The Graduate Award Competition (GAC) encompasses a broad range of awards funded by donors and the University of Calgary.
Successful students can normally hold one scholarship awarded through the GAC in a given year and are always awarded the highest valued scholarship for which they are eligible.
Timeline subject to change
You are encouraged to apply for awards when you have submitted your admissions application and received your University of Calgary student number (UCID). You are not required to meet the eligibility requirements in the terms of reference of an award when you apply, but if successful, you must meet the eligibility requirements at the time the award is paid.
Please ensure that you have completed the following two steps before submitting your application:
Awards are based on merit. It is important to read and understand the award terms of reference listed on this page and/or on the agency, or donor website.
Read our guide to discover the polices and regulations that determines a student's award eligibility at the University of Calgary.
You must meet the eligibility criteria for each award for which you are applying.
Awards
*The terms of reference for the Killam award, open doctoral awards, and special awards can be found on the Graduate Awards Database.
To be eligible for the Killam and Open Doctoral categories students must have achieved a first-class average, as determined by the university issuing the transcripts, in the last two completed years of study (full-time equivalent). At the University of Calgary, a student must have achieved a grade point average of 3.5 or higher in the last 2 years of study. Each institution has their own definition of first-class average. The University of Calgary does not convert scales.
The Graduate Award Competition opens November 1
Only one application is required regardless of the number of awards you are applying for.
References for admission may be used toward the Graduate Award Competition as long as they have been written within the last eleven months prior to the competition deadline.
Set yourself up for success and attend one of our workshops.
The Graduate Leaders Circle (GLC) is hosting scholarship cafes, dedicated one-on-one mentoring sessions for students applying for scholarships. Drop-in and scheduled sessions are available.
If you have eligibility questions or you experience difficulties with the application, please contact the Faculty of Graduate Studies office (gsaward@ucalgary.ca).