BRN Pathways Travel Grant

The BRN launched in October 2021 as a University of Toronto Institutional Strategic Initiative. 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. 

Grants of up to $1,500 are available. 

• Funding for conference participation is contingent upon having a paper accepted for presentation. 

• Funding for fieldwork must account for all anticipated expenses. If total costs exceed the grant maximum, applicants must indicate other secured or pending funding sources that will cover the difference.  

• Students may receive no more than one BRN Pathways Travel Grant per year. 

Applicants must: 

• Identify as Black; 
   

• Be registered full-time in a Master’s or PhD program at the University of Toronto at the time of application and throughout the travel period; 

All applications must be submitted through Microsoft Forms. 

Both forms must be submitted for the application to be considered. Incomplete submissions will not be reviewed. All materials are due by April 17, 2026. 

You will be asked to provide the following information for Form A: 
 

• One-page, single-spaced description of planned activities 

• Detailed, itemized budget* 

• Current CV 

• Name of Supervisor and email  

Please note: Applicants are responsible for ensuring that their supervisor completes Form B (Supervisor Endorsement) before the deadline. 

*Budget Guidelines (please read before submitting)  

All expenses must be in accordance with the University of Toronto policies and guidelines.

Applicants must provide a clear and justified budget. All budget items must be for future expenses only. 

Budgets may include: 

• Transportation (airfare, train, etc.); 

• Ground transportation; 

• Accommodations (if staying with family or friends, budget $30/day); 

• Per diem expenses (e.g., meals), in accordance with University of Toronto guidelines. 

*Please note that this grant supports travel expenses specifically related to conference participation, research activities, and fieldwork. Only costs directly associated with travel, such as transportation, accommodations, and meals, will be considered eligible. 

After the applicant has submitted their materials via Form A, they must email their supervisor and copy Yasmin Wallace, Program Administrator (brn@utoronto.ca).  

The email must include the same application documents (one-page summary, budget and CV) submitted via Form A, along with the Microsoft Form link (Form B) provided. 

 Your supervisor will then sign in with their UTORid to complete Form B and confirm that: 

• The applicant is in good academic standing; 

• The proposed travel is appropriate and necessary at the current stage of the applicant’s program; 

• They support and endorse the travel; 

• Any available departmental or advisor funding has been identified. 

• They understand that grant funds will be transferred to their account for distribution to the applicant. 

Before travelling abroad for any University-related activities (travel outside of Canada, including to the U.S.), students must complete all U of T Safety Abroad requirements. More details can be found here.