GSS Grants
Find information about our internal GSS Department Grants below. For externally administered grants like the Travel Awards or Childcare Bursary, see the bottom of this page!
Department Grants
Fund your initiative!
GSS Department Grants fund grad student social, academic, and professional initiatives at a department level.
Are you looking to host a grad student social night? Want to bring in a guest speaker for your department? Host a student conference? Publish a journal? Need funding to run your department’s grad student association? We have funds for that!
GSS Department Grants may be used for the following purposes:
- Social, recreation, cultural, academic, or professional development events/activities (incl. paying guest speakers)
- Special projects such as the publication of journals, organization of conferences, community building projects, etc.
- The development or continued operation of a department graduate student association
Please see the application form for further eligibility criteria, funding levels, and more information. Please note that only departments with an elected GSS GRC representative are eligible to apply for GSS Department Grants.
Submit your application by email to the GSS Governance Coordinator at gssgov@uvic.ca
Our goal is to help your department obtain these funds! Please ask our Governance Coordinator for assistance and advice on your grant application.
Externally Administered Grants
Wondering what the GSS fee graduate students are assessed pays for? Several components which make up the GSS fee go toward funding the following externally administered grants and bursaries!
Travel Awards
Travel Awards are administered by the Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS).
Travel Awards support elective graduate student travel to conferences, meetings, workshops, or research activities which are not required by your course or program.
If you are in a registered distance program, see the Travel Awards for Distance Programs. For funding assistance for unpaid international internships, co-op placements, field schools, volunteer programs, or exchange and study abroad programs, see the Student International Activities Fund.
This grant is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible graduate students. Priority is given to first time recipients as long as their applications are received at least two months before the month of travel, and they meet all the other eligibility requirements at the time notices are sent.
Please find the application form, eligibility requirements, award amounts, FAQ’s and application instructions on the FGS website.
Questions? Email fgsschol@uvic.ca
Hot tip: If you’re a member of CUPE 4163 (i.e. if you’re working as a TA or Sessional), look into the CUPE 4163 Conference Award Fund!
Travel Awards for Distance Programs
Travel Awards for Distance Programs are administered by the Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS).
This grant is intended to support registered distance graduate students in financial need to travel to Victoria for the mandatory on-campus residential course/workshops or off-campus practica travel requirements (i.e. travel to practicum) as part of the distance education graduate programs.
This grant is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority given to first-time applicants. You must submit your application in full before you travel. Applications received more than four months before the travel date will not be considered.
Please find the application form, eligibility requirements, award amounts, and cancellation information on the FGS website.
Questions? Email fgsschol@uvic.ca
Childcare Bursary
The Childcare Bursary is administered by Student Awards and Financial Aid (SAFA).
The GSS created a childcare bursary to help students with children cover their childcare costs. The needs-based bursary can be used to pay for childcare through private or non-profit childcare, babysitting, or the UVic Childcare Centre.
Please apply through the Student Awards and Financial Aid (SAFA) office. The yearly deadline to apply is October 15th.
Get Involved
Join us in shaping the grad student experience at UVic! Connect, advocate, and gain valuable skills. Explore opportunities to get involved today!