Imagine a $28,000 Graduate Excellence Award at the University of Waterloo for 2025—a substantial boost to support exceptional graduate students in research or professional studies. While this specific amount is not currently offered, envisioning such a scholarship allows us to explore how regional awards work and how impactful they could be for graduate scholars.
University of Waterloo Graduate Awards Today
Here’s what actually exists:
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International Master’s Award of Excellence (IMAE)
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$2,500 per term, up to five terms (max $12,500) University of Waterloo.
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Graduate Research Excellence Award
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$5,000 annually, presented to two outstanding students for exemplary research University of Waterloo.
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Graduate Excellence Award in Computer Science
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CAN $5,000 per year for doctoral students in Computer Science IdP.
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Maks Wulkan Graduate Scholarship
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Up to $50,000 to one full-time doctoral student in Engineering University of Waterloo.
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International and Indigenous Fellowships
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Indigenous-focused Momentum Fellowship: $30,000/year for doctoral students in Engineering University of Waterloo.
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Various scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $20,000+ based on field and program University of Waterloobalsillieschool.ca.
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In short, Waterloo offers a rich array of funding opportunities—but no standalone $28,000 award currently exists.
Hypothetical Award Design: $28,000 Graduate Excellence Award
Purpose:
Designed to attract top-tier international or domestic graduate students across disciplines with research or academic innovation potential.
Amount:
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$28,000 total, disbursed as either:
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$7,000 per term over four terms, or
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$14,000 per academic year over two years.
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Eligibility Criteria:
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Full-time enrollment in a Master’s or PhD program.
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Research-based programs emphasized.
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Outstanding academic record (e.g., ≥ 85–90% average).
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Evidence of research potential (publications, proposal quality).
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Strong faculty endorsement.
Selection Process:
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Departments nominate candidates.
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University-wide committee (faculty + Grad Studies) reviews applicants.
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Selection based on academic excellence, research promise, and alignment with university values.
Benefits & Impact for Graduate Students
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Financial Freedom: A $28K award could significantly reduce dependence on teaching assistantships or loans.
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Research Focus: Allows recipients to prioritize research instead of financial concerns.
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Recruitment Tool: Enhances Waterloo’s ability to attract top global talent.
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Competitive Edge: Supports students pursuing publication, conference travel, and high-impact research.
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Community Value: Builds strong cohorts of scholars who can mentor peers and represent Waterloo as academic ambassadors.
How to Apply (Hypothetically)
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Prepare your application materials: Transcripts, CV, research proposal, statements detailing achievements.
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Secure endorsements: Recommendations from supervisors or faculty advisors.
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Submit via departmental nomination: Many Waterloo awards require department-led nominations University of Waterloo+1.
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Await university-wide selection result.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Does the $28,000 Graduate Excellence Award actually exist at Waterloo?
A1: No—there is no such official award currently. However, Waterloo offers multiple awards in varying amounts, including $5,000 per year Research Excellence Awards, up to $50,000 Maks Wulkan Scholarship, and $30,000 Momentum Fellowships University of Waterloo+2University of Waterloo+2IdP.
Q2: What are the largest current graduate awards at Waterloo?
A2:
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Maks Wulkan Graduate Scholarship: up to $50,000 for a doctoral engineering student.
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Indigenous and Black Momentum Fellowship: $30,000/year for doctoral students in Engineering.
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International Master’s Award of Excellence: up to $12,500 total.
These awards illustrate the range and potential magnitude of Waterloo’s funding opportunities University of Waterloo+1.
Q3: How do I find opportunities relevant to my program?
A3: Explore the Graduate Funding & Awards Database on Waterloo’s website, which catalogs hundreds of scholarships and grants by department and eligibility University of Waterloo.
Q4: Are these awards renewable or one-time?
A4: It varies. Some—like the IMAE—are per term for multiple terms. Others are one-time awards. Always check award-specific terms via the university’s database University of Waterloo+1.
Q5: How can I be considered for large awards like Maks Wulkan?
A5: Meet the eligibility (e.g., full-time doctoral status in Engineering), maintain top academic standing, and be nominated by your department.
Final Thoughts
While the “$28,000 University of Waterloo Graduate Excellence Award 2025” doesn’t officially exist, envisioning it lets us understand Waterloo’s robust funding ecosystem and how transformative a single substantial award could be. The university already offers generous scholarships and bursaries across faculties—especially in engineering, research, and equity-focused programs.