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Our organization offers the Ronald Gordon Roswell-O’Connor Graduate Award and the Stephen and Lynn Mandel Graduate Scholarship to support UAlberta graduate students who are in a program of studies or involved with research that engages with and uplifts the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Applications are now open until Monday, November 27, 2023 at 11:59 PM MDT. 

Apply or learn more


To learn about similar undergraduate awards and an undergraduate bursary, please scroll down. These scholarships are independent of the graduate scholarships that we offer and may have different application deadlines. 

Donate to Fyrefly

The Fyrefly Institute has served 2SLGBTQ+ people for more than twenty years, fighting for queer rights since before marriage equality was achieved in Canada. Every year, we reach and support thousands of people throughout the province. To sustain our thriving programs, we are seeking $10,000 in funding. Please donate to the Fyrefly Institute fund.


Graduate Scholarships & Awards

The information provided below can also be found on the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research's Awards database

Ronald Gordon Roswell-O'Connor Graduate Award

Awarded to a full-time or part-time students with satisfactory academic standing registered in a graduate degree program. A 3.0 GPA or greater for students newly admitted to a graduate degree program or a GPA of 2.7 or greater for students continuing in a graduate program is considered satisfactory academic standing. 

Selection for this award is based on the significance of a graduate student's program of studies and/or research to the advancement of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, or queer communities. This award is tenable only once in a graduate student's career.

This award is open to:

  • Canadian citizens
  • Permanent residents
  • Foreign nationals holding Canadian study permits
  • Applicants in course-based study programs
  • Applicants in thesis-based study programs
  • Applicants in doctoral programs
  • Applicants in masters programs

Amount: $4600.00 Number of Awards Given: 2

Stephen and Lynn Mandel Graduate Scholarship

This scholarship will be awarded to a graduate student at the University of Alberta with superior academic achievement (3.5 or higher GPA on the last 15 credits), quality research focused on sexual and gender diversity and their application in advocating for sexual and gender diversity in educational and community contexts, and also their advocacy and outreach profile. Preference is given to graduate students in the Faculty of Education. 

This award is open to:

  • Full-time registered students only
  • Canadian citizens
  • Permanent residents
  • Foreign nationals holding Canadian study permits
  • Applicants in course-based study programs
  • Applicants in thesis-based study programs
  • Applicants in doctoral programs
  • Applicants in masters programs

Amount: $1300.00 Number of Awards Given: 1

Undergraduate Awards

The Michael Phair Leadership Award and the Orlando Brooks Collective Entrance Award are now administered through the Office of the Registrar. 

Undergraduate Bursary

The Edmonton Pride Run Endowment is offered through the Office of the Registrar. 


Frequently Asked Questions 

What do I need to apply?
Please have the following documents prepared and ready for upload in our application form:
500 word maximum personal essay describing your research 
• CV/Resume 
• Two Letters of References
• Copy of Official Transcript

We will only accept documents in  (.PDF) or (.docx.) format.
Who can I contact for my references?

Reference letters must be written on official letterhead from a university, organization, or company. References can be from professors, teachers, or members of community organizations that you have worked with.

Applicants applying for the graduate awards, Ronald Gordon Rowswell Award and/or Stephen and Lynn Mandel Scholarship, must have at least one academic reference as a referee who can speak to their research and academic achievements.

What will make my application stand out?

All applications will be reviewed by a selection committee. Some of the criteria used to evaluate applications include:

  • Significance of research and/or leadership activities
  • Application of research into advocacy
  • The applicant's GPA
  • Quality of application essay
  • Strength of letters of reference
Do I need an official transcript?
Fyrefly Institute will accept unofficial transcripts. You are able to scan and upload the transcripts to the google form.

Testimonials

"I am eternally grateful to have been awarded the Stephen and Lynn Mandel Graduate Scholarship. As a student, I highly value any form of contribution and generosity in recognition of my educational work. Receiving this scholarship will motivate me to continue to work for LGBTQ2S+ health and wellbeing and to maintain a good GPA." Stephen and Lynn Mandel Graduate Scholarship Recipient, 2019


Contact Us

Fyrefly Institute for Gender and Sexual Diversity
Email: fyrefly@ualberta.ca 
Tel: 780.492.0772