McGill.CA / Scholarships and Student Aid / Special Funding / Funding for Indigenous students

Funding for Indigenous Graduate Students Pursuing a Masters or Ph.D. Degree

Students in Ph.D. and thesis-based Masters programs are generally supported by McGill funding (fellowships and assistantships) as well as external funding (grants, research stipends, and fellowships administered by provincial and federal governments or other agencies). For more information please visit the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Office website. They also offer recruitment awards to self-identified Indigenous applicants to graduate degree programs.

Scholarships and Student Aid supplements core funding to meet modest deficits on the basis of financial need. The Office does not have the capacity to replace core graduate resources (e.g. graduate funding packages, band, or other government agencies). If you have exhausted these funding opportunities and you are still facing financial challenges, there is help!

McGill’s In-Course Financial Aid programs including Bursaries, Loans, Work Study, and Fee Deferrals are available to all students studying at McGill. Indigenous students may be matched with Indigenous-specific bursaries as well as other restricted and open bursaries.

To apply:

  1. Log in to Minerva.
  2. Access the Financial Aid menu in the Financial Aid/Awards tab.
  3. Update your Financial Profile and submit your application.
  4. Contact us to arrange a confidential appointment with a Financial Aid Counselor. During this meeting, not only will you have an opportunity to discuss your budget, but you will also have your in-course application reviewed in detail. Find out how you can optimize your financial aid appointment.

Indspire’s Building Brighter Futures Program

Indspire is an Indigenous-led registered charity that invests in the education of Indigenous peoples of Canada. You may apply to their Building Brighter Futures Program at Indspire.

Selection periods are based on three Indspire application deadlines: August 1st, November 1st and February 1st .

And More Resources

Also, check out the First Peoples' House website for information about additional scholarships and bursaries available to Indigenous students. Be sure to check out the Indigenous Bursary Search Tool hosted by Indigenous Services Canada.

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