Many graduate students at York are successful in winning prestigious external or internal scholarships and you are encouraged to seek eligible opportunities. The university also offers bursaries and other support funds to assist with your scholarly and research activities. Common types of funds include the following:
External awards such as SSHRC, NSERC, CIHR doctoral and CGS-Masters programs, as well as the Ontario Graduate Scholarship;
Bursaries that are allocated based on demonstrated financial need;
Research support funds to cover expenses related to scholarly and research activities;
Donor-supported internal awards: To find internal award opportunities, please use the award search.
Information about graduate funding as well as tuition fees are available here. Visit also this page to learn about graduate student employment types, including the Teaching Assistantship (TA), Graduate Assistantship (GA) and Research Assistantship (RA).
For further information, please visit the Faculty of Graduate Studies scholarships and awards page or please contact the Graduate Program Assistant.
Graduate Program or Faculty Specific Awards
Description
This fund was set up to honor the life and work of Doris Anderson on the occasion of her 80th birthday. As the pioneering feminist editor of Chatelaine Magazine for 20 years in the 1960’s and 70’s, Doris Anderson transformed the traditional “women’s magazine” into a vibrant national vehicle, advocating for women’s equality rights. In 1979, she was instrumental in securing women’s rights in the new Charter of Rights and Freedoms, when she dramatically resigned as chair of the Canadian Advisory Council on the Status of Women to protest the government’s exclusion of women. Her work continues to be an inspiration to all who cherish justice and equality.
Status for Eligibility: Full-time and Part-time
Citizenship Requirements: Non-Ontarians: those from out-of-province or outside Canada
Degree: MA & PhD
Frequency: Annual
Specific Criteria:
The Doris Anderson Canadian Bursary is offered each year to a full-time or part-time Graduate student in Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies who studies at York University but whose permanent address is outside of Ontario. The applicant must demonstrate financial need.
Deadline: Fall of each year
Description
This fund was set up to honor the life and work of Doris Anderson on the occasion of her 80th birthday. As editor of Chatelaine Magazine for 20 years, Doris Anderson tackled many new and controversial issues for Canadian women during the 1960’s and 70’s across the country. In 1979, chair of the Canadian Advisory Council on the Status of Women, her leadership resulted in additional rights for women in the new Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Her lifelong achievements will be an inspiration to many generations of women to come.
Status for Eligibility: Full-time and Part-time
Citizenship Requirements: Non-Ontarians: those from out-of-province or outside Canada
Degree: MA & PhD
Frequency: Annual
Specific Criteria:
The Doris Anderson Research Fellowship is offered each year to a Graduate Student in Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies presenting a feminist research paper in appropriate forums, either in Canada or abroad.
Deadline: Fall of each year
Description
The intention of the Ethel Armstrong bursaries is to give financial and moral support to students enrolled in the School of Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies at York University. The Ethel Armstrong Bursaries are named in honour of Ethel Armstrong, one of the first women to graduate from McGill University, and the beloved grandmother of a York graduate. Born in Montreal in 1875, Ethel wanted to become a doctor – but was turned down by the McGill medical school on grounds of gender. She studied Arts instead, graduating in 1895, as class president and valedictorian. Ethel went on to motherhood and active volunteer work in Winnipeg. Widowed at 48, she put two of her children through university, one son becoming the doctor she herself had dreamed of being. Her eleven grandchildren, who remember her with great affection and respect, celebrate her life through these bursaries which will help women to go to university and to pursue Women’s Studies.
Status for Eligibility: Full-time and Part-time
Citizenship Requirements: Non-Ontarians: those from out-of-province or outside Canada
Degree: MA & PhD
Frequency: Annual
Specific Criteria:
The Ethel Armstrong Awards for GFWS Doctoral Students are for students entering or continuing in a doctoral program in Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies who have strong academic standing and demonstrate financial need. Recipients must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or protected persons, Ontario residents, and must demonstrate financial need. Students may receive the bursary more than once.
Deadline: Fall of each year
Description
This award was established to encourage thoughtful study.
Status for Eligibility: Full-time and Part-time
Citizenship Requirements: Non-Ontarians: those from out-of-province or outside Canada
Degree: MA & PhD
Frequency: Annual
Specific Criteria:
The Encouragement Bursary has been established as an alternate year award to a deserving graduate student in the Graduate Program in Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies. Recipients must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or protected persons, Ontario residents, and must demonstrate financial need.
Deadline: Fall of each year
Description
Dr. Fewster worked in many countries and at HQ on programs for rural women, while serving for a decade and a half as a professional staff member with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, at HQ in Rome, Italy.
Status for Eligibility: Full-time and Part-time
Citizenship Requirements: Non-Ontarians: those from out-of-province or outside Canada
Degree: MA & PhD
Frequency: Annual
Specific Criteria:
The Jean Fewster Award will provide an annual bursary to a deserving York University graduate student who is completing research in communication and/or international studies at the School of Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies. Recipients must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or protected persons, be Ontario residents and must demonstrate financial need.
Deadline: Fall of each year
Description
Karen Hadley graduated from York University in 1976 with a BA in Psychology. She passed away in 2004 after a 21-year battle with breast cancer. Karen worked closely with York researchers in the School of Women’s Studies on issues of work, restructuring and gender. Her husband, Bruce Roberts, and many of her friends contributed to this award in her memory.
Status for Eligibility: Full-time and Part-time
Citizenship Requirements: Non-Ontarians: those from out-of-province or outside Canada
Degree: MA & PhD
Frequency: Annual
Specific Criteria:
The Karen Hadley Memorial Award will be given to a graduate student in the graduate program in Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies who is in good academic standing and whose focus of research is women and employment (research on women and work or women and the economy will also be supported). Recipients must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or protected persons, Ontario residents, and must demonstrate financial need.
Deadline: Fall of each year
Description
This award has been created to commemorate York University’s establishment of The School of Women’s Studies. Reverend Louise H. Mahood was York University’s first graduate in Women’s Studies.
Status for Eligibility: Full-time and Part-time
Citizenship Requirements: Non-Ontarians: those from out-of-province or outside Canada
Degree: MA & PhD
Frequency: Annual
Specific Criteria:
This award is designated to a graduate student in the Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies Program with a minimum of a B grade point. The successful applicant must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or protected person, be a resident of Ontario, and demonstrate financial need. The bursary will alternate between undergraduate and graduate competitions each year.
Deadline: Fall of each year
Description
This bursary is named in the honour of Jerilyn Manson-Hing, a doctoral student in the Graduate Program in Women’s Studies who died an untimely death in 1998 at the age of 44. Jerilyn had a deep interest in the impact of medical sciences and technologies on women’s equality.
Status for Eligibility: Full-time and Part-time
Citizenship Requirements: Canadian citizens or PR holders or protected persons inside Ontario
Degree: MA & PhD
Frequency: Annual
Specific Criteria:
This bursary will be awarded to an MA or PhD student in Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies with preference given to a student working in an area related to women and health, and doing research from a non-racist, non-sexist perspective. Recipients must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or protected persons, Ontario residents, and must demonstrate financial need.
Deadline: Fall of each year
Description
A distinguished graduate of the Women’s Studies Program at York University, Beverly Mascoll’s contributions to the betterment of society were recognized widely. Honours bestowed upon her included the Order of Canada, the Nova Scotia Black Cultural Centre Wall of Honour Award, the YWCA Women of Distinction Award for Entrepreneurship, Canadian Council of Christians and Jews Human Relations Award, the Governor General’s Commemorative Medal and the Harry Jerome Award for Outstanding Achievement in Business.
Status for Eligibility: Full-time and Part-time
Citizenship Requirements: Canadian citizens or PR holders or protected persons inside Ontario
Degree: MA & PhD
Frequency: Annual
Specific Criteria:
This bursary is available to students enrolled in the School of Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies. Recipients must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or protected persons, Ontario residents, and must demonstrate financial need.
Deadline: Fall of each year
Description
The funding for the Margaret R. Awards has been donated in memory of Margaret R. to give financial and moral support to MA students in the Graduate Program in Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies.
Status for Eligibility: Full-time and Part-time
Citizenship Requirements: Canadian citizens or PR holders or protected persons inside Ontario
Degree: MA only
Frequency: When funds are available
Specific Criteria:
Awarded to full- and part-time students enrolled in the Masters’ Program in the Graduate Program in Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies who have achieved a strong academic standing. Recipients must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or protected persons, Ontario residents, and must demonstrate financial need.
Deadline: Spring, when available
Description
The funding for the Margaret R. Awards has been donated in memory of Margaret R. in order to give financial and moral support to MA students in the Graduate Program in Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies.
Status for Eligibility: Full-time and Part-time
Citizenship Requirements: Canadian citizens or PR holders or protected persons inside Ontario
Degree: MA only
Frequency: When funds are available
Specific Criteria:
The Margaret R. Summer Research Award will assist Master’s students with the completion of their major research paper over the summer. Applicants must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or protected persons, and residents of Ontario, and who demonstrate financial need.
Deadline: Spring, when available
Description
The Helena Orton Memorial Scholarship honours the life and work of Helena Orton, whose tragic death in 1997 cut short a distinguished career dedicated to using law as a tool to pursue equality for women, especially women in the workplace.
Status for Eligibility: Full-time and Part-time
Citizenship Requirements: Canadian citizens or PR holders or protected persons inside Ontario
Degree: MA only
Frequency: When funds are available
Specific Criteria:
This scholarship is available to a student undertaking either full-time or part-time thesis graduate studies, at Osgoode Hall Law School or York University School of Women’s Studies, whose graduate work will explore relationships between law and social equality. Preference will be given to students committed to studying workplace issues to benefit women. Students will be evaluated on the basis of academic achievement and demonstrated commitment to equality issues.
Deadline: Spring, when available
Description
This fellowship contributes to the costs of students enrolled in the Graduate Program in Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies who are presenting papers at conferences or serving as the organizer and/or chair of a conference session. It is for expenses (including accommodation and registration fees) associated with conference presentations and is meant to supplement funding awarded to graduate students from other sources.
Status for Eligibility: Full-time and Part-time
Citizenship Requirements: Canadian citizens or PR holders or protected persons inside Ontario
Degree: MA only
Frequency: When funds are available
Specific Criteria:
Students are expected to have applied to, and received, funding from the FGS Graduate Development Fund, the Graduate Students’ Association or other specified funding sources. Applicants are required to complete an application form which is available from the GFWS Graduate Program annually in early March.
Deadline: Spring, when available
Description
These bursaries were established in 2000 by the School of Gender, Sexuality & Women’s Studies Bursaries for Graduate Students to assist undergraduate and graduate students in the School of Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies.
Status for Eligibility: Full-time and Part-time
Citizenship Requirements: Canadian citizens or PR holders or protected persons inside Ontario
Degree: PhD only
Frequency: Annual
Specific Criteria:
Criteria: The graduate bursary is designated for one or more students registered in the Masters’ or Doctoral Program in Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies. Recipients must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or protected persons, Ontario residents, and must demonstrate financial need.
Deadline: Fall of each year
This award has been created by Johanna H. Stuckey. Dr. Stuckey joined York University in 1964 and in addition to her prolific research and writing and her record as an outstanding instructor, served as Advisor to the President on the Status of Women (1981-1985), Chair of the Senate Task Force on the Status of Women (1972-1976), Coordinator of the Women’s Studies Program (1986-1989), Chair of the Division of Humanities (1974-1979), Acting Master of Founders College (1972-1973) and as Vice-Chair, York University Faculty Association (1973-1974).
Status: Full-time
Citizenship Requirements: Canadian citizens or PR holders or protected persons inside Ontario
Degree: PhD only
Frequency: Annual
Specific Criteria:
This bursary is designated to a full-time graduate student graduate student in the Graduate Program in Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies who demonstrates financial need. Preference is given to a student with a concentration of work in the humanities, where possible. The purpose of this bursary is to encourage thoughtful study for a student who demonstrates community involvement at York University, which may include volunteer service in the Nellie Langford Rowell Women’s Studies Library.
Deadline: Spring, when available
Learn More
The Graduate Program in Gender, Feminist & Women's Studies at York is an exciting environment to pursue innovative, socially engaging, career-ready education. Contact our Graduate Program Assistant to learn more.