Funding Opportunities

Financial support is usually available to thesis-based MSc and PhD students in the Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science through research grants held by prospective supervisors. However, the University of Alberta does not guarantee funding, and funding levels may vary. Course-based Masters students are self-funded.

The Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies (GPS) estimates tuition costs and living expenses to be approximately $22,000/year for Canadians or permanent residents, and $25,000/year for international students (see GPS). As of 2016, the minimum stipend that qualifies as full funding support is approximately $2000/month as per the Graduate Student Association's Collective Agreement (GSA).

Graduate Research Assistantship Fellowships (GRAF)

Graduate Research Assistantship Fellowships (GRAF) may be available to assist thesis-based MSc and PhD students in completion of their graduate program. The GRAF may not cover the full cost of living and tuition fees. At the time of application or admission, students should discuss with their prospective supervisor whether they can expect to receive a full or partial graduate research stipend, for how long, and what the conditions of annual renewal are. As of May 2017 the minimum stipend support provided by a supervisor - if student is accepted with GRAF support - is $21,000 per year for MSc and $23,000 per year for PhD. The GRAF may be a combination of a stipend from a research grant held by the supervisor and/or scholarships. GRAF financial support will be drawn from research funds only or a combination of research funding and student scholarship(s).

GRAFs are advertised by supervisors on the Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences' graduate student positions database.

Graduate Teaching or Research Assistantships (GTA or GRA)

The Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science has a number of Teaching Assistant and TA Marker opportunities available for our graduate students. Faculty members may also hire graduate students for non-thesis related research work. Minimum hourly pay rates for GRA and GTA assignments are governed by the Graduate Student Association's Collective Agreement (see GSA). Supervisors and instructors may advertise GTA and GRA positions on their websites, through email lists, or by approaching students directly. Candidates are selected based on their academic qualifications and relevant training and experience for the teaching or research assignments. Please send your CV and details of your qualifications for the specific position to course instructors or supervisors.

A list of GTA and STARE positions is available here.

GPS Scholarships & Awards

The Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies (GPS) at the University of Alberta offers a variety of awards on a competitive basis. Some important scholarship opportunities are:

  • Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarships ($10,800 for MSc, $15,000 for PhD programs)
  • Killam, Dissertation, and Andrew Stewart Awards ($5,000 to $35,000)
  • Graduate Travel Award to support conference presentations (up to $1,300)
  • Recruitment awards and top-up awards for major scholarship winners
  • GPS also administers Vanier, NSERC, SSHRC, CIHR for current students (up to $50,000/yr)


For more information, application forms, and application deadlines, see the GPS Awards & Scholarships page.

How to apply: Calls for on-line applications are announced through the departmental mailing list throughout the year. If you are a new or prospective student, and not yet on the departmental mailing list, please contact grad.ales@ualberta.ca.

Departmental Awards

The Department offers a variety of specialized graduate scholarships on a competitive basis.

Note: Value of each award is approximate and subject to change without notice.

  • SM Blair Scholarship ($11,000)
  • Fisher Scientific Graduate Scholarship in Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science
  • Harry J Hargrave Memorial Graduate Scholarships in Animal Science ($2,700)
  • Ruminant Animal Digestive Physiology and Metabolism Scholarship ($5,400)
  • Ruminant Animal Digestive Physiology and Metabolism Travel Award (Variable; up to $2,000)
  • Dr. Bruce Jeffery Canola Travel Award. ($300 master's; $700 doctoral)
  • Dr. Elizabeth A. Donald MSc Fellowship in Human Nutrition ($11,700)
  • Elizabeth Russell MacEachran Scholarship ($7,900)
  • Hazel McIntyre Summer Research Award ($2,200)
  • J Macgregor Smith Graduate Scholarship ($8,500)
  • Robert Simonet Graduate Scholarships ($2,500 master's; $3,200 doctoral)
  • Robert Simonet Graduate Travel Bursary ($400 master's; $800 doctoral)
  • Alberta What Commission Graduate Research Scholarship in Crop Science ($10,000)
  • Dr. Terry Swanson Memorial Scholarship ($500)
  • Michael R. Bevan Graduate Scholarship ($900)
  • GFTC Legacy Fund Graduate Scholarship ($3,000)

How to apply: Calls for on-line applications are announced through the departmental mailing list mid-February of each year. If you are a new or prospective student, and not yet on the departmental mailing list, please contact grad.ales@ualberta.ca.