University of Alberta Graduate Recruitment Scholarship

The purpose of the U of A Graduate Recruitment Scholarship (UAGRS) is to recruit superior graduate students who have the potential to contribute to the University of Alberta's community and research.

The purpose of the Graduate Student Support Award (GSSA) is to provide financial support to current graduate students undertaking full-time research. Additional selection criteria may be considered, and may include financial need.

Value

The UAGRS and GSSA both have a minimum value of $5,000 (one unit) increments; however, departments may choose the number of units they wish to award to eligible nominees based on the allocation table.

The award value varies and is indicated in the original letter of offer.

Eligibility

Both awards are open to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or students on a study permit. Specific eligibility criteria for each award are as follows:

University of Alberta Graduate Recruitment Scholarship (UAGRS)

  • Students must be newly admitted to a doctoral or thesis-based master’s graduate degree program by the department, or have transferred (fast tracked) from a master’s to a doctoral degree program.
  • Will be registered full-time in a doctoral degree or thesis-based master’s degree program by the admit term.
  • Must have an admission grade point average (AGPA) of at least 3.5. Current students transferring (fast track) from a master’s degree to a doctoral degree are eligible provided that both their AGPA and current program GPA are 3.5 or over, or the average if one mark is less.
  • Students admitted to course-based or qualifying programs are not eligible.
  • Students may receive a UAGRS only once (unless they transfer from a master’s to a doctoral degree program). Departments wishing to fund a UAGRS recipient may nominate them for a GSSA in each year during which they meet the eligibility requirements.

Graduate Student Support Award (GSSA)

  • Students must be currently registered full-time in a doctoral degree or thesis-based master’s degree program.
  • Must have satisfactory academic standing (equivalent to a grade point average (GPA) of 2.7 or greater) over the most recent 15 units of course weight in the current program. Where there are less than 15 graded credits in the current program, the admission GPA (AGPA) is a weighted factor.
  • Students registered in course-based or qualifying programs, and students on academic probation are not eligible.
  • These awards are NOT automatically renewable. However, departments may nominate students for a new award in each year during which they meet the eligibility requirements.

Departments might have additional selection criteria; for more details students are to consult the department.

Application Procedures

There is no application form; students cannot apply for these awards. Eligible students are considered on the recommendation of the department; students are to contact their department for information.

Nomination Procedures

Each department is assigned an allocation (please see link below). Individual graduate departments are responsible for selecting nominees based on eligibility criteria and allocations. Departments may choose to nominate individuals based on a variety of criteria including academic record, letters of appraisal, statement of program, applicant's research, potential contributions to research, and other technical experience.

Department nominates students to the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies (GPS) by the nomination deadline. GPS verifies eligibility and notifies winners directly.

For Departments

Deadline

UAGRS and GSSA nominations can be submitted on an ongoing basis, but UAGRS should be submitted by the applicable deadline.

  • For students with a May 1, 2024 start date, the deadline is March 28, 2024 - CLOSED
  • For students with a July 1, 2024 start date, the deadline is May 30, 2024 - CLOSED
  • For students with a September 1, 2024 start date, the deadline is July 11, 2024
  • For students with a January 1, 2025 start date, the deadline is November 14, 2024

Note: Any changes to an original nomination should also be received by the above-specified dates.

Frequently Asked Questions: UA Graduate Recruitment Scholarships

What graduate degree programs are eligible for recruitment scholarships?
Students in doctoral or master’s thesis-based programs are eligible provided they meet all other eligibility requirements. Students who will be registered in course-based graduate programs are NOT eligible.
Is a student who has just begun a graduate program eligible to be nominated?
No, this is a recruitment scholarship.
If a student has been admitted to an eligible graduate program at the University of Alberta but wishes to delay their admission, is it possible to defer their scholarship?
Graduate recruitment scholarship deferrals within the same fiscal year are possible (i.e. from September to January). The new fiscal year begins April 1st. Thus, January Doctoral Recruitment Scholarship winners who wish to defer until May will have to be renominated.
What happens to unspent UAGRS allocations? Will they be rolled over to the next year?
UAGRS that have not been allocated in the current fiscal year cannot be rolled over for use in a subsequent year.
Can Departments inform applicants that they have won a UAGRS before GPS sends an official letter to the student?
GPS recommends that Departments do not tell students that they have won a GRS until an official offer is made. They may inform students that they have been nominated for the scholarship and that an official offer letter will be sent to them from GPS.
Does the Department have to admit the student in order for them to be considered for the UAGRS?
Only students admitted to their programs are eligible for the UAGRS.
2024 UAGRS/GSSA Department Memo (Revised June 26, 2024)

2024 Department Recruitment/GSSA Allocation Table

UAGRS/GSSA Nomination Form (Revised June 26, 2024