Funding Details
Funding package consists of:
In addition to the funding provided by the Faculty of Information, in certain cases, faculty members use grants to fund a student’s base funding, including tuition and fees, which can exceed the minimum funding. In all cases, students build on their base funding by receiving Research Assistantships (RAships), external grants, awards, scholarships, fellowships, and additional TAships from any unit across campus. These do not affect a student’s base funding package.
In the 5th year, students receive a funding package consisting of tuition and fees and a TAship if they qualify for a CUPE Subsequent Appointment. As in previous years, students can receive additional external grants, awards, scholarships, fellowships, RAships, and additional TAships from any unit across campus.
Teaching Assistantships (TAships)
TAships are an employment engagement in which students assist a course instructor with instructional responsibilities, such as grading assignments, facilitating tutorials, delivering lectures, and advising students on course assignments. Instructors and TAs should discuss specific responsibilities in advance of a class. TAships are paid a standard hourly rate as negotiated with CUPE 3902 Unit 1. The number of hours depends on the number of students enrolled in a course. To receive a TAship, students must apply to positions through the CUPE 3902 Unit 1 Job Board. To ensure our hiring process aligns with the CUPE3902 Unit 1 provisions, all TA offers should come from the Faculty’s business office, not directly from a faculty member.
Students can decline a TA position as part of their base funding package. Faculty members can also replace a student’s TAship portion of the funding package with their research grants or awards. However, a student who declines a TA position is declining that portion of their funding package and is not guaranteed alternate offers for the year. If a student declines all TAships in their first 4 years, they will not receive a CUPE Subsequent Appointment, which means TAships cannot be guaranteed in the 5th and subsequent years.
Research Assistantships (RAships)
An RAship is an employment engagement in which students perform specific duties and are paid an hourly rate with hours recorded on timesheets. These positions are unionized under USW Local 1998 casual unit. Faculty members can either advertise the position on the PhD listserv or make offers directly to students. Incoming students may be hired as early as the summer before they enrol in the program. A student must be legally entitled to work in Canada and be in possession of a current Social Insurance Number (SIN) card. Students conducting research with a faculty member must be paid for their labour, especially on projects that mutually benefit both the student and faculty member (e.g. under the aegis of a faculty member’s lab or for which the faculty member receives authorship). The Faculty’s payroll office assists faculty members with generating the official letter of offer. Full time registered students can be offered contracts up to one year in length, though there are exceptions.
Awards and Scholarships
The Faculty of Information assists with several awards and scholarships for doctoral students. Review our awards page for a comprehensive list of available awards for our doctoral students.
The Faculty of Information provides a Research Excellence Award (Years 1-4) to students who successfully receive an external award or scholarship of $10,000 or more.
| Award Value ($k) | Research Excellence Award |
| Under $10,000 | 0 |
| $10,000 to $14,999 | $2,000 |
| $15,000 to $24,999 | $4,000 |
| $25,000 to $49,999 | $7,500 |
| $50,0000 and over | $10,000 |
Research Stipends and Fellowships
A Research stipend or fellowship is a trainee engagement in which the student and faculty collaborate on a research project that coincides with the student’s degree requirements and students are paid a research stipend. Research stipends are considered T4A income rather than employment income; as a result, they are not subject to employment-related deductions and are not considered Employment Insurance (EI) insurable earnings. Like an RAship, faculty members can either advertise the position on the PhD listserv or make offers directly to students. A student must be legally entitled to work in Canada and be in possession of a current SIN card. The Faculty’s payroll office assists faculty members with generating the official offer letter.
The funding package is available to all students who:
To be considered for funding, all PhD students must:
- Be registered full-time and maintain good academic standing in the Faculty of Information during the academic period for which funding is granted.
- Be in years 1–4 of the PhD program.
- Apply for external student funding each year. Common external funding sources include competitive scholarships such as SSHRC, NSERC, and OGS.
- Abide by all the terms and conditions of any awards received.
- Apart from approved absence, be geographically available to visit the campus regularly
- Apply to and accept Teaching Assistant job postings.
- Accept offers of TA subsequent appointments as governed by the CUPE3902 Collective Agreement. If a student declines a TA position as part of their base funding package, they are declining that portion of their funding package and are not guaranteed alternate offers.
General Terms and Conditions
The Faculty of Information follows the policy for maximum acceptable time spent on employment as defined by the Council of Ontario Universities:
Full-time graduate students are expected to pursue their graduate degree on a full-time basis and make satisfactory progress toward timely completion of all program requirements. It is not possible, or desirable, for the university to monitor and enforce the employment activities of its graduate students outside the university. However, it is both possible and desirable for the university to ensure that it does not itself create a structural situation that jeopardizes the ability of the graduate student to make full-time progress towards the completion of graduate program requirements. Accordingly, OCGS is committed to the principle that full-time graduate students are employed no more than an average of 10 hours per week on campus.
Funding by Cohort
Please see the 2024-2025 Handbook
Please see the 2021-2022 PhD funding package information (PDF).
2021-2022 PhD Travel Relocation Policy & Application (open in Adobe for fillable PDF).
Please see the 2020-2021 Faculty of Information PhD Funding Information Sheet
2020-2021 PhD Travel Relocation Policy & Application (open in Adobe for fillable PDF).
Please see the 2019-2020 Faculty of Information PhD Funding Information Sheet
2019-2020 PhD Travel Relocation Policy & Application (open in Adobe for fillable PDF)
PhD funding packages are awarded to successful candidates to a maximum of $26,335.00 for the 2018-2019 academic year. The funding package is made up of a variety of funding sources and is dependent on meeting eligibility guidelines and conditions.
Funding packages are comprised of the following components:
- Tuition and Fees for up to four years, renewable for a fifth year based on satisfactory progress.
- Living Allowance Stipend for years 1 – 4 only are available to qualifying students who applied for but were not successful in achieving an external award. The Living Allowance Stipend is $17,500. For the 2018-2019 Cohort, this consists of 175 hours of Teaching Assistantships, which will be paid at the rate of pay established under the collective agreement between CUPE3902 and the University of Toronto. The balance is paid as a grant. Payments will be processed in three equal installments in September, January and May.
- Research Assistantships (RAships): are counted as part of PhD funding packages when contracts are negotiated by the Faculty specifically to fulfill PhD funding package requirements. Primarily offered when not enough TAships are available to satisfy PhD funding Requirements, these positions offer great opportunities to work closely with faculty and provide an opportunity to engage in hands-on research and academic work experience.
- Excellence Awards are issued in an amount of $2000 to those who qualify to receive the funding package but do not qualify to receive the living expense stipend due to receiving an award such as SSHRC or OGS. A further top-up is available if the value of a major award is less than the value of the living allowance stipend
PhD funding packages are awarded to successful candidates to a maximum of $26,335.00 for the 2017-2018 academic year. The funding package is made up of a variety of funding sources and is dependent on meeting eligibility guidelines and conditions.
Funding packages are comprised of the following components:
- Tuition and Fees for up to four years, renewable for a fifth year based on satisfactory progress.
- Living Allowance Stipend for years 1 – 4 only are available to qualifying students who applied for but were not successful in achieving an external award. The Living Allowance Stipend is $17,500. For the 2017-2018 Cohort, this consists of 175 hours of Teaching Assistantships, which will be paid at the rate of pay established under the collective agreement between CUPE3902 and the University of Toronto. The balance is paid as a grant. Payments will be processed in three equal installments in September, January and May.
- Research Assistantships (RAships): are counted as part of PhD funding packages when contracts are negotiated by the Faculty specifically to fulfill PhD funding package requirements. Primarily offered when not enough TAships are available to satisfy PhD funding Requirements, these positions offer great opportunities to work closely with faculty and provide an opportunity to engage in hands-on research and academic work experience.
- Excellence Awards are issued in an amount of $2000 to those who qualify to receive the funding package but do not qualify to receive the living expense stipend due to receiving an award such as SSHRC or OGS. A further top-up is available if the value of a major award is less than the value of the living allowance stipend.
Doctoral Student Funding Packages are awarded to successful candidates as a University of Toronto Fellowship to a maximum of $24,925.96 for the 2016/2017 academic year.
This fellowship is made up of a variety of funding sources and is dependent on meeting eligibility guidelines and conditions.
The Funding Commitment package is available to all full-time students who:
- Are registered as full-time students. Funding package is not available to those enrolled in the flex-time program;
- Are in good academic standing;
- Are in years 1 – 4 in their program. During year five, students who remain in good standing in the doctoral program may receive full Tuition and Fees only. There is no funding available for those in their 6th year and beyond. Determination of what year you are in is defined by official ROSI record which reflects any officially documented leaves of absence.
- Continuation of the Funding Commitment package will normally be contingent upon a student making consistent and satisfactory progression through the program, as per the “time for completion”. Progression is assessed annually.
- Do not work full time (full time: ≥ 35 hours per week, or defined as full time), and/or
- Do not have ≥ $30,000 income per year;
- Do not have a major scholarship (e.g., SSHRC, OGS, MITACS, NSERC)
- Are, apart from approved absence, geographically available to visit the campus regularly
Doctoral students registered full-time who wish to be considered for funding must:
- Fill out a Doctoral Student’s Funding Declaration Form (DSDF), on an annual basis, by the established deadline to determine eligibility. This will typically be issued in August. The Faculty reserves the right to request additional documentation at any time to confirm employment status and/or annual earnings. By signing the DSDF you agree to advise the Faculty of any changes in your circumstances during the year that may affect your eligibility to receive funding from the Faculty of Information.
- Apply to available TA/research assistantship positions within the Faculty, as well as within the University of Toronto and/or accept offered TA Subsequent Appointments as governed by the CUPE3902 Collective Agreement for Teaching Assistants. Participation in Teaching and Research Assistantships is optional but failure to participate will void this aspect of the funding package.
- Apply for external student funding each year. Funding sources include external competitive student awards such as SSHRC, OGS, MITACS etc.
- Students receiving departmental awards/funding must abide by all the terms and conditions of the award.
Funding packages are comprised of the following components:
- Tuition and Fees for up to four years, renewable for a fifth year based on satisfactory progress.
- Awards: Students must apply for external student funding each year. Funding sources include external competitive student awards such as SSHRC, OGS, MITACS etc. Students who choose not to apply for external competitive awards may forfeit their option to be considered for renewal of their funding.
- Living Allowance Stipend for years 1 – 4 only are available to qualifying students who applied for but were not successful in achieving an external award.T he Living Allowance Stipend is $16,500. For the 2015 / 2016 Cohort, this consists of 175 hours of Teaching Assistantships, which will be paid at the rate of pay established under the collective agreement between CUPE3902 and the University of Toronto. The balance is paid as a grant. Payments will be processed in three equal installments in September, January and May.
- Teaching Assistantships: Participation as a Teaching Assistant is optional but failure to participate will void this aspect of the funding package.
- 1st year students receive 50 hours of training in their first term, the remaining TA hours owed in the 1st year are usually, but not necessarily, assigned in the winter term.
- To qualify for this portion of the funding you must apply to TAship job postings. If no TAship applications are submitted you will not be eligible to receive this portion of the living expense. Job postings are found on the website, are posted on the 6th floor CUPE bulletin board and are emailed to the PhD mailing list.
- If you have previously held a TAship, your subsequent appointment will be counted towards your funding package. Subsequent appointments are filled with funding package commitments taken into account. Acceptance of subsequent appointment is optional but failure to participate will void this aspect of the funding package.
- Research Assistantships (RAships): are counted as part of PhD funding packages when contracts are negotiated by the Faculty specifically to fulfill PhD funding package requirements. Primarily offered when not enough TAships are available to satisfy PhD funding Requirements, these positions offer great opportunities to work closely with faculty and provide an opportunity to engage in hands-on research and academic work experience.
- Grant: The Grant portion of the living allowance will be processed in three equal installments in September, January and May.
- Excellence Awards are issued in an amount of $2000 to those who qualify to receive the funding package but do not qualify to receive the living expense stipend due to receiving an award such as SSHRC, OGS, MITACS etc.
Doctoral Student Funding Packages are awarded to successful candidates as a University of Toronto Fellowship to a maximum of $23,925.96 for the 2015/2016 academic year. This fellowship is made up of a variety of funding sources and is dependent on meeting eligibility guidelines and conditions.
The Funding Commitment package is available to all full-time students who:
- Are registered as full-time students. Funding package is not available to those enrolled in the flex-time program;
- Are in good academic standing;
- Are in years 1 – 4 in their program. During year five, students who remain in good standing in the doctoral program may receive full Tuition and Fees only. There is no funding available for those in their 6th year and beyond. Determination of what year you are in is defined by official ROSI record which reflects any applicable leave or absences.
- Continuation of the Funding Commitment package will normally be contingent upon a student making consistent and satisfactory progression through the program, as per the “time for completion”. Progression is assessed annually.
- Do not work full time (full time: ≥ 35 hours per week, or defined as full time), and/or
- Do not have ≥ $30,000 income per year;
- Do not have a major scholarship (e.g., SSHRC, OGS, MITACS, NSERC)
- Are, apart from approved absence, geographically available to visit the campus regularly
Doctoral students registered full-time who wish to be considered for funding must:
- Fill out a Doctoral Student’s Funding Declaration Form (DSDF), on an annual basis, by the established deadline to determine eligibility. This will typically be issued in August. The Faculty reserves the right to request additional documentation at any time to confirm employment status and/or annual earnings. By signing the DSDF you agree to advise the Faculty of any changes in your circumstances during the year that may affect your eligibility to receive funding from the Faculty of Information.
- Apply to available TA/research assistantship positions within the Faculty, as well as within the University of Toronto and/or accept offered TA Subsequent Appointments as governed by the CUPE3902 Collective Agreement for Teaching Assistants. Participation in Teaching and Research Assistantships is optional but failure to participate will void this aspect of the funding package.
- Apply for external student funding each year. Funding sources include external competitive student awards such as SSHRC, OGS, MITACS etc.
- Students receiving departmental awards/funding must abide by all the terms and conditions of the award.
- Participate in Doctoral Research Days each year (usually two (2) days in April).(Rescinded November 2016)
Funding packages are comprised of the following components:
- Tuition and Fees for up to four years in the first instance, and a fifth year based on satisfactory progress.
- Awards: Students must apply for external student funding each year. Funding sources include external competitive student awards such as SSHRC, OGS, MITACS etc. Students who choose not to apply for external competitive awards may forfeit their option to be considered for renewal of their funding.
- Living Allowance Stipend for years 1 – 4 only are available to qualifying students who applied for but were not successful in achieving an external award. The Living Allowance Stipend is $15,500. For the 2015 / 2016 Cohort, this consists of 175 hours of Teaching Assistantships, which will be paid at the rate of pay established by CUPE3902. The balance is paid as a Grant, payments will be processed in three (3) equal installments in September, January and May.
- Teaching Assistantships: Participation as a Teaching Assistantship is optional but failure to participate will void this aspect of the funding package.
- 1st year students receive 50 hours of training in their first term, the remaining TA hours owed in the 1st year are usually, but not necessarily, assigned in the winter term . To qualify for this portion of the funding you must apply to TAship job postings. If no TAship applications are submitted you will not be eligible to receive this portion of the Living expense. Job postings are found on the website, are posted on the 6th floor CUPE bulletin board and are emailed to the PhD mailing list.
- If you have previously held a TAship, your CUPE Subsequent Appointment will be counted towards your funding package. Subsequent appointments are filled with Funding Package Commitments taken into account. Acceptance of Subsequent Appointment is optional but failure to participate will void this aspect of the funding package.
- Research Assistantships (RAships): are counted as part of PhD funding packages when contracts are negotiated by the Faculty specifically to fulfill PhD funding package requirements. Primarily offered when not enough TAships are available to satisfy PhD funding Requirements, these positions offer great opportunities to work closely with faculty and provide an opportunity to engage in hands-on research and academic work experience.
- Grant: The Grant portion of the living allowance will be processed in three (3) equal installments in September, January and May.
- Excellence Awards are issued in an amount of $2000 to those who qualify to receive the funding package but do not qualify to receive the Living expense stipend due to receiving an Award such as SSHRC, OGS, MITACS etc. Payments will be processed in three (3) equal installments in September, January and May.