Chemical biology involves the use of small molecules to affect living systems. This multi-disciplinary approach to studying living systems incorporates everything from synthetic and analytical chemistry to structural and molecular biology.
Faculty of Science
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The main goal of the Chemical Biology program is to provide students with training that is at the interface of chemistry, biochemistry and biology, with a primary emphasis on understanding how the chemical biology approach can be used to solve complex biological problems such as the mechanisms of disease, the regulation of biological pathways and the roles of different biomolecules in controlling cellular function (or dysfunction). While research is carried out in a variety of areas, much of the work focusses on the areas of infection, imaging and interfaces. Degrees conferred within the program will require successful completion of a number of courses and a research thesis. Students are expected to make contributions the discipline and disseminate their work through scholarly publications and presentations.
The main goal of the Chemical Biology program is to provide students with training that is at the interface of chemistry, biochemistry and biology, with a primary emphasis on understanding how the chemical biology approach can be used to solve complex biological problems such as the mechanisms of disease, the regulation of biological pathways and the roles of different biomolecules in controlling cellular function (or dysfunction). While research is carried out in a variety of areas, much of the work focusses on the areas of infection, imaging and interfaces.
Degrees conferred within the program will require successful completion of a number of courses and a research thesis. Students are expected to make contributions the discipline and disseminate their work through scholarly publications and presentations.
The main goal of the Chemical Biology program is to provide students with training that is at the interface of chemistry, biochemistry and biology, with a primary emphasis on understanding how the chemical biology approach can be used to solve complex biological problems such as the mechanisms of disease, the regulation of biological pathways and the roles of different biomolecules in controlling cellular function (or dysfunction). While research is carried out in a variety of areas, much of the work focusses on the areas of infection, imaging and interfaces.
Degrees conferred within the program will require successful completion of a number of courses and a research thesis. Students are expected to make contributions the discipline and disseminate their work through scholarly publications and presentations.
Category:
Indigenous
Deadline Date:
March 20, 2025
Amount
$$$$
Heart & Stroke and Brain Canada are supporting the 2025/26 Doctoral Personnel Awards for Indigenous Scholars in committing up to a total of $480,000.
The stipends awarded will be up to $120,000 CAD ($40,000 per year for up to three (3) years) enabling Indigenous trainees to focus on their Doctoral research studies and engage with mentors as part of their training.
Visit their website for all application details.
This application is direct to the agency.
Category:
Indigenous
Deadline Date:
March 20, 2025
Amount
$$$$
Heart & Stroke and Brain Canada are supporting the 2025/26 Master’s Personnel Awards for Indigenous Scholars in committing up to a total of $270,000.
The stipends awarded will be up to $54,000 CAD ($27,000 per year for up to two (2) years) enabling Indigenous trainees to focus on their Master’s research studies and engage with mentors as part of their training.
This application is direct to agency.
Category:
Indigenous
Amount
Varied values
ACUNS established its scholarship program, the Canadian Northern Studies Trust (CNST) in 1982 to advance knowledge and understanding of Canada’s North. The purpose of the CNST is to develop a cadre of scholars and scientists with northern experience and, at the same time, to enhance the educational opportunities available for northern residents.
For a list of scholarships and funding available, as well as eligibility criteria, award values, application details, and deadlines, visit the ACUNS website.
Category:
Indigenous
Deadline Date:
December 2, 2024
Amount
$$$
With the support of the Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities, a scholar awards program in autism has been established to ensure that Ontario attracts and retains pre-eminent scholars. The community of autism scholars fostered by this awards program will excel, according to internationally accepted standards of scientific excellence, in the creation of new knowledge concerning child autism, and its translation into improved health for children, more effective services and products for children with autism, and increase the province’s capacity in diagnosis and assessment of autism and a strengthened treatment system.
One one-year award at the master’s level and up to two one-year awards at the doctoral level will be made by the COU:
Category:
Indigenous
Amount
The bi-national program is an educational exchange, with a mandate to enhance mutual understanding between the people of Canada and the people of the United States of America. Available to graduate students, faculty, professionals and independent researchers, successful applicants conduct research, lecture, or enroll in formal academic programs in the United States. Fulbright Canada offers various scholarship awards within this program, with further information on the various award opportunities made available through the Canada-US Fulbright Program website.
For eligibility criteria, award values, application details and deadlines, visit the Fulbright website.
Category:
Indigenous
Deadline Date:
December 14, 2023
Amount
$$$
The CIHR Strategic Master’s Award program provides financial support to scholars who are engaged in an eligible master’s program in Canada (refer to Eligibility) and that are relevant to specific CIHR priority research areas. This support allows these scholars to concentrate on their studies in their chosen fields.
The CIHR Strategic Master’s Award program is supported by CIHR Institutes and Initiatives with specific priority areas and is administered by CIHR.
Category:
Indigenous
Deadline Date:
December 2, 2024
Amount
$$$
The CGS M Awards Program supports students in all research disciplines and is administered jointly by Canada’s three federal granting agencies: the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC). The selection process and post-award administration are carried out at the university level, under the guidance of the three agencies.
Category:
Indigenous
Deadline Date:
April 30, 2023
Amount
$$
The Dr. J. A. Campbell Young Investigator Award of $5,000 for any kind of research into celiac disease and / or gluten sensitivity is available to students and those who have recently completed degrees.
Eligibility criteria, application details and deadlines available on the Canadian Celiac Association website.
Category:
Indigenous
Amount
$
Established in 2019 by a Ph.D. graduate from the Class of ’95. To be awarded by the School of Graduate Studies to full-time students enrolled in a Master’s of Science or Ph.D. program in the Faculty of Science who demonstrate excellence in academic achievement.
Category:
Indigenous
Deadline Date:
November 15, 2023
Amount
$ – $$$
Traditional Fulbright Canada Student awards are intended for Canadian citizens who are graduate students, prospective graduate students, or promising young professionals who wish to study and/or conduct research in the United States. Awards may be held at any university, research centre, think tank, or government agency in the United States.
For eligibility criteria, award values, application details and deadlines, visit the Fulbright Canada website.
Category:
Indigenous
Amount
$
The GSA Travel Assistance Grants are funded from the proceeds of the Graduate Students Association Development Fund, which receives contributions from graduate students and the University. The GSA Travel Assistance Grants fund is administered through the School of Graduate Studies. The GSA Travel Assistance Grants are designed to enable graduate students to travel to undertake research or present at conferences relevant to their field of study. There are a fluctuating number of awards available each semester.
The successful recipients will be determined randomly by selecting one recipient from each faculty (Health Sciences, Engineering, Science, Humanities, Social Sciences, and Business) and the balance of the awards left in a given period will be randomly selected from a list of the remaining applicants from all faculties combined.
Application dates:
Category:
Indigenous
Amount
$$
The H.G. Hilton Master’s Scholarships were established by the income from a bequest in the estate of Hugh G. Hilton, at one time Chief Executive Officer of Stelco and member of the McMaster Board of Governors support a Master’s scholarship. The scholarship is tenable for one year, and is awarded annually to incoming Canadian citizens, permanent residents or, international students from departments which offer full-time Master’s graduate studies. Priority will be given to students intending research in Canadian industry or industrial problems. Other things being equal, preference will be given to deserving children of employees or former employees of Stelco Ltd.
Category:
Indigenous
Amount
A comprehensive list of funding sources and agencies for postdoctoral fellows in the Faculty of Health Sciences and those doing health-related research can be found in McMaster’s funding database.. On the site, you will find a variety of filters to help you in your search.
Category:
Indigenous
Amount
$$$$
The Hugh C. Morris Experiential Learning Fellowship, valued at $40,000 Cdn, is open to any graduate student studying in Canada who is working in a field related to
or the social impact, social sciences or design sciences related to these areas, and is designed to provide a unique experiential, international travel program designed by the student to engage diverse sectors, advance their research, learn from a range of contexts and cultures, and bring their learning back to Canada.
Review deadlines and all associated information on the Kimberley Foundation website.
Category:
Indigenous
Amount
$
Established in honour of McMaster Faculty of Engineering PhD students Iman Aghabali and Mehdi Eshaghian, and a former Faculty of Health Science Post-Doctoral Fellow, who lost their lives on the downing of Ukrainian International Airlines Flight PS752. To be awarded by the School of Graduate Studies, on the recommendation of the Associate Deans responsible for graduate studies, to international graduate students from Iran who demonstrate academic excellence.
Category:
Indigenous
Deadline Date:
December 2, 2024
Amount
$$$
In honour of the achievement of John Charles Polanyi, recipient of the 1986 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, the Government of the Province of Ontario has established a fund to provide annually up to five prizes to outstanding researchers in the early stages of their career who are continuing to postdoctoral studies or have recently started a faculty appointment at an Ontario university.
Category:
Indigenous
Amount
$
Established in 2022 by Joseph and Joanne Lee. To be awarded by the School of Graduate Studies, on the recommendation of the Faculty of Science, to a graduate student who demonstrates academic or research excellence within the Origin’s Institute.
Category:
Indigenous
Deadline Date:
April 30, 2024
Amount
$
This award is through the True Sport Foundation of Canada. Open to applicants who are
All questions should be directed to the True Sport Foundation of Canada.
Visit their website for all details and contact information.
Category:
Indigenous
Deadline Date:
March 15, 2021
Amount
$$
The advent of large collection of data and ensuing development in data analysis techniques has made collaboration between data scientists and content experts necessary for cutting-edge research. Furthermore, there is a need for trainees to be exposed to both aspects of such research, namely for data science trainees to learn about real life practical projects and for content expert trainees to gain experience in data analysis and management. The aims of the MacDATA Graduate Fellowship Program are:
Category:
Indigenous
Deadline Date:
February 3, 2025
Amount
$$-$$$
The Mackenzie King Scholarships were established as an independent charitable trust under the will of the late Rt. Hon. William Mackenzie King (1874-1950).
Two classes of Mackenzie King Scholarship are available. Both are to support graduate study by graduates of Canadian universities. Those whose previous degrees are from outside Canada are ineligible to apply, notwithstanding that they seek support for doing graduate studies in Canada.
Category:
Indigenous
Deadline Date:
March 31, 2023
Amount
$$
Manulife has introduced the first Life Lessons Scholarship Program in Canada, for students who’ve experienced the death of a parent or guardian with little to no life insurance. The Scholarship Program helps combat the financial burden of paying for post-secondary education during an emotional time and recognizes the perseverance that so many youth show in such adversity.
The next application call for this scholarship opens on February 1, 2024. Visit the Manulife website for details on that date.
Category:
Indigenous
Deadline Date:
February 23, 2024
Amount
$$$
Four scholarships open to master’s and PhD students who are conducting research on determinants, impacts, and policy or program interventions into food insecurity in Canada.
Visit Maple Leaf Centre for Food Insecurity to learn more and apply.
Questions can be directed to info@feedopportunity.com.
Category:
Indigenous
Deadline Date:
December 1, 2024
Amount
$
The Mary Buzzell Graduate Scholarship for Resilient Aging will be awarded to an outstanding student enrolled in any Master’s Degree program at McMaster University who is preparing for a career in the multidisciplinary field of Aging. This award is sponsored by Hamilton Aging in Community.
Mary Buzzell, a McMaster University faculty member in Nursing, was recognized by McMaster with an honorary doctorate as a pioneer in resilient aging, especially through innovative educational and community programs.
Category:
Indigenous
Amount
$
A bursary is based solely on financial need. In most cases, information from your OSAP application is used to determine your financial need (some students who don’t receive OSAP can still apply for a bursary).
The McMaster Graduate General Bursary Program application opens mid-August in AwardSpring. Funding is paid out in mid-February.
Graduate students who demonstrate financial need can apply for the McMaster Graduate General Bursary Program.
Please note: The McMaster Graduate General Bursary Program is not open to international students enrolled in graduate studies, MBA, medicine or physician assistant programs.
Bursary eligibility requirements:
Category:
Indigenous
Deadline Date:
July 15, 2020
Amount
$$$$
Prospective postdoctoral fellows are invited to submit a research plan that focuses on interdisciplinary, impact-driven approaches in the study of optimal aging through one or more of the following research areas:
The applicant and principal supervisor are expected to involve at least two other researchers from two different McMaster faculties (outside of the principal supervisor’s faculty) as mentors in the development of an interdisciplinary research plan.
Category:
Indigenous
Deadline Date:
November 1, 2019
Amount
$$$$
The DeGroote Fellowship Awards are offered in TWO categories:
For eligibility criteria, award values, application details and deadlines, visit the DeGroote Fellowship Awards web page.
Category:
Indigenous
Deadline Date:
November 25, 2024
Amount
$$$
The McMaster Institute for Research on Aging (MIRA) provides funding to support interdisciplinary research on aging led by McMaster researchers from across all six Mac Faculties.
The MIRA Graduate Scholarship Program is open to applicants entering year one of a master’s program and year one or two of a doctoral program.
Applicants are invited to submit a research proposal focusing on interdisciplinary, impact-driving approaches in the study of aging.
Visit the MIRA website for all details, including how to apply.
Category:
Indigenous
Deadline Date:
March 15, 2020
Amount
$
The McMaster Institute for Research on Aging funds up to 10 graduate student travel awards per year – five in each round – valued at $500 each for students working with MIRA researchers. Graduate students travelling to an academic conference to present an accepted abstract in aging research are eligible for up to $500 in travel funding.
For details about this and other funding opportunities, visit MIRA.
Deadlines for 2020: March 15 and September 15
Category:
Indigenous
Deadline Date:
November 13, 2024
Amount
The Mitacs-JSPS Summer program is offered in partnership with the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science and Mitacs. It provides opportunities for full-time graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in Canada to pursue collaborative research in Japan.
Category:
Indigenous
Amount
Established in 2020 the McMaster University Retirees Association (MURA). To be awarded by the School of Graduate Studies to a graduate student researching technological advances related to seniors, and who demonstrates academic excellence.
Category:
Indigenous
Deadline Date:
March 14, 2024
Amount
$$$
Two OGS-I scholarships are awarded to Indigenous graduate students at McMaster University who face significant financial hardship, with particular priority given to women with family responsibilities.
This criteria has been established in consultation with the Indigenous Education Council (IEC) and is adjudicated by a committee chaired through the Indigenous Studies Program.
Category:
Indigenous
Amount
$$$
Ontario Graduate Fellowships (OGF) provide funding to full-time students in graduate studies at the masters and doctoral level. It’s a merit-based scholarship for students with an A- or above.
Value: $12,000 ($4,000 per term)
Duration: 1 year
Category:
Indigenous
Amount
$$$
The Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) and The Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship in Science and Technology (QEII-GSST) programs provide funding to full-time students at the master’s and doctoral levels. They are merit-based scholarships for students with an A- or above average.
Category:
Indigenous
Amount
$$$
The Ontario Graduate Scholarship for International Students is by nomination only. Applicants to this award must contact their department for application instructions
Category:
Indigenous
Deadline Date:
December 2, 2024
Amount
$$$$
Funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, a scholar awards program in women’s health has been established to ensure that Ontario attracts and retains pre-eminent women’s health scholars.
The community of women’s health scholars fostered by this awards program will excel, according to internationally accepted standards of scientific excellence, in the creation of new knowledge about women’s health and its translation into improved health for women, more effective health services and products for women, and a strengthened health care system.
Category:
Indigenous
Amount
$
To be granted to graduate students enrolled in any program who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ students and demonstrate financial need.
Category:
Indigenous
Amount
$
Established in 2022 through the estate of Dr. Robin Cox ‘70. To be awarded by the School of Graduate Studies on the recommendation of the Chair of the Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology to graduate student Teaching Assistants (TAs) who demonstrate academic excellence and exhibit dedication, leadership, and passion in their role as teachers and mentors. Preference will be given to TAs assisting in first-year chemistry or second-year organic chemistry. Students can only receive this award once.
Category:
Indigenous
Amount
$$
At least three awards, each in the amount of $4000, will be awarded annually to the women graduate students who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in the university or general community while maintaining exemplary academic records.
Women registered in master’s or PhD programs within a designated region. Regions and number of awards rotate each year. SWAAC has designated Ontario as the region for this 2023 competition. There are five awards available for this competition. Each university may nominate one person for the award.
Read about McMaster PhD student Liza-Anastasia DiCecco, who received the 2023 SWAAC Award of Merit.
Category:
Indigenous
Amount
$
The Barkley’s of Avonmore Scholarship was established in 1977 through the generosity of Fred Barkley to assist a student from a developing country to pursue advanced studies at McMaster University. Each year the Dean of Graduate Studies will identify a worthy graduate student from one of the developing countries to receive the award.
Category:
Indigenous
Amount
$
Established in 2022 by David Feeny and George Torrance, founding members of the Centre for Health Economics and Policy Analysis (CHEPA). To be awarded by the School of Graduate
Studies to doctoral students enrolled in any program, who are conducting research under the supervision of faculty members belonging to CHEPA and who demonstrate academic and
research excellence. The scholarship will support PhD students who have successfully completed their comprehensive examinations. Preference will be given to students with research interests that include health-related quality of life, health technology assessment, health economics, health services research, health policy or determinants of health.
Category:
Indigenous
Amount
$$
Established in 2013 to honour the memory of Dr. Colin Webber, McMaster University professor, physicist, radiation safety expert, teacher, mentor, and leader in the field of bone research. To be awarded by the School of Graduate Studies to master’s or doctoral students. Preference will be given to students who demonstrate interest in bone research.
Value: Minimum $1,600
Category:
Indigenous
Amount
$
Established in 2022 by the family of Edna Howard, this bursary honours the support Edna offered graduate students through her work as a cook at The Phoenix Bar and Grill, owned and
operated by the Graduate Students Association. Her food warmed the hearts of the McMaster campus community for many years until her retirement. To be granted by the School of
Graduate Studies to full-time students in any program who demonstrate financial need.
Category:
Indigenous
Amount
$
The Graduate Students Association Bursary was established in 1999 by the Graduate Students Association at McMaster University under the McMaster Student Opportunity Fund initiative. To be granted to a full-time or part-time graduate student in one of the following faculties: Engineering, Health Sciences, and Humanities, Science, Social Sciences, or the PhD program in Business. The bursary will be awarded annually by the School of Graduate Studies on the recommendation of the Graduate Students Association.
Category:
Indigenous
Amount
$
The H.Vincent Elliott Memorial Travel Bursary was established in 2010 by Dr. Susan J.Elliott (MA `97 and PhD`92), esteemed former Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, professor of Geography and Earth Sciences, and senior research fellow at the United Nations Institute on Water (UNU-IWEH), Environment and Health, in memory of her father, H.Vincent Elliott. To be granted by the School of Graduate Studies on the recommendation on the program director of ‘Water Without Borders’ to students registered in a Master’s or PhD program will be given to students in financial need.
Category:
Indigenous
Amount
$
Established in 1995 with funds from the estate of Helen S. Harvey. James F. Harvey was a member of the first McMaster graduating class in Hamilton in 1935. This travel scholarship will enable students to engage in research requiring travel. To be awarded by the School of Graduate Studies to graduate students who demonstrate academic excellence.
Category:
Indigenous
Amount
Established in 2022 by the Lambda Scholarship Foundation Canada. To be awarded by the School of Graduate Studies to a graduate student who is currently enrolled in their first year of any program who identifies as a member of the queer, trans community and is Black, racialized, or Indigenous.
Category:
Indigenous
Amount
$
Established in 2019 by Mary (Class of ’48) and Dr. Harold Waterman (Class of ’48 & ’49). To be granted to a graduate student enrolled in the Faculty of Science who demonstrates financial need.
Category:
Indigenous
Amount
$
Established in 2005 by the Surgical Associates in memory of Myra Baillie. To be granted to a graduate student in any degree program who attains and “A” average and demonstrates financial need. Preference will be given to a female graduate student.
Award Value: 2 awards of $1,000 each
Category:
Indigenous
Deadline Date:
March 8, 2024
Amount
$-$$
The SGS Grant is intended to be a grant in aid of research; students should not expect the grants to cover the full cost of travel or field work.
The School of Graduate Studies (SGS) Grant is not intended for conference or course work travel.
It is not meant to replace sources of funding already available from the tri-agencies (CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC), other external granting sources, or internal scholarships and bursaries.
It is not intended to fund the research itself, but the travel to do the research.
The application will open in Mosaic on January 8, 2024, and close on March 8, 2024.
Category:
Indigenous
Deadline Date:
March 28, 2022
Amount
$$-$$$
The Wilson Leader Scholarship Award for graduate students is different. Valued at $12,000 in direct funding and up to $2,000 for experiential funding, it’s a leadership development and career launcher program that builds on your studies. It involves about 15 hours/month, including time for synchronous group events between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET.
Awarded to up to three graduate students annually.
Category:
Indigenous
Amount
$
The Yates Scholarship Fund (up to $500) was established in 1963 by the bequest of William Henry Yates. This fund support upper-level doctoral students with research activities and conference travel when a paper is being delivered. Applicants must have completed their comprehensive exam.
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