OVPAD invites proposals for initiatives that strengthen graduate and postdoctoral education, activity, and research at the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM). There will be one call with rolling adjudication. Proposals are reviewed by the Office of the Vice Principal and Dean (OVPAD), in consultation from Graduate and Postdoctoral Programs Advisory Committee as appropriate.
Purpose and Priorities:
- Align with UTM’s Strategic Framework
- Enhance graduate and postdoctoral research and education
- Foster graduate and postdoctoral engagement and outreach
- Promote UTM’s reputation for graduate and postdoctoral excellence
Key Areas of Interest (not limited to):
- Activity aligned with recommendations from the report of the SGS Postdoctoral Review Working Group
- Activities supporting intra and/or interdisciplinary dialogue within and across our graduate student and postdoctoral scholar communities
- Activities that make use of the Spot for Graduate and Postdoctoral Scholars at UTM
- Community-building, engagement, and outreach
- Equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (EDIA)
- Funding of independent scholarly pursuits of graduate or postdoctoral scholars (i.e., work that is not related to their supervisors' research agenda)
- Graduate and postdoctoral research initiatives and knowledge dissemination activities
- Graduate curriculum development and on-campus graduate teaching experiences
- Professional development and career readiness
- Previously funded activities that have demonstrated success and measurable impact may be eligible for renewed funding
- Sponsorship of academic meetings or symposia held in the region, involving participation from UTM faculty supervised graduate students and/or postdoctoral scholars
- Work related to UofT’s Multi-year Accessibility Plan
Funding Details:
- No minimum budget; small proposals welcome
- Typical maximum: $5,000-$10,000
- Use of funds: within 6 months of approval
- Larger requests from collaborative proposals (multiple academic units) will be considered
- Matched funds or in-kind contributions are not required but will be an asset
- Retroactive requests will be considered
- Initiatives currently funded through other sources (including OVPAD transfers) should not be included.
Exclusions typically include salary support, basic equipment (e.g., computers, printers, monitors) and software purchases, and routine conference travel for academic presentations.
Application Process:
- When: Apply any time during the call period (rolling review from November 2025 - April 2026)
- How: Submit the application form, a detailed budget and budget justification
- Who: Submission must come from the chair, director, or departmental manager
- Multiple submissions: Departments may submit multiple submissions; however, multiple applications supporting one individual/project are not allowed
Evaluation Criteria:
Reviewed by OVPAD in consultation with GPPAC as appropriate:
- Impact on graduate and postdoctoral activity and excellence at UTM
- Feasibility and clarity
- Alignment with UTM’s Strategic Framework
- Engagement and outreach potential among graduate students and postdoctoral scholars
Notification:
Applicants are typically notified within 30 days of submission.
Special Requirements for Academic Meeting Sponsorship:
Funded proposals must acknowledge decanal funds in all event materials. Successful applicants will receive a communications package with acknowledgment and branding guidance.
Contact:
Karolina Szymanska, Graduate Programs Manager, k.szymanski@utoronto.ca
Learn more about OVPAD
Connect with us
Meet our people, email us at ovpad.utm@utoronto.ca, or visit us at 3200, Davis Building
