The Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship in Science and Technology stands as a testament to this noble endeavor, providing exceptional students with the means to engage in transformative research and innovation in the fields of science and technology. Created to honor the legacy of Queen Elizabeth II, this prestigious scholarship program reflects a commitment to excellence, progress, and the pursuit of intellectual discovery.
Origins and Objectives
The Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship in Science and Technology emerged from a vision to support and nurture talented individuals who demonstrate exceptional promise in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Established by government and educational institutions, the scholarship is a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II’s dedication to education, knowledge, and the betterment of society. Its overarching objective is to provide students with the financial support they need to embark on transformative research journeys that contribute to scientific advancements and technological breakthroughs.
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Purpose
The Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship in Science and Technology (QEII‐GSST) program is designed to encourage excellence in graduate studies in science and technology. The program is supported through funds provided by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities and funds raised by the University of Toronto from the private sector.
Fueling Research and Innovation
One of the hallmarks of the Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship is its role in fueling research and innovation. By offering substantial financial assistance, the scholarship allows recipients to focus their energies on their studies and research projects. This support extends beyond tuition fees to encompass living expenses, research materials, and opportunities for collaboration with leading experts and institutions.
Through this financial backing, scholars are empowered to delve deep into their chosen fields, explore uncharted territories, and generate novel insights that can shape the future. Whether it’s developing cutting-edge technologies, uncovering the mysteries of the universe, or addressing pressing global challenges, the scholarship provides a platform for students to make meaningful contributions that resonate far beyond the walls of academia.
Selecting Excellence
The selection process for the Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship is rigorous and competitive. Candidates are evaluated based on their academic achievements, research proposals, and potential for impact. The recipients are those whose proposals exhibit intellectual curiosity, innovation, and a commitment to pushing the boundaries of knowledge in their respective disciplines.
Community and Collaboration
Beyond financial assistance, the scholarship program fosters a sense of community and collaboration among scholars. By bringing together individuals with diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and areas of expertise, the program encourages cross-disciplinary dialogue and the exchange of ideas. This collaborative environment nurtures innovation, enabling scholars to draw inspiration from each other and approach complex challenges from a holistic standpoint
Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or protected person under subsection 95(2) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada) by the student deadline as determined by each graduate unit;
- Be registered or intend to register in an eligible program on a full-time basis in 2023-2024;
- An eligible program is defined as a full-time program of study of two or three terms at the University of Toronto leading to a graduate degree. A full-time student is one who is in at least 60% of a full course load (40% for students with a permanent disability) or as defined by their institution;
- In addition, to be considered for a QEII-GSST award, a student must be enrolled in a research master’s or doctoral program in a participating graduate unit (see list below);
- Have not exceeded the lifetime maximum of government-funded support or maximum QEII-GSST support available for their current level of study (see the section Maximum Support below); and
- Have achieved at least A- (or equivalent) in each of the last two completed years of study (full-time equivalent); or if the student has competed two years of graduate studies at the time of application, the student must only demonstrate an overall average of at least A- (or equivalent) on all graduate courses completed.
Note: If marks used for calculating an applicant’s grade point average (GPA) are not available (for example, courses were graded on a pass-fail basis), then the next most recent available undergraduate or graduate marks should be used to determine eligibility.
Eligibility to Hold a QEII-GSST Award
To hold a QEII award, recipients:
- Must register and remain enrolled as a full-time student at U of T in an eligible program at the graduate unit from which the QEII-GSST was awarded.
- Who withdraw, transfer to part-time status, complete degree requirements prior to the end of their award, or fail to complete the full term, will be required to repay any funds received for the incomplete session.
- Must be in good standing with the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP). Applicants who have defaulted on a Canada or Ontario student loan, or have failed to make satisfactory repayment on a loan overpayment, are ineligible to receive the award. Those with an OSAP restriction may still apply for the OGS. However, if awarded, they must have the restriction cleared within 30 days of notification in order to accept and hold the award.
- May accept research assistantships, part-time teaching positions, or other paid employment that does not affect their status as a full-time graduate student and is commensurate with the graduate unit policies. Typically, students holding full-time paid employment are not eligible to receive an QEII-GSST from the University of Toronto.
- Cannot hold a QEII award in the same session (overlapping) or from the same award year as a scholarship from SSHRC, NSERC, CIHR, OGS or another QEII-GSST.
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The eligibility criteria provided here are the minimum requirements only. Graduate units may impose additional criteria to apply, receive, or hold a QEII-GSST. Please inquire with your graduate unit regarding any additional requirements or conditions to those listed here.
Eligible Graduate Units
Graduate units participating in the QEII-GSST competition at the University of Toronto are listed below. Please note the list is not comprehensive and students should consult with the graduate unit to confirm eligibility.
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Maximum Support
Students are limited in the number of years that they may hold a QEII-GSST.
Master’s students may receive a maximum of two years of OGS/QEII-GSST awards. Doctoral students may receive a maximum of four years of OGS/QEII awards. Both are subject to a lifetime maximum of six years per student.
In addition, QEII-GSST guidelines restrict students to a lifetime maximum of six years of government-funded awards and prohibit students from holding a QEII-GSST and another government-funded award concurrently.
Awards under the following programs are included in these restrictions:
- Ontario Graduate Scholarship Program (OGS)
- Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship in Science and Technology (QEII-GSST) (formerly OGSST)
- Ontario Trillium Scholarships (OTS)
- Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC)
- Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)
- Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR)
- Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS)
Application Process
Applicants must submit an OGS application to their proposed graduate unit using the U of T OGS Online Application and select “Yes” that they would like to be considered for other graduate award competitions in the “Governmental Award Applications in Progress” section of the Awards and Financial Aid step of the application.
New – Starting 2023-24 award year, applicants applying for other awards that use the OGS application form may upload additional application documents as an attachment to the application form’s “Awards and Financial Aid” page. Note: Any unit who wishes to use the new attachment function for their QEII-GSST or other awards competitions will need to instruct their applicants to select “Yes” on the form that they are applying for other awards and attachment(s) are required.
Each graduate unit will have its own internal submission deadline to which applicants must adhere. Once completed and submitted online, the entire application will be available to the proposed graduate unit(s) for review and consideration. As QEII-GSST awards are not transferrable from one graduate unit to another, prospective students must submit an online application to each graduate unit to which they apply for admission.
For Temerty Faculty of Medicine (TFOM) applicants only: There are three types of QEII-GSST’s through TFOM (please visit the Office of the Vice Dean, Graduate and Life Sciences Education website for details, which will be updated once the competition opens):
- Awards through graduate units – applications are submitted directly to the graduate unit. Check graduate unit deadlines through unit websites;
- Awards through clinical/surgical departments – applications are submitted directly to the clinical/surgical departments; check the appropriate departments’ website for deadlines and application details;
- Awards through TFOM, Graduate & Life Sciences Education (GLSE) – deadline and submission details to be communicated by GLSE, Office of the Vice-Dean, Research & Health Science Education, TFOM and as posted on their website. For additional information, contact GLSE by email at [email protected].
For detailed instructions on how to complete the OGS Application, please see the OGS Application Instructions.
Award Holder Information
Please consult the OGS/QEII Award Holder’s Guide.
Contacts & Resources
Please direct questions regarding the QEII-GSST competition or nomination process to your graduate unit.
Questions regarding the administration of the award at the SGS and technical support for the application may be directed to:
Debbie Chau, Graduate Awards Officer
Graduate Awards Office
School of Graduate Studies
[email protected]
416-978-2382
A Legacy of Excellence
As the Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship continues to evolve, its impact on the fields of science and technology remains significant. The scholars it supports become torchbearers of innovation, driving progress and contributing to society’s betterment. Their research endeavors have the potential to revolutionize industries, improve human well-being, and deepen our understanding of the natural world.
In an era defined by technological advancement and global challenges, initiatives like the Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship play a vital role in cultivating the next generation of trailblazing researchers and innovators. The program’s commitment to fostering excellence and pushing the boundaries of human knowledge stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of Queen Elizabeth II and her dedication to education and progress.