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SGS Parental Grant

Award Overview

Value & Duration

PhD and SJD Students: up to 100% of monthly living stipend (no tuition) to a maximum of $9000 per academic session (max of $10,333 as of September 2025)

U of T Postdoc Trainees: up to 100% of monthly fellowship stipend to a maximum of $4167 month.

Purpose

Established in 2017 for doctoral students, The SGS Parental Grant program, aims to provide financial support PhD and SJD students within the funded cohort by helping to offset the loss of their funding as a result of taking an approved parental leave of absence at the time of birth or adoption in order to provide full-time care during the child’s first year or the first year the child comes into care (see SGS Leave of Absence Policy). In 2025, this support has been extended to include all U of T Postdoc Trainees who receive funding through an external fellowship that does not offer a paid parental leave or benefits.

The SGS Parental Grant offers financial support for the duration of an approved parental leave for up to 8 months of support for all parents, and 12 months for birth parents. The value of the grant is based on the applicant’s current funding and aims to support 100% of the monthly stipend to a maximum value (see below).

 

Eligibility

Eligible applicants will be:

  1. A registered PhD or SJD student, in the funded cohort, and has been granted an approved parental leave for at least one academic session (or 4 months); or
  2. A U of T Postdoc Trainee registered with the School of Graduate Studies, who is a recipient of an external fellowship that does not provide a paid interruption/leave of absence, and has been granted parental leave from their postdoc fellowship position for at least 4 months.

Please note:

  • Applicants may apply for a Parental Grant for every occasion of birth and/or adoption that occurs during the course of their program provided they continue to meet the eligibility requirements.
    • Grant recipients who return prior to the original leave of absence end date, may be required to return a portion of the Grant;
    • Multiple births upon the same occasion (e.g., twins) do not increase the duration or the value of the Grant;
  • Postdoc trainees receiving Tri-Agency Fellowships or other awards/fellowships with paid parental leaves, and CUPE 3902  Unit 5 employee postdocs with access to employment insurance and benefits are ineligible;
  • Students receiving Tri-Agency scholarships, a stipend paid through a PI’s Tri-Agency research grant, or CUPE 3902  Unit 1 Teaching Assistants are eligible for parental leave supplements or benefits that normally exceed the value of the Grant; such students are ineligible or the will have the grant adjusted accordingly.
      • Tuition support, (for students, normally provided in the funding package) is not included in the calculation of the Parental Grant
      • Students must be within the funded cohort and eligible for at least one session of funding upon return from the leave.

Application Process

  • Applicants can request an SGS Parental Grant by completing the appropriate application below and submitting the form to their Graduate/Department Administrator or Business Officer to complete and forward to SGS on their behalf.
  • Applicants will receive an email notification via their U of T email address regarding the application status, expected payment date(s) and/or a request for additional information (e.g. supporting documentation):
    • Proof of pregnancy, birth or adoption will be required to activate payment; the following documents are accepted as proof of pregnancy/birth/adoption:
      • Doctor’s certificate or certificate from a midwife stating that the student (or co-parent) is pregnant and the expected date of delivery;
      • Long form birth certificate; or
      • Confirmation of adoption letter issued by the Adoption Agency

SGS Graduate Student – Parental Grant Application

SGS Postdoc – Parental Grant Application (TBA – January 2025) 

Additional Info

Payment

Grant funds will be disbursed in one instalment per session and payable to students starting with the first session of the approved parental leave. Student parents eligible to receive a second instalment will do so at the start of the second session (or fifth month) of leave. Birth-parents eligible for a third installment will receive payment at the start of the third session (or seventh month). Grant applications submitted after the parental leave has commenced will be processed within 10-14 business days of SGS receiving the completed application. In all cases, payment is conditional upon the proper submission of proof of pregnancy, birth or adoption as noted in the application process.

Contacts & Resources

SGS Financial Aid and Advising Office

sgs.financial.assistance@utoronto.ca