We are proud to offer a scholarship dedicated to supporting Black and Indigenous graduate students pursuing Master’s or PhD studies at the University of Waterloo.

This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion within the graduate community by recognizing the systemic barriers faced by Black and Indigenous scholars and promoting greater access to academic and professional opportunities. This scholarship is one step in addressing systemic inequities in graduate education. By uplifting the voices and contributions of Black and Indigenous scholars, we aim to build a more inclusive academic future for all.

This scholarship is intended to:

• Recognize academic excellence and leadership
• Support students from historically underrepresented communities
• Foster an inclusive and thriving graduate environment

Award Value

• Three (3) awards each valued at $5,000 for PhD students
• Six (6) awards each valued at $3,000 for Master’s students

The awards will be paid in one (1) instalment in the Fall term of the award year, provided they are registered full time. 

Eligibility & Selection Criteria

• • This award will be in addition to any minimum funding the student is receiving.
    • Black^* or Indigenous** students registered full time in full time in any graduate program at the University of Waterloo. 
    • Applicants will be asked to identify as Black or Indigenous on the scholarship application form. 
    • Applicants must have achieved a minimum cumulative average of 75% or equivalent in their current or most recently completed program as demonstrated in their transcripts. 
    • Applicants must provide a written statement as part of their scholarship application, where they describe any academic or non-academic extracurricular, volunteer, leadership or entrepreneurial-related experiences they have been involved in within the last 3 years. 
    • Applicants must explain how these funds will help them achieve their educational goals. 
    • Interested applicants must submit an application form, that can be found on The Centre’s website
    • A committee, chaired by the GSA that includes diverse representation, will select recipients with payment normally administered in the fall term of the award year. 

^*For the purpose of this scholarship and confirmed through the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Anti-Racism (EDI-R) Black students may include those of African, Caribbean, Black Canadian, Afro-Latine, African American, or other African descent. 

** For the purpose of this scholarship an Indigenous person is one who is a citizen or member of a First Nations community (Status/Non-Status), Métis or Inuit as defined in the Canadian Constitution Act 1982. To be considered for this award, students must have completed the Indigenous Verification section in Quest and have had their Indigenous identity verified by the Office of Indigenous Relations  at the University of Waterloo

Deadline

Interested students must complete and submit their application form by June 1st, 2025 at 11:59 PM EST.