Graduate funding

Financial aid and awards funding

You may be eligible for full- or part-time funding. AU’s Support Services website has a list of loans, awards, and grants, as well as planning tools that can help you navigate the application process.

Learn more about financial aid and awards

Athabasca University awards

Athabasca University offers several awards and bursaries to our students. Awards and scholarships may use your academic achievement and other criteria. Travel awards help you present your research findings at conferences. Bursaries are based on financial need and often include similar criteria to awards and scholarships.

Effective Aug. 2024, we have implemented a new system. Students in AU programs will have better and more personalized access to awards, bursaries, and scholarships with a new student award management system.

Access the awards portal and apply today

Athabasca University Graduate Students' Association

As an AU graduate student, you may be eligible for awards, scholarships, and bursaries through the Athabasca University Graduate Students’ Association (AUGSA).

Check out AUGSA student awards and bursaries

External, provincial, and federal funding programs

Several organizations make awards available to graduate students across Canada, including those awarded through provincial and national competitions by the federal granting agencies: the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC).

Browse external awards

Learn more about AU-administered external graduate funding programs below.

Alberta Innovates Graduate Student Scholarship

The Alberta Innovates Graduate Student Scholarships support academically superior graduate students who are receiving training and conducting research in areas that are strategically important to Alberta’s economy. More information

Canada Graduate Scholarships – Master’s program

The Canada Graduate Scholarships – Master’s program (CGS M) provides financial support to high-calibre scholars who are engaged in an eligible master’s or, in some cases, doctoral program in Canada. More information

Canada Graduate Scholarships – Doctoral program

The objective of the Canada Graduate Scholarships – Doctoral (CGS D) program is to promote continued excellence in Canadian research by rewarding and retaining high-calibre doctoral students at Canadian institutions. More information

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

Vanier Scholars demonstrate leadership skills and a high standard of scholarly achievement in graduate studies in the social sciences and humanities, natural sciences and/or engineering and health. More information

Updated September 19, 2024 by Digital & Web Operations (web_services@athabascau.ca)