Ontario Trillium Scholarship

The Ontario Trillium Scholarship (OTS) represents a strategic initiative by the Ontario government to facilitate the pursuit of Ph.D. degrees by international students at esteemed universities in the province. This renewable scholarship, spanning up to four years, operates on a balanced 2:3 to 2:1 funding ratio from the government to institutions.

Under this program, 15 distinct scholarships cater to eligible doctoral students, with universities in Ontario playing a pivotal role in candidate selection based on program criteria and academic merit.

Each eligible student is entitled to an annual scholarship of 40,000 CAD throughout their doctoral journey. The distribution of these scholarships is efficiently managed by each university’s unit of graduate studies, which oversees the application reception, evaluation, and subsequent candidate selection process. This comprehensive initiative underscores Ontario’s commitment to fostering global academic excellence and research contributions.

Application Deadline

Features of the Ontario Trillium Scholarship

The Ontario Trillium Scholarship (OTS) is a prestigious initiative by the Ontario Government, presenting the following key features:

1. Annual Awards: The Ontario Government annually bestows 15 Ontario Trillium Scholarships to outstanding doctoral students worldwide.
2. Financial Support: Recipients receive an impressive annual amount of 40,000 CAD, providing substantial financial assistance.
3. Renewable: The scholarship is renewable for up to four years, ensuring sustained support throughout the doctoral program.
4. Disciplinary Inclusivity: OTS supports scholars pursuing a Ph.D. in any discipline at leading universities in Ontario.
5. Distribution Process: The unit of graduate studies at each university administers the fair and transparent distribution of the scholarship. Universities carefully assess applications and nominate deserving candidates for the OTS award.

The Ontario Trillium Scholarship stands as a symbol of academic excellence and international collaboration, empowering doctoral students in their pursuit of knowledge and research.

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Eligibility Criteria for the Ontario Trillium Scholarship (OTS)

The eligibility criteria for the OTS may vary based on the scholarship type and the affiliated university. Nominations typically occur in the winter session for admission in the subsequent fall, spring, or winter terms.

To qualify for the OTS, an applicant must:

1. International Student Status: Hold the status of an international student with a valid Canadian student visa.
2. English Proficiency: Demonstrate proficiency in English at the time of application.
3. Enrollment Intention: Intend to enroll in a full-time, doctoral-level degree-granting graduate program.
4. Exclusion from Other Scholarships: Not currently hold other Canadian scholarships, including the Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship in Science and Technology (QEII-GSST), UW Provost Graduate Scholarship.
5. University Enrollment: Express willingness to enroll in a doctoral program at a university in Ontario.
6. Academic Achievement: Attain a minimum average of 8.0 on a 10.0 scale in a full-time master’s degree, equivalent to 80% in Ontario.
7. Educational Background: Not have completed an undergraduate or postgraduate degree at any Ontario university or college immediately before applying for admission to the doctoral program under the OTS.
8. Current Student Status: Not be a current student at a post-secondary institution in Ontario at the graduate or undergraduate level.

The eligibility criteria are designed to ensure that deserving candidates meeting academic excellence standards and international status are considered for the prestigious Ontario Trillium Scholarship.

Eligibility Criteria for Nominations:

To be nominated for the Ontario Trillium Scholarship (OTS), candidates must meet the following criteria:

1. International Student Status: The applicant must be an international student.
2. English Proficiency: Proficiency in the English language is required at the time of application.
3. Non-Enrollment in Ontario Institutions: The applicant must not be a current student at any Ontario postsecondary institution at the undergraduate or graduate level.
4. Academic Excellence: The candidate must hold an 8.0/10 or A-average (equivalent to 80% in Ontario) in both years of full-time study in Canada.
5. Program Enrollment Intent: The applicant must intend to enroll in a doctoral-level, full-time degree-granting graduate program.

Eligibility to Receive the Ontario Trillium Scholarship:

For candidates to be eligible to receive the OTS, the following additional criteria apply:

1. Temporary Resident Visa: The applicant must have received a temporary resident visa as a member of the student class under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada) by the start date of the Ph.D. program.
2. Satisfactory Progress: The applicant must maintain satisfactory progress throughout the duration of the OTS award during their degree program.
3. Renewal with Permanent Residency: Even if the recipient obtains permanent residency after the start of the first term of study, the Ontario Trillium Scholarship will continue to renew.
4. Exclusion from Other Scholarships: The candidate must not hold any scholarship or fellowship from other sources like Tri-Council (Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research) or MTCU (Ontario Graduate Scholarship, Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship in Science and Technology).
5. Full-Time Registration: The candidate must be present and registered full-time in the Ph.D. program from the first day for the entire duration of the program.

Application Process for Ontario Trillium Scholarship (OTS):

The application process for the Ontario Trillium Scholarship (OTS) is administered by the unit of graduate studies at each eligible university. While specific procedures may vary among institutions, the general process includes the following steps:

1. University Oversight: Each university’s unit of graduate studies manages the application and selection processes for the OTS program.
2. Document Requirements: Applicants need to submit a comprehensive set of documents, including:
   • Appropriately filled application form.
   • Copies of all university transcripts.
   • Valid Canadian study permit.
   • Copy of the applicant’s average calculation.
   • Proof of standardized test scores (e.g., IELTS, SAT, etc.).
   • Letters of recommendation.
   • List of research contributions.
   • List of awards and scholarships received.
   • Applicant’s CV.
   • Plan of studies.
   • OTS letter of support from an authorized supervisor.
   • Proof of good health.
3. Automatic Nomination: Many universities, such as the University of Toronto, University of Ottawa, York University, etc., automatically nominate eligible high-performing students who have applied for admission.

The application and selection process aims to identify outstanding candidates who demonstrate academic excellence, research contributions, and a commitment to their chosen field of study. The involvement of universities in the process ensures a rigorous evaluation of applicants for the prestigious Ontario Trillium Scholarship. How to apply for university in Canada? | Application Process

Selection Process for Ontario Trillium Scholarship (OTS):

The selection process for the Ontario Trillium Scholarship (OTS) involves a dedicated selection committee appointed by the Vice-Provost, Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (OGPS). The committee is responsible for evaluating applications and selecting recipients based on merit and program criteria.

Key Elements of the Selection Process:

1. Committee Evaluation: A committee of experts thoroughly evaluates the applications, considering various factors such as academic excellence, research contributions, and the candidate’s alignment with program criteria.
2. Merit-Based Selection: Recipients are chosen based on their exceptional academic achievements, research endeavors, and overall merit. The aim is to identify individuals who exhibit outstanding potential in their chosen field of study.

Terms and Conditions of the Ontario Trillium Scholarship:

1. Leave of Absence: Candidates can request an interruption of the Trillium for up to one year, subject to approval. This can be granted for reasons such as maternity or parental leave, immigration processes, compassionate leave (e.g., bereavement), or medical and family leave.
2. Repayment Conditions: Recipients may be required to repay the award if certain conditions are met, including:
   • Transferring to another institution.
   • Completing the program before the natural end of the scholarship.
   • Withdrawing from the program.
   • Failing to maintain acceptable academic standing.
   • Losing full-time status.
   • Becoming ineligible for the renewal of OTS.

These terms and conditions ensure that the scholarship is utilized by deserving candidates who remain committed to their academic pursuits throughout the duration of the program.

Ontario Trillium Scholarship (OTS) Grant Details:

Introduction and Purpose: The Ontario Trillium Scholarship (OTS) was established by the Ontario government in November 2010 to attract highly qualified international students for doctoral studies at prestigious universities in the region. This initiative combines resources from government funds and participating universities to support outstanding candidates pursuing a Ph.D. program across various disciplines.

Grant Details:

• Scholarship Value: Each Ontario Trillium Scholarship is valued at 40,000 CAD annually.
• Renewal Period: The scholarship is automatically renewed for up to four years, subject to the recipients maintaining academic standing and meeting eligibility criteria.
• Permanent Residency Impact: If an OTS recipient obtains permanent residency in Canada after the start of the first term, they remain eligible for the renewal OTS for the remaining three years.
• Funding Source: The funding for OTS is contingent on the provincial government’s annual confirmation of support.

Terms and Conditions:

1. Additional Scholarships/Funding: OTS recipients must not concurrently hold additional scholarships or funding from entities such as SSHRC, CIHR, NSERC, Vanier Graduate Scholarship, Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS), etc.
2. Repayment Conditions: Recipients who withdraw, fail to complete the term, or transfer to part-time status without consulting with Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA) may be required to repay the received funds.
3. Automatic Renewal: OTS is automatically renewed each year for up to four years, emphasizing the importance of maintaining academic excellence and meeting scholarship criteria.

The OTS program aims to provide sustained financial support to exceptional doctoral students, contributing to the academic and research environment in Ontario.

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