# Funding and awards

**Source**: https://cs.uwaterloo.ca/current-graduate-students/funding-and-awards
**Parent**: https://cs.uwaterloo.ca

## Funding for graduate students

The Cheriton School of Computer Science offers competitive funding for our graduate students. Financial support for students accepted into a full-time MMath or PhD program is typically a combination of graduate teaching assistantships (TA)\* and graduate research studentships (GRS). The TA and GRS funding is our students' base pay; all full-time MMath and PhD students are further considered for an array of scholarships and awards during the offer of admission process, many of which are listed below. For full details please review  [awards and funding](https://uwaterloo.ca/graduate-studies-postdoctoral-affairs/future-students/funding-graduate-school) for graduate students.

Full-time students in the MMath and PhD programs are able to continue to receive funding while they are within their [program time limits](https://gradcalendar.uwaterloo.ca/page/GSO-Regulations), provided they meet satisfactory academic performance and satisfactory performance of TA and other duties. Financial support is not offered to part-time students. Students also do not receive funding in terms they are inactive.

Students receiving TA and GRS funding currently receive the following amount within 3 terms (1 year). Please note that second year MMath rates are slightly lower than first year rates. International rates below also include either the [International Masters Award of Excellence](https://uwaterloo.ca/current-graduate-students/catalogs/graduate-funding-and-awards-database/international-masters-award-excellence-imae) or the [International Doctoral Student Award](https://uwaterloo.ca/current-graduate-students/catalogs/graduate-funding-and-awards-database/international-doctoral-student-award-idsa).

| **Plan** | **Amount - Students admitted as of Fall 2021 & onwards** |
| --- | --- |
| MMath  (year one) | $29,520 Domestic students  $41,284 International students |
| PhD | $31,398 Domestic students  $46,737 International students |

Current students can view a breakdown of the funding on a per-term basis here.

*\* some exceptions may apply*

## Awards and scholarships

Applicants of exceptional merit are automatically considered for a limited number of internal entrance scholarships at the time of admission. Eligible students are also encouraged to apply for external scholarships. For a full listing please review the  [Graduate funding & awards database](https://uwaterloo.ca/current-graduate-students/catalogs/graduate-funding-and-awards-database).

**Internal scholarships & funding opportunities**

Some do not require a formal application, as they are handled at the discretion of the School Graduate Office, all applicants are considered at the time of admission.

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## David R. Cheriton Graduate Scholarship

**Application:** Applicants considered at the time of application. Eligible PhD students may apply each term when the application period is open. See [award details](https://cs.uwaterloo.ca/node/3034) for more information.

**Value:**  $10,000 per year for one or two years

**Eligibility requirement:** No residency requirement. As a stipulation of receiving a Cheriton Graduate Scholarship, all recipients are required to submit an abstract of their proposed, in progress or completed graduate-level research to the CS Grad Office in April of the following year for inclusion in the annual Cheriton Report.

Must be current PhD student to apply to the application portion of scholarship.

## Doctoral Thesis Completion Award

**Application:** Application required. See  [award details](https://uwaterloo.ca/current-graduate-students/catalogs/graduate-funding-and-awards-database/doctoral-thesis-completion-awards) for more information

**Value:** $5,000; one term award

**Eligibility requirement:** All completing doctoral students

## Dr. Derick Wood Graduate Scholarship

**Application:**  Eligible applicants considered at the time of application. See [award details](https://uwaterloo.ca/graduate-studies-postdoctoral-affairs/awards/dr-derick-wood-graduate-scholarship-computer-science) for more information.

**Value:** PhD - one $10,000 for one year or Masters - two $5,000 for one year

**Eligibility requirement:** No residency requirement, Computer Science graduate program, preference will be given to PhD conducting research in Algorithms and Complexity.

**Donor Information:**

Dr. Derick Wood was a Professor in the David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science at the University of Waterloo from 1982 to 1992. He is widely known for his outstanding research contributions in a number of areas in theoretical Computer Science, including algorithms, data structures, formal languages and computational geometry. Dr. Wood received his B.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Leeds, England, in 1963 and 1968, respectively. The University of Waterloo has established the Dr. Derick Wood Endowment for Graduate Scholarships in Computer Science in order to receive gifts honouring Dr. Wood.

[More donor information**.**](https://cs.uwaterloo.ca/donor-information-dr-derick-wood-graduate-scholarship)

## GO-Bell Scholarships

**Application:**  No application required.  Applicants considered automatically by department. See  [award details](https://uwaterloo.ca/current-graduate-students/catalogs/graduate-funding-and-awards-database/go-bell-scholarships) for more information

**Value:** $12,000 per year up to two years

**Eligibility requirement:** No residency requirement. Full time PhD students.

## International Doctoral Student Awards (IDSA)

**Application:**  No application required.  Applicants considered automatically. See  [award details](https://uwaterloo.ca/graduate-studies-postdoctoral-affairs/awards/international-doctoral-student-award-idsa) for more information regarding eligibility and value

## International Master’s Award of Excellence (IMAE)

**Application:**  No application required.  Applicants considered automatically. See  [award details](https://uwaterloo.ca/graduate-studies-postdoctoral-affairs/awards/international-masters-award-excellence-imae) for more information regarding eligibility and value

## Jose Blakeley Graduate Scholarship in Data Systems

**Application:** Application required. See  [award details](https://uwaterloo.ca/graduate-studies-postdoctoral-affairs/awards/jose-blakeley-graduate-scholarship-data-systems) for more information

**Value:** $10,000 per year for one year

**Eligibility requirement:** International master’s or doctoral student in the Data Systems Group of the David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science

[Jose Blakeley Application (PDF)](https://cs.uwaterloo.ca/sites/default/files/uploads/documents/jose_blakeley_graduate_scholarship_application_-2024.pdf)

## Provost Doctoral Entrance Award (PDEA) for Women

**Application:**  No application required.  Applicants considered automatically. See  [award details](https://uwaterloo.ca/graduate-studies-postdoctoral-affairs/awards/provost-doctoral-entrance-award-pdea-women) for more information

**Value:** $5,000

**Eligibility requirement:** No residency requirement. Full time female doctoral student (PhD). Minimum 80% cumulative average

## Research Travel Assistantship

**Application:** Application required. See  [award details](https://uwaterloo.ca/forms/graduate-studies/graduate-studies-research-travel-assistantship-application) for more information regarding eligibility and value

## UW Graduate Scholarship

**Application:**  No application required.  Applicants considered automatically. See  [award details](https://uwaterloo.ca/graduate-studies-postdoctoral-affairs/awards/university-waterloo-graduate-scholarship) for more information regarding eligibility and value

**External awards**

The following  [external awards](https://uwaterloo.ca/current-graduate-students/awards-and-funding/external-awards) are available to students at the University of Waterloo. All eligible students are encouraged to apply. Please contact the Computer Science [Graduate Coordinator](mailto:csgtaschol@uwaterloo.ca) that manages scholarships for more detailed information.

- [Tri-Agency (CIHR,NSERC,SSHRC) Canada Graduate Scholarships (CGS M)](https://uwaterloo.ca/graduate-studies-postdoctoral-affairs/current-students/external-awards/tri-agency-cihr-nserc-sshrc-canada-graduate-scholarships)
- [Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)](https://uwaterloo.ca/current-graduate-students/awards-and-funding/canada-graduate-research-scholarship-doctoral)
- [Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) and Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship in Science & Technology (QEII-GSST)](https://uwaterloo.ca/current-graduate-students/current-students/awards-and-funding/OGS-QEII)
- [President's Graduate Scholarship](https://uwaterloo.ca/current-graduate-students/awards-and-funding/internal-awards/presidents-graduate-scholarship-pgs) (PGS)

**Other funding opportunities**

For other funding opportunities to graduate students, such as the Graduate Student Parental Leave Bursary and Graduate Student Medical Leave Bursary, please see the  [financial need funding](https://uwaterloo.ca/the-centre/awards-and-financial-aid/awards-and-financial-aid-graduate-students#financial) page.