Black Research Network Doctoral Writing and Completion Award

The BRN launched in October 2021 at the University of Toronto. We support Black excellence by enhancing the visibility and impact of Black-led research, sustaining a cross-divisional, interdisciplinary network of Black scholars and facilitating robust research engagement across U of T. 

• $7,500, for one year 

• A limited number of awards are available each fiscal year, subject to funding availability 

• The award is intended to supplement, rather than replace, existing student funding. However, the impact of this award on other funding, including departmental or graduate unit awards (such as a Doctoral Completion Award), is subject to the policies of the administering unit. Applicants should confirm with their graduate unit before applying whether receiving this award could affect other funding 

Applicants must: 
 

• Identify as Black  

• Be in good academic standing and have an active dissertation committee 

• Have achieved candidacy and completed at least two dissertation chapters (or equivalent), as confirmed by the applicant’s supervisor 

• Be making satisfactory progress toward completion of their doctoral degree, as confirmed by the applicant’s supervisor 

• Be enrolled in a full-time funded PhD program at the University of Toronto and have completed their funding period (i.e., no longer be receiving guaranteed funding through their doctoral funding package). Students in professional doctoral programs and part-time programs are not eligible.  

• Remain within the normal program time limits for their PhD. Students who are on approved program extensions are ineligible  

Applications should be submitted via the online application form. 

Applicants must submit: 

• A completed online application form  

• Curriculum vitae (CV) 

• Approved Dissertation Proposal (submitted as part of the application materials);  

• Applicants must submit a signed statement from their supervisor, on official letterhead, confirming that they have completed at least two dissertation chapters, have achieved candidacy, and are making satisfactory progress toward completing their doctoral degree. 

• Dissertation Progress Report and Completion Plan (maximum one to two pages): Outlining completed dissertation milestones, current progress, anticipated submission timeline, and key activities planned during the award period to support dissertation completion. 

• Unofficial doctoral transcript downloaded from ACORN and submitted as a PDF.  

Applications will be reviewed based on demonstrated progress toward completion, the feasibility of the proposed completion plan, and alignment with the purpose of the award. 

Reviews and committee deliberations will be conducted in confidence. Individual scores and/or rankings will not be provided. General feedback on the review process may be made available following completion of the review process. 

Award funds will be deposited into the doctoral student’s ROSI account and first applied toward any outstanding tuition and fees. Any remaining balance will be issued to the student by direct deposit. 

Recipients of the award will be required to complete a final report and participate in the annual survey, as applicable. Reminders regarding submission deadlines will be provided. Please note that failure to complete these requirements may be considered when assessing eligibility for future BRN funding opportunities. 

The BRN offers a range of resources and programming to support researchers, including sessions on effective grant writing, navigating academia, and other research development opportunities. Learn more about these resources.  

If you have any questions or require any clarifications, please do not hesitate to email us at brn@utoronto.ca