Graduate student funding
The Centre for South Asian Studies administers a number of awards to support graduate student research on South Asia. You may apply for more than one award, as long as your research fits the general description of any given award (scroll down for award descriptions). Results are announced and funds are disbursed in May.
Application deadline: Wednesday, May 15, 2024.
Please fill out the Application Form here and upload the supplementary materials listed below:
- Proposal for the deployment of funds, based on your academic research and project (500 words)
- Curriculum vitae (including contact information and the names and contact information for 2 academic referees)
- Academic transcript (printout or pdf from ACORN is fine)
- A 5–10 page writing sample
- If the award you are applying for is an OSOTF award, then you must also complete the SGS Financial Needs Assessment Form. This is only necessary for awards with an asterisk (*) below.
Award descriptions
India-Canada Association Scholarship
Value: Approximately $1,000 – $3,000
Description and eligibility: Awarded to one or more graduate students at the University of Toronto engaged in research in the field of South Asian Studies. This award is made on the basis of academic merit. Preference will be given to candidates whose research activities require travel to India.
Sandhya and Riten Ray Award for Indian Philosophy and Religion
Value: Approximately $500 – $1,000
Description and eligibility: Awarded to one or more graduate students at the University of Toronto who have demonstrated excellence in study or research in religion and/or philosophy of India, preferably with special emphasis on humanism and spiritualism in ancient Indian philosophy. Excellence may be demonstrated by grades in courses, academic essays, or research (in progress or completed).
OSOTF Awards
Read more about OSOTF Award eligibility here. Please note that while priority for these awards goes to students who meet criteria 2 and 3 at the link above, there is also limited funding available for students who do not qualify as Canadian citizens or Ontario residents but who demonstrate financial need as determined by the Financial Need Assessment Form. Please contact Rebecca Bi at ai.asianstudies@utoronto.ca with questions about your eligibility for OSOTF awards.
Diljit and Gulshan Juneja Award for South Asian Studies*
Value: Approximately $1,000
Description and eligibility: Awarded to one or more master’s or doctoral students in any department or faculty in the University whose course program or research is concentrated in the area of South Asian Studies. This is an OSOTF award and is made on the basis of qualifying Ontario residency, financial need, and academic merit.
India's 50th Anniversary Graduate Prize*
Value: Approximately $1,200 – $2,500
Description and eligibility: Awarded to one or more students. Recipients must be enrolled at the graduate level in social sciences or humanities, and their study or research must be focused on India. This is an OSOTF award and is made on the basis of qualifying Ontario residency, financial need, and academic merit.
Indo-Canadian Advisory Group Bursary for the Study of India*
Value: Approximately $2,000
Description and eligibility: Recipient must be enrolled in the Collaborative Master’s or Doctoral Specialization in South Asian Studies. Preference will be given to students whose course of study or research is focused on India. This is an OSOTF award and is made on the basis of qualifying Ontario residency, financial need, and academic merit.
Shirley Uldall Memorial Book Prize*
Value: Approximately $500
Description and eligibility: Awarded to one or more graduate students in the Collaborative Master’s or Doctoral Specialization in South Asian Studies who has completed or is currently taking SAS2004H. This is an OSOTF award and is made on the basis of qualifying Ontario residency, financial need, and academic merit.