FIFSW Conference Bursary

The FIFSW Conference Bursary provides support for FIFSW students presenting at academic conferences. Students can apply for this bursary prior to receiving confirmation that their conference submissions have been accepted.

The maximum amount is a one-time $500 bursary for each academic year, provided as a reimbursement after conference attendance. The final amount will be determined after conference attendance once receipts for eligible expenses have been submitted. It is meant to offset the expenses to participate in the conference rather than to cover full expenses.

Please read the following information carefully to understand whether you are eligible, how to apply, and the required documentation. Please note that the requirements and process for this fund are different from those of the School of Graduate Students Conference Grant.

• Eligibility

  • You are registered in a graduate program at FIFSW at the time of application and at the time of the conference
  • Have applied to present on research related to your FIFSW program as an author on a poster, paper, or roundtable presentation at a refereed conference. Conferences are refereed if presentations are selected for inclusion in the programme following a peer-review process. You may apply for the bursary even if you have not yet received confirmation that your conference submission has been accepted
  • You may receive the bursary for only one conference per academic year (September to August)
  • Your supervisor’s approval is required (via MS Forms). Your supervisor’s approval shows that your presentation is related to your research and/or to your program of study. Students in the MSW program may use the MSW Director’s approval if they do not have a supervisor

• Eligible expenses

  • Registration and membership fees, including conferences attended online
  • Expenses incurred when travelling to a conference, including conference registration fees, membership fees, transportation, and accommodation are eligible for reimbursement
  • Funding can only be used for the conference listed on your application
  • and you are eligible to apply to both bursaries if your expenses exceed the amount of both bursaries
  • If you were approved for the bursary but are no longer a registered student on the date of your presentation you are not eligible to submit a reimbursement claim

• How to apply

  • Complete the FIFSW Conference Bursary form, ask your supervisors to complete the FIFSW Conference Bursary Approval form and email fifsw@utoronto.ca once these two steps are completed.
  • Students should apply for this bursary prior to receiving confirmation that their conference submissions have been accepted.

• To receive funding

  Upon return of the conference please send by email:

  • Scanned original receipts (note that for airfare, original boarding passes are required)
  • Proof of conference attendance which includes your name, the title of your paper, the date of your presentation, and the name of the conference. (e.g., a copy of the conference programme, nametag, or a website printout)
  • Receipts for the eligible expenses (note that for airfare, boarding passes are also required)
  • If you have paid by credit card, submit a credit card statement that includes the name of the cardholder and the last four digits of the credit card number. For privacy reasons, please block out your account number and other charges are unrelated to your reimbursement claim
  • If you have incurred expenses in a foreign currency, expenses will be calculated according to the exchange rate on your credit card or bank statement. If you do not have a credit/bank statement, the FIFSW Registrar’s Office will determine the appropriate conversion rate

  Supporting documents must be submitted within 45 days of the last day of the conference, or within 45 days of receiving application results.  You must be a registered student at the time of the conference to be eligible to claim the funding.

  Send your documentation through to registrar.fifsw@utoronto.ca the with the email address included on your ACORN profile.

  Decisions are final and will be sent to you via email. Please check that email from registrar.fifsw@utoronto.ca has not been directed to your junk email folder.

• Attending conferences outside of Canada

  If you are travelling outside of Canada for the conference, students should refer to the Safety Abroad Office website for completion of the Safety Abroad pre-departure requirements well in advance of your travel abroad. While this is not required as part of the bursary application, it is a safety requirement of the University.

  These requirements include:

  • Complying with university travel guidelines and restrictions. For the most up-to-date information, refer to the U of T COVID-19 Information for Students webpage.
  • Safety Abroad procedures are mandatory for all U of T students travelling outside of Canada, including to the U.S.A., and must be completed before the travel occurs (regardless of receiving SGS Conference Grant support). Travel for in-person conferences that is conducted without prior completion of all Safety Abroad requirements would render students ineligible.

  The following steps must be completed prior to departure for in-person conferences:

  • Review the Safety Abroad website for details on what action is necessary prior to your travel date;
  • Contact by email the Safety Abroad Office directly, to discuss your planned travel and be added to the Safety Abroad Registry;
  • Complete the online Safety Abroad pre-departure workshop (valid for 1.5 years); and
  • Obtain supplementary health insurance (if not already covered).