Conference Funding Assistance Program

Attention: There will be a delay in the processing of Conference Fund Applications from September 16th, 2019.
 
The OISE GSA thank you for your support as we transition to the incoming executives. The bi-elections is expected to conclude by October 24th. We anticipate a delay of up to 6 weeks from the date your application was submitted. Applications will be processed in the order in which they were received. 
 
Please continue to send your applications as normal. Applications received outside of the 30 day timeframe will not be processed.

The OISE Graduate Students’ Association is pleased to be able to offer graduate students financial assistance for presenting a paper or leading a workshop at a conference.  The OISE GSA is the only student body in the University of Toronto that offers students this kind of financial assistance for presenting at conferences. 

Presenting at conferences is very important for your academic and professional career and it is also a great experience.  The GSA would like to support and encourage students to build their CV and gain this valuable experience by presenting at conferences.

Before you submit your GSA conference funding assistance application please review the eligibility and documentation guidelines. 

Please fill out the downloadable application form below and email it to academic.gsa@utoronto.ca from your mail.utoronto.ca and include the subject Conference Funding Application, DD/MM/YY. We will not be processing any applications that are sent from non-mail.utoronto.ca emails.

Eligibility Requirements

Application Deadline

Documentation Guidelines

A completed GSA Conference Funding Assistance Program Application consists of four documents: your completed application form, attached documentation demonstrating proof of presentation, attached documentation demonstrating proof of travel, and attached documentation demonstrating proof of registration in OISE.

1) Completed Application Form

Please download the GSA Conference Funding Assistance Application. 

Before completing the form, please note the following:

  • The form must be completed electronically.
  • All fields are required, including the conference name.
  • If you are unable to provide required information or documentation, you may attach a supplementary one-page explanation and in kind documentation with your application.

2) Proof of Presentation

Please provide the following:

  • A copy (screenshot) of the front page of the conference booklet and the page that includes date and time of your presentation. Please highlight your presentation and name; please do not include the entire booklet.

3) Proof of Travel

Please provide one of the following:

  • Boarding passes showing travel to the city/region hosting the conference you attended; boarding passes must include your name and date of travel. 
  • Hotel check-out receipt that includes your name and shows balance paid.
  • Credit card or bank statement that indicates your name and the charges made in the location of your conference during the conference time period. Please highlight your name and the relevant charges.

N.B.: Unfortunately, the GSA regrets that it cannot accept travel itineraries as proof of travel (e.g. a receipt from Expedia, Travelocity, etc. for a flight/hotel), nor point-of-sale receipts (e.g. a receipt from a restaurant or gas station).

4) Proof of Student Registration

A screenshot of your ROSI/ACORN home page as proof that you are currently registered as a student. Please do not submit your transcript or any page that contains confidential academic information or grades. We only require a screenshot of your ROSI/ACORN homepage with the “Registered” text and your name located in the top right corner.

How to submit your application?

We are in the process of ensuring compliance with the University of Toronto on simplifying the electronic receipt of all forms and supporting documents. For the time being, we will not be accepting applications submitted directly through the website. Once the form has been downloaded (no signature is required) and completed, please attach supporting documents and send through your University of Toronto email to academic.gsa@utoronto.ca.

Graduate Students’ Association
Ontario Institute for Studies in Education
University of Toronto
252 Bloor Street West,
Room 8-105, Toronto, Ontario
M5S 1V6 Canada

Anti-Harassment Statement

Discrimination and harassment are illegal practices under the Ontario Human Rights Code. OISE’s Graduate Students’ Association (GSA) is committed to ensuring that all members are free from harassment and discrimination. Executive members of the GSA have the right to refuse communication of its members if the Executive member feels threatened. Harassment and discrimination denies Executive members their right to fully participate in their role as student leaders. Any GSA member has the right to contact authorities in emergency situations and to report harassment to Human Resources and Community Safety offices. In order to ensure that all communication remains professional and respectful, please only email Executive members to their GSA email, not personal emails. 

Conference Funding Formula

The GSA Conference Funding Assistance Program does not reimburse specific expenses incurred as part of your conference presentation or travel, rather it provides a grant to graduate students based on distance travelled from Toronto.

The following conference funding amounts were approved at the November 2016 GSA Council meeting to go into effect on January 1, 2017.

Distance

Role

Amount (Cdn $)

0 – 50

Presenting

75

51 – 500

Presenting

135

501 – 999

Presenting

230

1000+  (but within North America, with the exception of Hawaii

Presenting

250

Africa, Europe, Hawaii, Asia, Central America, South America

Presenting

400

Graduate Students' Conference Communication Board

Looking for partners for participating in academic conference? We have space for that!

On the GSA bulletin board, next to the GSA office on the 8th floor, we have designated space for posting messages in order to find conference partners for submitting panels, rideshares, hotel roommates, etc. You are invited to use this service to cooperate with colleagues and ease your conference costs.

Disclaimer: This billboard is designated for OISE graduate students to post messages to find conference partners. The GSA does not assume any responsibility for your decision to use this billboard and is not involved in screening posts, verifying their content, or providing any kind of service or assistance to students who make or respond to postings. You are strongly advised and encouraged to take measures to assure your safety.

Other Sources of Conference Funding

The Dean’s Office also provides funding for graduate students presenting at conferences. Please note that students must apply in advance of the conference and must submit their applications by the appropriate deadline date to be considered.

The School of Graduate Studies at the University of Toronto provides funding for graduate students presenting at conferences. Priority is given to students who are in the early stages of their academic career and who have not previously received an SGS Conference Grant while enrolled in their current program. Effective the Fall 2014 competition: SGS Conference Grants will be limited to one per graduate degree.

Ready to apply for conference funding?