U of L Graduate Research Award (ULGRA)

The University of Lethbridge Graduate Research Award (ULGRA) is intended to facilitate nuance and flexibility in the financial support of graduate students at the University of Lethbridge. All students applying for admission to a full or part time thesis program are automatically considered for ULGRA funding. 
The terms of references were updated effective September 2024.

Value

• Variable
• Units of $3,000 per annum may be offered to an individual up to a maximum of 7 units ($21,000) per annum
• Payable over 3 terms in equal installments upon confirmation of enrolment in a thesis program at U of L after the add/drop deadline.

Eligibility

• Admitted to or continuing in a thesis based masters or doctoral program.

Application

• No application is required.
• Selection is competed either at the time of admission or when you declare thesis route by the applicable Graduate Program Committee.

Renewal

• Renewal is contingent upon maintaining registration in the program for which it was awarded.

NOTES:

• Students are permitted to hold the ULGRA concurrently with any Graduate Assistantship position (as per the GSA Collective Agreement) and/or stipend.
• Students are permitted to hold the ULGRA at full value concurrently with other awards, scholarships, fellowships or bursaries.

ULGRA Funding Criteria

 Faculty of Arts & Science

PhD (science) ULGRA evaluation rubric

Academic Excellence (40%)

1 - Meets the minimum expectations for the proposed program, good grades.
2 - Very good academic track record with consistently above-average grades in relevant courses; normally a Canadian GPA of 3.5 or higher, international GPAs may require special considerations.
3 - Excellent academic track record with consistently excellent performance in relevant courses; normally a Canadian GPA of 3.7 or higher, international GPAs may require special considerations.
4 - Outstanding academic record throughout the candidate’s academic training, especially in courses relevant to the proposed program; normally a Canadian GPA close to 4.00, international GPAs may require special considerations; excellent academic preparedness.

Research Experience (50%)

1- Based on the combined information provided (CV, LOI, Letter of reference, etc.), the candidate has gained minimal research experience related to the proposed program during past research without any broader contributions to the field.
2 - The candidate has demonstrated good research ability/showed good research potential by providing some contributions to the field. For example: one poster presentation (local) or co-authorship (middle author) on a publication representing minor contributions by the candidate.
3 - The candidate has demonstrated very good research ability/showed very good research potential by providing significant contributions to the field. For example: conference presentations (poster or oral), scholarships/awards, or co-authorship on publications representing some contributions to the field or excellent performance in past research work.
4 - The candidate has demonstrated outstanding research ability related to the proposed program by providing outstanding contributions to the field or outstanding performance in past research work. For example, in addition to #3, co-authorship (first author) on publication(s) in reputed international journals, representing significant contributions to the field by the candidate.

Leadership Skills (10%)

Examples: Volunteering/community outreach Leadership; Student event organization or involvement in academic life Project management and interpersonal skills.
1 - From the combined information provided (CV, LOI, Letters of reference, etc.), it is not clear that the candidate has demonstrated leadership skills.
2 - The candidate has demonstrated some leadership skills, for example through some mentorship, active role in academic life, or outreach.
3 - The candidate has demonstrated good leadership skills, for example through mentorship of students, active role in academic life, or outreach.
4 - The candidate has demonstrated excellent leadership skills, for example through substantial and sustained contributions to mentorship of students, active role in academic life, or outreach.

MSc ULGRA evaluation rubric

Academic Excellence (50%)

1 - Meets the minimum expectations for the proposed program and good grades.
2 - Very good academic track record with above-average grades in relevant courses; normally a Canadian GPA of 3.4 or higher, international GPAs may require special considerations.
3 - Excellent academic track record with consistently excellent performance in relevant courses; normally a Canadian GPA of 3.7 or higher, international GPAs may require special considerations.
4 - Outstanding academic record throughout the candidate’s academic training, especially in courses relevant to the proposed program; normally, a Canadian GPA close to 4.00, international GPAs may require special considerations; excellent academic preparedness.

Research Experience (40%)

1 - From the combined information provided (CV, LOI, Letter of reference, etc.), it is not clear if the candidate has relevant research/work experience related to the proposed program or the thesis topic area.
2 - The candidate has accumulated some research/work experience related to the proposed program (for example, one independent study/applied study/research project or course projects involving significant independent work), or extensive research experience in an unrelated field.
3 - The candidate has demonstrated good research ability/potential by providing contributions to the field. For example: conference presentations (poster or oral or course projects involving excellent independent work), scholarships/awards, or co-authorship on publications representing some contributions to the field.
4 - The candidate has demonstrated outstanding research ability/potential related to the proposed program by providing outstanding contributions to the field. For example, in addition to #3, co-authorship on publication(s) in reputed international journals, representing significant contributions to the field by the candidate or outstanding course projects involving substantial independent work.

Leadership Skills (10%)

Examples: Volunteering/community outreach Leadership; Student event organization or involvement in academic life Project management and interpersonal skills.
1 - From the combined information provided (CV, LOI, Letters of reference, etc.), it is not clear that the candidate has demonstrated leadership skills.
2 - The candidate has demonstrated some leadership skills, for example: some active role in academic life and outreach, or community involvement.
3 - The candidate has demonstrated good leadership skills, for example: mentorship of students, active role in academic life, outreach, or sustained community involvement.
4 - The candidate has demonstrated excellent leadership skills, for example: substantial and sustained contributions to mentorship of students, active role in academic life, outreach, or community involvement.

Social Sciences and Humanities ULGRA evaluation rubric (MA and PhD)

Academic Excellence (33.3%)

1 = The candidate meets the minimum expectations for the program.
2 = The candidate has a good academic track record, with mostly average to above‐average grades in all courses (normally AGPA of 3.5 or greater).
3 = Very good academic record with consistently above‐average grades, especially in relevant courses for the proposed program (normally AGPA of 3.7 or greater) and earned awards and distinctions.
4 = Outstanding academic record throughout candidate’s academic training, especially in courses relevant to the proposed program (normally AGPA at or close to 4.0) and earned awards and distinctions.

Work/Research Experience (33.3%)

1 = From the combined information provided (CV, LOI, LORs, LOS), it is not clear if the candidate has relevant research/work experience/community and other relevant experiences related to the proposed program or their thesis topic area.
2 = The candidate has accumulated some research/work experience/community and other relevant experiences related to the proposed program or their thesis topic area.
3 = The candidate has accumulated significant research/work experience/community and other relevant experiences related to the proposed program or their thesis topic area. This may include signs of relevant topic experience and program innovativeness (Independent Studies, Applied Studies, relevant topics courses, other relevant experience etc.).
4 = The candidate has accumulated very significant research/work experience/community and other relevant experiences related to the proposed program or their thesis topic area. Program innovativeness and topic experience is clear (Independent Studies, Applied Studies, relevant topics courses, other relevant experience etc.).

Letters of Reference/Support (33.3%)
1 = Letters of Reference, Letter(s) of Support from the (co)supervisor(s), and the departmental appraisal and the student’s Letter of Intent provides general information about the candidate’s research and academic strengths.
2 = Letters of reference, Letter(s) of Support from the (co)supervisor(s), and the departmental appraisal are supportive of the candidate. These along with the student’s Letter of Intent of speaks in general terms to their research and academic strengths.
3 = Letters of Reference, Letter(s) of Support from the (co)supervisor(s), and the departmental appraisal are very positive and provides considerable detail. These along with the candidate’s Letter of Intent speak to the candidate’s relative strengths. The candidate has accumulated some research experience, and one or more letters comment on the candidate’s competence/abilities in this area.
4 = Candidate’s research experience has been significant. Letters of Reference, Letter(s) of Support from the (co)supervisor(s), and the departmental appraisal very strongly support the candidate. The letters along with the candidate’s Letter of Intent communicates a clear plan for the proposed program of study.

Dhillon School of Business

Candidates are sorted into tiers for funding allocations based on admission grade point averages and GMAT scores. 

Faculty of Education

Faculty of Fine Arts

Faculty of Health Sciences