scholarship program  

Additional application information: a Word document completed by the applicant that includes all the following information.  

• Candidate’s research project title  

• A summary of the research project or courses to be undertaken at McMaster (maximum 1000 characters).  

• History of Inter-Institutional Collaboration: Describe the nature of the agreement i.e., formal Memorandum of Understanding, informal agreement between post-secondary institutions or departments, research collaboration between professors, etc. (maximum 1000 characters).  

• How long is the candidate planning on staying? You need to choose A or B. A) Four months (one academic term) or B) Between 5 and 6 months.  

• Candidate’s expected arrival date to McMaster and departure date from McMaster. These dates are required for the application, but they can be changed at a later date.  

• Candidate’s McMaster Supervisor details: name, title, department, phone number and email address.  

• Name, job title, email address, name of institution and mailing address for the contact person responsible for the exchange program at the candidate’s home institution.  

• Candidate’s email address  

• Candidate’s current level of study. Undergraduate, Master’s or PhD? Current year? (1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th)  

• Candidate’s field of study and program at home institution  

• Candidate’s expected degree completion at their home institution  

• Candidate’s Gender  

• Candidate’s country of citizenship  

Only for Graduate Student applications – Departments to include the following document in the PDF:  

• Letter of invitation from the Canadian supervisor (graduate students only, maximum one page)  

• On official letterhead  

• Dated within the last six months  

• Signed by the Canadian supervisor  

• Describes the nature and scope of the research collaboration with the student’s home institution  

• Confirms their willingness to support and mentor the candidate during the exchange period  

• Explains how the Canadian institution, supervisor and peers will benefit from the exchange  

Conditions for successful students  

Students selected for the scholarship agree to:  

• Engage in full-time studies or research as defined by the Canadian institution  

• Abstain from clinical training or clinically-oriented research involving direct patient-care  

• Focus primarily on full-time studies or research during your stay in Canada  

• Return to your home institutions after the scholarship period to complete their studies  

Failure to meet these conditions may result in the cancellation of your scholarship.  

Student arrival in Canada 

Students should submit their visa or study/work permit application as early as possible to avoid delays. 

Additional information  

• Scholarships cannot be deferred and are not renewable  

• Scholarships are subject to availability of funding from the Government of Canada  

• Scholarships are not taxable for either the Canadian institution or the scholarship recipient 
• Read more at EduCanada.  

Internal deadline for applications:  Monday, March 3, 2025

External deadline: Tuesday, March 18, 2025, 11:59 p.m. EDT

Announcement of Results : Spring 2025

Note: Selected students may arrive as early as August 1, 2025 for the fall semester and no later than February 1, 2026 for the winter/spring semester. Failure to arrive during this time may result in the cancellation of the scholarship. 

Study in Canada Scholarships aim to increase opportunities for Canadian post-secondary institutions to welcome international students from a wide range of countries and territories on short-term exchanges for study or research. This will provide institutions the opportunity to strengthen and diversify their international linkages and promote their academic and research excellence in new markets.  

The Study in Canada Scholarships is a Short-term Exchange Program under Global Affairs Canada’s International Scholarships Program. Canadian institutions will receive funding from Global Affairs Canada, through its legal name, the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD). 

McMaster’s Faculty interested in hosting/supervising interns should:

• Complete the google form available here by relevant faculty members to share details on the program they seek to host students for and the nature of the research. The results will be shared with our partner universities.
• For students who opt to apply for course only, the university is committed to waiving the fees.  Concerned Faculty will need to verify that it is agreeable and that there are relevant courses offered during the time the student is at McMaster.
• Departments/supervisors must email all the required documents as individual files to gacexpro@mcmaster.ca no later than Monday, March 3, 2025. 

Students interested in studying in Canada under this scholarship should:

• Review the eligibility requirements by going to the Study in Canada Scholarships website  
• Ask your international office if your school has an exchange agreement with McMaster University  
• Contact your international office to learn more about the application process and any admission requirements at McMaster University  
• For graduate applications, an inter-institutional agreement is desirable but not mandatory. If there is no existing exchange agreement, graduate applications that involve a new or established collaboration between professors from a Canadian institution and the candidate’s home institution will be accepted. Graduate applicants must secure a supervisor at McMaster before they can apply for this scholarship.  
• For undergraduate course-only applications, an inter-institutional agreement is required.
• For undergraduate research applications with no agreement, a letter issued by McMaster’s Office of International Affairs will be accepted instead of an inter-institutional agreement. 

Scholarship value and duration:

Eligible Expenses  

Selected students may use scholarship funds towards:  

• Visa or study/work permit fees  

• Airfare via the most direct and economical route  

• Health insurance  

• Living expenses, such as accommodation, utilities and food  

• Ground transportation, including a public transportation pass  

• Books and supplies required for their study or research, excluding computers and other equipment  

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

Candidates are not eligible for this scholarship if:  

• You hold or have a pending application for Canadian citizenship or permanent residency  
• You are already participating in a scholarship program funded by the Government of Canada

 You are already enrolled in a degree, diploma or certificate program at a Canadian post-secondary institution

Selection process  

The following guidelines are followed for the review, assessment and selection of applications:  

All online applications received by the deadline will be pre-screened to ensure they meet the eligibility requirements established for the program.  

Eligible and complete applications will be evaluated based on the following selection criteria:  

• Merit of the research or study to be undertaken in Canada  

• Benefit to the home institution and peers  

• Benefit to McMaster University, supervisor and peers  

• Strength of linkages to be created through the proposed exchange  

McMaster will be required to rank the eligible applications based on the above selection criteria and then provide the rankings to Global Affairs Canada.  

Supporting documents   

Applicants are to provide the following documents to their department:  

Proof of citizenship  

• A copy of the candidate’s passport or national identity card with a photo and valid dates  

• Documents not accepted as proof of citizenship are: driver’s license, permanent residence card, work permit, student card, health card, birth certificate or baptismal certificate  

• Proof of citizenship selected must be from the same country/territory as the citizenship selected in the online application form  

Signed Privacy Notice Statement  

• A copy of the Privacy Notice Statement for non-Canadian participants signed by the candidate and dated within the last six months  

Letter of intent from the candidate (maximum one page)  

• Explains the nature of studies or research to be undertaken  

• Provides rationale for study in Canada and for the choice of institution, program and supervisor and how the proposed program of study or research will relate to their future career  

Letter of proof of full-time enrolment from the home institution  

• On official letterhead  

• Dated within the last six months  

• Confirms that the candidate is currently enrolled in a full-time program  

• Copies of transcripts, a student card or a letter of admission are not acceptable  

Letter of support from the home institution (maximum one page)  

• On official letterhead  

• Dated within the last six months  

• From the candidate’s instructor, professor or international director  

• Explains the nature of study or research to be undertaken in Canada and how the candidate and the home institution will benefit from this scholarship program  

Additional application information: a Word document completed by the applicant that includes all the following information.  

• Candidate’s research project title  

• A summary of the research project or courses to be undertaken at McMaster (maximum 1000 characters).  

• History of Inter-Institutional Collaboration: Describe the nature of the agreement i.e., formal Memorandum of Understanding, informal agreement between post-secondary institutions or departments, research collaboration between professors, etc. (maximum 1000 characters).  

• How long is the candidate planning on staying? You need to choose A or B. A) Four months (one academic term) or B) Between 5 and 6 months.  

• Candidate’s expected arrival date to McMaster and departure date from McMaster. These dates are required for the application, but they can be changed at a later date.  

• Candidate’s McMaster Supervisor details: name, title, department, phone number and email address.  

• Name, job title, email address, name of institution and mailing address for the contact person responsible for the exchange program at the candidate’s home institution.  

• Candidate’s email address  

• Candidate’s current level of study. Undergraduate, Master’s or PhD? Current year? (1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th)  

• Candidate’s field of study and program at home institution  

• Candidate’s expected degree completion at their home institution  

• Candidate’s Gender  

• Candidate’s country of citizenship  

Only for Graduate Student applications – Departments to include the following document in the PDF:  

• Letter of invitation from the Canadian supervisor (graduate students only, maximum one page)  

• On official letterhead  

• Dated within the last six months  

• Signed by the Canadian supervisor  

• Describes the nature and scope of the research collaboration with the student’s home institution  

• Confirms their willingness to support and mentor the candidate during the exchange period  

• Explains how the Canadian institution, supervisor and peers will benefit from the exchange  

Conditions for successful students  

Students selected for the scholarship agree to:  

• Engage in full-time studies or research as defined by the Canadian institution  

• Abstain from clinical training or clinically-oriented research involving direct patient-care  

• Focus primarily on full-time studies or research during your stay in Canada  

• Return to your home institutions after the scholarship period to complete their studies  

Failure to meet these conditions may result in the cancellation of your scholarship.  

Student arrival in Canada 

Students should submit their visa or study/work permit application as early as possible to avoid delays. 

Additional information  

• Scholarships cannot be deferred and are not renewable  
• Scholarships are subject to availability of funding from the Government of Canada  
• Scholarships are not taxable for either the Canadian institution or the scholarship recipient 
• Students must return to their home institutions after the scholarship period to complete their studies 

Applications open: 27 January 2025

Applications close: 31 March 2025

Amount of the award: Each successfully funded project will receive $5,000 or $10,000, depending on the focus area

Funding awarded: May 2025 and will cover 12 months

U21 is excited to launch the Collaborative Seed Fund initiative designed to inspire innovation and foster collaboration across the U21 network.

Project Focus Areas

Project proposals are invited in the following areas:

1. U21 Communities of Practice (COPs)
   • Supporting existing COPs to strengthen connections and share expertise across U21 member institutions.
2. Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Projects
   • Promoting initiatives that enhance inclusivity, equity, and diversity within and beyond the U21 network.
3. Global Education Collaborative Projects
   • Advancing innovative approaches to global education through cross-institutional collaboration, building on the 2024 Global Education and Senior Leaders Meeting outcomes.

Eligibility

• Applicants must be from U21 member institutions and engage collaborators across at least two other U21 institutions (a minimum of three participating institutions).

It is envisaged that the following number of projects will be awarded:

Submission Guidelines

Proposals should include:

• Project title and area of focus.
• Project lead: one person at a U21 institution to act as project lead (funding will be transferred to this institution).
• Objectives: Clearly outline the goals of your project.
• Collaborators: List all U21 partner institutions involved.
• Methodology and timeline: Describe your approach and key milestones over 12 months.
• Expected outcomes: Highlight the anticipated impact and alignment with U21 priorities.
• Budget: Indicate how the funding will be allocated.
• Institutional sign–off: applications must be endorsed by the lead institution’s U21 Senior Leader.

Reporting Requirements

Recipients of funding must provide:

• A progress report six months after project commencement (by the end of November 2025, to be included in U21’s annual impact report).
• A final project report, including outcomes and impact, to be presented at the U21 Annual Network Meeting in May 2026.

Please access the application here.

Applications open:  1 February 2025

Applications close: 15 May 2025

Master’s degree programs

Accepted candidates study peace and development issues with research-informed teaching and a diverse student body. The programs last 15 to 24 months and include a two- to three-month field study, which participants design themselves.

Eligibility

Master’s degree candidates must also:

• Be proficient in English
• Have a bachelor’s degree
• Have a strong commitment to cross-cultural understanding and peace as shown through professional and academic achievements and personal or community service
• Have the potential for leadership
• Have at least three years of full-time relevant experience in peace or development work

Candidates must have a gap of at least three years between the completion of their most recent academic degree program (undergraduate or graduate degree) and their intended start date for the fellowship. Candidates currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program are not eligible to apply.

Rotary Peace Fellows who have completed the certificate program, or a Global Grant Scholarship, must wait three years between the end date of that program and their intended start date for the fellowship.

We encourage people with disabilities and people from other diverse backgrounds to apply. Rotary provides reasonable accommodations as needed to people with disabilities.

You are not eligible if you are an active Rotary member or an employee of a Rotary club, Rotary International, or other Rotary entity.

* Rotaract club members who are not also Rotary club members are eligible to apply.

Learn more about eligibility restrictions.

Professional development certificate program

During the one-year blended learning program, experienced peace and development professionals with diverse backgrounds gain practical skills to promote peace within their communities and regions. Fellows complete field studies and design and carry out a social change initiative. This program is intended for working professionals. Fellows earn a post-graduate diploma upon completion of the program.

Eligibility 

Certificate candidates must also:

• Be proficient in English
• Have a bachelor’s degree
• Have at least five years of full-time relevant experience in peace or development work
• Have a strong commitment to cross-cultural understanding and peace as shown through professional and academic achievements and personal or community service
• Demonstrate leadership skills
• Be able to explain how their plan to promote peace aligns with Rotary’s mission
• Candidates for Makerere University: Either be from Africa, have worked in Africa, work with African communities or initiatives outside the continent, or demonstrate a compelling interest in learning about peacebuilding approaches within the region.
• Candidates for Bahçeşehir University: Either be from the Middle East or North Africa, have worked in the region, work elsewhere around the world with communities or initiatives related to the Middle East or North Africa, or demonstrate a compelling interest in learning about peacebuilding approaches within the region.

Candidates must have a gap of at least three years between the completion of their most recent academic degree program (undergraduate or graduate degree) and their intended start date for the fellowship. Candidates currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program are not eligible to apply.

Rotary Peace Fellows who have completed the master’s degree program, or a Global Grant Scholarship, must wait three years between the end date of that program and their intended start date for the fellowship.

We encourage people with disabilities and people from other diverse backgrounds to apply. Rotary provides reasonable accommodations as needed to people with disabilities.

You are not eligible if you are an active Rotary member or an employee of a Rotary club, Rotary International, or other Rotary entity.

* Rotaract club members who are not also Rotary club members are eligible to apply.

Learn more about eligibility restrictions.

Applications open: 3 February 2025

Applications deadline for first step submissions to AWB:  10 March 2025

Note: Please submit project proposals  to Corrie Young at cyoung@awb-usf.org

Academics Without Borders (AWB) is a Canadian nonprofit organization. Its mission is to help low and middle-income countries improve their universities so that they can train their own experts and conduct research to assist in their countries’ development.

AWB’s projects are involved in the full range of university activities from expanding and improving existing institutions and programs to help create new ones. AWB fulfills its mission through volunteers who collaborate on projects that originate in and are owned by institutions in low and middle income countries.  

AWB is looking to develop and support projects that enable volunteer experts to engage in capacity-building activities at institutions of higher education in low or middle-income countries. 

Rather than an application for funding, this is a call for proposals for AWB projects. Applications may be submitted by a faculty or staff member at one of the universities and colleges in the AWB Network in collaboration with a partner institution of higher education in a low or middle-income country.  

McMaster University belongs to the Academics Without Borders (AWB) Network of Canadian universities and colleges. AWB is not a funding agency but a nonprofit organization that mounts capacity-building projects in partnership with post-secondary institutions in low and middle-income countries. 

NOTE: It is important to understand that even though these proposals arise through this call for project proposals the resulting projects are partnerships between AWB and the developing world institution. Should you act as a volunteer on the project you propose, you would do so under the auspices of AWB. Although the AWB Network institution has no formal role in the project, benefits often accrue to the institution by virtue of the volunteer’s participation and through unanticipated relationships that are formed during the course of the activities.   

Its fundamental operating principle is that partners in the developing world must themselves identify the areas in which assistance is needed and they take the lead in project design and implementation. AWB assists its partners by providing the expert volunteers necessary for these projects. After the volunteers have completed their assignments, it is these institutions themselves which sustain the projects’ activities. 

More information including the application form is available here.

The Aga Khan University (AKU) is seeking project proposals for its Reciprocal Virtual Internship Programme for Summer and Fall 2025.

RVIP is a project-based program which is focused on research, policy analysis, partnership development, communications, and educational development training education.  This well-established program connects AKU students with faculty and staff from virtual internships, fostering cultural creativity, collaboration, and innovation. Projects are developed by mentors at partner universities, which interns can apply to based on their interest which mostly include: 

•  Health Sciences (Medicine, Nursing, Allied Health, Global Health, STEM) 

•  Media, Marketing and Communications 

• Education Development 

• Public Policy and Partnerships 

• Hospital and Administration 

• Environment & Climate Change 

• Arts and Sciences 

AKU students will dedicate a minimum of 15 hours per week to your projects, offering meaningful contributions to your work while gaining invaluable mentorship and professional experience and participating partner universities are not required to provide monetary compensation for AKU-RVIP interns. 

Participating mentors will provide internship opportunities based on their needs and priorities, taking into account the highlighted interest areas of AKU students and weeks during the 12-week internship is structured for students as follows: 

• At least 2 hours of mentorship per week. 

• Virtual coffee chats for student-student social and networking engagement (to be managed by AKU). 

• Biweekly professional development workshops or webinars (to be managed by AKU). 

AKU-RVIP will actively market positions, host info-sessions for interested students, arrange interviews, conduct ongoing evaluations of the interns, provide communications and promotion materials, offer professional development training in parallel to their internship; and troubleshoot as required. AKU-RVIP will support participating partner universities to host an orientation for interns, troubleshoot as required with the partner faculty or staff and hold virtual discussions for interns regularly to manage expectations as they start their internships. 

If you are interested to participate, please submit your project details via the 2025 RVIP Terms of Reference Google Form<https://forms.gle/fmjirBJQEYHHirGN9> by the deadlines below. The ToR for each internship position should be project-based, virtually feasible, and accomplishable within the period of 12 weeks. 

  *   Summer Positions: 3rd March 2025
  *   Fall Positions: 2nd June 2025 

Internship Periods:

  *   Summer Cycle: June 9th to August 29th, 2025
  *   Fall Cycle: September 8th to November 28th, 2025” 

More information available here. 

Applications open:  4 February 2025

Applications close: 8 April 2025 3PM UTC

Ever wondered how to communicate your research to a lay audience and how to pitch and write for the media?  

What does this training offer?

This tailor-made training course will provide you with the skills to pitch to and write for the media. Facilitated by Universal Impact / The Conversation, the course will be held online, over two, two-hour sessions and will cover:

• The importance of research communication
• Examples of reach and impact
• The media landscape and the type of stories researchers can write
• What makes a good story (with examples)
• Language, structure and tone
• How to avoid being misrepresented
• How to pitch successfully

At the end of the training sessions, you will be asked to write a 250- to 350-word media pitch and obtain individual feedback during a one-to-one online session.

Twenty places are available for this training course. For the top scoring candidates, only one place will be offered per ACU member university.

How to apply

• Be an early- or mid-career researcher and staff member at an ACU member university (minimum PhD candidate level).
• Submit an application through the online application form.
• If you already have a MyACU account, you can access the grant application form when applications open.
• 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.

Application guidance

• Explain the reasons for your interest in joining this training.
• Explain why you think your research topic should be featured in the media. What could be the benefit for society about learning about your research through the media.
• Explain how the training will benefit yourr career and professional development.
• Explain how the training will benefit your institution.
• Explain how you will share the knowledge gained by participating in the training.

Applications open:  Not published

The Canadian International Development Scholarships 2030 (BCDI 2030) program will soon be launching the first of several terms of reference for institutional partnership projects. All member institutions of Universities Canada (and Colleges and Institutes Canada) will be invited to present proposals for “Stream 2” projects which forge partnerships between Canadian and partner country higher education institutions in 26 eligible countries.

The projects offer customized training programs designed to address the unique labour market needs and challenges of each partner country.

Please check back in the next few weeks for more information.

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 close: 10 March 2025

Note: Funding must be spent before 31 July 2025.

The University of Glasgow’s international strategy, Global Glasgow 2025, reaffirms their institutional commitment to global connectedness and collaboration. University of Glasgow staff can apply for a maximum of £10,000 of International Partnership Development Fund (IPDF) Research Seed Funding. The IPDF seeks to deepen relationships with existing international partners (including McMaster University) by supporting short visits to facilitate the development of joint research activity. The funding can be used to deepen collaborations which have the potential to lead to externally funded grant awards and joint research publications.

More information about the IPDF Research Seed Funding program and how to apply available here.

Applications open:  4 February 2025

Applications close: 8 April 2025, 15:00 UTC

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

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: 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.