How to fund a PhD as a Canadian student in the social sciences
This post is the first in a series of reflections and lessons on the first three years of my journey. I started my PhD in Feminist & Gender Studies at the University of Ottawa in September 2018.
One of the elements of undertaking a PhD that occupies a disproportionate amount of time, space, and energy is seeking out and (hopefully) securing funding. I was probably slightly naive when I started my PhD: there was nothing else I wanted to do more than to start my program, so I did not worry too much about funding. I was also resigned to the idea that I would need to work part-time throughout my PhD to afford it. I have had to work during other times during my education and I felt that my grades from my Master’s were not strong enough to land me the grants and scholarships I had secured for my previous post-graduate studies. I had also landed research and consulting contracts in the summer of 2018 and had saved up enough money to partially self-fund my first year. Additionally, I was working part-time as a Research Assistant for my initial PhD supervisor.
I have recently been exchanging messages with an incoming PhD student to my program—Feminist & Gender Studies, at the University of Ottawa. We have been discussing funding packages, funding options, and financial support during the PhD program and so here are a few ideas and things to think about.
Not all PhD programs are funded at the same amount, even within the same university. The PhD in Management at uOttawa is funded at a higher amount than a PhD in Social Sciences, for example.
The Faculty of Social Sciences offers some incoming PhD students in Feminist and Gender Studies an Admissions Scholarship package valued at about $19,000 per year. This was the amount in 2018, so it may have changed slightly now. The scholarship is made up of about $9,000 that is paid back to the university to offset tuition and a minimum of $10,000 per year of that is paid directly to the student via teaching assistant or research assistant work. You must therefore work for your scholarship money, which I would therefore say is not exactly a scholarship but guaranteed work opportunities from the university.
This is not a liveable wage.
External scholarships help you monetarily and to build up your academic credentials by securing research funding, which is important to demonstrate to future employers especially if you plan to work in academia. The most important thing about external funding: you do not need to work in order to access the money and scholarships in Canada are tax exempt.
Ontario Graduate Scholarships: Open to anyone studying at an Ontario university or college. OGS is administered at the university level, although it is funded at the provincial level. You apply in the fall semester and the funding starts in the summer semester of the following year. The amount of the OGS funding is about $15,000 and is a one-year term. You must apply each year. Just because you got OGS in Year 2 doesn’t mean you’ll get it in Year 3. I have heard that about thirty percent of applications are for OGS are funded. You can hold OGS for up to four years.
SSHRC doctoral scholarship: SSHRC is $20,000 or $35,000 per year for up to three years, depending on which scholarship you are awarded (most are funded at the 20k level). You apply to your university, which nominates candidates to the central decision-making committee for your subject area. There are some exceptions. You can apply as a Canadian studying abroad or before you start your PhD, in which case you apply directly to SSHRC. If selected, the funding lasts for up to three years (depending on how many years you have left to complete your program). According to their website, for the 2019 deadline, SSHRC received 2,585 eligible applications and funded 516 fellowships.
Vanier scholarship: Applications are due in the summer. The funding is highly competitive, and you must apply through and be nominated by your university. According to their website, students are awarded $50,000 per year. For the 2019 deadline, SSHRC received 179 eligible applications and funded 56 scholarships.
Trudeau Foundation: This scholarship is administered by the Trudeau Foundation and includes both monetary support and a mentorship program. The funding is capped at $40,000 for the stipend and $20,000 in research funding. Starting in 2020, applicants submit directly to the Foundation.
I always keep my eyes out for other opportunities that are specific and relevant to my research topic or discipline.