SFU Awards: Merit-Based
Below are brief descriptions of the main SFU merit-based awards that are applicable to Earth Sciences' graduate students. For further details and most up to date information, refer to the Terms of Reference which, as well as the application forms themselves, are available in the department or at the Office of the Dean of Graduate Studies. The availability of all awards is contingent on the availability of funding, and the Terms of Reference are subject to change without notice. In addition to these awards, there are also a large number of internally and externally funded awards, ranging up to approximately $10,000 in value. Please consult the graduate awards website, or the Earth Sciences Graduate Studies Chair for information on awards relevant to particular graduate programs.
Bert Henry Memorial Graduate Scholarship
The recipient is an outstanding student who has obtained a master's degree and is entering any PhD program at SFU. The recipient must show high academic performance and potential for significant contribution to the chosen field of study. Tenure is for one year and may commence in any term. Students already enrolled in the intended program are not eligible.SFU Alumni Association Graduate Entrance Scholarship
Recipient is outstanding scholar entering any master's or doctoral program at SFU. Students already enrolled in the intended program are not eligible.Simons Foundation Doctoral Entrance
The recipient is an outstanding female scholar entering any PhD program at SFU. The recipient must show high academic performance and potential for significant contribution to the chosen field. Tenure is for one year and may commence in any term. Students already enrolled in the intended program are not eligible.C.D. Nelson Memorial Graduate Scholarship
Recipients are outstanding scholars entering any graduate program at SFU. Eighteen or more awards are made. Tenure is for one year and may commence in any term. Students already enrolled in the intended program are not eligible.
The awards are $18,000.00 each. Application forms for these awards can be located at the following website: http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/scholarships_and_awards/award_forms/
The preceding four awards are available ONLY by nomination, and you must request consideration at the time you apply for admission to the graduate program. Departments then nominate the strongest candidates. Awards are made in mid-April (following a University-wide adjudication) for tenure in the following academic year.
Special Graduate Entrance Scholarships (SGES)
This is a one term 'top-up' award normally valued between $3,000 and $7,000. Prospective students must be nominated for these awards via memorandum by the Graduate Program Chair to the Dean of Graduate Studies. Departments may submit their requests to Dean of Graduate Studies on a 'rolling basis' being mindful of their quota. Although there is no application or nomination form, evidence of the following criteria must be submitted with the nomination;
- The applicant has outstanding qualifications;
- The applicant has a formal offer of admission to a graduate program at SFU, that has not yet been accepted;
- The applicant has an offer of substantial financial support by the department or the prospective supervisor at SFU;
- The applicant has one or more documented competing offers of support from other Universities. This is not required for students who hold a major external award such as NSERC, SSHRC, CIHR or MSFHR.
Graduate Fellowships (GF)
These are one-semester awards for a Master's and Ph.D. students (award value varies). They are the main form of fellowship support at SFU. To be eligible to hold a GF, you must be registered full-time, and must normally have a first-class (> 3.50) grade point average (GPA). In exceptional cases, other evidence of outstanding ability may outweigh the GPA criterion. The Department of Earth Sciences GF adjudication policy is listed below:
- Applicants must meet the University's eligibility criteria defined in the Graduate Fellowship terms of reference.
- Students are not guaranteed a GF. First priority will be given to students in the MSc Program in their 4 th – 6 th semester and for students in the PhD program in their 4 th – 12 th semester (at the time of the award). Within this group the students will be ranked by academic merit. If there are still GFs available second priority will be given to students in their 1 st – 3 rd semester (at the time of the award). Again, within this group the students will be ranked by academic merit. No MSc students in their 7 th or later semester or PhD students in their 13 th or later semester will be recommended for a GF unless there are extenuating circumstances.
- Academic merit is an important criterion used in ranking applicants. Grades on graduate courses and upper division undergraduate courses will be assessed. Research ability will be measured by publications, conference papers, and the supervisor's assessment. Progress in the program will be based on satisfactory annual progress reports. DE grades will not be considered evidence of poor progress or performance.
- In the interests of equity, students who hold major awards, such as an NSERC scholarship, a C.D. Nelson entrance scholarship or who are self-funded (e.g., funded through employment) may have a lower priority for a GF. GF awards will also be distributed in a broadly equitable way amongst the research faculty of the department.
- Applicants should submit completed Faculty of Graduate Studies GF application form, copies of transcripts and Earth Sciences Scholarship/Award form.
William and Ada Isabelle Steel Memorial Graduate Scholarship
Valued at $17,000 per annum, $15,000 of which constitutes the scholarship and $2,000 of which is available for travel, accommodation, and related research expenses. One scholarship is awarded each year. To be eligible, you must be enrolled in a graduate program at Simon Fraser University and be engaged in, or planning to engage in, research which requires work outside the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. Application deadline is 15 March. This award is offered to an SFU graduate student who is in the research phase of his or her graduate program. Offers are made in mid-April, following a University-wide competition, for tenure in the following academic year.President’s Ph.D Research Stipend (PRS)
A President's PhD Research Stipend is a one term award valued at $6,250 which is only available to students who began their PhD program by January 1, 2009 (i.e. students who began their program at the beginning of, or after, the summer 2009 term are not eligible to apply). To be eligible to hold a PRS, a person must be registered as a full-time regular student in good standing in the Ph.D. program at SFU and must have completed all departmental and University requirements for the degree (e.g., courses, comprehensive or qualifying examinations), except the thesis.
Interested applicants must read the Terms of Reference for this award to ensure they are eligible. Eligible applicants should apply using the "Application for a President's Research Stipend" form, found on the 'Forms and Resources' page and submit all required documentaiton to their department of enrollment. Departments must abide by their quotas and submit all required documents to the Dean of the Graduate Studies Office by the following deadlines:
- June 30 (for awards tenable in Fall term)
- October 31 (for awards tenable in Spring term)
- February 28 (for awards tenable in Summer term)PetroCanada Scholarship in Earth Sciences
Valued at $3000 for one semester. For students pursuing a graduate degree in Earth Sciences in the Faculty of Science at Simon Fraser University.