# Graduate Award Competition

**Source**: https://grad.ucalgary.ca/awards-and-funding/award-opportunities/graduate-award-competition
**Parent**: https://law.ucalgary.ca/future-students/graduate-programs

The Graduate Award Competition (GAC) encompasses a broad range of awards funded by donors and the University of Calgary.

## At a glance

### Value

Between $700 and $36,000

Awards will be paid the following academic year with the majority starting in September

### Citizenship

Unrestricted

### Deadline

Competition opens November 1. Deadlines vary by program (BISI, EDER, PSYC, ect). Contact your Graduate Program Staff.

### Degree type

All students applying to, or enrolled in, a thesis-based graduate degree program are eligible.

Students in course-based and professional degree programs are NOT eligible

## GAC successful offers are sent via email and will also be in the MyUofC student portal

Successful students may normally hold one GAC scholarship per year across the Open Doctoral and Special Awards categories and will be awarded the highest-value scholarship for which they are eligible.

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#### GAC results are announced as follows:

- Izaak Walton Killam - successful results April/May
- Program Recommended Medicine - May/June
- Open Doctoral - May to August
- Special Awards - May to September
- AGES International - July/August
- Alberta Innovates - September to December
- Unsuccessful notices will not be sent, please check here to see if all results have been announced

*Timeline subject to change*

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## Preparing your application

You are encouraged to apply for awards when you have submitted your admissions application and received your University of Calgary student number (UCID). You are not required to meet the eligibility requirements in the terms of reference of an award when you apply, but if successful, you must meet the eligibility requirements at the time the award is paid.

Please ensure that you have completed the following two steps before submitting your application:

### Read the terms of reference

Awards are based on merit. It is important to read and understand the award terms of reference listed on this page and/or on the agency, or donor website.

### Know your eligibility

Read our guide to discover the polices and regulations that determines a student's award eligibility at the University of Calgary.

[Award Guide: Eligibility](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/awards/award-guide/step-1-applying/eligibility)

## Terms of reference

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#### Eligibility

You must meet the eligibility criteria for **each** award for which you are applying.

**Awards**

- [Alberta Innovates Graduate Student Scholarships](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/awards/award-opportunities/alberta-innovates)
- Izaak Walton Killam Doctoral Scholarships\*
- Open Doctoral Awards\*
- Special Awards\*
- [Cumming School of Medicine (CSM) Harmonized Awards\*](https://cumming.ucalgary.ca/gse/current-students/scholarships)

\*The terms of reference for the Killam, Open Doctoral, Special, and CSM Awards can be found on the Graduate Awards Database.

[Awards Database](https://iac01.ucalgary.ca/FGSA/Public/PublicHome.aspx)

#### Selection criteria and indicators

To be eligible for the Killam and Open Doctoral categories students must have achieved a first-class average, as determined by the university issuing the transcripts, in the last two completed years of study (full-time equivalent). At the University of Calgary, a student must have achieved a grade point average of 3.5 or higher in the last 2 years of study. Each institution has their own definition of first-class average. The University of Calgary does not convert scales.

[Read more](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/awards/award-opportunities/gac-selection-criteria-and-indicators)

#### Application

The Graduate Award Competition opens November 1

1. Go to your Student Centre and click the link [**Apply for Awards**](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/awards/award-opportunities/gac-selection-criteria-and-indicators/scholarship-application) tab on your home screen.
2. Select the [Graduate Award Competition Application](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/awards/award-opportunities/gac-selection-criteria-and-indicators/scholarship-application).

Only **one** application is required regardless of the number of awards you are applying for.

[Apply here](https://my.ucalgary.ca)

#### References

References for admission may be used toward the scholarship competition as long as they have been written within the eleven months prior to the Faculty of Graduate Studies’ February 1 deadline.

#### Transcript Requirements

Scholarship requirements may differ from admission requirements. Transcripts will be uploaded to the application by your program.

- Up-to-date (dated or issued in the fall session of the year of application (if currently registered) or after the last term completed (if not currently registered)).
- Issued by the institution’s registrar’s office (either in paper or electronic format) either to the student or UCalgary staff. Paper transcripts may be opened and scanned by the student.
- Transcripts from other sources (printed from the student's personal school account) are not accepted.
- Scans must:
  - Be high quality and easily legible by reviewers
  - Contain Grading Scales for each institution
  - Be rotated so text is upright and reads from left to right
  - May be in colour or black/white

[Contact the Award Office for further support](mailto:gsaward@ucalgary.ca )

#### GAC Frequently Asked Questions

[See the GAC Frequently Asked Questions for further support](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/awards/award-opportunities/gac-faq)

## Set yourself up for success

Set yourself up for success with our guide to preparing your application and watch our video on creating a strong scholarship application.

[View the presentation](https://drive.google.com/file/d/12-ElclzlFziZ4n6FPhUg4Py9sz-1Ve4X/view)
[Watch the videos](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsKmRbF9zAwAMntFEaVBIRJqEzxU_tKrv)

## Attend a Workshop

Set yourself up for success and attend one of our workshops.

UCalgary workshops are hosted by the the Graduate Leaders Circle (GLC). The Graduate Leaders Circle is comprised of Vanier, Killam, and Doctoral tri-agency recipients, the most prestigious awards available to graduate students in Canada. Members serve as mentors to help other graduate students improve their chances for various awards.

### FGS Awards workshop

**GAC Workshop**\
Dec. 1, 2025 | 10 am - 12:00 noon

View the [2026 Competition Presentation](https://drive.google.com/file/d/12-ElclzlFziZ4n6FPhUg4Py9sz-1Ve4X/view) (recommended browser: google chrome)

Download the [2026 Competition Slides](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/sites/default/files/teams/5/2026%20GAC%20Student%20Workshop.pdf)

### Alberta Innovates Workshop

**AB Innovates Workshop**\
TBD\
\
*Participants should view the* [*Alberta Innovates Graduate Student Scholarships (GSS) Program Guidelines*](https://albertainnovates.ca/funding/graduate-student-scholarships/)*in advance and come to the Q&A session with specific questions in mind.*

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## One-on-one mentoring

Hosted by the Graduate Leaders Circle, scholarship cafes and dedicated one-on-one mentoring sessions are available for students applying for scholarships. Drop-in and scheduled sessions are available.

If you have eligibility questions or you experience difficulties with the application, please contact the Faculty of Graduate Studies office (gsaward@ucalgary.ca).

### GLC scholarship cafes

Students will be able to register for one 30 minute mentoring session. Signing up for more than one time slot reduces the number of spaces available for students

**GAC Cafe #1**:\
Dec. 4, 2025 | 2 pm - 4:00 pm\
[Register](https://doodle.com/group-poll/participate/enJg4gDe)

**GAC Cafe #2**:\
Jan. 16, 2026 | 10 am -12:00 noon\
[Register](https://doodle.com/group-poll/participate/dPJzDQya)

### GLC scholarship drop-ins

**GAC Drop In #1**:\
Dec. 8, 2025 | 10 am - 11:30 am\
[Register](https://ucalgary.zoom.us/meeting/register/NQNEgom5S1-WryuCZ2_IIw)

**GAC Drop In #2**:\
Jan. 6, 2026 | 10 am - 11:30 am\
[Register](https://ucalgary.zoom.us/meeting/register/K3RmlxahS6i_WkkKJQizcw)

**GAC Drop In #3**:\
Jan. 9, 2026 | 1 pm - 2:30 pm\
[Register](https://ucalgary.zoom.us/meeting/register/NYBx1F0yQeqS_qep3ppHlw)

## Questions about your award or award application?

Our specialists can help.

[Contact the Graduate Scholarship Office](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/services/students/awards)

## Other award opportunities

[See more](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/awards/award-opportunities/search-awards)