The general bursary program for graduate students at Trent University is administered by the Financial Aid for domestic and international graduate students. Many students need some form of financial assistance in order to achieve their academic goals. Bursaries are meant to supplement, not replace, provincial government aid programs and a student’s own resources. Bursaries are awarded each term to students with demonstrated financial need. The application is available, at the beginning of each term, in the myTrent student portal and to be considered for a bursary, students are required to submit a completed application online by the advertised deadline.
The application can be found on the myTrent portal, under the Finances tab, beneath the Financial Aid heading.
Online Application Deadlines
- Fall Deadline - September 30, 2025
- Winter Deadline - January 31, 2026
- Spring Deadline - May 24, 2026
Please reference the Graduate Studies Academic Calendar for additional award listings.
Graduate Jack Matthews Study & Research Abroad Bursary & Lopes Family Award for Study Abroad
Both funds are intended to encourage study and research abroad, particularly for those students who may perceive such an educational experience to be beyond their economic reach.
Awardee Responsibilities:
- Students will be required to submit an update outlining the value of the travel/experience as it relates to their academic program. Submitted to graduatefinance@trentu.ca
- All student recipients are expected to write write a thank you letter or record a thank you video that can be passed along to the donor(s) who support the fund you received. Submitted to philanthropicstewardship@trentu.ca
- The successful applicant must submit all required signed travel waiver documents to their graduate academic program.
The application will be posted in the myTrent portal in the Winter 2026 term.
Deadline: April 1, 2026
Graduate Travel, Conference, and Research Support
Funding opportunity to support graduate student research abroad, conference participation and active research engagement.
The funding will assist with the expenses associated with:
- Research expenses incurred within Canada or abroad, including community-based research.
- Travel costs, conference participation, and or other expenses associated with engaging with an applicant's research community.
- Unique or hands-on training opportunities directly related to thesis or major research projector academic program.
- An occasion to engage and interact with specialists specific to thesis or major research project, or academic program.
The application will be posted in the myTrent portal in the Winter 2026 term.
Deadline: April 1, 2026
Trent Graduate Student Association Bursary Funds
TGSA Academic Development Bursary Fund
The purpose of the TGSA Academic Development Bursary is to provide support for Members to further their academic development. Reimbursable fees must be academically related and can include, but are not limited to, workshop or conference fees, membership fees in an organization, travel for conferences, and the enrolment of professional and leadership opportunities that enhance academic development.
The School of Graduate Studies distributes this fund through the Graduate Travel, Conference, and Research Support funding opportunity, which is available during the winter term yearly. The application is posted on the myTrent portal under Finances.
TGSA Financial Support Bursary Fund
The purpose of the TGSA Financial Support Bursary Fund is to provide additional financial support for full Members who are experiencing an unexpected and harmful financial burden that is not covered by the Health and Dental Benefits Plan, pre-existing government support, or support from the university.
Funds from this account are allocated to TGSA members via the general bursary program for graduate students at Trent University. The general bursary program is administered by Financial Aid each term for both domestic and international graduate students. The graduate bursary applications for domestic and international graduate students are posted during the first month of each new term in the myTrent portal under the Finances tab; appeals become available mid-term.