What is the Ontario Trillium Scholarship?

The Ontario Trillium Scholarship is a prestigious government-funded award aimed at supporting graduate studies in Ontario, Canada.

What is the deadline for Ontario Trillium Scholarship applications?

Deadlines vary by institution, so be sure to check with your university's graduate studies office for specific dates.

What universities in Ontario participate in the Ontario Trillium Scholarship program?

Most universities in Ontario offer the scholarship. Contact your chosen institution for specific details and application requirements.

2022-02-09 |

Countries

Ontario Trillium Scholarship: Application Tips

Ontario Trillium Scholarship (OTS) | Graduate Studies

By Grad-Dreams

Canada

Scholarships and Financial Aid

ONTARIO TRILLIUM SCHOLARSHIP

The Ontario Trillium Scholarship is a government-funded programme that assists international students in pursuing a Ph.D. at one of Ontario's top universities. Various qualifying universities in Ontario choose candidates and award scholarships based on programme criteria and merit, allowing them to continue their study and academic advancement in the Canadian province.

Every year, the Ontario government offers 75 Ontario Trillium Scholarships (OTS).
Every year, a total of 40,000 CAD is offered to the finest doctorate students from throughout the world.
It's possible to renew it for up to four years.
Provides partial financing for scholars to pursue a Ph.D. in any discipline at one of Ontario's leading universities.
The funding is split 2:1 between the government and the institutions (CAD 26,666 from the government and CAD13,333 from the institution)

The allocation of these scholarships is handled by each university's graduate studies unit. Universities accept and assess applications, and students are chosen based on their qualifications.

#ELIGIBILITY

The application deadline for the Ontario Trillium Scholarship varies per university and programme, however it can start as early as September. In the winter session, suitable applicants are suggested for admission to the following autumn, spring, or winter semesters.

#To be considered for OTS, an applicant must meet the following requirements:

be an international student with a valid student visa in Canada
By the time you apply, you must be fluent in English.
aim to enrol in a doctoral-level, full-time graduate school that will provide a degree.
hold an 8.0/10 or A - average (equivalent to 80 percent in Ontario) in two full-time years of study
Before applying for admission to the Ph.D. programme under OTS, you must not have completed a UG or PG degree at any university or college in Ontario.
not be enrolled in a graduate or undergraduate programme at a post-secondary institution in Ontario.

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#APPLICATION PROCESS

The Ontario Trillium Scholarship application and selection processes are overseen by each eligible university's graduate studies section. For the OTS programme, each institution has its unique application process.

The following documents are required for the Ontario Trillium Scholarship application:

Appropriately filled application form
Applicant’s CV
Candidate’s letters of recommendation
Proof of standardized tests like IELTS, SAT, etc.
A copy of all the university transcripts
A list of awards and scholarships received by the applicant
Candidate’s plan of studies
A list of the applicant’s research contributions
A valid Canadian study permit
A copy of the applicant’s average calculation
The OTS letter of support from an authorized supervisor
Proof of good health

Most universities, such as the University of Toronto, the University of Ottawa, and York University, automatically nominate high-achieving candidates who have applied for admission.

#SELECTION PROCESS

The files are evaluated and the recipients of the Ontario Trillium Scholarship are chosen by a selection committee appointed by the Vice-Provost, Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (OGPS). Students are chosen based on their academic merit and programme requirements.

Terms and Conditions

A candidate can request a Trillium interruption and receive clearance for up to a year of leave. Trillium interruptions are limited to 12 months and can be authorized in the following circumstances:

Compassionate leave (example: bereavement)
Maternity or parental leave
Medical or family leave
Immigration process

If a recipient does any of the following, he or she will be required to reimburse the award:

Transfers to another institution
Loses eligibility for the renewal of OTS
Completes the program prior to the scholarship’s natural end
Loses full-time status
Could not maintain acceptable academic standing
Withdraws from the program

#GRANT DETAILS

The Ontario Trillium Scholarship programme was launched by the Ontario government in November 2010 as a noteworthy initiative to attract highly qualified and talented international students to Ontario's universities for Ph.D. studies. Ontario's various prestigious universities pool their funds with those provided by the government to assist and host meritorious international students for doctoral studies.

International students seeking research opportunities in Canada and want to pursue a Ph.D. degree in any discipline at one of Ontario's top institutions may apply for the OTS programme if they meet the program's qualifying requirements.

Terms and Conditions

If an OTS beneficiary obtains permanent status in Canada after the first term begins, he or she will be eligible for renewal OTS for the remaining three years.
Applicants must not be receiving any other scholarship or funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), the Vanier Graduate Scholarship, the Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS), or any other organization.
Recipients who withdraw, do not finish the semester, or switch to part-time status without informing Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA) will be required to refund the monies received.

Each Ontario Trillium Scholarship is worth 40,000 Canadian dollars per year and is automatically renewed for up to four years as long as the winners maintain their academic status and meet the scholarship's eligibility requirements. This program's funding is contingent on the provincial government's annual affirmation of its support.