Funding for graduate students

Athabasca University financially supports the research of our graduate students through the Graduate Student Research Fund (GSRF), the Access to Data Management Analysis Software Fund and other research awards.

If your research study involves human participants, you must obtain Athabasca University Research Ethics Certification prior to submitting a GSRF (conducting research) Application to request funds to support your research study.
By doing so, any concerns regarding research instruments (e.g., recruitment posters, letter of invitation, interview questions, informed consent form, etc.,) will be addressed by the Athabasca University Research Ethics Board prior to the GSRF Committee's review of your application and evaluation of the scientific merit and/or other relevant criteria used in the related field of study, budget (including relevance of and justification for all planned expenditures), and plans for dissemination of the research findings.

We also encourage our students to apply for external awards.

Graduate Student Research Fund

The GSRF is intended to:

• enhance the research experience of award recipients
• foster research creativity and innovation
• support graduate students’ research-focused endeavours
• encourage dissemination of master’s or doctoral research
• acknowledge graduate students’ contributions to AU’s research climate

The fund provides awards to both master’s and doctoral students.

Visit Graduate Student Research Fund for information on how to apply, application deadlines and guidelines.

Access to Data Management Analysis Software Fund

Students who need to buy data management/analysis software for their research may have some of their costs covered by the Access to Data Management Analysis Software Fund. The funding can be used to buy licences or upgrades for statistical software such as:

• SPSS
• NVIVO
• ATLAS.ti

Students are eligible to receive up to $250 per year from this fund, to a maximum of $500.

Visit Access to Data Management Analysis Software Fund for information on how to apply, application deadlines and guidelines.

Other funding sources

AU also provides or administers a number of graduate scholarships and awards to help students conduct and disseminate research.

• Faculty of Graduate Studies - Funding Opportunities
• Office of the Registrar - Awards for Master’s Students
• Office of the Registrar - Awards for Doctoral Students

External funding

The Research Centre maintains a calendar of external funding opportunities for graduate students, and will help you apply for these awards.