Overview
The Transforming Climate Action (TCA) Graduate Student Support Program is designed to strengthen, connect, and expand graduate-level research aligned with the TCA research program across its four partner universities:
- Dalhousie University
- Université du Québec à Rimouski (UQAR)
- Université Laval
- Memorial University
The Program will support high-quality graduate research projects that connect into, advance, and are informed by the TCA science strategy, while increasing connectivity and collaboration among research groups, departments, disciplines, and institutions within TCA.
Program objectives are to:
- Support excellent master's and doctoral research aligned with TCA’s scientific priorities
- Strengthen integration between graduate research occurring at partner universities and the broader TCA research program
- Enable collaborative, interdisciplinary, and cross-institutional graduate training
- Increase exposure to policy, applied research, innovation, and professional development activities consistent with TCA’s mission
Eligibility
All supported projects must demonstrably align with TCA research and contribute to one or more TCA research themes, projects, or integrative activities. Research may span disciplinary, interdisciplinary, or transdisciplinary approaches, provided it supports the objectives of Transforming Climate Action.
A central evaluation criterion is the degree to which the proposed graduate project strengthens connectivity, which may consider:
- Connections across TCA partner universities;
- Integration with TCA-funded projects, platforms, or research activities;
- Engagement with TCA networks, working groups, or science planning;
- Contributions to shared data, methods, synthesis, or collaborative outputs;
- Advancing avenues through which TCA research can contribute to Canada’s increasing focus on sovereignty and security
Academic Supervisors
Eligible supervisors must:
- Hold a faculty appointment at one of the four TCA partner universities; and
- Demonstrate active or planned engagement with the TCA research program
Projects led by supervisors outside of existing TCA-funded projects are welcome and will be considered if there is a clearly articulated benefit to and engagement with the TCA program.
Joint supervision across institutions, faculties, or disciplines is strongly encouraged, with favourable consideration given to projects that include co-supervisors from different TCA partner universities.
Graduate Students
Students must:
- Be enrolled in, admitted to, or intend to be admitted to, a master's or PhD program at a TCA partner university
- Be identified at the time of application
- Conduct a clearly defined, TCA-aligned research project
- If enrolled, students can be no more than three years into a PhD program and no more than one year into a master's program at the time of award acceptance
Funding and duration
There are two streams in the TCA Graduate Student Support program:
TCA Graduate Student Fellowships: comprehensive funding, available at Dalhousie.
TCA Graduate Student Scholarships: supplementary partial funding, available at ULaval, Memorial, and UQAR.
Both fellowships and scholarships may be awarded for up to two years.
At Dalhousie, PhD fellowships may be awarded to the maximum of $42,000/year, for up to two years and master’s fellowships may be awarded to the maximum of $27,000/year for up to two years.
The Université du Québec à Rimouski may award up to four two-year partial scholarships, valued at $8,000/year.
Université Laval may award up to four two-year partial scholarships, valued at $15,000/year.
Funding is not currently available for positions at Memorial University. Funding may be available for a second competition (expected fall 2027).
Research expenses are not included in these awards.
The Program is not intended to fund the full duration of a PhD.
The use of complementary funding to strengthen connectivity between research occurring within partner institutions and TCA research objectives is encouraged.
Awarded funds must be spent by February 28, 2030.
Program timeline
- September-December 2026: Open for applications
- December 15, 2026: Application deadline
- December 2026 – February 2027: Review and selection
- February/March 2027: Award announcement
A second competition is expected for fall 2027 as funding allows. Participating TCA partner universities may vary.
Selection criteria
Applications will be assessed based on:
- Project fit and contribution to TCA research and strategy
- Strength of connectivity to the TCA program and partner institutions
- Academic excellence and research potential of the student
- Quality and feasibility of the proposed research plan
- Evidence of collaboration across faculties, disciplines, or institutions
- Alignment with principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility
How to apply
Prospective supervisors may nominate one graduate student. Each application must include:
- A clearly defined graduate research project aligned with TCA research, including title, focus, objectives, outcomes, and timeline
- An identified student, supervisor(s), and collaborators (if applicable)
- A statement describing the project’s connection and contribution to the TCA research program, including collaborations
- A statement of nominator support of the nominee, including research readiness
- A statement of academic excellence and engagement from the identified student, confirming their interest in the research project, collaborations, and commitment to professional development. The statement should also articulate why they are well-suited to the project
Prospective supervisors interested in nominating a student should email the Training and Early Career Development Program Manager to request an application form.
Review process
A review committee with representation across TCA partner institutions will evaluate applications. Awards will be distributed across institutions and themes where possible.
Embracing respectful engagement
Transforming Climate Action (TCA) partner institutions are committed to fostering a research and collegial culture grounded in respectful engagement and balanced representation. We encourage applications from Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, racialized individuals, Black individuals, women, and members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, including trans and non-binary individuals.
