Black* Canadians have long faced systemic barriers in their attempts to consistently access high quality graduate training, particularly in STEM fields. As a step toward increasing accessibility for this community to our graduate program, the Department of Biomedical Sciences has implemented a scholarship specifically directed at recruiting outstanding Black students to our graduate program. To that end, we are pleased to announce the first Biomedical Sciences Recruitment Scholarship, a $23,000# annual stipend for up to 3 years (at the Ph.D. level) or $21,000#for up to 2 years (at the M.Sc. level) award to an outstanding Black Canadian student who wishes to pursue graduate studies in the Department of Biomedical Sciences.
Eligibility:
1) Canadian citizens or permanent residents with a minimum “A” average in their previous two years of graduate or undergraduate education.
2) Self-identification as a Black Canadian (using self-identification survey attached).
3) Eligible for acceptance into the graduate program in the Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph.
Eligible applicants are encouraged to identify and communicate with a faculty member who would be willing to supervise their graduate program prior to application. Applications should consist of a curriculum vitae (describing the candidate’s academic background, employment and extracurricular activities, publications, presentations and containing the names of at least two referees), a cover letter containing a personal contextual statement (e.g., description of personal circumstances; examples of commitment to promoting diversity in STEM), a statement of research interest (e.g., field of investigation; motivation to work in Biomedical Sciences), the name of the prospective supervisor contacted, and the candidate’s academic transcript(s).
How to Apply:
Please submit your application to: Graduate Program Assistant, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph. N1G 2W1. Email: bmsgrad@uoguelph.ca. The application deadline is September 30, 2020. The search will remain open until a suitable candidate is identified.
*The term “Black” is used to refer to identity rather than a term of colour and generally refers to people of African descent or African-Caribbean identification and those who define themselves as such, who are residents/citizens of Canada.
# The Department of Biomedical Sciences acknowledges that Black Canadians often face systemic obstacles not encountered by many non-Black peers. This award seeks to recognize excellence in the face of such barriers, through the top-up (above departmental minimum support) provided to the successful applicant. These funds reflect measures the Department wishes to take as we move towards mitigating the harm caused by these obstacles and reflecting our commitment towards increasing diversity, and thereby, strength, of our Department.