Internal Awards

School of Graduate Studies Awards

The School of Graduate Studies offers several graduate scholarships and other types of financial assistance, including:

  • SGS restricted awards
  • Travel awards/grants
  • Completion, Accessibility and Emergency grants, and emergency loans

Please visit the SGS website for a complete listing of financial support resources available to graduate students. Graduate Award Deadlines are variable and award announcements are forwarded to students by email as they become available.

Faculty of Arts & Science Awards

The Faculty of Arts & Science has several awards which are available to graduate students. Application for these awards are submitted through department in the winter session. Please visit the Arts & Science website for a complete listing of awards.

Master of Science in Planning Award

Master of Science in Planning Awards are awarded on a competitive basis, so the number awarded in any year depends on academic performance. The value to students can range from $1000 to $6,000.

Other Departmental Awards

The Department is grateful for the generous support of graduate students by its members, alumni and friends. The contributions are reflected in the following Departmental awards. The availability of awards and deadlines are available in the summer. 

Please click the award or see below for award description: 

Ian D. Macpherson Award

Awarded to a student in either year of the Program in Planning whose work demonstrates both academic merit and practical problem-solving ability with some aspect of planning. No application is necessary as the selection is made by a committee.

Alan Tonks Scholarships

Endowed by the friends and colleagues of Alan Tonks, former Chairman of Metro Toronto. Awarded annually to up to four students entering the second year of the Program in Planning. Awards, based on academic merit, will be made to students specializing in urban planning, urban transportation and urban infrastructure. Financial need may also be taken into consideration.

University of Toronto Planning Alumni Graduate Scholarship

To be given to a graduate student enrolled in full-time studies based on academic merit.

Mitchell Goldhar Award for Excellent Achievement in the Planning Program

Awarded on the basis of academic merit to an outstanding graduate student either entering or continuing in the MSc Planning program.

The Peter Walker First Year Planning Scholarship

The award is to be given to the student (or students) entering the second year who has (have) made significant contributions to planning and planning practice, through applied work. The recipient should exemplify the “best all-round planner”. Recipients must be Ontario residents and must demonstrate financial need. Application information and deadlines will be sent by student advisor in late April/May.

LEA Consulting Ltd. Award in Planning and Transportation

To be awarded to a graduate student in the Program in Planning with an interest in transportation, on the basis of academic merit.

Matthew W. F. Hanson Scholarship in Planning

Awarded annually to a graduate student enrolled in the Program in Planning on the basis of academic merit. Financial need will also be considered.

Benjamin Sonshine Urban Planning Scholarship

Awarded to a graduate of the University of Toronto in urban and economic geography continuing in the MSc Program in Planning. Recipients must be Ontario residents and must demonstrate financial need.

Friends of Planning Graduate Scholarship for Innovation

Awarded to a student entering the second year of the Program in Planning who demonstrates, through their studies, volunteering and/or work experiences, innovative thinking and practice to plan for or promote planning among diverse communities. Application information and deadlines will be sent by student advisor in late April/May.

Peter R. Walker Master of Science in Planning Fellowships

To be used for purposes of recognizing academic achievements and contributions to the practice of planning through applied work of students in MScPl program. These fellowships will support recruitment/retention, travel and research of MScPl students.

Alexander B. Leman Memorial Award

Awarded to a student enrolled in the collaborative program at the Centre for Environment and the Department of Geography’s Program in Planning based on academic merit and financial need.

Thomas Luther Panton Scholarship

Awarded to a student in the Program in Planning on the basis of financial need and academic merit. Preference will be given to black students. Recipients must be Ontario residents (Canadian citizen or permanent resident) and must demonstrate financial need.

Edie Yolles Prize in Urban Planning

Awarded to a student of merit graduating from the Planning Program, not necessarily the one with the highest grades, who demonstrates a comprehensive approach to planning and has acquired the necessary skills. Recipients must be Ontario residents and must demonstrate financial need. 

Alpar Scholarship

Named after Mrs. Zehra Alpar, Student Advisor from the 1960s through the 1990s. For an outstanding graduate student making good progress toward completing the degree. Application information and deadlines will be sent by student advisor in April.

Graduate Geography and Planning Student Society (GGAPSS) Endowed Bursary

Awarded on the basis of financial need to at least one graduate student in good academic standing with an overall average of at least “B+”. Application information and deadlines will be sent by student advisor in April.

McMaster Trust

Named after the Department’s long-time Business Officer, Mrs. Anne McMaster. To help defray the cost of field-course-related expenses or research-related expenses. Application information and deadlines will be sent by student advisor in April. Application must include a letter from the student’s supervisor discussing the availability of alternative sources of funding.

George Tatham/Geography Alumni Graduate Scholarship

Established through the generous donations of the alumni and friends of the Department of Geography & Program in Planning. It is awarded to a graduate student registered in Full-time studies in the Department of Geography and Program in Planning on the basis of academic merit.

Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS)

Endowed with contributions:

  • Neptis Foundation/OGS in Planning (2 awards)
  • Edward Sorbara — Urban Development Institute of Toronto/OGS in Geography — Planning Program
  • UofT Planning Alumni/OGS in Planning
  • Urban Strategies/OGS in Planning