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Awards and Financial Information

The College of Biological Science has a number of college-based awards that are awarded on a yearly basis. Through the generous support of NSERC, Alumni, private donors, industry, faculty, staff, Student Council, and departments, CBS has a number of college-based awards. These awards include summer research assistantships, graduation prizes, academic achievement, and extra-curricular involvement. Students are encouraged to search the Student Financial Services (SFS) database for a complete listing of awards available to CBS students. The SFS site highlights application requirements and deadlines.

Information regarding the Ontario Student Assistance Program can be found on the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skill Development website

College of Biological Science Awards

The following awards are those that require the student to apply to the  Associate Dean Academic, CBS Office via email (cbsada@uoguelph.ca). Adjudication of these awards is conducted by the CBS Awards Committee. These awards include:

  • Michael J. Emes Scholarship - Deadline to apply, May 15th
  • Stephanie Betts Memorial Scholarship - Deadline to apply, May 15th

This award will promote experiential learning, integrative problem solving, and the application of biological principles to address societal needs, all student experiences that Dr. Emes sought to enhance during his time as Dean. This award is for students registered in the Biological Science major.

Value: 

One award of $1,000.00

Eligibility: 

Students registered in the Biological Science major of the B.Sc. program who have completed BIOL*3660 Internship in Biological Science in the previous S/F/W sequence and have achieved a minimum 75% cumulative program average. Students must be returning for the Fall 2024 semester. 

Application Procedure: 

Students are to submit a one-page statement of impact addressing the following:

  1. the value of the internship to them personally and professionally
  2. impact of the scholarship on their educational and career choices going forward

Submit a complete application package in pdf format to the CBS, Associate Dean Academic's Office (cbsada@uoguelph.ca) by May 15th, 2024. 

Value: 

One award of $1,000.00

Eligibility: 

Students who have successfully completed a minimum of 10.0 credits and are registered in the Biomedical Sciences major of the B.Sc. program and who engaged in some community service in the previous 24 months as indicated in a resume. This award is not tenable with the CBS Dean's Scholarship. Students must be returning and enrolled in a degree program in the Fall 2024 semester.

Application procedure:

Required documents:

Submit a complete application package in pdf format to the CBS, Associate Dean Academic's Office (cbsada@uoguelph.ca) by May 15th, 2024. 

Dean’s Scholarships

This award was established by the Board of Governors’ in 1991 to recognize the academic achievements of students. Each college will be provided an allocation of awards in which to determine recipients of this scholarship. Recipients will be notified each fall by their college’s awards chair. Application not required.

Donor(s): 

Board of Governors

Qualification(s): 

Students registered in any degree program who have completed a minimum of 4.0 credits and have been on the Dean’s Honours List for two consecutive semesters in their previous year of studies as defined by the Fall/Winter/Summer sequence.

Amount: 

150 awards of $2,000

Based on previous years, the College of Biological Science has been allocated approximately 31 awards of $2,000. To be considered for the award, students must be on the Dean’s Honour List for two consecutive semesters within the previous fall/winter/summer academic year. The award is based on a student’s GPA across the three previous semesters. Only full-time semesters are used in the calculation and we do not consider summer semesters of one or two courses when calculating the GPA.

Dean's scholarships are awarded in the fall semester for work completed in the previous year.  

College of Biological Science specific distribution criteria:

The awards will be allocated to students across the three departments and the Dean’s Office (Biological Science majors) based on the overall distribution of student enrollments (all years) across all departments. E.g. based on current enrollment, the distribution would be 40% of the awards for majors offered by Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, 20% for majors offered by Molecular and Cellular Biology, 20% for majors offered by Integrative Biology and 20% for students in the Biological Science major. Awards will be evenly distributed across 1st, 2nd and 3rd year students

As of 2019, to increase access to the awards, the College of Biological Science will only allow a student to win the award once. Students who graduated in the previous year are not eligible.

Summer Research Assistantships

The College of Biological Science Awards Committee is responsible for awarding the CBS Indigenous Undergraduate Summer Research Assistantship, CBS Undergraduate Summer Research Assistantships, Dr. Anne Innis Dagg Summer Research Assistantship, Ted Morwick Aquatic Biology Assistantship, Morwick Summer Research Assistantship in Global Environmental Change Research, and the HART Aquatic Biodiversity Assistantship. 

Students' submit applications to the CBS faculty whose research areas match their interests and future goals. Faculty who are actively looking for students to work with them this summer are listed on the faculty sponsor webpage. The faculty member will review your applications and often ask for an interview to discuss your interests and goals. The faculty member will only sign the application if they chose to endorse the applicant for an assistantship. All endorsed applications will be submitted to, and reviewed by, the CBS Awards Committee for a final decision. Please note that being endorsed for an award does not guarantee that the student will receive the assistantship.

While a resume is not required as part of the endorsed application, it is suggested that you submit a resume to the faculty sponsor you are reaching out to. It will be important to also fill out the section on the application form that describes the impact of the assistantship on your personal and professional goals and the skills you hope to improve during this opportunity.

Assistantship has a value of $5000. The assistantship aims to help an Indigenous student engage in research that will include investigating, exploring or applying biological principles. The intent is to support a student to engage with a faculty member to conduct research or to allow a student to partner with a community organization to conduct research related to an Indigenous community e.g. related to health, resource management and environment, plant/animal health.

This assistantship will be awarded to one undergraduate student in a major in the College of Biological Science who identifies as First Nations, Metis or Inuit.

Value

One assistantship with a value of $5000 for a minimum of 13-weeks, between May 1st and August 31st. With faculty support the award may be worth up to $9520.00 ($17.00/h, 35 h per week) for up to 16 weeks, plus benefits and vacation pay.

Eligibility

  • Registered in a CBS major and completed a minimum of 7.5 credits at the time of application
  • Minimum cumulative average of 75%
  • Identified a CBS faculty sponsor to supervise the research activity (i.e. from Dept. of HHNS, IB or MCB) or a community partner
  • Students do not have to be returning for the Fall 25 semester
  • Student must identify as First Nation, Metis or Inuit

Application procedure

  • Student submits an application form and an unofficial transcript to a potential faculty supervisor (please use Adobe Reader and download the form prior to filling in the required fields)
  • Faculty sponsors may conduct interviews with applicants until February 14th, 2025
  • Faculty member endorses a maximum of 2 applicants by signing and submitting an electronic copy of the student's application form to the Office of the Associate Dean Academic (cbsada@uoguelph.ca), by the end of work day on February 18th, 2025
  • Students who are awarded an assistantship will be notified starting on March 4th, 2025

Faculty Sponsors

The following page lists the faculty sponsors who are looking for candidates to endorse to the CBS awards committee. Please note that you can reach out to any faculty member in CBS to see if they will sponsor you for an assistantship. Please read the faculty's research interests to see who may match with your personal and professional goals, prior to submitting your application to them. It is suggested that students consider submitting a resume to the faculty sponsor along with your application form. Please note that this is not a requirement. Students may approach other CBS faculty not listed on the sponsors page however please note not all faculty are looking for summer research assistants. Indigenous students seeking additional support in approaching faculty sponsors may contact Dr. Melissa Perreault for additional support.

Value

The assistantships with a value of $5000 for a minimum of 13-weeks, between May 1st and August 31st. With faculty support the award may be worth up to $9520.00 ($17.00/h, 35 h per week) for up to 16 weeks, plus benefits and vacation pay.

Eligibility

  • Registered in a CBS major and completed a minimum of 7.5 credits at the time of application
  • Minimum cumulative average of 80%
  • Identified a CBS faculty sponsor to supervise the research activity (i.e. from Dept. of HHNS, IB or MCB)
  • Students do not have to be returning for the Fall 25 semester

Application procedure

  • Student submits an application form and an unofficial transcript to a potential faculty supervisor (please use Adobe Reader and download the form prior to filling in the required fields)
  • Faculty sponsors may conduct interviews with applicants until February 14th, 2025
  • Faculty member endorses a maximum of 2 applicants by signing and submitting an electronic copy of the student's application form to the Office of the Associate Dean Academic (cbsada@uoguelph.ca), by the end of work day on February 18th, 2025
  • Students who are awarded an assistantship will be notified starting on March 4th, 2025

Faculty Sponsors

The following page lists the faculty sponsors who are looking for candidates to endorse to the CBS awards committee. Please read the faculty's research interests to see who may match with your personal and professional goals, prior to submitting your application to them. It is suggested that students consider submitting a resume to the faculty sponsor along with your application form. Please note that this is not a requirement. Students may approach other CBS faculty not listed on the sponsors page however please note not all faculty are looking for summer research assistants. 

In honour of Dr. Anne Innis Dagg in "recognition of her pioneering research on, and significant contributions to, the study of giraffes" (Dr. Jonathan Newman). The scholarship will be awarded to an undergraduate student in the College of Biological Science. Preference for this award will go to a female student. Student applying for the Dr. Anne Innis Dagg assistantship will follow the same procedures as the CBS Undergraduate Summer Research.

Value

One assistantships with a value of $5000 for a minimum of 13-weeks, between May 1st and August 31st. With faculty support the award may be worth up to $9520.00 ($17.00/h, 35 h per week) for up to 16 weeks, plus benefits and vacation pay. 

Eligibility

  • Registered in a CBS major and completed a minimum of 7.5 credits at the time of application
  • Minimum cumulative average of 80%
  • Identified a CBS faculty sponsor to supervise the research activity (i.e. from Dept. of HHNS, IB or MCB)
  • Students do not have to be returning for the Fall 25 semester

Application procedure

  • Student submits an application form and an unofficial transcript to a potential faculty supervisor  (please use Adobe Reader and download the form prior to filling in the required fields). 
  • Faculty sponsors may conduct interviews with applicants until February 14th, 2025
  • Faculty member endorses a maximum of 2 applicants by signing and submitting an electronic copy of the student's application form to the Office of the Associate Dean Academic (cbsada@uoguelph.ca), by the end of work day on February 18th, 2025
  • Students who are awarded an assistantship will be notified starting on March 4th, 2025

Faculty Sponsors

The following page lists the faculty sponsors who are looking for candidates to endorse to the CBS awards committee. Please note that you can reach out to any faculty member in CBS to see if they will sponsor you for an assistantship. Please read the faculty's research interests to see who may match with your personal and professional goals, prior to submitting your application to them. It is suggested that students consider submitting a resume to the faculty sponsor along with your application form. Please note that this is not a requirement. Students may approach other CBS faculty not on the sponsors page, who are conducting cancer research, however please note not all faculty are looking for summer research assistants.

Value

Two assistantships with a value of $5000 each tor a minimum of 13-weeks, between May 1st and August 31st. With faculty support the award may be worth up to $9520.00 ($17.00/h, 35 h per week) for up to 16 weeks, plus benefits and vacation pay.  

Eligibility

  • Registered in a major in the Department of Integrative Biology (i.e. BIOD, ECOL, WLB, WBC, ZOO or MFB) with a minimum of 5.00 credits completed at the time of application
  • Students do not have to be returning for the Fall 25 semester
  • Minimum cumulative average of 75%
  • Identified a CBS faculty sponsor from the Department of Integrative Biology to supervise the research activity
  • Research must relate to some aspect of aquatic biodiversity

Application procedure

  • Student submits an application form and an unofficial transcript to a potential faculty supervisor (please use Adobe Reader and download the form prior to filling in the required fields) 
  • Faculty sponsors may conduct interviews with applicants until February 14th, 2025
  • Faculty member endorses a maximum of 2 applicants by signing and submitting an electronic copy of the student's application form to the Office of the Associate Dean Academic (cbsada@uoguelph.ca), by the end of work day on February 18th, 2025
  • Students who are awarded an assistantship will be notified starting on March 4th, 2025

Faculty Sponsors

The following page lists the faculty sponsors who are looking for candidates to endorse to the CBS awards committee. Please note that you can reach out to any faculty member in CBS to see if they will sponsor you for an assistantship. Please read the faculty's research interests to see who may match with your personal and professional goals, prior to submitting your application to them. It is suggested that students consider submitting a resume to the faculty sponsor along with your application form. Please note that this is not a requirement. Students may approach other CBS faculty not on the sponsors page, who are conducting research in aquatic biodiversity, however please note not all faculty are looking for summer research assistants.

The Morwick Undergraduate Summer Research Assistantship in Aquatic Biology was established by Edward (Ted) Morwick, honorary Alumnus, in support of the conservation and protection of water resources. 

Value

One assistantships with a value of $6000 tor a minimum of 13-weeks, between May 1st and August 31st. With faculty support the award may be worth up to $9520.00 ($17.00/h, 35 h per week) for up to 16 weeks, plus benefits and vacation pay.  

Eligibility

  • Students registered in any CBS major with a minimum of 7.5 credits at the time of application
  • Students do not have to be returning for the Fall 25 semester
  • Minimum cumulative average of 75%
  • Identified a CBS faculty sponsor to supervise the research activity (i.e. from Depts. of HHNS, IB or MCB)
  • Research must relate to one of the three themed areas; Physiology, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

Application procedure

  • Student submits an application form and an unofficial transcript to a potential faculty supervisor (please use Adobe Reader and download the form prior to filling in the required fields) 
  • Faculty sponsors may conduct interviews with applicants until February 14th, 2025
  • Faculty member endorses a maximum of 2 applicants by signing and submitting an electronic copy of the student's application form to the Office of the Associate Dean Academic (cbsada@uoguelph.ca), by the end of work day on February 18th, 2025
  • Students who are awarded an assistantship will be notified starting on March 4th, 2025

 

Faculty Sponsors

The following page lists the faculty sponsors who are looking for candidates to endorse to the CBS awards committee. Please note that you can reach out to any faculty member in CBS to see if they will sponsor you for an assistantship. Please read the faculty's research interests to see who may match with your personal and professional goals, prior to submitting your application to them. It is suggested that students consider submitting a resume to the faculty sponsor along with your application form. Please note that this is not a requirement. Students may approach other CBS faculty not on the sponsors page, who are conducting research in Physiology, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, however please note not all faculty are looking for summer research assistants.

The Morwick Summer Research Assistantship in Climate Change Research will be used to support two student research experiences focused in the area of climate change research.

Value

Two assistantships with a value of $5000 each tor a minimum of 13-weeks, between May 1st and August 31st. With faculty support the award may be worth up to $9520.00 ($17.00/h, 35 h per week) for up to 16 weeks, plus benefits and vacation pay.  

Eligibility

  • Students registered in any CBS major with a minimum of 7.5 credits at the time of application
  • Students do not have to be returning for the Fall 25 semester
  • Minimum cumulative average of 75%
  • Identified a CBS faculty sponsor to supervise the research activity (i.e. from Depts. of HHNS, IB or MCB)
  • Research must relate to global environmental change

Application procedure

  • Student submits an application form and an unofficial transcript to a potential faculty supervisor (please use Adobe Reader and download the form prior to filling in the required fields)
  • Faculty sponsors may conduct interviews with applicants until February 14th, 2025
  • Faculty member endorses a maximum of 2 applicants by signing and submitting an electronic copy of the student's application form to the Office of the Associate Dean Academic (cbsada@uoguelph.ca), by the end of work day on February 18th, 2025
  • Students who are awarded an assistantship will be notified starting on March 4th, 2025

Faculty Sponsors

The following page lists the faculty sponsors who are looking for candidates to endorse to the CBS awards committee. Please note that you can reach out to any faculty member in CBS to see if they will sponsor you for an assistantship. Please read the faculty's research interests to see who may match with your personal and professional goals, prior to submitting your application to them. It is suggested that students consider submitting a resume to the faculty sponsor along with your application form. Please note that this is not a requirement. Students may approach other CBS faculty not on the sponsors page, who are conducting research in global environmental change however please note not all faculty are looking for summer research assistants.

Undergraduate Research Assistantships

USRA and URA awards are administered by Student Financial Services. All information, including the value, eligibility, application requirements and deadlines can be found on the Student Financial Services website. 

A number of faculty within the College of Biological Science have been awarded USRA and URA scholarships. The project names and contact information is also available on the Student Financial Services website. 

Value: 

Minimum of $15.50/h, 35 h per week plus benefits and vacation pay.  CBS faculty will add additional support to increase the pay to $16.00/hr, 35 hr per week plus benefits and vacation pay. 

Eligibility:

  • No criterion of financial need 
  • Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada 
  • Registered in a baccalaureate program at time of application 
  • Cumulative average of at least B- (70%)
  • A complete listing of criterion can be found on the Student Financial Services website

Application: 

  • Review potential research positions at Experience Guelph website
  • Apply to the faculty member offering the project that you are interested in. You will need to submit Form 2: Student Profile and an unofficial transcript when you apply to the positions.

Value: 

Minimum $15.50/hr, working a 35 hr work week, plus benefits and vacation pay. Duration is typically 16 weeks starting in May. CBS faculty will add additional support to increase the pay to $16.00/hr, 35 hr per week plus benefits and vacation pay. 

Eligibility:

  • demonstrated financial need 
  • Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Ontario 
  • Registered in a baccalaureate program at Univ. of Guelph at time of application (including DVM students), but cannot be in the final semester of study. 
  • Cumulative average of at least B- (70%) 
  • A complete listing of criteria can be found on the Student Financial Services website

Application:

  • Complete URA Financial Need Assessment form. Last day to submit the Need Assessment Form is February
  • Review potential research positions at Experience Guelph website and apply for positions between January 27th and February 27th
  • Apply to the faculty member offering the project that you are interested in. You will need to submit Form 2: Student Profile and an unofficial transcript when you apply for the positions.

External Scholarships

Other prestigious external scholarships that students are encouraged to review are available on the Undergraduate Academic Information Centre

This site includes information regarding a variety of awards including the: Rhodes, Commonwealth, and The Canadian Institutes of Health Research.