Graduate Funding in Canada: TA, RA, and Mitacs Internships

How graduate students get funded

Graduate funding in Canada often combines several sources rather than a single scholarship. Beyond external awards, three graduate-specific streams commonly help fund a master's or PhD: teaching assistantships (TA), research assistantships (RA), and research internships such as Mitacs programs.

Which of these you can access, and how much they pay, depends on your program, department, and supervisor — and varies year to year. Treat the descriptions below as how the streams work, and verify any current amounts and eligibility on the official source for each.

Teaching assistantships (TA)

A teaching assistantship pays you to support teaching — leading tutorials or labs, grading, or helping run a course — usually within your own department. TAs are a common funding source for graduate students and often come bundled into a funding package.

The number of hours, pay, and how TA positions are assigned are set by each university (and frequently by a graduate-student collective agreement). Verify the current terms on the official university source, and note that TA work is paid employment with defined hours.

Research assistantships (RA)

A research assistantship pays you to work on research, typically your supervisor's funded projects, and for thesis and PhD students the work often overlaps with your own research. RAs are usually paid from grants the supervisor holds, which is one reason supervisor fit and a supervisor's funding matter so much for research students.

Because RA support depends on a specific supervisor's grants, availability varies. Confirm what RA support a program or supervisor can offer on the official department source rather than assuming a set amount.

Mitacs research internships

Mitacs is a Canadian not-for-profit that runs research and training programs, including internships that connect graduate students and postdocs with organisations on collaborative research projects. Programs such as Mitacs Accelerate (research internships with partner organisations) and Mitacs Globalink (international research mobility) are widely used by graduate students.

Eligibility, funding structure, and how to apply are defined by Mitacs and its partner institutions, and program details change. Check the current programs, eligibility, and any stipend details directly on the official Mitacs website.

• Mitacs Accelerate — research internships with partner organisations
• Mitacs Globalink — international research mobility opportunities
• Eligibility and funding are set by Mitacs — verify on mitacs.ca
• Often arranged with your supervisor and a partner organisation

Putting a funding picture together

Many graduate students fund their studies by combining streams — for example a funding package that includes TA and RA work, topped up by a scholarship and perhaps a Mitacs internship at some point. There is no single 'standard' package; it depends on your field, program, and supervisor.

When comparing offers, ask each program what is actually included, for how many years, and under what conditions. Do not rely on figures from unofficial sources — confirm everything on the official university and program pages, and remember no funding outcome is guaranteed.