Scholarships & Awards

Undergraduate Students

Scholarships and bursaries are awarded according to variety of criteria, including (but not limited to): academic achievement, community involvement, extracurricular activity, and financial need*.

*Please note that Scholarships and Awards listed as OSOTF/OTSSS are limited to students who are curerntly receiving OSAP. Students who are not eligible for OSAP cannot be considered for these awards.

The Patricia and Douglas Dadson OSOTF II Scholarship

The Douglas and Patricia Dadson Scholarship fund was created in 2004 by Aleck Dadson (UC ‘76) in memory of his parents. Aleck currently lives and works in London, England and is the fourth generation of his family to graduate from University College. Patricia was a nurse and Douglas (UC ‘32) was the first Dean, Faculty of Education, University of Toronto.

To be considered for this award, students must be registered in an SDS undergraduate program and be a Canadian citizen residing in Ontario. Candidates must submit an application demonstrating financial need. The SDS Award Committee makes its selection from among applicants on the basis of academic merit and the promise of excellence in leadership in the LGBTQ community.

Past recipients: Alison Carson (2006), Kirstin Caspersen (2006), Sara-Marni Hubbard (2007), Ingrid Olson (2008), Alpen Razi (2008), Kirsten Heymann (2009), Merike Andre-Barrett (2009), Erin Fauteux (2011), Brock Hessel (2011), Sarah McQuarrie (2011), Natasha Novac (2011), Brock Hessel (2013), Minnie Kong (2013), Stephanie Sawah (2013), Spencer Sawyer (2013), Cathie Renner (2014), Marie Laing (2014), Philip Warner (2014), Jordan Lavoie (2015), Stephanie Sawah (2015), Alisha Stranges (2015), Anton Kaptainis (2016), Rebekah Lowe (2016)

Past recipients: Paul Weadick (2011), Cathie Renner (2014),

The Jack Hallam UC ’52 Undergraduate OTSS Scholarship

The Jack Hallam UC ’52 Undergraduate Scholarship Award is established primarily to support students in the Sexual Diversity Studies program.  Though preference will be given to SDS students, awards may also be given to LGBTQ students in other programs at U of T. Financial need demonstrated limited to students who are curerntly receiving OSAP.

The Committee shall look primarily for outstanding volunteer contributions to creating change on campus or in the community through LGBTQ community service and/or activism. The Committee shall also recognize community service or activist engagement that addresses inequities along lines of gender, race, dis/ability, etc. in addition to sexual diversity. The Committee shall not make selections primarily on the basis of academic excellence, but shall look for a commitment to academic achievement, keeping in mind the time and energy entailed in creating change through community service or activism.

Past recipients: Brock Hessel (2011), David Seitz (2012), Brock Hessel (2013), Minnie Kong (2013), Jordan Lavoie (2013), Catharine Renner (2013), Phillip Warner (2013), Alisha Stranges (2014), Evelyn O’Rourke (2014), Stephanie Sawah (2014), Zuhai Hameidi (2014), Denio Lourenco (2015), Alex Ludgate (2016), Charlene Sander (2016), Jonathon Zarb (2016), Julian Oliviera (2016)

The Michael Prodanou OTSS Bursary in Sexual Diversity Studies

This needs-based undergraduate bursary was established at UC for the support of students enrolled in the Sexual Diversity Studies (SDS) program. Although the primary consideration for selection will be financial need, the Program Director and UC Registrar may also consider other factors such as a student’s commitment to academic achievement or outstanding volunteer contributions on or off campus aimed at increasing acceptance of LGBTQ people. This award is limited to students who are curerntly receiving OSAP.

Past recipients: Emma McKenna (2009), Brock Hessel (2013), Vi Kathy Mac (2014), Alex Ludgate (2015), Alisha Stranges (2016)

The Sexual Diversity Studies OSOTF II Scholarship in University College

This award was created in 2003 by community supporters of the Sexual Diversity Studies Program.

To be considered for this award, a student must be registered in an SDS undergraduate program and be a Canadian citizen residing in Ontario. Candidates must submit an application demonstrating financial need. The SDS Awards Committee makes its selection from among applicants on the basis of academic merit and financial need, limited to students who are curerntly receiving OSAP.

Past recipients: Erika Katzman (2006), Kirsten Caspersen (2007), Sara-Marni Hubbard (2008), Natasha Novac (2011), Natasha Novac (2013), Jennifer Roberton (2013), Alex Ludgate (2014), Rodney Rousseau (2014)

Rainbow Triangle Alumni Association Award

The Rainbow Triangle Alumni Association (RTAA) was created in 1997 to bring together lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) alumni of the University of Toronto community, to develop the visibility of LGBTQ communities at the University of Toronto, and to raise the profile of the University of Toronto in LGBTQ communities outside the University.

In 1999 the RTAA and many community supporters established the RTAA award, to be given to a student in a Sexual Diversity Studies core course on the basis of academic merit and promise of excellence in leadership in the LQBTQ community. The SDS Awards Committee will consider all students in those courses; no application is necessary.

Past recipients: David Lau (2006), Stephanie Hjartarson (2008), Tammy Sprung (2009), Olive Hersey (2011), Olive Hersey (2013), Ricky Rodrigues (2013), Tyler Carson (2014), Rachel Bromberg (2015)

Emperor I Sergio Apolloni Scholarship

The Emperor I Sergio Apolloni Memorial Scholarship was launched in November 2000 to honour the memory of a pioneer in Toronto’s chapter of the International Imperial Court System. The court system was first created in 1960s San Francisco, with gay activist Jose Sarria at its head, and since then its many chapters across North America have been committed to community development.

Sergio Apolloni was the chapter’s first elected Emperor, and this scholarship was established to honour his memory. Andrew Kennedy, Toronto’s fourth elected Emperor, was a key player in the creation of this testimonial, and had the full support of Sergio Apolloni’s family. The award was originally intended to express a commitment to informed higher education – to support students who would then become a force for change, and to help create a socially inclusive environment. At a ceremony held at University College on November 30th, 2000, Gary Farr, tenth elected Emperor, presented a cheque to SDS that created an endowment for this award.

The Emperor I Sergio Apolloni Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually to a student in an SDS undergraduate program on the basis of academic achievement. The SDS Awards Committee will consider all students enrolled in its programs; no application is necessary.

Past recipients: Colin Chamberlain (2006), Brenna Keatinge (2007), Deana Kanagasingam (2008), Stephanie Hjartarson (2009), Brock Hessel (2013), Rodney Rousseau (2013), Ricky Rodriguez (2014), Brock Hessel (2015), Alex Ludgate (2016)

Pride and Remembrance Association OTSS Scholarship

This scholarship was established at UC primarily for the support of students in the Sexual Diversity Studies (SDS) program. Though preference will be given to students registered in the SDS program, awards may also be given to other LGBTQ students at the University of Toronto. In accordance with the requirements of the Ontario Trust for Student Success (OTSS), the Ontario government’s matching gift program that matches the donation dollar for dollar, the primary criterion will be financial need. The Committee may also consider other factors such as a student’s commitment to academic achievement or outstanding volunteer contributions on or off campus aimed at increasing acceptance of LGBTQ people.

Past recipients: Erin Fauteux (2013), Brock Hessel (2013), Camille Labelle (2014), Spencer Sawyer (2014), Jordan Lavoie (2015), Alisha Stranges (2016), Denio Lourenco (2016)

The Bonham Scholarship for the Study of Issues in Sexual Diversity

Past recipients: Robbie Morgan-Dursi (2006), Gabrielle Zilkha (2007), Greg Katsoras (2008), Scott Scavone (2011), Paul Weadick (2013), Jessica Ng (2014)

The LGBTOUT Student Award

The LGBTOUT Student Award will be awarded to two students each academic year.  The value of each award is $1,000.  Eligible applicants are invited to submit a completed application form, letter of reference and CVor one-page statement to the Director of the Centre for Sexual Diversity Studies. For the 2014-2015 year, several awards will be given out. Please note that only one award however is for students not on OSAP.

Past recipients: Matthew Strang (2006), Suzy Yim (2006), Greg Fisher (2007), Annie Harris (2007), David Pereira (2007), Jessica Parker (2008), Ayden Scheim (2008), Yuvraj Joshi (2008), Jessica Parker (2009), Siavash Ebbadi (2010), Sherrie Quinn (2010) Harla Receno (2011), Alex Wells (2011), Erin Fauteux (2013), Cathie Renner (2013), Jordan Lavoie (2014), Rodney Rousseau (2014), Vincent Ho (2015), Vincentia Kumala (2015), Haley O’Shaughnessy (2016), Julian Oliviera (2016), Katherine Mika Howard (2016)

The David Rayside Scholarships in SDS

Two scholarships will be awarded annually on the basis of academic merit; the first to a student with the most distinguished overall academic performance, who is completing their graduating year  with a Specialist Program in SDS; the 2nd to an undergraduate completing either a Specialist or a Major in SDS combined with an academic interest in the study of politics (through a degree in a politically relevant program, such as POL, Peace & Conflict, Intl Relations or Equity Studies), or a demonstrated commitment to social justice. Open to students outside of UC.

Past recipients: Brock Hessel (2013), Kiran Mehdee (2013), Alex Crocker (2014), Rana Elhawary (2014), Minna Frederick (April 2015), Jasmine Hodgson-Bautista (2016)

Book Prizes

The SDS program also awards three book prizes each year, for the top students in SDS255 (fall term) and SDS256 (second term), and SDS377. One honours Paul Perron (Principal of University College during the formative years of SDS growth) and his wife Jacqui.  The second acknowledges the contributions of Susan Addario, former U of T Director of Student Affairs, to the promotion of equity university-wide and the support of SDS particularly. The third honours the work and contributions of Sexual Diversity Study’s own Maureen Fitzgerald. No applications are required.

The Susan Addario Book Prize, for SDS256H
Past recipients: Ty C. Smith (2007), Kyle Smith (2008), Jessica Simas (2011), Elizabeth Horton (2013), Erin Fauteux (2013), Jade Reid (2013), Jessica Simas (2013), Matthew Devries (2014), Yun Tao bai (2014)

The Paul and Jacqui Perron Book Prize, for SDS255H
Past Recipients: Erin Bertens (2013), Alexandra Napier (2013), Hrag Pailian (2013), Rachel Bromberg (2014), Shayna Sayers (2016)

The Maureen FitzGerald Book Prize, for SDS377H
Past recipients: Sarah McQuarrie (2011), Melissa Frederick (2013), Sarah McQuarrie (2013), Alice Stanton-Hagan (2014), Jade Bryan (2016)

Graduate Students

Information on awards for students in the collaborative graduate specialization is available in the Graduate Specialization section.