CPS Complementary Education Fund

CPS Complementary Education Fund

The Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences (CPS) provides graduate students funding to pursue and expand their skill set and to explore research and/or professional topics that are not emphasized through training in the lab, field, or classroom. In the past, our graduate students took various courses, but to name a few:

  • Bootcamp on Machine Learning for Finance by Fields Institute
  • Python training
  • WriteNow program by the National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity
  • Epidemiology: The Basic Science of Public Health by Coursera
  • Good Manufacturing Practice & Good Laboratory Practice and Persuation & Negotiation in Business by U of T's School of Continueing Studies

Student Eligibility

The fund is open to all research stream graduate students (Masters and PhD) who are affiliated at the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) and are supervised by a CPS faculty member.

To be appropriately identified in ROSI as 'UTM affiliated', students need to complete and submit the Campus Affiliation form on the Provost website.

Eligible students must satisfy the following departmental requirements:

  • all of your TA duties/hours as per your graduate funding package - the expectation is that all of your TA duties are met at CPS; however, in some special cases, exceptions can be made
  • attend the CPS colloquium series (at least 15 seminars per year)

Grant Purpose & Timing

The CPS Complementary Education Fund (CEF) will provide financial assistance to graduate students who wish to enroll in academic and/or professional development courses that are not covered by tuition. These courses can be taken through online education sites, University of Toronto's School of Continuing Studies, and professional workshops (on and off campus). This fund is to encourage graduate students to pursue additional training during their degree with greater freedom by choosing topics specifically tailored to their academic interests, research needs, and career aspirations. 

The granting year runs from May 1st - April 30th and students are eligible for up to a combined maximum of $500 annually. Any unused balances will be returned to the funding pool at the end of each granting year. All such requests are at the sole discretion of the Chair.

Application Process & Deadlines

The CPS Complementary Education Fund Application Form must be completed and the printout of course/workshop details (which clearly shows the course name, date, time, and the location) attached. The form must be signed by both the student and the supervisor before being submitted to Michelle Bae (cpsgrad.utm@utoronto.ca), Graduate Student and TA Process Coordinator. Results of the application will be sent via e-mail to the student.

All applications must be submitted at least 2 weeks in advance of the intended course/workshop date. 

Adjudication

CPS Complementary Education Fund requests are subject to Chair's approval. Fund requests will be awarded to all eligible applications if the allotted funding for the granting year has not been exhausted. If the total sum of grant requests exceeds the allowable funding, priority will be given to applicants who are close to the end of their degrees. 

Expense Eligibility & Reimbursement

Expense reimbursement claims must be in accordance with the Travel and Other Reimbursable Expenses - Policies and Guidelines at University of Toronto. For a quick reference list for expense reimbursements, please follow this check list. 

Upon course/workshop completion, students must submit an expense reimbursement claim for the eligible expenses incurred. The claim must be supported by 1) approved CPS Complementary Education Fund request form, 2) original receipts/proof of payment, and 3) the record of completion. The expense claim form and detailed instructions on how to claim an expense reimbursement are available on the UofT Financial Services website. 

Please submit your completed expense reimbursement claim form and the supporting documents (i.e., original receipt/proof of payment) to the Financial and Administrative Coordinator, Gigi Shen (gigi.shen@utoronto.ca), for processing.