Why give?

Pursuing graduate studies presents significant challenges. In the course of their studies, students become the architects of their own education more than ever before. It’s an exciting journey but it costs money. Students need to balance family life, social life, work and studies. Ultimately, graduate studies prepare the best and brightest of the new generation to put their skills and talents to work for the benefit of society. But to successfully navigate this path, students must have the right conditions. For many, that includes financial support.

Financial problems are one of the main factors cited by students who drop out of school. The Office of the Assistant Vice-Rector for Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies attaches great importance to securing funding for graduate students. We believe that funding from institutional and external sources as part of a comprehensive study plan is an effective lever for increasing graduation rates and reducing completion times. Université de Montréal, its faculties and departments therefore provide financial support to the student community. Their goal is to provide all students enrolled in graduate research programs with a minimum level of financial support for a fixed period.

Faculty members support their students by awarding scholarships or research assistantships from their own grants. Funding agencies and a number of foundations also offer scholarships. However, the needs far outstrip the funding available from these sources.

Donor-funded scholarships are therefore vitally important. Financial support is not only a key factor in academic success but also benefits society as a whole through the research it helps fund. Developing a strong philanthropic tradition will enable Université de Montréal to better support the training of young researchers and propel them onto the national and international stage.

By partnering with the Office of the Assistant Vice-Rector for Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, you will be contributing to the training of the next generation and the production of knowledge to meet current and future societal needs. It is sometimes forgotten that students actively contribute to society. For example, graduate students make a direct contribution to research. Others do clinical or practical internships in their chosen profession. All help expand the frontiers of knowledge and disseminate it. By giving to support scholarships, you are investing in the students who are our future.