Award Overview

Student Deadline to Unit: December 19, 2023 (5:00 PM)
Value/Duration: Approx. $6,000.00 for one year*
Level of study: Doctoral
Required Legal Status: Canadian citizen
Results: Late May 2024

Purpose

The Walter C. Sumner Memorial Fellowships are awarded nationally to doctoral students who are registered or about to commence studies in either Chemistry, Physics, or Electronics (including Electrical Engineering or Computer Science).

*At the discretion of the Foundation, the amount and value of the fellowships awarded could vary each year depending on applicant pool.

Eligibility to Apply

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

    • Be a Canadian citizen (Permanent Residents of Canada are ineligible);
    • Be a resident of Canada (although at the time of application, a candidate may be studying outside the country). Preference will be given to those born in Nova Scotia, followed by those born in any of the other Atlantic Provinces;
  • Be registered or commencing (May or Sept 2024) doctoral studies in Chemistry, Physics, or Electronics (including Electrical Engineering or Computer Science) at a participating Canadian university. See the application form for full list; and
  • Hold a degree from a Canadian university other than the one at which the doctoral studies will be conducted during the tenure of the fellowship.
  • If only a degree at the Bachelor’s level is held (i.e., those who have not conferred a master’s degree at the time of application), the applicant must have at least two years’ experience in either teaching or industry in the chosen field of study.
    • NEW In which case, an additional one-page attachment, that describes the applicant’s two most recent years of either teaching or industry work experience, must be submitted with the application package

Successful applicants who are later awarded a Canada Graduate Scholarship (NSERC, CIHR or SSHRC) must inform the Walter C. Sumner Foundation immediately.

Application Process

Applicants must submit all required application components through this MS Form by December 19, 2023 at 5:00 PM.  Applications that are incomplete, ineligible or are submitted after the deadline will not be considered.

Please visit the SGS Walter C. Sumner Memorial Fellowship webpage for full application details.

Renewals

Current recipients of the Sumner award may submit a request to renew the award for an additional year. A full application is not required however, please visit the SGS Walter C. Sumner Memorial Fellowship webpage for full details on how to request a renewal.

Results

SGS will notify all nominees of the results of the University competition in March. Walter C. Sumner Foundation will notify only the successful candidates directly at the end of May.

Contacts & Resources

Visit SGS’ Walter C. Sumner Memorial Fellowships webpage for further information.

For inquiries please contact:

Stacey Kwan
Graduate Awards Officer
Phone: 416-978-2205
staceym.kwan@utoronto.ca