External Sources
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council
The major source of external funding for graduate students at both MA and PhD levels is the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council.
Students submit a completed SSHRC application form (together with the required supporting documents) to the Department, which is assigned a quota for MA but not PhD nominations by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research. The Department then ranks and nominates applications to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research. Its Graduate Scholarship Committee adjudicates the University-wide competition and informs those whose applications will be forwarded to Ottawa for the national competition.
The SSHRC competition is held in the Fall term, with the internal Department deadline for the receipt of completed applications in early October, in advance of the date on which Departmental nominations must arrive in the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research. Students will be advised of the Departmental deadline via email; it will also be posted on the Departmental graduate webpage.
NOTE: Applications must be fully complete with all necessary documentation by the Departmental deadline, and students should make early arrangements to ensure that letters of support and transcripts are available on time. Incoming students at times find it difficult to manage this in their first month on campus, making it advisable to consult the SSHRC webpage prior to September in order to become aware of the requirements and to take necessary steps before arriving on campus.
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
The Department participates in the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship competition inaugurated in 2009. The program aims to attract and retain world-class doctoral students (Canadian and international) by supporting students who demonstrate both leadership skills and a high standard of scholarly achievement in graduate studies. Valued at $50,000 a year for up to three years, the Vanier is one of Canada’s most prestigious graduate awards. The Department is proud to have one of twelve Vanier Scholars at the University of Alberta from the inaugural competition.
Students are normally invited to apply by the Associate Chair (Graduate Studies), although students may independently contact the chair to express interest. For further details, see the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research website.