Research stipend composition

Background

A guaranteed minimum stipend is available to eligible research program students in the funded cohort at the Institute of Biomedical Engineering (BME). The minimum stipend constitutes a basic funding level, sometimes referred to as the unit’s normal funding package, to cover tuition and ancillary fees plus a living allowance, as one amount. Eligible students are guaranteed the unit’s minimum stipend for two years of master’s study and four years of doctoral study. Because financial circumstances are complex and unique to each individual, the minimum stipend is not intended as a comprehensive source of income, but rather as basic coverage to offset some costs of the student’s education during a period of the student’s program, should the student be unsuccessful in securing external research or scholarship funds that meet or exceed the base amount (i.e., baseline). Beyond the baseline, which includes students with awards equal to or less than $1999 Canadian dollars (Tier 1), the minimum stipend amount of student award holders increases in proportion (Tier 2–5) to the value of the award itself. The composition of the stipend may also change according to the award value as per BME’s funding model explained below.

Eligibility

An eligible student must:

• be registered in a graduate research program (MASc/PhD) at BME
• be in good academic standing
• be in good financial standing (all financial obligations from previous sessions have been paid)
• be within the unit’s normal period of funding (i.e., funded cohort: MASc years 1–2; PhD years 1–4)

Ineligibility

• Registered students within the unit’s normal period of funding but not in good academic standing may be ineligible for some or all the stipend amount, at the unit Director’s discretion.
• After students have reached the end of their time in the funded cohort (e.g., PhD year 5 and beyond), students may continue to receive a research stipend at their supervisor’s discretion. However, the amount and duration of funding after the student is out of the funded cohort are fully and solely determined by the supervisor.

Student award definition

Only student award recipients are eligible for tiered increases to the minimum guaranteed stipend. Most funding agencies issue awards to both faculty and students for academic training. The branding and categorization of award funds, which are often named after significant donors, agency partnerships, and/or specialized programs, may inadvertently lead to uncertainty about the identity of the award holder/recipient. For example, whereas faculty may use their award funds to pay students for research, such funds are not considered “student awards” (e.g., NSERC CREATE program, etc.) because the faculty member is the award holder. If in doubt, the award letter is often the best source for clarification because the award letter is normally addressed to the recipient.

Stipend baseline (i.e., Tier 1)

The guaranteed minimum stipend, available to eligible students in the funded cohort, covers tuition and ancillary fees plus a living allowance, as one amount. The guaranteed minimum stipend amount is subject to change if/when an individual wins a student award, based on the value of the award itself, according to a set range of award values (i.e., tiers).

Example: Jacob Smith (PhD domestic student, year 3)

If Jacob wins a $1,500 student award,

Then Jacob’s guaranteed minimum stipend entitlement is $34,500 ($33,000 + $1,500).

Stipend tiers (e.g., Tiers 2–5)

The supervisor may choose to decrease their financial contribution to the student stipend in proportion to the total combined value of award(s) won by the student, provided that the guaranteed minimum stipend amount is maintained. The supervisor determines the financial adjustment(s) to be made.

Example: Jolene Smith (MASc international student, year 1)

If Jolene wins a $12,000 student award,

Then Jolene’s guaranteed minimum stipend entitlement is $47,500.

Stipend range

• Minimum: The department sets the minimum stipend. Supervisors cannot pay students in the funded cohort below this minimum. Students in the funded cohort receive a guaranteed minimum stipend to cover the costs of tuition fees and basic living expenses. The tier of minimum stipend that the student is entitled to is based on the cumulative value of award(s) won by that student.  
• Maximum: The supervisor sets the maximum stipend. Beyond the minimum, the value of the total funding package is negotiated between the student and the supervisor.

Stipend/funding models

Payment schedule

• BME (departmental) contribution: Paid in Fall and/or Winter session(s) as equal instalments. Students can find the invoice for these payments in ACORN listed as “U of T Fellowship – BME”.
• Supervisor contribution: Scheduled by the research finance office. Normally, this is the human resources division of the department, research institute, or hospital location where the supervisor’s grant is held.
• Award contribution: Scheduled by the sponsor/funding agency. Award payout information is normally provided to the recipient in the award letter.

Note(s):

• Teaching assistantship: BME graduate students are not required to teach. Teaching assistantship income is not part of the guaranteed minimum stipend.
• Financial assistance: Additional financial support (e.g., UTAPS, OSAP, etc.) may be available for eligible students. Students must enquire by directly contacting the respective agencies about application policies and procedures, if applicable. See contacts below.

Contacts and additional resources

• BME funding policies: https://uthrprod.service-now.com/kb_view.do?sysparm_article=KB0012776
• How to accept and manage award(s): https://www.sgs.utoronto.ca/awards-funding/how-to-activate-maintain-your-award/
• Financial aid programs: https://www.sgs.utoronto.ca/awards-funding/financial-aid-advising/government-university-financial-assistance/