PhD Student International Mobility Research Scholarship

PhD Student International Mobility Research Scholarship – Graduate Studies

The PhD student international mobility research scholarship supports PhD candidates who are enrolled in the 2nd year of their PhD program and beyond to conduct research abroad for a minimum of eight weeks. The objective of this scholarship is to provide an international dimension to the educational experience, while supporting research stays that are closely aligned with the student’s thesis work and that deepen the student’s connections internationally and promote the exchange of resources, expertise and opportunities.

Value

$5,000 (non-renewable)

Deadline

Two competitions per year March 1^st and October 1^st.

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible for the PhD Student International Mobility Research Scholarship to receive, the candidate must be:

• Be a Canadian citizen, Permanent Resident, or Protected Person [under subsection 95(2) of the Immigration and Refugee Protections Act (Canada)] or international (visa) student;
• Be registered as a full-time student and have completed at least one year of studies or more of a PhD program at the University of Ottawa at the proposed time of travel; and have maintained a satisfactory academic progress.

Important: 

• The research must be conducted outside of Canada by the doctoral student for a minimum period of eight weeks and must be directly related to the thesis research.
• Conducting research in the student’s country of origin will generally not be financed unless the student demonstrates that their research absolutely requires their presence in that country.
• Students enrolled in a cotutelle program before May 2023 are not eligible for this scholarship, as they are eligible to receive the cotutelle scholarship. Please note that due to the abolition of the cotutelle scholarship, students admitted to a cotutelle program (with the University of Ottawa as home university) as of May 2024 will be eligible for the international research scholarship.
• The application must be submitted before travelling.
• A candidate may only receive this scholarship once. 
• Travelling internationally may expose you to unique risks.  It is important for travellers and trip organizers to take the time to research the risks involved in travelling abroad and to develop a plan to mitigate those risks. Please visit the uOInternational travel safety website for pre-departure planning and procedures. Students are required to:
  • Complete a pre-departure training
  • Register University trips abroad
  • Obtain approval if travelling to higher-risk locations

Application process

Applications must be made through the Online Scholarships and Bursaries portal, which can be accessed through the uoZone portal, and must include:

• A completed online form including:
  • The answers to the questions related to the research trip abroad;
  • A description of the research project abroad and of the scholarly activities to be conducted abroad (objectives, methodology, expected outcomes) (500 words maximum);
  • The proposed timeline of the research trip (200 words maximum); and,
  • A detailed budget indicating the costs associated with the proposed research stay abroad.
• An up-to-date curriculum vitae uploaded;
• A non-official copy of the academic transcript;
• A recommendation letter from the uOttawa academic supervisor. The letter must include the contact information of the academic supervisor, as well as confirm the location and the proposed dates of the research stay abroad
• If applicable, an invitation letter from the host professor or researcher at the proposed foreign academic or research-focused institution (including their contact information, the research location and the start and end dates of the stay abroad). If you are unable to provide an invitation letter from the host researcher, your academic supervisor must provide the details of your stay abroad
• The scholarship offer is conditional upon maintaining eligibility criteria and submitting the following documents:
  • Before departure: Students must provide a copy of round-trip transportation tickets (airline, train, or bus tickets) to the destination city or cities of the research stay. When travel is by car or when no transportation ticket is available, proof of accommodation may be submitted instead. The scholarship will be awarded in the term of the trip and upon receiving the round-trip transportations tickets. The research stay must be a minimum of 8 weeks in duration
  • Within one month upon return: The PhD Student International Mobility Research Scholarship Summary Form (results, outcomes, challenges) must be submitted to the Office of the Vice-Provost, Graduate and  Postdoctoral Studies by e-mail at [email protected].

Evaluation criteria 

Applications are evaluated by the Selection Committee according to the following criteria:

• The linkage between the research goals, the activities outlined for the proposed research study period abroad and the thesis.
• The quality and feasibility of the research project and activities to be conducted in the foreign jurisdiction.
• The relevance and integration of the research project and activities in relation to the student’s thesis.
• The student's academic excellence.

* The information on this page is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment from the University of Ottawa.