The President's Distinguished Graduate Student Scholarship
Applications for the 2025-2026 academic year open February 14, 2025.
Applications are due March 15, 2025.
Referee letters are due March 18, 2025.
The President’s Distinguished Graduate Student Scholarship is designed to assist graduate students with the direct costs of their education and is based on student academic achievement and research potential. This scholarship will be awarded to current and incoming students in University of Winnipeg graduate programs.
"Receiving this award not only gives me the confidence and reassurance that I have the research potential to succeed in graduate school, but it also alleviates some of the financial burden while completing my studies full time. Receiving this award has been instrumental toward my success in the MA Criminal Justice program both symbolically and materially. As Grad students, I think many of us struggle to cope with the challenges of living up to the expectations of the department, the university, and ultimately yourself. In many ways, this award signals that I am living up to those expectations, and I couldn’t be more grateful to my professors and to the selection committee."
- Dana Hickson, 2020-21 Award Recipient, Criminal Justice
Questions? Contact graduateawards@uwinnipeg.ca for support.
The President’s Distinguished Graduate Student Scholarship is valued at $17,500 for a period of 12 months.
This award is not automatically renewable. Eligible students may hold the award for up to two consecutive years, but must reapply each award competition. A second year of the award is not guaranteed.
Eligible programs
Applied Computer Science and Society; Applied Economics; Bioscience and Policy (PhD); Bioscience, Technology, and Public Policy (MSc); Criminal Justice, Cultural Studies; Environmental and Social Change; Indigenous Governance; Master in Management; Master’s in Development Practice: Indigenous Development; Master of Marriage and Family Therapy.
Students enrolled in Joint Master’s Programs are not eligible for this award and are encouraged instead to apply for the Donald V. Snider Memorial Fellowship when applications open.
Applicant Eligibility
To be considered for this award applicants must:
- have achieved an average GPA of 4.0/4.5 (A-) in their most recent 60 credit hours (or equivalent to two years of full-time study)
- be enrolling full-time in the first year of an eligible one-year graduate program as of the Spring/Summer or Fall term of the current calendar year, or Winter term of the upcoming calendar year, OR
- be enrolling full-time in the first or second year of an eligible two-year graduate program as of the Spring/Summer or Fall term of the current calendar year, or Winter term of the upcoming calendar year, OR
- be enrolling full-time in the first, second, or third year of an eligible three-year+ graduate program as of the Spring/Summer or Fall term of the current calendar year, or Winter term of the upcoming calendar year
- complete the online application with all supporting documents by the deadline
- A complete application includes:
- a completed online application form, along with
- all supporting documents, and
- two letters of support sent directly by referees to graduateawards@uwinnipeg.ca
- At least one letter of support must be sent by a faculty member from the University of Winnipeg graduate program in which the applicant will take up the award. This may be either the student's project supervisor, or the graduate program committee chair or designate. Prospective students should contact the graduate program committee chair for guidance
- Referees have until 11:59 pm CT on March 18, 2025 to submit their letters
- A complete application includes:
Notes: The President's Distinguished Graduate Student Scholarship may not be held in conjunction with an University of Winnipeg Graduate Studies Scholarship, or any competitive award equal to or exceeding the value of the President's Distinguished Graduate Student Scholarship.
Students submit their personal information and required documents using the online application form.
Information and instructions regarding the required supporting documents are available below.
The online application asks students to include the following supporting documents:
- A one-page, single-spaced (max. 500 word) plan of study or research proposal: .docx and .pdf files only
- Whether it is more appropriate to submit a plan of study or research proposal varies depending on the University of Winnipeg graduate program in which the student will take up the award (“the student’s program”). It is highly recommended that students enrolled or enrolling in thesis-based programs submit a research proposal rather than a plan of study
- A plan of study may include information about the student’s research interests and relevant background, the relevance of the program to their interests, and how the student’s program can help them achieve their academic and/or professional goals
- A research proposal should include: background on the student’s field of study relevant to their research, a statement of the student’s research question or objectives, the methodology used, and the significance of their research (this may include expected outcomes, impact on the field or broader society, or a knowledge mobilization plan). This document should also include an explanation of why the student’s program is an appropriate place to be conducting that research
- In either case, the document should include information about the applicant’s relevant academic/professional background, and their interest in and fit with their program
- Applications with research proposals/plans of study exceeding the word and page limit will be deemed ineligible
- A curriculum vitae (CV) outlining the student’s educational history, conference/paper presentations, funding history, work and volunteer experience, etc.: .docx and .pdf files only
- Past and current transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate programs in which you have been enrolled. Transcripts should be up-to-date and show the most recent, including current (Winter 2025), term of enrolment if applicable: .pdf files only
- For initial assessment purposes only, unofficial transcripts are acceptable. Official transcripts will be requested if you are recommended to receive an award
- University of Winnipeg Students: To access unofficial transcripts login to Student Planning, go to the side panel and under "Academics" select “Student Planning,” and click "Unofficial transcript"
- For initial assessment purposes only, unofficial transcripts are acceptable. Official transcripts will be requested if you are recommended to receive an award
- Contact Information for the student's referees:
- One referee must be a faculty member from within the student's University of Winnipeg graduate program, typically the student's academic supervisor or graduate program chair
- The other referee should be someone able to speak to the student’s academic achievement and research potential
- Note: it is the student’s responsibility to ensure that referees send their letters of support to graduateawards@uwinnipeg.ca by the March 18 letter deadline
- Applications with missing letters will be deemed ineligible
1. Personal and program information
Personal Information
- Name
- University of Winnipeg student number
- Recent applicants to University of Winnipeg Graduate Programs receive their student numbers via email shortly (1-2 business days) after submitting their application
- Student numbers are required to verify graduate program application and enrolment
- University of Winnipeg email address
- All current UW students have a University of Winnipeg email address
- Students who have recently applied receive their University of Winnipeg email address after their application is verified as complete and has been sent to the graduate program. Leave this field blank if you have not received your University of Winnipeg email address
- Preferred email address
- Enter the email address at which you would like to be contacted regarding the results of your application
Program information
- Select the graduate program in which you will be enrolled while holding the award
- Select the year of your program in which you will be enrolled while holding the award
2. Required Documents
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) (.pdf, .docx)
- Current transcripts from all graduate and undergraduate institutions which you have attended (.pdf only). You may upload more than one file
- Plan of study/Research Proposal (.pdf, .docx))
3. Referee Information
Enter the names and e-mail addresses of your two referees. Please see "Required Supporting Documents", above, for further instructions.
Note: it is the student’s responsibility to ensure that referees send their letters of support to graduateawards@uwinnipeg.ca by the March 18 letter deadline.
Questions? Contact graduateawards@uwinnipeg.ca for support.
Applications are due March 15, 2025, 11:59 pm CT.
Referee letters are due March 18, 2025, 11:59 pm CT.
Referees must submit their letters of support to graduateawards@uwinnipeg.ca by the published deadline.
Letters of support should speak to the student’s academic achievement and research potential.