Fees & Funding

Students who are receiving funding as part of the graduate funding package should request to register without payment on ACORN. Students who are receiving funding outside of the funding commitment must make their request with the Institute of Medical Science using the tuition deferral form found on the SGS website.

Full payment is due April 30, 2021.

Monthly service charges will be applied against outstanding student account balances beginning May 15th and on the 15th of every month thereafter, until the account is paid in full.

Your application for admission will be enhanced if you have peer-reviewed external funding (i.e. CIHR Doctoral Award, NSERC Studentship, Ontario Graduate Scholarship) at the outset of your degree program. Most funding agency deadlines are at least nine months before the start date of the award, and applications require original transcripts and letters of recommendation. Most available Canadian sources of funding give preference to persons with Canadian citizenship or landed immigrant status.

The IMS regularly informs registered students of funding opportunities as they arise. Visit the Awards Section on our website to view current award competitions.

Funding falls into two major categories: 

1. Internal Awards 
   • IMS awards (UofT Open Fellowships; IMS Entrance Award)
   • UofT Internal Awards (OGS, OSOTF, QEII-GSST, Doctoral Completion Award)
   • Hospital Awards (Restracomp)
2. External Awards
   • CIHR
   • NSERC
   • HSFO
   • SSHRC

For research-stream graduate students in the Faculty of Medicine, the Leave of Absence Stipendiary Fund is available for an approved Leave of Absence (LOA) due to health issues (i.e. physical) and/or mental health challenges which temporarily impair a student’s functioning during his/her graduate studies.

Funding is available up to $5,000 per student for one term on a one-time only basis. Ideally, you must submit an application package (as described below) to the Office of Graduate and Life Sciences Education in the Faculty of Medicine (MSB 2360) before the deadline below and prior to the start of your LOA.

Students who remain registered during the requested LOA will not receive LOA Stipendiary Funding.

If you are taking a LOA due to parental leave, the School of Graduate Studies provides funding through the SGS Parental Grant. Please click here for more information.

To apply for the LOA Stipendiary Fund, you will be asked to submit the following package by the appropriate deadline, to the Office of Graduate and Life Sciences Education in a sealed envelope marked LOA Stipendiary Fund, Confidential:

1. A completed and signed form (see below) by you and your Graduate Coordinator. Please read the instructions carefully to complete the Final LOA Stipendairy Fund Form 2019_20.pdf
2. One-page letter explaining the reason(s) for the LOA and how it has impaired your ability to function in your graduate program. Please address the letter to the LOA Stipendiary Fund Committee;
3. A physician’s note, specifically outlining the physical and mental health issues that impair your functioning in your graduate program. Alternatively, you can also have your physician complete the Verification of Student Illness and Injury.
4. A copy of your completed SGS Leave of Absence Form . Please note that only Sections 1 and 2 must be completed.

Please note this fund will not count towards your graduate student stipend package.

This fund is not renewable and can only be received once. It is intended to provide one term financial support to the recipient who will NOT receive funding from scholarship(s) or award(s) during this Leave of Absence.

This funding is conditional upon confirmation of an approved Leave of Absence by your graduate unit and the School of Graduate Studies.