Scholarships, Studentships, & Funding Opportunities

What it’s for:

• Awarded to a full-time undergraduate student entering the fourth year of study in Integrative Biology or Neuroscience. In addition to strong academic performance, candidates must show a commitment to enhancing the lives of others through volunteer work in the community.

Eligibility:

• Open to domestic students (Canadian citizens or permanent residents) enrolled in Integrative Biology or Neuroscience. Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3 (B+) required.

Value:

• $1,200.

Deadline:

• Application required.

Application can be found through UofT's Award Explorer

What it’s for:

• Supports full-time undergraduate students in the Faculty of Arts & Science, with a focus on advancing equity and inclusion. Preference is given to students enrolled in the Human Biology or Immunology programs, as well as Black and Indigenous students.

Eligibility:

• Open to domestic students who demonstrate financial need. Preference for Human Biology or Immunology majors/specialists, and for Black or Indigenous students.

Value:

• Determined based on financial need.

Deadline:

• Application required through UTAPS.

Learn More About UTAPS

What it’s for:

• Provides funding for summer research in the fields of evolution, ecology, or behaviour. Awarded to an outstanding student with an A average who has successfully completed Biology 120H (St. George campus) in the session for which the award is made.

Eligibility:

• Open to both domestic and international students. Selection is based on academic merit.

Value:

• Up to $5,700.

Deadline:

• Application required.

Application can be found through UofT's Award Explorer

What it’s for:

• Provides financial support to full-time undergraduate students in the Faculty of Arts & Science, with preference given to those enrolled in the Human Biology program.

Eligibility:

• Open to domestic students who demonstrate financial need. Preference for Human Biology majors or specialists.

Value:

• Determined based on financial need.

Deadline:

Application required through UTAPS.

Learn More About UTAPS

What it’s for: 

• The UTEA supports undergraduate students at the University of Toronto who wish to gain faculty supervised research experience over the summer in the Natural Sciences & Engineering (NSE), Social Sciences & Humanities (SSH), or Health & Life Sciences (HLS) fields.

Eligibility: 

• Applicants must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or international students with a valid student visa for the full summer term. 

• Must be registered in a Bachelor’s degree at U of T (either full-time, or part-time only if it’s their final session and they require only part-time to complete).

• For students in higher years, a cumulative average of “B+” or higher is required (and in some cases this may be applied to the best two years of study).

• Note: Students currently enrolled in a professional-undergraduate health sciences degree (e.g., MD, DDS, BScN) or a graduate program are ineligible. 

• Each student may hold a maximum of three UTEAs throughout their undergraduate career; a student may apply only once per year.

Value:  

• Each award is valued at a minimum of $7,500, of which $5,250 is provided by the University and at least $2,250 must be matched by the student’s supervisor or academic unit. 

• The award funds 14 full weeks during the summer term (between May 1 and September 30) for a full-time research project.

Application: 

• An application is required. Students must collaborate with a faculty supervisor, complete the required application form (student portion + supervisor portion), and submit by the divisional deadline (typically late March to early April). Note that specific divisions at U of T may set their own deadlines.

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What it’s for: 

• Recognizes life sciences in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine who demonstrate exceptional leadership through academic excellence, service to the University, and a commitment to the values of the Faculty. Leadership may take many forms, reflecting each student’s unique journey and impact on the academic community.

Please Note: Eligibility for this award is limited to students enrolled in a major or specialist program within a Basic Medical Science (BMS) department (e.g., Physiology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology & Toxicology). Human Biology students are eligible only if they are also completing a major or specialist in one of these BMS programs.

Eligibility:

• Undergraduate students enrolled in a major and/or specialist program in a Basic Medican Science (BMS) department within the Temerty Faculty of Medicine.

• Must be in their final year of study (expecting to graduate in June or November of the award year).

• Must hold a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.7. 

• Self nominations are not permitted. Students must be nominated by their department.

Value: 

• $500 and a framed certificate.

• Up to three awards granted annually.

• Recipients are acknowledged on the Temerty Medicine website and newsletter.

Application: 

• Nomination based award. Application details and required materials can be found on the RHSE website.

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What it's for:

The Amgen Scholars Canada Program is a fully funded, 10 week summer research experience that gives undergraduate students the opportunity to conduct hands-on biomedical or life science research under the supervision of U of T faculty mentors. The program combines research, professional development, and community-building through workshops, seminars, and social activities, culminating in a capstone symposium and participation in the National Amgen Scholars Canada Symposium.

Eligibility:

• Current undergraduate students enrolled at an accredited Canadian university.

• Must be in second, third, or non graduating fourth year at the time of application.

• Must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

• Minimum 3.2 GPA (on a 4.0 scale).

• Applicants should demonstrate strong academic performance and an interest in pursuing graduate or professional research degrees (MSc, PhD, or MD/PhD).

• Students from historically marginalized or underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply. 

• No prior research experience is required, but basic laboratory exposure is considered an asset.

Value:

• $6,500 CAD stipend. 

• Accomodation at New College, St. George campus.

• Paid travel expenses to and from Toronto.

• All expenses paid participation in the National Amgen Scholars Program Symposium.

• Additional benefits include workshops, social activities, and access to U of T’s research community and facilities.

Application:

• Application details can be found on the RHSE website. 

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What it’s for:

• The BBDC Summer Studentship supports undergraduate students engaged in diabetes-related research under U of T faculty supervision.

Eligibility:

• Open to undergraduate students working on diabetes or metabolism research. Supervisors must be affiliated with the Banting & Best Diabetes Centre (BBDC).

Value:

• Summer stipend (amount varies).

Learn more:

What it’s for:

• The Emily Stowe Scholars Program (ESSP), named in honour of Dr. Emily Stowe, Canada’s first woman doctor, provides summer research and professional development opportunities for students interested in advancing health equity, leadership, and innovation in healthcare.
• The program supports individuals from communities that have been systemically and historically excluded in health care and health science career pathways.

Eligibility:

• Open to high school, undergraduate, graduate, medical, and health professional students
• . At the time of application, post-secondary students must be enrolled in an eligible program.
• The program is designed for individuals who self-identify as Black, Indigenous, or racialized women, 2SLGBTQI+, trans, two-spirit, non-binary, or persons with disabilities.
• Selection is based on academic achievement, leadership, and commitment to advancing equity in health and research.

Value:

• Paid full-time research positions at Women’s College Hospital.
• Post-secondary students: 37.5 hours per week for 12–16 weeks.
• Students gain hands-on research experience, mentorship, and career development through seminars, networking, and final research presentations.

Application:

• Applications open annually through the Women’s College Hospital Career Portal. Students should apply directly to the Emily Stowe Scholar Program posting. Full program and application details are available on the Women’s College Hospital website.

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What it’s for:

• The Canadian Foundation for Infectious Diseases (CFID) Undergraduate Summer Research Award provides funding to support undergraduate students conducting 10–12 week research projects in infectious diseases, microbiology, or infection control.
• Established in 2012, the program aims to attract talented students to the field and support CFID’s mission of advancing infectious disease research in Canada.

Eligibility:

• Undergraduate students enrolled at a Canadian university in second year or higher.
• Must commit to 10–12 weeks of full-time research, either as a summer project, elective research term, or co-op placement.
• Minimum B+ (3.33 or 76%) GPA.
• Research must be relevant to the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of infectious diseases.
• Preference is given to applicants whose supervisors are members of CFID partner associations (e.g., AMMI Canada, CACMID).
• Priority may be given to projects in current CFID focus areas such as water safety, antimicrobial resistance, rapid diagnostics, infection prevention, or antimicrobial stewardship.

Value:

• $5,000 CAD for a 10–12 week research term.
• Awardees are required to submit a project summary within four weeks of completion and are encouraged to present their work at the AMMI Canada / CACMID Annual Conference.

Application:

• Applications are submitted directly to the Canadian Foundation for Infectious Diseases and reviewed by a national selection committee.
• The process is competitive and based on academic performance, research potential, and supervisor support. Full details, forms, and deadlines are available on the CFID website. 

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What it’s for:

• The Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute (LTRI) Summer Studentship Program offers undergraduate students a three-month hands-on research experience in biomedical and health sciences.
• Students work full-time under the supervision of an LTRI scientist, gaining valuable laboratory skills and exposure to innovative medical research.

Eligibility:

• Open to undergraduate students who will have completed at least their second year of a recognized university science program by May 2025. Applicants must secure an LTRI research supervisor.
• Only one application per student is permitted.

Value:

• Paid full-time research position (37.5 hours per week) for approximately three months.
• Hourly rate of $17.20 + 4% vacation pay.
• Students present their research at an end-of-summer poster symposium.

Application:

• Applications must be submitted online and include a resume or CV, cover letter describing research interests, unofficial transcript, and contact information for two references (academic preferred).
• Selections are made on a rolling basis by individual scientists, and only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.
• Application can be found on the Sinai Health website

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What it’s for:

• The Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) program provides funding for undergraduate students to gain hands-on research experience in the natural sciences, engineering, health, and social sciences.
• Jointly administered by NSERC, CIHR, and SSHRC, the program supports over 3,000 students annually across Canadian universities.
• Students complete a 14–16 week full-time research project under the supervision of a faculty member at their host institution.

Eligibility:

• Open to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or Protected Persons under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
• Must be enrolled full-time in a bachelor’s program at a Canadian institution and have completed at least one full year of study.
• Must have a minimum cumulative average of B– (approximately 70%).
• Applicants cannot be enrolled in a graduate program or hold a professional health degree (except for CIHR USRAs).
• CIHR and SSHRC USRAs are currently reserved for Black student researchers, while NSERC USRAs remain open to all eligible applicants.

Value:

• $6,000 CAD minimum, plus a top-up contribution from the host institution or supervisor. 14–16 week full-time research term, typically during the summer.

Application: Applications must be submitted through the NSERC online system using Form 202 (Parts I & II) and are due by the institution’s internal deadline. Students apply directly to the university where they wish to hold the award. Institutions conduct internal selection based on academic excellence, research potential, and quality of mentorship.

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What it’s for:

• The SickKids Summer Research (SSuRe) Program provides a 15-week paid summer research experience for undergraduate and medical students working under the supervision of a SickKids Research Institute (RI) scientist.
• The program includes hands-on research, professional development workshops, and community-building activities designed to introduce students to careers in science and health research.

Eligibility:

• Open to undergraduate and medical students who will be enrolled in a university or college program in the fall following the summer term.
• Students must secure a SickKids Research Institute supervisor before applying.
• No minimum GPA is required, but these positions are competitive, strong academic standing and demonstrated interest in research are assets.
• Final-year undergraduates are eligible if they will continue in a degree or college program after the summer.

Value:

• Paid research position (minimum hourly rate + 6% vacation pay).
• 15-week full-time research term (May to mid-August). Program benefits include weekly scientific seminars, professional development workshops, a Career Night, and the annual Summer Student Symposium, where students present their work.

Application:

• Students must contact prospective SickKids supervisors directly and submit an application using the SSuRe Application Form, along with a CV, transcript, and (optionally) a cover letter.
• Each scientist selects and interviews their own students. Application details, deadlines, and instructions are available on the SickKids website. 

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