Toronto Metropolitan University Global Migration Institute Scholarships 2027 to 2028

Applications are open for the Toronto Metropolitan University Global Migration Institute Scholarships for the 2027 to 2028 academic year in Canada. Offered through the university’s Bridging Divides program, these graduate student stipends support research that examines migration, inclusion, social participation, employment, health and other issues affecting communities.

The scholarships are available to eligible domestic and international students pursuing full time master’s or PhD studies at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU). Successful applicants receive financial support while joining an interdisciplinary research community focused on understanding social challenges and developing evidence that can inform policy and practice.

The program offers up to CAD $35,000 per year for eligible master’s students and up to CAD $45,000 per year for eligible PhD students. Funding is limited, and applicants must demonstrate a clear connection between their research and at least one of the Bridging Divides program’s four research themes.

About the Opportunity

The Global Migration Institute at Toronto Metropolitan University supports interdisciplinary research and collaboration on migration and related social issues. Through its Bridging Divides program, the institute provides graduate stipends to students whose research contributes to its thematic priorities.

The program welcomes eligible students applying to begin a master’s degree in Fall 2027, as well as current master’s students entering their second year during the 2027 to 2028 academic year. Eligible PhD students already enrolled at TMU may also apply for support.

Applicants do not necessarily need to be enrolled in a program explicitly focused on migration. Students from a range of academic disciplines may qualify if their research has a clear connection to one of the program’s four themes. Course based graduate programmes are not eligible for this stipend.

Scholarship Benefits

• Master’s stipend: Up to CAD $35,000 per year for eligible domestic and international students.

• PhD stipend: Up to CAD $45,000 per year for eligible domestic and international students.

• Funding duration for incoming master’s students: A maximum of two years, subject to the program’s conditions.

• Research development: Participation in research training activities and workshops.

• Academic integration: Opportunities to become part of the Global Migration Institute research team.

• Professional development: Engagement with an interdisciplinary community of researchers and graduate students.

• Potential funding renewal: Continued support may be available following an annual review of academic progress and funding availability.

Students who hold external scholarships or research grants may also apply for supplementary funding. Such requests are considered individually and require a strong justification.

Programme Areas

Applicants must connect their proposed or ongoing research to at least one of the four Bridging Divides research themes.

• Immigrant Health and Well Being: Research examining health, access to services and the well being of immigrant communities.

• Employment and Lifelong Learning: Studies concerning employment opportunities, labour market participation, education and continuing learning.

• Place and Infrastructure: Research on places, built environments, infrastructure and their relationships with communities.

• Citizenship and Participation: Studies exploring citizenship, inclusion, civic engagement and participation in society.

Eligible academic programmes include selected graduate degrees in criminology, economics, public policy, psychology, spatial analysis, social work, urban development, engineering, management, communication, journalism, immigration and settlement studies, environmental science and data science. Other programmes may be considered individually when their research clearly aligns with a Bridging Divides theme.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants should meet the following requirements relevant to their application category.

• Be applying to or enrolled in an eligible graduate programme at Toronto Metropolitan University.

• Be pursuing full time master’s or PhD studies.

• Demonstrate a clear connection between the proposed or ongoing research and at least one Bridging Divides research theme.

• For incoming master’s applicants, apply separately for admission to the relevant TMU graduate programme.

• For existing master’s applicants, be entering the second year of an eligible programme in the 2027 to 2028 academic year.

• For PhD applicants, be enrolled full time in an eligible TMU doctoral programme.

• Have a supervisor or co supervisor who is a TMU faculty member directly involved in the Bridging Divides program.

• Meet any additional academic or supervisory requirements applicable to the chosen graduate programme.

Students in course based graduate programmes are not eligible. Applicants should confirm whether their particular programme and research project qualify before applying.

Required Application Materials

The application requirements vary according to whether the candidate is applying for an incoming master’s stipend, an existing master’s stipend or an existing PhD stipend.

Incoming and existing master’s applicants

• Completed online stipend application form.

• Curriculum vitae.

• Academic transcript.

• Statement of Interest or Letter of Intent submitted with the graduate programme application.

• Bridging Divides motivation letter of no more than two pages explaining why the applicant should receive the stipend and how their research connects with the program’s themes.

• For applicants in the Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science, the proposed or expected supervisor’s name, including at least one Bridging Divides researcher, and the required statement from the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies where applicable.

Existing PhD applicants

• Completed online stipend application form.

• TMU student identification number and enrolled programme details.

• Curriculum vitae.

• Academic transcript.

• Statement of Interest or Letter of Intent from the PhD application.

• Writing sample of no more than 10 pages.

• Bridging Divides motivation letter of no more than two pages.

• Name of the supervisor or supervisors, including at least one Bridging Divides researcher, for applicants subject to the additional engineering faculty requirements.

How to Apply

1. Review the research themes. Visit the Global Migration Institute website and identify the Bridging Divides theme that best matches your research.
2. Check programme eligibility. Review the list of affiliated graduate programmes and contact the relevant academic department if your programme is not listed.
3. Apply for graduate admission if necessary. Incoming master’s candidates must first apply to their chosen TMU graduate programme according to its admission requirements.
4. Prepare the required documents. Assemble the appropriate application materials and write a motivation letter explaining the importance of your research and its connection to the program.
5. Submit the stipend application. Complete the relevant online form for your applicant category and ensure all required documents are included.
6. Confirm the applicable deadline. The published deadline for the incoming master’s and existing student stipend applications is April 1, 2027. The institute also lists February 1, 2027 as the deadline for PhD applications in its upcoming deadlines section. PhD applicants should check the official instructions for their specific application route.
7. Monitor your admission and funding status. Incoming master’s applicants will have their stipend applications considered if they are accepted into their selected TMU programme. Funding decisions remain subject to the program’s selection process and available resources.