Awards
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OCAD U's undergraduate scholarships and awards programs recognize achievement. Each program major and year level offers a variety of scholarships and awards based on grades or through juried competition. Scholarships and awards are different from bursaries, which are distributed on the basis of financial need.
View Undergraduate In-Study Scholarships & Awards Policies & Procedures
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Scholarships recognize academic achievement by either the overall average within a program major or the highest grade in a specific course. They are given at the first-, second- and third-year levels in the Faculties of Art, Design and Liberal Arts & Sciences/School of Interdisciplinary Studies. Scholarships may be one-time only or renewable with the student's continued compliance with scholarship criteria (no application required). Scholarships are given as tuition credits prior to the start of the next academic year. For more information, visit in-study awards.
Awards recognize achievement in each program major at the fourth-year level normally through a juried competition at the end of each academic year. Awards are given as cash awards.
Prizes are given within both the Scholarship and Awards Programs and are of non-monetary and/or of monetary worth. ie. Professional membership, equipment and rental, etc.
OCAD U Medals are given in each Program major at the fourth-year level as part of the Awards Program. OCAD U Medals are highlighted at the Grad Ex and formally presented at the Convocation Ceremony. For more information, visit in-study awards.
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Governor General’s Academic Medals
The Governor General’s Academic Medals are awarded annually to a graduate and an undergraduate student who achieve the highest academic standing upon graduation from a graduate degree program (Gold Medal) and a bachelor degree program (Silver Medal). The medals are awarded at the Spring Convocation Ceremony on behalf, and in the name of, the Governor General. No application is required.
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Awards and Scholarships
To find out more, please visit AwardSpring
Ada Slaight Bursary
$3,261.61
November 07, 2025
The Ada Slaight Bursary was established in 1996 by Ada Slaight. The fund supports students in need of financial assistance in any year of study or discipline.
Ada Slaight Scholarship
$2,258.26
March 31, 2026
The Ada Slaight Scholarship was endowed in 2000 by Ada Slaight. The scholarship was established to support and encourage a student in Third year, for excellence in their area of study. This scholarship rotates annually between Criticism & Curatorial Practice, Advertising, and Digital Futures. Students will be automatically considered for this scholarship, and therefore need not apply.
AdClub of Toronto Award
$2,500.00
March 23, 2026
This award is intended for 4th year students who have demonstrated excellence in the Advertising program.
AIM Scholars Fund
$8,000.00
November 07, 2025
The intended purpose of the gift is to establish renewable entrance fund for three students enrolled in the Faculty of Design, who demonstrate financial need.
Albert Fisher Memorial Bursary
$2,247.06
November 07, 2025
The Albert Fisher Memorial Bursary was established in 2007 by friends and family in memory of Albert Fisher. The Albert Fisher Memorial Bursary is a lasting tribute to the Fisher Family’s commitment to OCAD University.
Alfred T. Vivash Bursary for Graduate Studies in Design
$21,892.05
April 24, 2026
The Alfred T. Vivash Bursary for Graduate Studies in Design was established in 2005 in memory of one the province's most successful commercial artists, Alfred T. Vivash. The fund was established by his late son John, and daughter-in-law, Barbara. This bursary provides an OCAD U Faculty of Design undergraduate student graduating from OCAD U to pursue a year of postgraduate studies (at the masters…
Alumni Association Bursary Fund
$2,235.99
November 07, 2025
The Alumni Association Bursary was established in 2007 by the Alumni Association to assist students with demonstrated financial need.
Alumni Association Chancellor's Bursary
$3,522.86
November 07, 2025
The Alumni Association Chancellor's Bursary was established in 2008 by the Alumni Association to assist students who have demonstrated financial need.
Andre Beaulieu Bursary for Young Visual Artists (General)
$1,524.54
November 07, 2025
The Andre N. Beaulieu Bursary for Young Visual Artists was established in 2003 through a gift from the Estate of Andre N. Beaulieu. The fund supports students in need of financial assistance who are enrolled at OCAD U.
Anne Adler Kagan Award
$752.59
March 23, 2026
The Anne Adler Kagan Award was established in 1986 by the late Mrs. Anne Kagan. The fund supports students who excel in pictorial art.
Anne Mirvish Bursary
$1,312.53
November 07, 2025
The Anne Mirvish Bursary was established in 1996 by friends and family in honour of Anne Mirvish. The fund provides financial support for students in need.
April Hickox Photography Award
$500.00
March 23, 2026
This award honours the legacy of artist, mentor, and community builder April Hickox by supporting fourth-year Photography students who use the still and/or moving image to explore the profound relationship between people and the natural world. It celebrates students whose work addresses sustainability and environmental action through their creative practice, inspiring new ways of seeing and…
Arts & Letters Club of Toronto Foundation Award
$1,000.00
March 23, 2026
This award will recognize an exceptional creative project in Integrated Media.
Arts & Letters Club of Toronto Foundation Ina Gilbert Visual Arts Award
$1,000.00
March 23, 2026
Ina Gilbert was a distinguished Canadian artist whose art practice spanned more than 50 years and covered a wide range of media. Her abstract paintings, modular art, prints and digital art have been exhibited in galleries in Toronto, Montreal and Mulmur Township since 1960. In memory of Ina’s contribution to visual arts in Canada, Jack Gilbert, the Arts…
Arts & Letters Club of Toronto Foundation Scholarship
$1,000.00
March 31, 2026
Established by the Arts & Letters Club of Toronto Foundation to support an Industrial Design student.
Av Isaacs Bursary
$2,339.85
November 07, 2025
The Av Isaacs Bursary was established in 1992 in honour of Av Isaacs. The fund is for students in Drawing & Painting.
Barford Family Bursary
$5,332.25
November 07, 2025
The Barford Family Bursaries were established in 2006 with a generous gift from the Ralph M. Barford Foundation. The fund provides financial support for students in need. Preference given to students with an average grade of 70%.
Birgid Ebsen Scholarship
$1,000.00
March 31, 2026
Established in 2017 in memory of alumna Birgid (nee Ebsen) Thompson, AOCA 1959. This scholarship will be awarded to a top student in Year 2 of the Drawing and Painting program. Students will be automatically considered for this scholarship, and therefore need not apply.
Bluma Appel Award
$5,598.20
March 23, 2026
The Bluma Appel Award was established in 2005 with a generous gift from Mr. Bram and Mrs. Bluma Appel. The annual graduating award is granted to a promising young artist to help launch their career. This award rotates annually. For the 2025/26 academic year, this award is directed towards the Integrated Media program.
Bronfman Scholarship in Industrial Design
$1,037.86
March 31, 2026
The Bronfman Scholarship in Industrial Design was endowed in 1982 by the Bronfman Foundation. The fund is granted to a 3rd year student enrolled in Industrial Design based on merit. Students will be automatically considered for this scholarship, and therefore need not apply.
Butterfield Park Bursary Fund
$1,975.12
November 07, 2025
The Butterfield Park Bursary Fund was established in 2007 by George and Martha Butterfield. The fund supports students in need of financial assistance.
Canadian Federation of University Women North Toronto Bursary for Mature Students
$1,084.40
November 07, 2025
The Canadian Federation of University Women North Toronto Bursary for Mature Students is to support students in their first year at OCAD University. Preference will be given to mature students, prioritizing female students with demonstrated financial need.
Carl and Trudy Michailoff Award in Drawing & Painting
$1,000.00
March 23, 2026
Established to honour Carl and Trudy Michailoff's love of art and support of emerging young artist.
Carl and Trudy Michailoff Award in Sculpture/Installation
$1,000.00
March 23, 2026
Established to honour Carl and Trudy Michailoff's love of art and support of emerging young artists.
Carl and Trudy Michailoff Bursary
$1,000.00
November 07, 2025
Established to honour Carl and Trudy Michailoff's love of art and support of emerging young artists. This bursary is to support any eligible undergraduate student in the Faculty of Art.
Carl and Trudy Michailoff Scholarship
$2,500.00
March 23, 2026
Established to honour Carl and Trudy Michailoff's love of art and support of emerging young artists, this scholarship will be awarded to a Sculpture/Installation student in 2026/27.
Carmen Lamanna Award
$1,422.31
March 23, 2026
The Carmen Lamanna Award was established in 1992 with donations from friends and family in memory of the late Carmen Lamanna. The award is granted annually to a graduating student in Sculpture/Installation.
Catherine Daigle Scholarship
$2,003.38
March 31, 2026
The Catherine Daigle Scholarship was established in 2007 by Mark Adair, friends, and family, in memory of Catherine Daigle. For excellence in Drawing & Painting. Preference is given to female students in 3rd year. Students will be automatically considered for this scholarship, and therefore need not apply.
Cathy Daley Bursary
$6,250.00
November 07, 2025
From the estate of Cathy Daley, a notable Canadian artist, beloved mentor and OCAD University Professor Emerita. For a student in Drawing & Painting, with preference to a female Black or Indigenous students. This bursary may be renewed for up to four consecutive years total.
CBOE Canada Award for Disruptive Design
March 23, 2026
The CBOE Canada Award for Disruptive Design is about challenging the status quo, driving profound change, and making a positive social impact. Granted annually to a fourth year, Industrial Design major, this award will recognize commitment to creative innovation and demonstrated ability to make it happen.
Charles Magee Memorial Bursary
$1,682.02
November 07, 2025
The Charles Magee Memorial Bursary was endowed in 1995 through the estate of the late Charles Magee. This bursary supports students who are pursuing inernational experiences in the United Kingdom and Europe.
Charles Pachter Bursary
$2,159.47
November 07, 2025
The Charles Pachter Bursary was established in 2008. The fund supports graduate level students in fine art, who have demonstrated financial need.
Christie Blatchford Second Chance Bursary
$1,095.86
November 07, 2025
The Christie Blatchford Second Chance Scholarship was created to support a student or students who demonstrate financial need registered in any year of the Creative Writing program, with preference given to those who have been involved or are at risk of becoming involved, in the Ontario Criminal Justice system. If no student or students meet this criterion, the funds will be granted to a student…
Christopher Pratt & Mary West Pratt Bursary
$2,126.95
November 07, 2025
The Christopher Pratt & Mary West Pratt Bursary was established in 1995 with proceeds from the President's Dinner honouring Christopher Pratt and Mary West Pratt. The fund supports students enrolled in Drawing & Painting who are in need of financial assistance.
CIBC Racial Equity Bursary
$5,000.00
November 07, 2025
Five annual CIBC Racial Equity Bursaries at $5,000 each. The bursary will be given to an BIPOC student in financial need, in any year and any program of study.
Claire Boudreau Bursary (Faculty of Art)
$1,250.00
November 07, 2025
Funded by the Royal Heraldry Society of Canada in honour of Dr. Claire Boudreau. Two bursaries will be available for the Faculty of Art.
Claire Boudreau Bursary (Faculty of Design)
$1,250.00
November 07, 2025
Funded by the Royal Heraldry Society of Canada in honour of Dr. Claire Boudreau. Two bursaries will be available in the Faculty of Design.
Claire W. Freeman Scholarship
$336.07
March 31, 2026
The Claire W. Freeman Scholarship was established in 1996 by Mark Freeman in honour of his mother's 50th birthday. The scholarship is granted to a third year Material, Art and Design student. Students will be automatically considered for this scholarship, and therefore need not apply.
Clayton W. Morehead Travel Bursary
$1,000.00
November 07, 2025
This bursary honours Clayton W. Morehead, also known as Mac, who received a degree in industrial design from the Ontario College of Art in 1971. Upon graduating, he received a travel award from OCA that further inspired his commitments to art, design, and education. This bursary will provide financial assistance for travel abroad or international experience to any undergraduate or graduate OCAD U…
Criticism & Curatorial Practice Award
$500.00
March 23, 2026
This award will be awarded to the CRCP OCAD U medal winner. This award is donated by the Faculty of Arts & Science.
Cumine Family Award (Advertising)
$1,193.92
March 23, 2026
The Cumine Family Award was established in 1986 by Robin B. Cumine. The award is granted to a student in Advertising based on excellence.
Cumine Family Award (Graphic Design)
$1,193.92
March 23, 2026
The Cumine Family Award was established in 1986 by Robin B. Cumine. The award is granted to a student in Graphic Design based on excellence.
Cumine Family Award (Illustration)
$1,193.92
March 23, 2026
The Cumine Family Award was established in$3,206.01 1986 by Robin B. Cumine. The award is granted to a student in Illustration based on excellence.
David H. Chang Memorial Bursary
$2,153.03
November 07, 2025
Established in 2021 by the family of David H. Chang who graduated as the medal winner of the Industrial Design program in 2008. The bursary will support one student demonstrating financial need enrolled in any year in the Industrial Design program.
David Hall-Humpherson Bursary
$899.12
November 07, 2025
The David Hall-Humpherson Bursary was established in 2005 from the estate of David Hall-Humpherson. The fund provides financial support for students in need.
David Hall-Humpherson Memorial Scholarship
$779.23
March 31, 2026
The David Hall-Humpherson Memorial Scholarship was established in 2005 from the estate of David Hall-Humpherson. The scholarship is granted annually to a first year student in the Faculty of Design. Students will be automatically considered for this scholarship, and therefore need not apply.
David MacDonald Bursary
$1,456.83
November 07, 2025
The David Macdonald Bursary was established in 1989 by Mary Bosley in memory of her son David Macdonald. The bursary supports students in need of financial assistance.
Delaney Family Bursary (Graduate)
$4,626.00
November 07, 2025
Established in 2023 with a generous gift from the Delaney Family, this bursary was established to support students in the Criticism & Curatorial Practice (MFA) program who demonstrate financial need.