The Autism Scholars Award at University of Ottawa 2026

The Autism Scholars Awards Program was established with the support of the Ministry of Colleges and Universities to ensure that Ontario attracts and retains preeminent scholars studying autism. For the academic year 2026-27, the program offers up to two one-year awards of $18,000 at the master’s level, and up to three one-year awards of $20,000 at the doctoral level. Anyone wishing to submit an application for an Autism Scholars Award must meet their University’s submission deadline of December 1, 2025.

Summary

1. Application Deadline: December 1, 2025
2. Value: $18,000 – $20,000
3. Study Level: Masters, PhD
4. Sponsor: University of Ottawa
5. City to Study: Ottawa
6. School to Study: University of Ottawa
7. Eligible Country: Canada

Eligibility Criteria for The Autism Scholars Award at University of Ottawa 2026

To be eligible to receive an award, an applicant must be

1. A Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada at the time of the application deadline (January 30, 2026),
2. A registered as a full-time student in a master’s or doctoral program at an Ontario university at the beginning of the award period (fall 2026), and remain registered as a full-time student throughout the term of the award
3. A master’s student remains eligible until the end of the sixth term of full-time study.
4. A doctoral student remains eligible until the end of the 15th term of full-time study.
5. During the year an Autism Scholars Award is held, the recipient is precluded from holding any other award that offers financial support of more than $30,000 for that same year (subject to the university’s own policies).

Selection Process

1. Members of the Selection Committee are nominated by the Deans of Graduate Studies in Ontario’s universities and selected by the Ontario Council on Graduate Studies.
2. The Selection Committee assesses applicants for Autism Scholars Awards on their talent, the excellence of their work, the vision that they bring to their endeavours, and the impact that the committee expects to result from the applicant’s work, as indicated by:
3. The program of study and research and its potential contribution to the advancement of knowledge about autism;
4. Past academic results, demonstrated by transcripts, awards and distinctions;
5. Relevant professional and academic experience, including research training, as evidenced by papers presented at conferences and the candidate's publication record;
6. Written letters of appraisal;
7. Appropriateness of the choice of institution and supervising investigator.

Benefits of The Autism Scholars Award at University of Ottawa 2026

Master's Awards

1. $18,000

Doctoral Awards

1. $20,000

How to Apply

The application must be submitted Financial Aid and Awards Service by email to loansandawards@uOttawa.ca.

Please visit the Autism Scholars Awards website to obtain the application form and to learn about the eligibility criteria.

For more details, visit the Scholarship webpage

Application Deadline

December 1, 2025

Application Link(s)

• Apply for The Autism Scholars Award at University of Ottawa 2026