Funding Opportunities

The deadline for the Faculty of Graduate Studies Open Competition on-line application is February 1.  All suporting scholarship documents must be submitted to the Graduate Administrator, Department of Economics.

Most relevant scholarships are listed at the Faculty of Graduate Studies Scholarships page; all candidates who are eligible are strongly encouraged to apply for these scholarships, fellowships and research grants.

Please note that the open scholarship competitions  require department rankings of students. Students are required to apply through the Faculty of Graduate Studies and submit the supporting documents as requested to Graduate Administrator, Department of Economics. 

Further information on the Open Scholarship competition can be obtained by contacting the Scholarship Officer in the Faculty of Graduate Studies

The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships  (Vanier CGS) were created to attract and retain world-class doctoral students by supporting those who demonstrate a high standard of scholarly achievement and exemplary leadership. The scholarship is intended to support students broadening their research horizons.  Applicants who have completed both an undergraduate and Master’s degree at the University of Calgary will not be considered.

The citizenship is unrestricted and eligible applicants must first submit a Preliminary Assessment Form (PAF) to the Faculty of Graduate Studies Scholarship Office before September 6, 2014. For more information about eligibility and deadlines visit http://grad.ucalgary.ca/awards/opportunities/vanier or contact gsaward@ucalgary.ca.

The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC)  is one of three federal agencies that provide research funding for university students, postdoctoral fellows and professors. SSHRC funds research in the social sciences and humanities. Just Canadians and permanent residents are eligible to apply for (SSHRC). For more information and the deadlines visit http://grad.ucalgary.ca/awards/tricouncil , or if you have questions contact: gsaward@ucalgary.ca.

If you are a Canadian student interested in applying for our masters program, please follow this link and apply for a SSHRC master's scholarship.  This application is due by December 1st.  Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Scholarships  are extremely prestigious and lucrative.  We strongly encourage all eligible applicants to apply.  See the Graduate Awards website with the new information and links for the Tri-Council competition, or if you have questions contact: gsaward@ucalgary.ca.

If you are a Chinese student please consider applying for a China Scholarship Council scholarship.  Information can be found on the FGS Prospective Student page under China Scholarship Council.

All students admitted to full-time graduate study in economics are automatically considered for financial assistance in the form of a Graduate Teaching Assistantship (TA). These are allocated on the basis of academic merit. Recipients of the TA award are required to provide up to 12 hours per week in marking, tutorial or teaching services to the Department. TA awards are currently valued at approximately $8500 per semester. "Half" TA awards, requiring up to 6 hours per week per semester are also available. Most students find that TA positions provide an interesting retrospective view on their undergraduate past, and often provide a refresher on some basic economics as well as opportunities for learning new presentation skills.

The Department awards approximately 16 Graduate Research Scholarships (GRS) to students who are working on their theses. A GRS is valued at approximately $1050 per month for 4 months.

   Departmental Funding

• Please consult your individual letter for details specific to your funding
• There is no guaranteed funding after Year 4
• This departmental funding normally consists of both scholarship income and teaching income.  It may also consist of research assistantship income.  Graduate students usually work as a teaching assistant or a research assistant for at least one term per academic year.  Teaching and research assistantships are considered part of the total departmental funding package.
• If you are offered a teaching or research assistantship or teaching fellowship and decline it, your total departmental funding may be reduced accordingly.
• For students in Years 3 and 4 of their program, department funding may include payment for teaching a course.
• Please keep in mind that whether you receive employment or scholarship, your first payment with not be until the end of the first month in our program.

The following department recommended scholarships are awarded annually:

• Department of Economics Alumni Graduate Scholarship

• Economics Society of Calgary Graduate Scholarship

• Frank Mink Economics Graduate Scholarship

• John M. Dalgarno Memorial Scholarship

• Stephen G. Peitchinis Memorial Graduate Recruitment Scholarship

Many students in the programs (MA and PhD)  perform research assistance for professors in the department. This research often helps the student to identify a suitable thesis topic and can provide a springboard from which to commence thesis work .

These awards provide exposure to research for international development through a program of training in research management and grant administration under the guidance of IDRC program staff. The internship is designed to provide hands-on learning experiences in research program management – in the creation, dissemination and utilization of knowledge from an international perspective. For more information visit: http://econ.ucalgary.ca/graduate/funding-opportunities/irdc-internship-awards

Learn more about the http://econ.ucalgary.ca/graduate/funding-opportunities/meredith-graduate-scholarships

The Faculty of Graduate Studies has many additional sources of funding that students can apply for.  For more information, please visit the Sources of Funding page.

Microeconomics Prize: For top graduate student in average of ECON 707 and ECON 757 (in first year class) - Value: $ 100.00

Macroeconomics Prize: For top graduate student in average of ECON 709 and ECON 759 (in first year class) - Value: $ 100.00 

Econometrics Prize: For top graduate student in average of ECON 615 and ECON 715 - Value: $100.00

James D. Gaisford Research Prize:  For best 2nd year research paper by a Ph.D. student - Value: $500 CAD  

A committee, chaired by the Head of the Research Activities Committee will adjudicate the Second Year Research Papers. Please note that all second year students must present their papers to the department before the prize is awarded.

Graduate Student Teaching Award:  Awarded annually in the Fall in recognition of teaching excellence by a graduate student teaching a Spring or Summer semester course.  There is no monetary value.  The successful student will receive a parchment and their name will be added to a plaque within the department.  The award is decided by the Head of the Department.

Teaching Assistant Excellence Prize: It is awarded every May by the Graduate Committee.  Nominations can be made of any TA who has worked within the department in the previous year (May to April). Nominations can be submitted at any time, but a specific call for nominations will be sent out to faculty by email on approximately May 1^st.  Deadline for nominations is May 15^th.  The award will be made shortly thereafter.

Value: $200. The winning student will also have their name added to a plaque within the department.

Criteria:  The winning TA will be judged by the graduate committee.  The winning TA should not only meet but also exceed the department’s expectations for TA’s.  

Successful students will receive a parchment and their name added to a plaque within the department.