African Nova Scotian Graduate Scholarship
A graduate scholarship from Dalhousie University worth $15,000 a year is given to an African Nova Scotian who has just begun or intends to attend graduate school there each year.
Reduced systematic barriers and increased representation of African Nova Scotians in the university’s diverse graduate programs and in advanced professional vocations are the goals of these scholarships.
The graduate program might be professional, course-based, or thesis-based, and it can be at the master’s or doctoral level.
Successful candidates will be urged to get in touch with an African Nova Scotian faculty mentor at Dalhousie and to participate in peer mentoring initiatives run by the university.
For a maximum of two years of full-time study, the scholarship may be used.
The grant will start in May after the competition for students who are enrolled in the program at the time of application.
Master’s students who are still enrolled full-time in the program may only keep the award for as long as their second full year has passed.
The scholarship is normally valid for the whole two years for eligible doctorate candidates. Up until the original qualifying award amount is reached, part-time students may retain the award at 50% of its original value.
Under the conditions of satisfactory academic status and submission of annual progress reports in Dal Online, the scholarship is renewed each year (thesis students only).
Eligibility criteria
African Nova Scotians (who also self-identify as Indigenous Black, Africadian, Afri-Scotian or Scotian) who are descendants of free and enslaved Black Loyalists, Black Refugees, Maroons and other Black people who were settled across 52 indigenous (original) land-based Black communities are eligible to apply. Applicants must self-identify as African Nova Scotian and provide their consent for Dalhousie to use this information in determining eligibility.
In addition to lineage, indicators of connection may include, but are not limited to, any or all of the following:
- Being born in Nova Scotia;
- Being raised in Nova Scotia;
- Residing in an Indigenous Black community;
- Having family members who reside in one or more of the communities;
- Having been raised in the culture of the historical Black churches of Nova Scotia;
- Attending African Nova Scotian community events;
- Participating in organizations or other activities connected to one or other of the African Nova Scotian communities;
- Self-identifying as Indigenous Black/African Nova Scotian
Self-identifying candidates will be questioned about how they fit the aforementioned criterion and how they are connected to the African Nova Scotian community.
Additionally, a community reference who is aware of your contributions and relationships will need to submit their name and contact information.
You must have started your degree no earlier than the preceding May, or you must aim to start your graduate studies at Dalhousie between May and the following January (i.e. less than eight months in program as of December 31st of the current year).
If you have additional scholarships administered by FGS, this award will be added to other scholarships as a “top-up award,” subject to the applicable funding restrictions.
Both full- and part-time students are eligible to receive this scholarship. For a longer period of time until the first qualifying award amount is met, part-time students will receive the award at 50% of its value.
A special scholarship committee appointed by the dean of the faculty of graduate studies will review applications.
Members of the Dalhousie African Nova Scotian Advisory Council, Black Student Advising, the Director of African Nova Scotian Engagement, and, if practicable, teachers and/or students from the African Nova Scotian community will all normally be included on this committee.
Although there is no minimum GPA requirement to apply, the committee’s judgments will take academic merit, ties to the community, and the potential for support into account when choosing the successful applicant (s).
Decisions regarding awards and renewals are final and cannot be appealed.
You May Also Like James Robinson Johnston Graduate Entrance Scholarship for African Canadians
Application summary
The Harmonized Scholarship Process is used to receive applications.
You must declare that you are African Canadian or African Nova Scotian and give Dalhousie permission to use this information to determine if you qualify for the prize.
How To Apply For African Nova Scotian Graduate Scholarship
Applications will be automatically directed to departmental judges as they are submitted. You may withdraw and re-submit your application any time until the deadline.
Please note that your department may have an earlier internal deadline if it wishes to provide feedback prior to the final submission deadline.
It is recommended that you check with your department to confirm their internal deadline in advance.
