Please see the School of Graduate Studies for further opportunities.

Each year, the Occupational Therapy Program sponsors a select number of students (typically four) to attend the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) Conference.

The application process takes place in January/February.

A one-page statement of interest expressing why you want to attend the conference, why you should be chosen for the grant, and how you plan to communicate the main ‘takeaways’ from the conference to your class are required as part of the application process.

The grant recipients you must provide copies of all your receipts for the conference along with a summary page outlining the expenses and a final total.

Please note that students who attend the conference are required to “make-up” any lost course content or placement hours.

The Mary Tremblay Academic Grant was established in 2009 by family, friends, and colleagues to honor Dr. Mary Tremblay’s significant contribution to the development of the School of Rehabilitation Science and her dedication to teaching and mentoring. To be awarded to a student registered in year two of the M.Sc. Occupational Therapy program who demonstrates financial need and who, in the judgment of the School of Rehabilitation Science, has demonstrated an aptitude and passion for disability issues.

The Mary Tremblay Academic Grant is provided to students entering their second year of study in the OT Program who demonstrate financial need. The number of awards available and the amount awarded varies each year. The application process takes place in Term 2 of the students’ first year of study in the program.

A one-page study plan or statement of interest along with undergraduate transcripts are required as part of the application process.

The Alison (Fisher) Lall Scholarship in Occupational Therapy was established in 2009 by family, friends, and former classmates and professors as a loving tribute to Alison (Fisher) Lall. Alison earned her degree in Occupational Therapy in 1997. The scholarship is to be awarded by the School of Graduate Studies on the recommendation of the School of Rehabilitation Science to a student in their final year of the Master of Science Occupational Therapy program who demonstrates both outstanding academic achievement and exceptional talents as a student of occupational therapy.

The Alison (Fisher) Lall Scholarship is provided to students entering their second year of study in the OT Program. The number of awards available and the amount awarded varies each year. The application process takes place in Term 2 of the students’ first year of study in the program.

A one-page study plan or statement of interest, your curriculum vitae/academic resume, and all undergraduate transcripts are required as part of the application process.

The Laura Babiski Memorial Bursary was established in 2000 in loving tribute to Laura Babiski, Clinical Lecturer, Occupational Therapy, in the School of Rehabilitation Science from 1991 to 2000. This academic grant is to be awarded by the School of Graduate Studies on the recommendation of the School of Rehabilitation Science to a student in year two of the Master of Science Occupational Therapy program, who has achieved excellence in mental health practice, demonstrated by passion for this practice area, compassion for individuals with serious mental illness and their families, recognition, advocacy and action for system change and demonstrate financial need.

The Mary Tremblay Academic Grant is provided to students entering their second year of study in the OT Program who demonstrate financial need. The number of awards available and the amount awarded varies each year. The application process takes place in Term 2 of the students’ first year of study in the program.

A one-page study plan or statement of interest along with undergraduate transcripts are required as part of the application process.

The Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) Program provides funding to students in graduate studies at the master’s and doctoral levels. It’s a merit-based scholarship, with awards available to graduate students. The OT programs offers OGS to students entering the second year of the program.

Eligibility & Selection Criteria

Eligible candidates must be entering year two of the Occupational Therapy Graduate Program at McMaster University in September 2020.

The scholarships will be awarded on the basis of the following:

• Undergraduate Academic Achievement (minimum A- average in your last two years of undergraduate study). Please submit a copy of your undergraduate official transcript.
• Applicant’s Statement of Interest (500-750 words highlighting your Commitment and Contributions to Occupational Therapy including scholarly and academic achievement, leadership abilities, and/or contributions to the profession).
• Current resume/CV.
• Two (2) letters of reference: One academic and one “other” (i.e. academic, preceptor, other professional reference).

Graduand Awards are awarded the Graduand Celebration on the last day of the final academic term. Recipients are nominated by faculty based on the criteria for each award.

The Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) Student Award

Established in 1992, The Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) will provide an award to the graduating student in each Canadian university occupational therapy education program who demonstrates consistent and exemplary knowledge of occupational therapy theory.

Awarded to the student with the highest GPA over the two years of the program.

The Ontario Society of Occupational Therapists (OSOT) New Graduate Award for Leadership and Advocacy in Occupational Therapy

The OSOT New Graduate Award for Leadership and Advocacy in Occupational Therapy shall recognize a graduating Occupational Therapy Student in each Ontario Occupational Therapy university program who has been recognized for his/her leadership and advocacy to the profession of Occupational Therapy, demonstrating active and continued interest and initiative achievement in one or more of the following areas:

• Government Affairs, Advocacy for the Profession;
• Public Relations;
• Educational Issues; and
• Professional Practice Issues.

Awarded to a student who demonstrates strong and continued achievements, leadership, or interest in one or more of the following:

• Public, government, political, research, advocacy, marketing issues facing the profession of OT in the province of Ontario, e.g., thesis presentation, member of a relevant committee, public speaking, involvement in university/faculty issues, participation in professional organizations (OSOT, CAOT, COTO, etc.)
• Current health care trends in terms of provincial legislation, e.g., thesis, organization of/participation in activities in response to documents, proposed legislation, lobbying
• Public/peer/client education regarding the profession of Occupational Therapy, e.g., Career Day, university open houses, fund raising event, conference planning, presentation, etc.

The Canadian Occupational Therapy Foundation (COTF) Future Scholar Award

Established in 2008 in celebration of the Canadian Occupational Therapy Foundation’s 25 anniversary. It is awarded to a graduating student in the Master of Science, Occupational Therapy Program, who has demonstrated the most innovative research project.

Awarded to a student who has demonstrated strong grades in EBP and who has potential for capital R research, but currently engaged in small r research.

The Professional Practica Prize Award

Established originally at Mohawk College as the Muriel Westmorland Prize and transferred to McMaster University in 1993.

Awarded to the student who demonstrates excellence in clinical practica throughout the course of the OT program.

The Shari Lowe Book Award

Established in 2001 and awarded to the student who has demonstrated excellence in occupational therapy skills and has specific interest in the health of the older adult and or has applied this to the area of case management based on clinical and/or academic performance in the area of caring for the older adult.

Awarded to the student who demonstrated academic and/or clinical performance in area of older adult.

The Indigenous Health Brighter World Award

This award is given in partnership with The Indigenous Health Task Force in recognition of a graduating student Occupational Therapist who has demonstrated a commitment towards fostering excellence and innovation in Indigenous health.

Awarded to the student who has shown a deep commitment to learning and respecting the unique health priorities among and between First Nations, Inuit and Metis Peoples through activities such as academic performance, engagement with Indigenous communities, and/or excellence in practicum settings.

The Northern Studies Stream (NSS) Award

Established in 2002. To be awarded to a graduating student in the Master of Science, Occupational Therapy Program, who has demonstrated exemplary interest and effort in understanding and incorporating the healthcare issues of northern rural and remote practice in their Northern Studies Stream academic experience, and knowledge base unique to the health care concerns of First nation people and their communities.

Awarded to the student who demonstrated outstanding work in academic/clinical.

CanChild Research Award

This award was established in 2011 by the CanChild Centre for Childhood Disability Research to encourage exploration of important issues in childhood disability.

Awarded to the student who demonstrated academic strength in pediatrics and conducted or took a leadership role within an innovative research project focused on child or youth disability.