University of Guelph Open Doors Program (Indigenous and Black Students)

What you will need

• ✓ Completed Open Doors Program Application Form
• ✓ Uploaded Course Outline created with a faculty supervisor
• ✓ For First Nations, Inuit, and Métis applicants: confirmation of identity through the Indigenous Identity Confirmation Process for Students

About this award

You can receive a $1,000 Research Honorarium for your work. If you later pursue a thesis-based master’s degree at the University of Guelph within five years of this program, you will be awarded a $2,500 Graduate Entrance Scholarship. As these are grants, you do not have to pay this money back. This is for you if you are a Black student or a First Nations, Inuit, or Métis student doing a faculty-guided independent research project for credit at the 4000 level. Depending on your project term, you must apply by November 1 for Fall semester projects, March 1 for Winter semester projects, or July 1 for Summer semester projects. No specific notification timeline is posted publicly — you should email grschol@uoguelph.ca or Dr. Cara Wehkamp to ask how and when you will be notified of a decision. Selection criteria aren't published — ask the University of Guelph how winners are chosen and roughly how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds. Ask the University of Guelph during your application how the money will reach you — some awards pay students directly, others apply funds to tuition. Confirm this so you can plan your cash flow. Renewal conditions aren't listed — if you're counting on this for multiple years, confirm with the University of Guelph whether it's one-time or renewable and what you need to maintain.

Who qualifies

You must be a Black student or a First Nations, Inuit, or Métis student. First Nations, Inuit, and Métis applicants confirm their identity through the University's Indigenous Identity Confirmation Process (once is enough); Black applicants do not need extra documents. You must be registered in a faculty-guided independent research project for credit at the 4000-level, such as an honours thesis, directed reading, or independent study. All academic disciplines are welcome to apply.

This is what the award's official page said when we last checked. Rules change, so confirm on the award's official page before you apply.

• ✓ Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• ✓ Open to undergraduate students

How to apply

1. 1

   Read the award's official page

   Check you meet every requirement, and note each document they ask for.

2. 2

   Submit your application

   Save a copy, and submit at least a day before the deadline shown above.

Tips for applying

• Course OutlineAvoid submitting a vague project description. Instead, work closely with your faculty supervisor to create a detailed Course Outline with a clear grading structure. Ensure your outline specifies that 20% of the grade is due by the 40th day of class.
• SupportAvoid searching for a supervisor alone if you are stuck. Instead, reach out to Dr. Cara Wehkamp, the Assistant Vice-President of Indigenous Initiatives, for help identifying a faculty member who can supervise your research.
• StrategyAvoid applying before you have a confirmed mentor. Instead, secure your faculty supervisor first and finalize your Course Outline, as these are required before you can submit the Open Doors Program application.
• RealismAvoid assuming the graduate scholarship is automatic regardless of your path. Instead, remember that the $2,500 award is specifically for those who enter a thesis-based master’s degree at the University of Guelph within five years.

Questions students ask

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