Financial Support for First Nations, Inuit and Métis Students and Black, Persons of Colour or Racialized Students

The University of Guelph has a long-standing commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion on our campuses. One of the initiatives highlighted in the University's action plan is to create new awards for students who are First Nations, Inuit, and Métis as well as Black, Persons of Colour or Racialized Students.

If you are a First Nations, Inuit, or Metis student interested in applying to any awards below, please read about the Indigenous Student Self-Identification process and how to apply.

The Open Doors Program

The Open Doors Program provides a Research Honorarium ($1000) for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Students and Black students who are registered in a faculty-guided independent research project for credit at the 4000-level, including but not limited to independent study, independent research project, directed reading, and honours thesis courses.

Faculty-guided independent research provides students with the opportunity to develop research skills for academic success at the graduate level. Participants who go on to pursue a thesis-based master’s degree at the University of Guelph within five years will be awarded a $2,500 Graduate Entrance Scholarship. Please contact Dr. Jade Ferguson at jfergu05@uoguelph.ca for scholarship information.

Participants applying to a graduate program at the University of Guelph will be provided with an application fee waiver. All disciplines are encouraged to apply.

Prior to applying to the Open Doors Program, students are expected to identify a faculty supervisor and complete a Course Outline.

Course Outline

Working with the faculty supervisor, students will create a Course Outline with a grading structure. The supervisor must also be available to meet throughout the semester to grade assignments and provide feedback. Please note that 20% of the grade must be in by the 40th day of class, and the final submission cannot be more than 50%.

Students who need assistance identifying a faculty supervisor can connect with the Associate Dean, Academic Equity and Anti-Racism, by contacting Dr. Jade Ferguson at jfergu05@uoguelph.ca.

How to Apply

1. Complete the Open Doors Program Application Form including the upload of your Course Outline.
2. On the online application, all applicants are asked to indicate if they identify as Black and/or First Nations, Inuit, and Métis. There are no additional supporting documents required to confirm Black identity under the Open Doors Program. First Nations, Inuit, and Métis applicants are required to confirm their identity by completing the Indigenous Identity Confirmation Process for Students.
3. All questions should be directed to Dr. Jade Ferguson at jfergu05@uoguelph.ca.

Deadlines

• For 2024/25, we are accepting applications for the program from students who are registered and/or have completed a faculty-guided independent research project for credit at the 4000-level in F24, W25, and S25.
• We encourage students to complete an application before March 30, 2025.