This page is a valuable source for a wide variety of resources related to applying for funding for graduate students. We encourage you to refer back to this website frequently as these resources will be helpful throughout your time as a graduate student.
If you have additional questions regarding any of these resources or scholarship applications, please contact the School of Graduate Studies at graduatefinance@trentu.ca
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Upcoming Workshops & Events
Writing Research Proposals
Hosted by Academic Skills
Date: Wednesday May 20
Time: 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm
Online via Zoom: Register here
Research proposals clarify researchers’ thoughts and aid in creating statements of research intent. This workshop will discuss a structured approach to collecting, analyzing, and interpreting information to create new knowledge. Several sections in your research proposal will be considered, including the introduction, literature review, rationale for the study, objectives and research questions, methods and significance of the research.
Writing Effective Literature Reviews
Hosted by Academic Skills
Date: Wednesday, June 3
Time: 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm
Online via Zoom: Register here
Literature reviews are constructed to help clarify key points for your reader such as why your research project needs to be done, how it is original, and why your proposed method is appropriate. We will consider how to effectively integrate and synthesize sources. We will examine strategies to increase the effectiveness of literature reviews and the material covered will be relevant for course projects, research proposals, research papers, and theses.
Survival Strategies for your Thesis Defence
Hosted by Academic Skills
Date: Wednesday, June 10
Time: 2:00 to 3:30 pm
Online via Zoom: Register here
This workshop will help graduate students understand the thesis defense process by demystifying the presentation, question period, and evaluation processes. We will discuss your thesis talk, including knowing your audience, explaining the rationale for your research, and telling your research story. We will provide strategies to manage the question period and general survival tips.
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Graduate Studies Scholarship Application Resources
Ontario Graduate Scholarships and Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarships in Science and Technology
Ontario Graduate Scholarship Application Overview Slide Deck
Ontario Graduate Scholarship - Outline of Proposed Research for Master's Students Slide Deck
Ontario Graduate Scholarship - Outline of Proposed Research for Doctoral Students Slide Deck
Ontario Graduate Scholarship - Letters of Reference & Special Circumstances Slide Deck
Both Doctoral & Master's
Overview of Graduate Scholarships Slide Deck
Tri-Council Selection Criteria - Detailed Explanation
Faculty Guide: Writing Letters of Recommendation for Scholarship Applications Slide Deck
Doctoral
Doctoral Graduate Program Presentations (Fall 2025) Slide Deck
Canada Graduate Research Scholarships - Doctoral Program Slide Deck
Outline of Proposed Research Slide Deck
Letters of Reference & Special Circumstances Slide Deck
Master's
Canada Graduate Research Scholarships - Master's Program Slide Deck
Canada Graduate Research Scholarships - Outline of Proposed Research Slide Deck
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Tri-Council Resources
The Tri-Council agencies include the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). These are federal granting agencies that support research, research training and innovation in Canadian postsecondary institutions.
The following resources are useful when applying for scholarships from any of the Tri-Council agencies:
Selecting the Appropriate Federal Granting Agency
Guidelines on the Assessment of Contributions to Research, Training and Mentoring
San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA)
Guide for Applicants: Considering Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Your Application
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (Multiple)
How to Integrate Sex and Gender into Research
Gendered Innovations
Guidelines for the Merit Review of Indigenous Research
Health Research Training at CIHR
Training Resources (“Career Hub”)
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CV/Resume Help: Careerspace
Careerspace offers assistance for creating CVs and resumes.
Careerspace also offers valuable learning tools and opportunities to gain practical, hands-on experience to prepare students for life after Trent.
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Academic Skills Graduate Workshops
Academic Skills works closely with graduate students to help them develop as scholars and writers as well as teaching assistants. We hope that you will take advantage of the many services that we can offer you.