• Please see the 2022-2023-PhD-funding-package-final (PDF). 
• 2022-2023-PhD-Travel-Relocation-Policy_Fillable-PDF

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.The 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.

1. The Funding Commitment package consists of:

a) Tuition and fees for up to four years in the first instance, and a fifth year based on satisfactory progress.

b) Living expense stipend for years 1-4, is either $15,500, consisting of:  Approximately 53% as a grant and 47% of Teaching Assistantships (TAships) or Research Assistantships (RAships), or A Research Assistantship to a minimum of $15,500 per annum.

2. The Funding Commitment package is available to all full-time students who:

a) Do not work full time (full time: ≥ 35 hours per week, or defined as full time), and/or

b) Do not have ≥ $30,000 income per year, and/or

c) Do not have a major scholarship (e.g., SSHRC, OGS, MITACS, NSERC)

3. The full funding commitment package is subject to students:

a) working as a Teaching Assistant (TA) in courses offered by the Faculty of Information, or as a Research Assistant for a total of 175 hours per year in each of the first four years of their studies. In their first TA/RA assignment, 50 of the 175 hours will be set aside for pedagogical training,

b) submitting their Doctoral Student’s Declaration Form (DSDF) by the established deadline,

c) not working more than an average of 10 hours per week,

d) participating in Doctoral Research Days each year (usually two (2) days in April). (Rescinded November 2016)

4. 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” table posted on our website. A student’s progress is assessed annually.

5. Students funded from alternative sources (e.g., faculty research grants, scholarships, fellowships, TAships/RAships in other departments, part-time U of T employment) may have their Funding Commitment package reduced, partially or in its entirety.

6. As of September 2011, PhD students must apply for external awards, teaching assistantships, and research assistantships, equivalent to the domestic tuition and fees portion of the funding package, starting in their first year. Students who choose not to apply for external competitive awards may forfeit their option to be considered for renewal of their funding.

7. No Funding Commitment package is available to students in years 6 and beyond.

8. No Funding Commitment package is available to students enrolled in the flex-time program.

1.  The Funding Commitment package consists of:

a) Tuition and fees for up to four years in the first instance, and a fifth year based on satisfactory progress.

b) Living expense stipend for years 1-4, is either $15,500, consisting of:

• Approximately 60% as a grant and 40% of Teaching Assistantships (TAships) or Research Assistantships (RAships), or
• A Research Assistantship to a minimum of $15,500 per annum.

2. The Funding Commitment package is available to all full-time students who:

a) Do not work full time (full time: ≥ 35 hours per week, or defined as full time), and/or

b) Do not have ≥ $30,000 income per year, and/or

c) Do not have a major scholarship (e.g., SSHRC, OGS, MITACS, NSERC)

3. The full funding commitment package is subject to students:

a) working as a Teaching Assistant (TA) in courses offered by the Faculty of Information, or as a Research Assistant for a total of 150 hours per year in each of the first four years of their studies. In their first TA/RA assignment, 50 of the 150 hours will be set aside for pedagogical training,

b) submitting their Doctoral Student’s Declaration Form (DSDF) by the established deadline,

c) not working more than an average of 10 hours per week,

d) participating in Doctoral Research Days each year (usually two (2) days in April). (Rescinded November 2016)

4. 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” table posted on our website. A student’s progress is assessed annually.

5. Students funded from alternative sources (e.g., faculty research grants, scholarships, fellowships, TAships/RAships in other departments, part-time U of T employment) may have their Funding Commitment package reduced, partially or in its entirety.

6. As of September 2011, PhD students must apply for external awards, teaching assistantships, and research assistantships, equivalent to the domestic tuition and fees portion of the funding package, starting in their first year. Students who choose not to apply for external competitive awards may forfeit their option to be considered for renewal of their funding.

7. No Funding Commitment package is available to students in years 6 and beyond.

8. No Funding Commitment package is available to students enrolled in the flex-time program.

1. The Funding Commitment package is available to all full-time students who:

a) Do not work full time (full time: ≥ 35 hours per week, or defined as full time),
b) Do not have ≥ $30,000 income per year,
c) Do not have a major scholarship (e.g., SSHRC, OGS, MITACS, NSERC).

2. The Funding Commitment package consists of:

a) Tuition and fees for up to four years in the first instance, and a fifth year upon the recommendation of the Doctoral Program Committee, in its capacity as the Doctoral Annual Review Committee. Recommendations are based on satisfactory progress.

b) Living expense stipend for years 1-4, is either $15,500, consisting of:

• Approximately 60% as a grant and 40% of Teaching Assistantships ( TAships) or Research Assistantships (RAships), or
• A Research Assistantship to a minimum of $15,500 per annum.

3. In order to receive the full Funding Commitment  package, students must work as a Teaching Assistant (TA) in courses offered by the Faculty of Information, for a total of 150 hours per year in each of the first four years of their studies. In their first TA assignment, 50 of the 150 hours will be set aside for pedagogical training.

4. Continuation of the Funding Commitment package requires a student to progress satisfactorily in their studies.  A student’s progress is assessed annually.

5. Students funded from alternative sources (e.g., faculty research grants, scholarships, fellowships, TAships in other departments, part-time U of T employment) may have their Funding Commitment package reduced, partially or in its entirety.

6. As of September 2011, PhD students must apply for external awards, teaching assistantships, and research assistantships, equivalent to the domestic tuition and fees portion of the funding package, starting in their first year. Students who choose not to apply for external competitive awards may forfeit their option to be considered for renewal of their funding.

7. No Funding Commitment package is available to students in years 6 and beyond.

8. No Funding Commitment package is available to students enrolled in the flex-time program.

1. Available to all full-time students who:

a) Do not work full time (full time: ≥ 35 hours per week, or defined as full time),
b) Do not have ≥ $30,000 income per year,
c) Do not have a major scholarship (e.g., SSHRC, OGS, MITACS, NSERC).

2. The Funding package consists of:

a) Tuition and fees for years 1-5
b) A living expense stipend for years 1-4.

3. In order to receive Funding students must work as a Teaching Assistant (TA) in courses offered by the Faculty of Information, for a total of 400 hours over the first four years of their studies.

4. Continuation of the Funding Commitment package requires students to progress satisfactorily in their studies. A student’s progress is assessed annually.

5. Students funded from alternative sources (e.g., faculty research grants, scholarships, fellowships, TAships in other departments, part-time U of T employment), may have their Funding Commitment package reduced, partially or in its entirety.

6. No Funding Commitment package is available to students in years 6 and beyond.

7. No Funding Commitment package is available to students enrolled in the flex-time program.

For students in the funded cohort who receive an external, competitively-reviewed award valued at or over $15,000 per annum (e.g.: OGS, SSHRC, MITACS, NSERC, NSF), that award will stand in lieu of the stipend portion of the University’s Funding Commitment package.

Students with these awards are exempt from the Funding Commitment package requirements that they serve as teaching or research assistants.

The Faculty of Information will continue to meet either domestic or international tuition fees* (as appropriate for the student), and in recognition of their success, the Faculty will award them an Academic Excellence Award of $2,000 for each year that they hold the external award, and remain in the funded cohort.

These students continue to be eligible to work as teaching or research assistants if they wish to supplement their funds, and if the Faculty has available TA positions.  Awards under $15,000 have no impact on the Graduate commitment package from the University.  This policy will be reviewed annually, but not varied retroactively.