New Students
McGill Entrance scholarships ranging from $3,000 to $10,000 are open to all incoming students. Basic (one-year) scholarships are awarded based solely on academic achievement; all eligible incoming students are automatically considered for these awards. Major (renewable) scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement and outstanding leadership in school or community activities; separate application forms are required for these. These are awarded by the University Committee on Scholarships and Student Aid. More info
The Petro-Canada Emerging Leaders Scholarships are available to outstanding and well-rounded students entering the B.Sc. program of Earth & Planetary Sciences (as well as certain B.Eng. and B.Com. programs). They are valued at $5,000 (renewable) and are awarded on the basis of academic standing, with consideration given to leadership in extracurricular and community activities.
Returning Students
At the end of each academic year, the department of Earth & Planetary Sciences nominates its top undergraduate students for in-course awards ranging in value from approximately $800 to $4500. These in-course awards are supported by the generosity of alumni and companies who, over the years, have donated to McGill University specifically to inspire and reward top students in Major and Honours programs leading to careers in earth sciences.
To be eligible, students must be registered full time for the fall and winter semesters (a course load of at least 12 credits each term) and they must complete 27 credits of courses (this may include field school) at McGill University. Credits transferred for courses followed at other institutions (during a semester or a year abroad, or transferred for courses taken at other Canadian universities) cannot be counted towards eligibility. Students in their graduating year cannot be nominated.
The minimum grade point average required for consideration is 3.6. While achieving this GPA does not automatically guarantee an in-course award, about 12 undergraduate students per year have earned them in recent years.
U1 and U2 Students are ranked each June by their cumulative grade point average for the fall and winter semesters and field school, and departmental nominations for individual awards are forwarded to the Faculty of Science for approval. The amount is credited to the student’s account, against the tuition fees charged for the coming year.
An in-course award cannot be used by a student who leaves for one or two terms of study abroad, but it can be delayed for a year and used once the student returns to McGill to complete his program. If a student returns to McGill for a single semester of full-time study, the value of the award is reduced accordingly. Students studying abroad are automatically eligible for a Mobility Award.
Summer Research
NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) are for students who will be doing research over the summer and are available only to Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada. The student must apply through the Department. Earth & Planetary Sciences usually has two to four NSERC USRAs to award to students each summer, on the basis of academic merit. It is up to the student to approach a potential supervisor in the Fall or early in the Winter semester, as a summer research project needs to be agreed upon and described in the forms. The award is $7,500 for 16 consecutive full-time weeks of summer research work. This work may take place in a lab, in the field, or both, depending on the project. More info
The Science Undergraduate Research Awards (SURA) are almost the same as NSERC USRAs except that there is no citizenship requirement, and the award is for $7,000 for 16 consecutive full-time weeks of summer research work. More info
If you have applied for an NSERC USRA, you will automatically be considered for a SURA, so you need not apply to both. You may only hold one award. An email will be sent out to all undergrads during the Winter semester to announce the yearly competition and inform you of the deadlines for that year.
External Awards
Various external awards and scholarships are available to undergraduate students each year. We circulate these notices via email and post them on the scholarships board in the main lounge. Whenever required, reference letters from professors should be requested well in advance (e.g., two weeks or more ahead) of any deadline.
Deadline: November 1, 2022 for the $2000 CSEG Foundation University Scholarship (Canadian Society of Exploration Geophysicist) aimed at undergraduate students enrolled in a program directed toward a career in geophysics. You must first join the CSEG as a student member in order to apply.
Deadline: April 30 for KEGS Foundation Scholarships (Canadian Geophysical Exploration Society) aimed at undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in a program that emphasizes geophysics. Find out more and download the application form from KEGS Foundation Scholarships.
Deadline: April 15 for this CIMF scholarship aimed at a U2 student in a geology program: Dr. David S. Robertson Geology Scholarship ($4K). Find out more and download the application form from CIM Foundation - Dr. David S. Robertson Scholarship Fund
Deadline: April 30 for this CIMF scholarship aimed at a U2 student in the fields of exploration and/or geology: Scotiabank Scholarship ($2k) Find out more and download the application form from CIM Foundation - Scotiabank Scholarship
- Canadian Mineral Industry Education Foundation
- Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum
- Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada
- Geological Association of Canada
- Canadian Society of Petroleum Geology
- Glen Ruby Memorial Scholarship
- Society of Economic Geologists
- Canadian Society for Exploration Geophysicis
- Canadian Well Logging Society
- Canadian Geotechnical Society
There are even more opportunities out there, so be sure to watch your email for announcements!