York University in Toronto, Canada, with funding from the Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarships, is pleased to offer funding opportunities for Canadians and international scholars working together on topics related to climate change and displacement. This funding will support research travel, living expenses, and research internships or collaborations between York University and our partners In Costa Rica, Ghana and the Philippines, as well as the public dissemination and sharing of research results.
The Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarships (QES) program aims to mobilize a community of young leaders to create lasting impacts at home and abroad. Established in 2012, this scholarship has been awarded to more than 2,600 scholars from Canada and around the world. It is Canada’s premier academic program for global leadership, collaboration and multidisciplinary learning. The Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarships (QES) is managed through a unique partnership of Universities Canada, the Rideau Hall Foundation, and Canadian postsecondary institutions. QES 2025 is made possible with financial contributions from the Rideau Hall Foundation.
Through the QES project at York, titled Canada-Global South Interdisciplinary Initiative on Climate Change & Displacement: Cases of Costa Rica, Ghana and the Philippines.. This project will provide international study experiences, research, or internships for outbound Canadian students as well as support for inbound international students. The Project aims to bring together and co-create a network of interdisciplinary teams of faculty and students to:
- study the current human displacement caused by climate change-related extreme events;
- model and predict the future trends of population displacement caused by climate change;
- understand the impacts of climate displacement on different groups, economies, health systems, cultures, and environments; and
- examine the current and future planning and policy challenges of climate change-related population displacement.
Over the next three years (2025-2028), the Project will bring 10 international scholars to York and send 12 York students to our project partner institutions to research the current and future trends and challenges of climate change displacement and design effective mitigation and resilience strategies.
York-QES Faculty Advisory Committee:
- Prof. Ali Asgary, Associate Director of York Emergency Mitigation, Engagement, Response, and Governance Institute (Y-EMERGE) and Director, CIFAL York (also Principal Investigator / Academic Lead)
- Prof. Eric Kennedy, Interim Director, Y-EMERGE
- Prof. Godfred Boateng, Canada Research Chair in Global Health and Humanitarianism and Director, Global & Environmental Health Lab
- Prof. Yvonne Su, Director, Centre for Refugee Studies
- Prof. Joseph Mensah, Geography, Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change (EUC)
- Prof. Felipe Montoya-Greenheck, Las Nubes Director & James and Joanne Love Chair in Neotropical Conservation, EUC
York-QES coordinating unit: York International
| Countries | International partner hosting Canadian student(s) |
| Costa Rica |
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| Ghana |
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| Philippines |
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Outgoing Scholars: For York Students
Eligibility
In order to participate in this program, you must satisfy the following requirements:
- Enrolled in a graduate program at York
- Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- Less than 35 years old at the time of application
- Students who have previously been a QES Scholar are not eligible for funding.
- Placements must be at least 61 days at the host institutions.
How much is the scholarship and what does it cover?
Students accepted for this program will receive up to CAD 10,000. Placements must be at least 61 days at the host institutions.
Eligible expenses include:
- Travel expenses: includes international airfare (the most direct and economical routing), airport taxes, visas, medical insurance, immunization and ground transportation;
- Living allowance: accommodation, local transportation, food and communications;
- Research/study/internship expenses: remuneration for research assistants, resources for the research (e.g. journals, data), computer and laboratory services/equipment, costs related to dissemination and sharing of research results.
If students wish to purchase additional items, such as souvenirs, they will need to use their personal funds.
Students will be responsible for keeping all related receipts and share them back with YI on a form which will be shared with you.
How do I apply?
Interested candidates are invited to complete the QES Application Form with the following listed documents for the Project Advisory Committee's evaluation and consideration.
Applications opening soon!
- Prepare the following documents and attach them to the Application Form above.
- A letter of Intent (max 1 page per letter), outlining:
- Your motivation to apply for this Scholarship at the host destination
- How the internship/study/research fits into your present academic programs and your future career plans
- What qualifies you for this QES scholarship (academic abilities, skills, talents, life experience...)
- What interests you in the host organization and country, and what skills and strengths you have specific to the host organization and country
- If selected, how will your experience contribute to the overall Canada-Global South Interdisciplinary Initiative on Climate Change & Displacement?
- Suggested professors/supervisors you will work with at host institution (email exchange between you and the host professors could be attached)
- A CV (resume)
- A letter of recommendation from a York professor
- A letter of Intent (max 1 page per letter), outlining:
Application Deadline
Deadline for this year's scholars: April 30th, 2025
Results
After your application is submitted, our Advisory Committee will evaluate your applications. Applications with missing documents will not be considered.
Results will be announced in May 2025 and York International will organize pre-departure and wrap-around support for the selected scholars.
Please note that all QES Scholars will have to complete the pre-departure form and scholar narrative report (to be reviewed and approved by York)
Incoming Scholars: International Students at Partner Institutions
Eligibility
In order to participate in this program, you must satisfy the following requirements:
- Graduate students who enrolled in one of our listed institutions in the Philippines, Ghana or Costa Rica below
- Coming to Canada to study or conduct research at York University
- The research/internship/study must be approved by your home institution.
- Students who have previously been a QES Scholar are not eligible for funding.
When will the program take place?
For applications in 2025, the duration of your stay can be negotiated between you and York supervisors, but it must take place any time from June 2025 till March 31, 2026.
Duration of research: 3 months (the start and end date can be negotiated with your supervisors)
The first cohort of students are expected to arrive through Fall 2025
How much is the scholarship and what does it cover?
All costs associated with this program are covered by the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship, (up to $CAN 14,000 per scholar). These are eligible costs for your research at York:
-
- Visa (Medical exam 300, Visa/biometric 470)
- UHIP for 3 months
- Airfare
- Winter clothing
- Monthly living allowances
- Installation expense
- Other expenses (laptop)
If students wish to purchase additional items, such as souvenirs, they will need to use their personal funds.
How do I apply?
Interested candidates are invited to complete the QES Application Form with the following listed documents for the Project Advisory Committee's evaluation and consideration.
Applications opening soon!
-
- A letter of recommendation from a professor/research supervisor/research director at your home institution
- A letter of Intent (one page), in which, you will identify:
- Your motivation to apply for this Scholarship at York University
- How the proposed research fits into your present academic program and your future career plans
- What qualifies you for this QES scholarship (academic abilities, skills, talents, life experience...)
- What interests you in proposing a research proposal at York University, and what skills and strengths you have that will fit in with your proposed program at York, and suggested professors/supervisors you will work with at York
- Proposed leadership activities or any extra curriculum activities (e.g. community engagement, youth/leadership/networking activities...) at York
- If selected:
- how will your experience contribute to the overall Canada-Global South Interdisciplinary Initiative on Climate Change & Displacement? and/or
- how will it contribute to your personal developments as a leader, a scholar and to your home institution/country?
- Suggested timeline (actives and intended outcomes) of the research
- A CV (resume)
- A letter of recommendation from a York professor
Application Deadline
Deadline for this year's scholars: April 30th, 2025
Results
After your application is submitted, our Advisory Committee will evaluate your application.
Results will be announced in May 2025 and York International will organize pre-departure events and wrap-around support for the selected scholars.
Please note that all QES Scholars will have to complete the pre-departure form and scholar narrative report (to be reviewed and approved by York)
