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Internal and External Bursaries and Awards

The below information reflects funding opportunities that are currently open.

Internal Bursaries and Awards

Note that applications for the IIMF have officially closed. Please visit this page to view this year’s winners!

Attention McMaster Researchers: The IIMF is intended to provide small investments in first-time international research contacts or initiatives, typically originated by individual faculty members. It is meant to reduce the threshold to international research activities and serve as seed funding, ideally leading to joint projects and international partnerships.

  • Each project is eligible to receive up to $5000 in funding and we expect to make up to 10 such investments in each round
  • Applicants should submit a one-page (PDF format) description of the project and the intended use of the funds, accompanied by a CV (NSERC Form 100, or equivalent)
  • Applications must also include an endorsement/signature from your Dean or appropriate supervisor

Applications open: January 8th, 2024

Application deadline: February 5th, 2024

For more information or to submit your application, please visit this page or contact Bonny Ibhawoh at vpi@mcmaster.ca.

External Bursaries and Awards

Applications open: 12 March 2024
Applications close: 7 May 2024, 16:00 UTC

ACU Gender Grants are awarded annually to member universities to support initiatives that will boost gender equity and equality on campus.

The grants can be used for a diverse range of projects, workshops, and events in areas such as:

  • Supporting women in leadership
  • Raising awareness of sexual harassment and developing anti-sexual harassment initiatives
  • Supporting women in science and research
  • Creating effective institutional policies
  • Mainstreaming gender equity into the curriculum

The ACU is working in partnership with the Martha Farrell Foundation to provide three additional Gender Grants focused on creating effective anti-sexual harassment policies and strategies, drawing on the Foundation’s expertise in anti-sexual harassment initiatives. These grants are open to staff members of ACU member universities in Africa and Asia and include online training and follow-up online support from the Martha Farrell Foundation.  

What does the grant include?

  • Thirteen awards of up to GBP 1,000 to help meet the costs of organising projects that promote gender equity and equality. 

How to apply

  • Be a staff member at an ACU member university.  
  • Submit an application through the online application form.
    • If you already have a MyACU account, you can access the grant application form here. 
    • 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.

Applications for cycle 2 are now open and will close on 24 May 2024.

The Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships (QECS) offer fully-funded Master’s scholarships to Commonwealth citizens. Successful applicants can travel to a different country in the Commonwealth, where they can study a variety of courses and benefit from the expertise provided by leading universities. Developing new skills, gaining a qualification and experiencing life in another country benefits both the individual and their home country.

Eight fully funded Master’s scholarships are available, hosted by member institutions in countries across the Commonwealth including: Fiji, Ghana, Mauritius, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Vanuatu. Further details of the scholarships, including eligibility, host universities and details on how to apply, are available on the ACU website.

Applications close on 24 May 2024 at 16:00 (UTC+1).

Aimed at students who are committed to creating change in their communities, the scholarships are a life-changing opportunity to experience a new country and culture, to broaden horizons, and to build a global network that will last a lifetime.

Through cultural exchange and academic collaboration, Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholars help bring about positive change and find solutions to the shared challenges we face – both in their home countries and those that host them. As an active part of the Commonwealth network, scholars will help shape its future.

Each year there are two opportunities to apply for QECS – cycle 1 opens in November/December and cycle 2 opens in March/April. You only need to submit one application, but you are welcome to apply more than once if there is another country you are interested in studying in.

What does the scholarship cover?

  • Fully-funded tuition fees
  • Living allowance (stipend) for duration of award
  • Return economy flights to host country
  • One-off arrival allowance
  • Research Support Grant (on request only; subject to approval)

We strongly advise all applicants to read the the application guidance and FAQs pages before starting an application.

How to apply

  1. Look through the list of countries and universities hosting scholarships in this cycle.
  2. Visit the relevant university website for more information on your chosen course using the links included below.
  3. Complete and submit a QECS application for your chosen university/course by clicking the ‘Apply now’ button. Once you’ve clicked apply, you’ll be directed to a log in page. If you don’t already have a myACU account, click get ‘get started’ in the right hand corner of the page to start your application.
  4. Submit an application to your chosen university for admission to your chosen course.

Read more here.

The call for proposals to the Canadian International Development Scholarships 2030 (BCDI 2030) is now open. Valued at $18M CAD in funding and opened to all members of Universities Canada (UnivCan) and Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan), it aims to strengthen social and economic development through provision of quality education and training opportunities for 26 Francophonie, Small Island States and Commonwealth countries outlined under the concept note.

Key takeaways of BCDI 2030:

  1. Study projects take place in Canada for a maximum of four years.
  2. Each Canadian institution can submit one proposal for a scholarship project partnership with a higher education institution (HEI) in one of the 26 eligible countries.
  3. Multiple projects can be carried out by an institution as part of a consortium (must have existing partnerships with the involved HEIs), but each HEI may only submit one proposal as a project lead. 5 bonus points if the proposal is submitted as a consortium.
  4. Up to $700,000 available per project for partnerships with Francophonie countries.
  5. Up to $500,000 available per project for a combination of partnerships between Francophonie and Commonwealth or small islands and Commonwealth-only countries.
  6. Institutions must submit their application through a central institutional account.

Kindly click here to download the guidelines, including the marking breakdown, funding allocation, sample activities, eligibility checklist, and additional information.

For any questions beyond the FAQs, please reach out to Adelina Sylaj in the Office of International Affairs (sylaja@mcmaster.ca).

The Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarship program (QES) develops the next generation of innovative leaders and community builders by providing enriched academic, professionals and cross-cultural experiences that have a measurable impact in communities around the world. Projects will support international study, research or internships for Canadian students and/or scholarships for incoming international graduate students to study or conduct research.

Key takeaways of QES:

  • Postsecondary institutions that are members of Universities Canada or Colleges and Institutes Canada may submit a multi-year proposal to the QES program seeking funding up to $300,000 CAD.
  • QES 2025 will support projects that focus on the adaptation, response, and resilience to a changing climate. Priority will be given to projects that focus on diversity and inclusion and result in a strengthened impact to local and global communities by young leaders.
  • All funded activities must be completed by December 31, 2028.
  • Canadian postsecondary institutions may partner on a joint proposal however each institution may be the lead applicant on only one submission.
  • Projects will support international study, research, or internships for Canadian students and/or scholarships for incoming international graduate students to study or do research in Canada.
  • All QES funded activities must be for academic credit/recognition.
  • Applications must demonstrate a partnership between a Canadian postsecondary institution and a partner institution/organization in at least one of the eligible countries.
  • The program will require all scholars to participate in leadership development, networking, and community engagement activities.

Kindly click here to download the guidelines, including the marking breakdown, funding allocation, sample activities, eligibility checklist, and additional information.

For any questions beyond the FAQs, please reach out to Adelina Sylaj in the Office of International Affairs (sylaja@mcmaster.ca).

OIA International Program Grant Application Approval Form