Overview

A variety of scholarships are available to new and returning students of the Masters of Digital Media (MDM) program. Unless noted, applicants need not apply for these scholarships separately.

Scholarships Available Exclusively to Masters of Digital Media Students

Centre for Digital Media (CDM) Scholarships (entrance)

Every year, a select number of new students who have demonstrated exceptional achievement are awarded Centre for Digital Media Scholarships. CDM Scholarships are valued at $10,000 or $5,000 apiece. These scholarships are renewable each to students who maintain good academic standing during their studies at MDM. Students are selected based on the quality of their sample of work and academic performance during their undergraduate studies.

Centre for Digital Media Housing Award (entrance)

The Centre for Digital Media Housing Award is allocated to a student with exceptional academic performance, superior samples of work and impressive letters of recommendation. The award consists of rent-free living at CDM’s brand new, state-of-the-art apartments. The award is renewable each term to students who maintain good academic standing during their MDM studies.

Computer Science and Software Engineering Award (entrance)

The Computer Science and Software Engineering (CS/SE) Award is awarded to a student with the best sample of work submission during the MDM application process. The award is valued at $15,000 in addition to rent-free living at the CDM’s brand new apartments during their MDM studies.

Computer Science or Software Engineering Scholarship (entrance)

The Computer Science or Software Engineering (CS/SE) Scholarship is awarded to a student with the highest cumulative grade point average from a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science or Bachelor of Engineering in Software Engineering. The award is valued at $10,000 in addition to rent-free living at the CDM’s brand new apartments during their MDM studies.

Dianne Sinclair Memorial Fellowship (entrance fellowship)

Dr. Yosef Wosk, a supporter of the Masters of Digital Media Program (MDM), established this fellowship in 2009 in memory of Dianne Sinclair. Awarded to the most outstanding female student entering the MDM Program, the recipient is given a non-renewable $1,000 annual fellowship based on her academic standing and demonstrated talent through her sample of work submitted during the application process.

OUTtv Scholarship (available to returning MDM students only)

Valued at $5,000, the OUTtv Scholarship recognizes the academic achievement of a full-time graduate student enrolled in the Masters of Digital Media program, and their proposed research/project work in digital media exploring the areas of cultural, ethnic or gender-identity diversity in the lesbian/gay/bi/trans (LGBT) community. Preference will be given to applicants who are self-identified as gay, lesbian, bi, or trans. Should no student from the LGBT community apply for this award, the OUTtv Award may be given to an applicant who meets the remaining criteria.

Students can either apply for this award, or be nominated by faculty, staff or students of the Great Northern Way Campus community. Eligible students must demonstrate overall excellence in their academic and creative work and be in good academic standing in the Masters of Digital Media Program. Students must submit a proposal, or have completed a project that explores areas in digital media related to the cultural, ethnic or gender-identity diversity of the gay/lesbian/trans/bi community (proposal or project description should not exceed 250 words).

Non-Centre for Digital Media Scholarships

Organization of American States (OAS)

The Organization of American States (OAS) offers scholarships to students from the Americas interested in joining the Masters of Digital Media (MDM) Program. The OAS scholarships are valued at a maximum of $30,000 US per academic year for no more than two academic years, and include a teaching position that may be renewed in subsequent semesters. Students from the United States, Central America, South America and the Caribbean with an undergraduate degree in Computer Sciences, Fine Arts, Communications, Engineering, Business and other related fields of study are eligible to apply.

Students who wish to apply to the MDM Program and are nationals or permanent residents of a member state of the Organization of American States (OAS) can contact their National Liaison Office for application instructions and deadlines.

Download OAS Scholarships for the 2012-2013 Cycle [PDF].

Other Scholarships

Other award programs are also available externally. Information on how to apply to these programs can be found through government websites and Internet keyword searches. Students must apply directly to the organizations that offer them.

The following websites provide great resources for Canadian and International funders, and allow visitors to create customized searches:

• Scholarship Canada (scholarshipscanada.com)
• Student Awards (studentawards.com)

Additional Sources of Funding (entering and returning students)

A number of bursaries are available to students who demonstrate financial need. Students who wish to apply for bursaries must contact Simon Fraser University’s Financial Aid Office and meet eligibility criteria.

Additional Opportunities for non-MDM or EMDM students

The Centre for Digital Media offers a limited number of spaces for innovative scholars to spend time with MDM Faculty as visiting scholars, in order to collaborate in educational and scholarly work and provide opportunities for local Faculty to learn more about education activities in other institutions. Prospective visiting scholars must first secure the consent of CDM’s Director, who is willing to collaborate with them during their stay at CDM.

Visiting scholars can apply directly to CDM. To apply to be a visiting scholar the following documentation is normally required:

• A letter explaining why you would like to become a visiting scholar at CDM, including the dates and duration of your intended stay;
• curriculum vitae;
• a summary of research interests;
• the name of one or two faculty members you wish to collaborate with during your stay at CDM.
• Once your application has been approved and a faculty member has agreed to be your academic mentor, a formal letter of invitation will be issued, (which may be required in order to obtain a visa).

International Visiting Scholars must have adequate medical insurance to cover themselves and any accompanying dependents for the entire duration of their stay in Canada.