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MI funding and support

Funding & Support

Entrance Awards & Scholarships (no application required)

Incoming students with a GPA of 3.7 or higher, who have submitted aÌýcomplete MI application by the March 1Ìýdeadline (4 p.m. AST)Ìýand are full-time students are automatically considered forÌýthese awards/scholarships. Award amounts vary annually.

Alumni Scholarship (approx $2,000)

The Alumni Scholarship is sponsored by our Associated Alumni. The Alumni Scholarship is competitive and is awarded to an incoming full-time MI student who has achieved high academic standing, and demonstrated an interest in the profession, and/or experience working or volunteering in the field, through his/her admission essay.

FGS Scholarship (approx $5,000)

The Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS) provides a limited number of scholarships for students pursuing a degree program on a full-time basis. FGS Scholarships are competitive and are awarded to incoming, full-time MI students on the basis of academic merit.

Shirley B. Elliott Bursary (approx $1,000)

Shirley Burnham Elliott's mother was the first professionally qualified librarian in Nova Scotia. Following in her mother’s footsteps, Ms Elliott obtained her library science degree from Simmons College (Boston) in 1940. In 1954 Shirley became Nova Scotia’s Legislative Librarian and, during the following 28 years, transformed that library and its services into a modern research library. In 1985 Shirley was awarded an honourary Doctor of Laws degree from ¹úÃñ²ÊƱ; in 2003 she was awarded the Order of Nova Scotia. The Shirley B. Elliott Scholarship is competitive and, is awarded to an incoming full-time MI student on the basis of academic merit.

New Brunswick Award (approx $900)

The New Brunswick Award was created to support students, from New Brunswick, who are pursuing the MI or combined degree at ¹úÃñ²ÊƱ. The New Brunswick Award is competitive and is awarded to an incoming full-time MI student on the basis of academic merit.

A New Brunswick (NB) student is defined as an individual who declares a NB address on their application. Such an applicant will be an individual who was born in NB, or is a resident of NB, and/or completed high school or a university degree in NB.

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Entrance Awards & Scholarships (application required)

Award amounts vary annually.

Student Assistantship (approx $1,900)

Student Assistants provide administrative and research support to one or more DIS faculty or staff members, up to a maximum of 60 hours per year (30 hours fall term/30 hours winter term). Normally 3-4 Student Assistants are hired each year, depending on the funding available.

Staff will send a call for applications in July or August annually. Applicants must be an incoming student in the Master of Information (MI) program in good academic standing. Full-time or part-time students are eligible. 

NSLA Diversifying Libraries Award (approx $1,000)

The Diversifying Libraries Award was launched in 2021 to align with Nova Scotia Library Association’s commitment to action toward racial justice. In offering the scholarship, we hope to contribute to the diversification of the library field within Nova Scotia through supporting access and success of students who are Black, Indigenous, or People of Colour.

The Diversifying Libraries Award provides one incoming student in the Master of Information program at ¹úÃñ²ÊƱ or the Library and Information Technology at Nova Scotia Community College with:

  • an entrance scholarship, amount to be determined annually (minimum, $500; in 2021, the amount is $1000)
  • an award certificate
  • one-year NSLA membership
  • one-year NSLA conference registration

Criteria: The sole awarding criteria for the Diversifying Libraries Award will be self-identification as an incoming student who is Indigenous, Black or a Person of Colour, with priority given to Mi’kmaq and African Nova Scotian students.

How to apply: If you self-identify as Indigenous, Black, or a Person of Colour and have been accepted into the Master of Information program at ¹úÃñ²ÊƱ or the Library and Information Technology program at NSCC, you can apply. Applicants must submit their letter of program acceptance and a 500-word statement articulating why you want to be a part of the library community (by email to vice.president@nsla.ns.ca

Deadline: June 30th

Recipient will be notified by August 1 and the award will be presented to the applicant upon proof of registration.

For more information about the Diversifying Libraries Award, please contact vice.president@nsla.ns.ca

Marie DeYoung Bursary ($5,000)

Application required.

Marie DeYoung (MLIS '80) was a dedicated library professional who had a passion for mentoring and inspiring students and new graduates. Recognized with numerous awards over her career, Marie had a life-long commitment to volunteering on behalf of the profession, including our alumni association. Many librarians and library technicians benefited from her wide range of senior level experience in government, college, and university libraries. Much of her career was rooted in the Maritimes but her influence was nationwide and beyond through her exemplary association leadership. This bursary was created to honour her memory by providing an annual bursary to one (or more) students entering the Master of Information (MI) program.

Eligibility

  • One incoming MI student (possibly more than one, depending on interest/available funds).
  • Must demonstrate financial need.
  • First preference will be for a student from the Atlantic provinces.

Application

Submit a one-page statement of interest (max 500 words) to khumes@dal.ca. Statement must address the eligibility criteria above. No financial statements are required

Deadline

  • June 1st

Promise Scholar Program

Background: The Scholar Program was launched in 2021. We developed it to align with ¹úÃñ²ÊƱ’s commitment to admit, engage, support and graduate a more diverse student body, with attention to enhancing access and success of historically underrepresented students and especially Black and Indigenous Students.

Our promise to support your potential: In addition to financial support, our advisors will provide academic and career support, including assistance in finding paid work during the program should you choose and career mentors to support your long-term career aspirations.

Criteria: The sole awarding criteria for the Promise Scholar will be an Indigenous or Black Canadian student, with priority given to Mi’kmaq and African Nova Scotian students.

How to apply: If you self-identify as Indigenous or African Canadian, you can apply. Applicants must submit a 500 word statement (by email to khumes@dal.caarticulating the importance of diversity and inclusion in information management.

Deadline:

  •     May 1st

For more information about the Scholar Program, please contact khumes@dal.ca

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In-Program Awards

Some awards require application. Refer to specific in-program awards for detail.

AMSI Bursary (two awards of approx $2,500 each)

Application required.

Funded by AMSI, this bursary aims to provide assistance to incoming and returning MI students with good academic standing and proven financial need.

Eligibility

  • One incoming MI student 
  • One returning MI student
  • Must be registered for fall and winter courses by August 15
  • In good academic standing
  • Proven financial need: Determined by completing the  [PDF - 120 KB]

Application

  • Complete Bursary Application Form (linked above)
  • Submit Form to khumes@dal.ca.
  • DO NOT send apps to the Program Manager or Program Director. Applicant identities must be kept anonymous from those choosing the recipient(s).  

Deadline

  • August 15th

¹úÃñ²ÊƱ-Horrocks National Leadership Scholarship (approx $2,000)

No application required.

The ¹úÃñ²ÊƱ-Horrocks National Leadership Scholarship provides support to incoming or returning graduate students who demonstrate leadership potential in information management, specifically in libraries. The award will be presented at the annual ¹úÃñ²ÊƱ-Horrocks National Leadership Lecture.

Eligibility

  • Must be an incoming or returning MI student
  • Must have an A-minus average (3.7 GPA)
  • Must be registered for fall and winter courses by May 1
  • Must show leadership potential in the field of information management in libraries

Obligations

Attend the ¹úÃñ²ÊƱ-Horrocks National Leadership Lecture.

About Norman Horrocks

Dr. Norman Horrocks OC, PhD, FCLIP (1927-2010) began his career in libraries in Manchester England from 1945-1953, interrupted by three years in the British Army’s Intelligence Corps. He then worked in Cyprus, Western Australia, and Pittsburgh, PA before joining ¹úÃñ²ÊƱ in 1971.

He became Director of the School of Library and Information Studies (later the School of Information Management, now the Department of Information Science) and was later Dean of the Faculty of Management. He left Halifax in 1986 to become Editorial Vice President of Scarecrow Press in Metuchen, NJ, where he also was an adjunct professor at Rutgers University, until he returned to Nova Scotia in 1995.

In 2006 Norman was named an Officer of the Order of Canada in recognition of his lifetime devotion to library and information science.

Lana MacLean Graduate Bursary ($5,000)

Application required.

This award is funded by a bequest of the Estate of Lana MacLean. The purpose of the bursary is to support students who identify as first in family graduate students.

Eligibility

Must be a registered Master of Information (MI) student and:

  • Demonstrate financial need
  • Self-identify as being the first in family to attend graduate school.
  • Preference will be given to a student who self-identifies as African Nova Scotian.

To apply

Complete and submit the application form linked on the graduate student awards page, answering questions specific to this scholarship. Be prepared to upload PDF copies of your Academic Record and resumé.

Stephanie Downs Memorial Award (approx $6000)

Application required.

Created in memory of Stephanie Downs (MLIS 2006). Stephanie demonstrated exemplary qualities for information professionals, notably: critical leadership abilities; superlative interpersonal skills; a strong interest in international perspectives; and a deep commitment to service.

Eligibility

  • Must be a part-time or full-time returning MI student
  • Must be registered for fall and winter courses by May 1
  • In good academic standing
  • Must have a demonstrated commitment to leadership and to student life in the MI program
  • Must have volunteered or studied in an international environment outside his/her home country

Application

Submit (Word documents) to khumes@dal.ca.

  • A one-page statement of interest in the Stephanie Downs Memorial Award
  • A current CV or resume

Deadline

  • May 1st

Obligations

The award recipient will:

  • Meet with the Program Director and Program Manager in August to discuss responsibilities associated with this award.
  • Consult with: a) the Faculty of Management’s International Student & Alumni Specialist to obtain the context with FOM, and b) the International Student Support Team at Dal’s International Centre.
  • Develop a strategy to support international MI students during the upcoming academic year.
  • Connect with international MI students during the first week of school in September; remain in contact with these students throughout the academic year.
  • Meet monthly with the Program Director and Program Manager to advise on issues that may arise during the academic year, and provide regular updates.

Objective

The Stephanie Downs Memorial Award recipient will act as a point of contact within the MI student body for international MI students. The purpose is to assist these students as they navigate ¹úÃñ²ÊƱ, and point them in the direction of appropriate student resources.

Faculty of Management Awards

The Faculty of Management offers in-course awards with graduate student eligibility

 

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Conference Travel Award

Application required.

Alberta Letts Conference Travel Award

Past Provincial Librarian, and Past President of CLA (1957/1958), Alberta Letts was a strong supporter of the foundation of the School and was very engaged during its early years. After her untimely death in 1973, ¹úÃñ²ÊƱ recognized Ms Letts’ contribution by establishing the Alberta Letts Conference Travel Award to enable MI student travel for conference participation.

Eligibility
Open to MI students (full-time or part-time, returning and graduating) whose paper or poster has been accepted for presentation at a conference.

Award
Support for conference travel: A maximum of $4000 per fiscal year (March to April) will be awarded. Awards are typically $500 per person for domestic travel, and $1000 per person for international travel. Amounts may vary depending on the number of applications and the health of the fund. 

Application Procedure
To be considered for this award, applicants must submit the following to khumes@dal.ca by the deadline(s) below:

  • Evidence that their proposal has been accepted by the conference
  • A 200-250 word statement explaining the conference details (title, date, location), what form their participation will take, what other funding is available to them (if applicable - for example, research funds through a supervisor), and rationale for why they should receive the Award.

Deadline: None. Funds are awarded by-request.

Recipients will be asked to provide a 250-word recap + at least one photo of their conference experience, to be shared through Faculty of Management online channels (website, possibly social media).