Â鶹´«Ã½

Skip to main content
Dal.ca Home

Killam Predoctoral Scholarship Level (Master's) 1 and Level 2 (Doctoral)

A view of the Henry Hicks Building from green space with autumn leaves on trees in red yellow and orange hues.

Scholarship at a glance

Value: Up to $42,000 per year, plus $2,500 toward international tuition fees and relocation allowance, if applicable
Degree level: Thesis-based master's and doctoral (PhD)
Available to: Canadian or international students

Description

Â鶹´«Ã½ awards Killam Predoctoral Scholarships on a competitive basis to outstanding graduate students in thesis-based programs (Master's or Doctoral level) in any discipline in the sciences, engineering, humanities, and social sciences. Candidates are selected from the Harmonized Scholarship Process based on departmental support and the results of the university-level review process.

Master's students may hold a Killam Scholarship for up to 24 months (but not past the end of the second year of your program).  

PhD students may hold a Killam scholarship for up to 36 months, potentially extended to up to 48 months if you are successful in obtaining a Tri-agency doctoral scholarship during the Killam award period (but not past the end of your fourth year in program).If you are receiving other FGS-Managed awards (Tri-agency doctoral, NSGS, Scotia Scholar, MSSU, etc.), they will be subject to FGS funding stacking rules, resulting in the Killam or other awards being designated as honorary for some or all of the award duration.  

The $42,000/year (or $14,000/term) value of this award includes all forms of FGS-managed support such Tri-Agency awards, provincial scholarships, etc. Funding received from non-FGS managed sources such as departmental awards, faculty research grants and department allocations will not impact the value of Killam funding received. 

Relocation allowance

New Killam Scholars relocating to Nova Scotia to start their graduate program will be assisted with the cost of travel.  Reimbursement of expenses, not to exceed the lowest cost airfare available by the most direct route, will be made for you upon completion of travel and submission of a travel expense claim form with all original receipts and boarding passes (if applicable).  Expenses must be submitted for reimbursement no later than the end of your first term at Â鶹´«Ã½.  Unfortunately, no reimbursements are provided for the transportation of family members or personal effects

Non-paid interruption of award

Non-paid interruptions of awards for up to 12 months will be permitted for an approved leave of absence from the graduate program for which funding was received.  You may not interrupt an award in order to take up another award or to pursue studies other than those for which you have received funding.  

Paid parental leave

Effective May 1, 2021, predoctoral Killam scholars (Master's and Doctoral) can apply for paid parental leave benefits.  These benefits are intended to support those students who do not have access to other paid parental leave supports through tri-agency research or scholarship funding.

  • A Killam Predoctoral scholarship may be interrupted for a period of up to 12 months for parental leave.  

  • The benefit received includes a stipend of up to $1250/month for up to 12 months.  The stipend amount will be reduced by funding received from other sources (e.g. tri-agency scholarship or research grant parental leave benefits, or other funding sources).

  • Interruptions for this purpose must be taken within six months following the birth or adoption of the child.

  • Award holders may request a parental leave for every occasion of birth or adoption that occurs during the tenure of their award.

  • Multiple births or adoptions upon the same occasion (for example, twins or sibling adoptions) do not increase the duration or value of the leave.

  • The award holder must be the primary caregiver for the duration of the interruption.

  • If both parents hold Killam funding, they must share the paid leave for a cumulative maximum of 12 months.

  • Approval of paid parental leave is subject to the availability of Killam funds. 

Eligibility criteria

  • Awards are open to both Canadian and international students
  • If you are applying for a Master’s level award, you must not yet have begun your Master’s program to be eligible to apply.
  • If you are applying for a PhD level award, you must have spent less than 24 months in your doctoral program by May 1st of the award year to be eligible to apply. Note: If you have transferred or intend to transfer from a Master’s to a PhD without completing your Master’s, your time-in-program begins as of the transfer date.
  • ·You must also apply for funding from relevant provincial, national and/or international agencies, such as NSERC, SSHRC, CIHR, ResearchNS, NSGS etc.

Application overview