The University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship (UMGF) is a graduate fellowship offered by the University of Manitoba in Canada to recognize students with strong academic records, intellectual ability, and research potential. It is available to eligible full-time master’s and PhD students, including international students. The fellowship is administered through the University’s Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (FGPS), but students are recommended by their academic department or unit rather than applying directly to a central UMGF competition.

The UMGF is attractive to graduate students because it provides substantial financial support during their studies. The current official value is CAD $20,000 per year for master’s students and CAD $25,000 per year for doctoral students. Depending on the student’s stage in the program and the award period, master’s students may receive up to $40,000 in total and doctoral students up to $100,000. International students are eligible, but the fellowship should not automatically be described as a fully funded scholarship because the official UMGF page does not state that it covers all tuition, accommodation, travel, or living expenses.

University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship Program Summary

The UMGF is a merit-based graduate fellowship designed to support academic excellence and research potential.

Eligibility for the University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship

Eligibility for the UMGF depends on both academic performance and the requirements for holding the fellowship. The University sets general requirements, but individual departments may impose additional requirements, including a higher GPA or an earlier application deadline. Therefore, applicants should always check their specific department’s instructions.

General Eligibility Criteria

• Be admitted to an eligible Master’s or PhD program at the University of Manitoba.
• Be registered as a full-time graduate student in the program and unit recommending them.
• Have a minimum admission GPA of 3.0.
• Be studying in a graduate program that is eligible for Tri-Agency funding.
• Be able to demonstrate strong academic ability and research potential.
• Students of all citizenships, including international students, are eligible.
• Pre-master’s and occasional students are not eligible for the UMGF.
• Students must make satisfactory progress in the graduate program for which they are funded.
• Students cannot have held UMGF support for more than four years in total.
• Students cannot change programs, routes, or departments/units while receiving the UMGF.

Age and Academic Requirements

• The main academic requirement is a minimum admission GPA of 3.0, although some departments may require a higher GPA.
• Recipients must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0
• Recipients must not receive any grade below C+
• The duration of funding depends on how long the student has already been enrolled.
• For Master’s students:
  • At the start of the program: up to 24 months of funding
  • After 1–12 months in the program: up to 12 months of funding
  • After 13 or more months: not eligible
• For PhD students:
  • At the start of the program: up to 48 months of funding
  • After 1–12 months: up to 36 months
  • After 13–24 months: up to 24 months
  • After 25–36 months: up to 12 months
  • After 37 or more months: not eligible

Benefits of the University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship

The main benefit of the UMGF is its direct financial support for graduate study. It is particularly useful for students who are pursuing research-based graduate education and have a strong academic profile.

Financial Benefits

• Master’s: CAD $20,000 per year.
• Master’s maximum listed total: up to CAD $40,000 for 24 months.
• PhD: CAD $25,000 per year.
• PhD maximum listed total: up to CAD $100,000 for 48 months.

Academic and Personal Benefits

• It recognizes high-achieving students, which can increase competitiveness for future scholarships, grants, and academic positions.
• The UMGF is designed to support students who have demonstrated academic excellence and strong research potential, helping them advance in competitive graduate programs.
• It provides substantial financial support that allows students to focus more fully on their master’s or doctoral studies at the University of Manitoba.
• Receiving the fellowship enhances a student’s academic profile and strengthens future opportunities in research, academia, and professional careers.

Documents Required for the University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship

Applicants should prepare their documents before beginning the scholarship application process

• Academic transcripts
• CV or resume
• Research-related information
• Letters of recommendation
• UMGF application or departmental form
• Admission documents

How to Apply for the University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship

The UMGF does not have one universal application process that every student follows independently through a central scholarship portal. The official University of Manitoba page instructs students to consult their department or unit for the UMGF application process and deadline. After the department or unit selects its recommended candidates, those students are recommended to the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

Step-by-Step Application Process

• First, identify the master’s or PhD program you intend to pursue at the University of Manitoba. Your program must meet the UMGF’s eligibility conditions, including eligibility for Tri-Agency funding.
• Admission and fellowship eligibility are separate issues. The University of Manitoba’s graduate admission process has program-specific requirements and deadlines. The University’s academic calendar states that applicants submit graduate admission applications and supporting documents through the online application system, while deadlines vary by program and applicant category.
• This is the most important application step. Ask your department or academic unit about its UMGF application procedure, deadline, required documents, and selection criteria.
• Complete the documents requested by your department. Depending on the unit, this may include transcripts, a CV, references, research information, or a department-specific UMGF form.
• Follow the submission method specified by your department. It may differ between academic units. For example, University of Manitoba engineering departments have published their own UMGF instructions and submission procedures.
• The department or unit reviews applications and determines which students it will recommend for the fellowship.
• Selected candidates are recommended to the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. FGPS then reviews the recommendations.
• The University states that UMGF recipients are notified through an official letter sent by email.

Application Tips

• Start checking departmental requirements early.
• Do not wait for the university-wide UMGF page to publish a single deadline because the UMGF page directs students to their own department.
• Keep your academic transcripts ready.
• Make your CV clear and focused on relevant academic and research experience.
• If your department asks for research information, explain your research interests clearly.
• Check whether your department has a higher GPA requirement than the University’s 3.0 minimum.

Deadline for the University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship

There is no single university-wide UMGF deadline published on the central fellowship page. The University explicitly instructs applicants to contact their department or unit for the UMGF application process and deadline.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)