Bridging Divides Graduate Student Stipends 2027–2028 at TMU (Up to $45,000/Year)
The Bridging Divides Graduate Student Stipends 2027–2028 at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) provide financial support for eligible Master’s and PhD students conducting migration-related research. Offered through the Global Migration Institute, the programme provides up to $35,000 annually for Master’s students and up to $45,000 annually for eligible PhD students. Both domestic and international students may qualify. Applications close on February 1, 2027, for PhD students and April 1, 2027, for Master’s students.
Quick Overview
Programme: Bridging Divides Graduate Student Stipend
Opportunity Type: Graduate Research Stipend
Host Institution: Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU)
Research Institute: Global Migration Institute
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Study Level: Master’s and PhD
Funding: Up to $35,000 per year for Master’s students and $45,000 per year for PhD students
Eligibility: Domestic and International Students
Application Deadlines: February 1, 2027 (PhD) and April 1, 2027 (Master’s)
About the Bridging Divides Graduate Student Stipends
The Global Migration Institute at Toronto Metropolitan University offers a limited number of graduate student stipends through its Bridging Divides programme.
The initiative supports full-time Master’s and PhD students conducting research related to migration and the programme’s four research themes.
Selected students become part of the Global Migration Institute’s research community.
They are expected to participate in research training activities, workshops, and scientific and professional development opportunities.
Applicants must pursue research connected to at least one Bridging Divides theme. Their supervisor or co-supervisor must be a TMU faculty member directly involved in the programme.
Bridging Divides Graduate Student Stipends Benefits and Funding
The programme provides different funding amounts depending on the applicant’s graduate study level.
Master’s Student Funding
Eligible Master’s students may receive:
✓ Up to $35,000 per year
✓ Funding for a maximum of two years for incoming students
✓ Opportunities to participate in research training activities and workshops
The Master’s stipend is available to domestic and international students.
It supports prospective first-year Master’s students and existing students entering the second year of their TMU Master’s programme in Fall 2027.
Funding renewals depend on annual reviews of student progress and the availability of funds.
PhD Student Funding
The funding summary identifies the following support for existing PhD students:
✓ Up to $45,000 per year
✓ Funding for a maximum of three years
✓ Participation in the Global Migration Institute’s research and professional development activities
The stipend is available to eligible domestic and international PhD students enrolled at Toronto Metropolitan University.
Renewals are subject to annual progress reviews and available funding.
Additional Funding for Students with External Scholarships
Graduate students who already receive external funding may also apply for additional Bridging Divides support.
Examples of external awards identified by the programme include SSHRC, CIHR, NSERC, and similar independent scholarships.
Applicants must provide a strong justification for receiving additional funding.
These requests are assessed individually by the Scientific Director.
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Eligibility Criteria
The Bridging Divides Graduate Student Stipends support graduate students whose research aligns with the institute’s thematic priorities.
Applicants must meet the following conditions:
• Be studying or applying to study at Toronto Metropolitan University.
• Pursue an eligible full-time Master’s or PhD programme.
• Conduct research connected to at least one Bridging Divides research theme.
• Have a supervisor or co-supervisor who is a TMU faculty member directly involved in the programme.
• Meet the requirements of the relevant graduate programme.
Students interested in course-based graduate programmes are not eligible for the stipend.
Master’s Student Eligibility
The programme identifies two Master’s applicant groups:
• Prospective students entering the first year of a Master’s programme in Fall 2027.
• Existing TMU Master’s students entering the second year of their programme in Fall 2027.
Incoming students must apply to the relevant TMU Master’s programme before submitting their stipend application.
The stipend application is considered if the candidate receives admission to the selected graduate programme.
PhD Student Eligibility
The programme’s funding overview identifies existing PhD students enrolled at Toronto Metropolitan University in Fall 2027.
Existing PhD applicants must be enrolled full-time in an eligible affiliated programme, and their doctoral thesis must align with a Bridging Divides research theme.
The official page also provides a separate application route for incoming first-year PhD students. However, its funding summary describes the PhD stipend specifically for existing students. Incoming PhD applicants should confirm the applicable funding conditions with the institute.
Eligible Graduate Programmes
Bridging Divides welcomes applications from a range of TMU graduate programmes.
Examples listed on the official page include:
• Criminology and Social Justice
• International Economics and Finance
• Policy Studies
• Psychology
• Urban Development
• Social Work
• Civil Engineering
• Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Management
• Media Production
• Communications and Culture
• Immigration and Settlement Studies
• Data Science and Analytics
The official list is not exhaustive.
Students in other graduate programmes may also qualify when their research clearly connects to the Bridging Divides research themes. These cases are evaluated individually.
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Required Documents
Applicants must prepare the documents specified for their graduate study level and application category.
Incoming Master’s and PhD Applicants
The online applications require:
• Identification of the TMU graduate programme or programmes to which the applicant has applied.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• Academic transcript.
• Statement of Interest or Letter of Intent submitted with the graduate programme application.
• Bridging Divides motivation letter of no more than two pages.
The motivation letter must explain why the applicant seeks the stipend, justify the request for funding, and demonstrate how the proposed research relates to at least one of the programme’s four research themes.
Existing PhD Applicants
Existing PhD applicants must provide:
• TMU Student ID number.
• Information about their enrolled graduate programme.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• Academic transcript.
• Statement of Interest or Letter of Intent from their PhD programme application.
• Writing sample of no more than 10 pages.
• Bridging Divides motivation letter of no more than two pages.
Additional Requirements for FEAS Applicants
Applicants associated with the Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science (FEAS) must provide additional information.
For incoming applicants, the requirements include:
• Names of proposed or expected supervisors, including at least one Bridging Divides researcher.
• A written statement from the FEAS Associate Dean of Graduate Studies confirming that the applicant meets the admission requirements.
Existing PhD applicants must identify their supervisor or supervisors, including at least one Bridging Divides researcher.
Application Process
Applications are submitted through the relevant online forms linked on the Global Migration Institute’s official scholarship page.
The application process depends on the student’s academic status.
Step 1: Identify an Eligible Graduate Programme
Review the affiliated TMU graduate programmes and determine whether your research aligns with one of the Bridging Divides themes.
Course-based graduate programmes are not eligible for funding.
Step 2: Apply for Graduate Admission
Prospective graduate students must apply to their selected TMU programme according to its admission requirements.
The stipend application follows the graduate programme application.
Step 3: Prepare Supporting Documents
Prepare the required academic documents, CV, motivation letter, and any additional materials relevant to your application category.
Step 4: Complete the Online Stipend Application
Access the relevant application form through the official scholarship page.
The page provides application routes for incoming Master’s students, incoming PhD students, and existing PhD students.
It also lists an existing Master’s applicant category, although the displayed instructions repeat the incoming Master’s application directions. Existing Master’s applicants should confirm the correct submission route with the institute.
Step 5: Submit Before the Relevant Deadline
Submit the completed application by the deadline applicable to your graduate study level.
For incoming students, the stipend application is considered if the applicant is accepted into the selected TMU graduate programme.
Funding Renewal Conditions
Bridging Divides stipend renewals are not automatic.
The programme evaluates students’ academic progress and considers the availability of funding.
The official conditions include:
• Incoming Master’s students may receive stipend support for a maximum of two years.
• The funding overview states that existing PhD students may receive up to three years of support.
• Students applying for subsequent funding years may only receive support for the remaining eligible duration of their programme.
• Students exceeding two years of Master’s study or four years of PhD study are not eligible for further stipend funding.
The programme also states that funding for existing PhD students extends through 2030, subject to the applicable conditions.
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Application Deadlines
The Bridging Divides Graduate Student Stipends have separate application deadlines for Master’s and PhD students.
PhD Application Deadline: February 1, 2027
Master’s Application Deadline: April 1, 2027
These deadlines apply to the 2027–2028 stipend application cycle.
Prospective students must also follow the admission requirements and application timelines of their selected Toronto Metropolitan University graduate programmes.
Official Link
Review the official programme details and follow the application instructions provided on the official page.
View the Official Bridging Divides Graduate Student Stipend Page
