Convocation Awards and Medals

Dissertation Scholarships recognize the outstanding dissertations produced by masters and graduate students. These awards and scholarships are considered very prestigious and may not necessarily have a financial reward associated.

Convocation Medals and Awards are awarded annually at spring convocation. Students who graduated at the previous fall convocation will also be considered for these awards. There are approximately 20 convocation awards, many of which are research area/faculty specific. A complete list of convocation awards can be found here.

Governor General’s Gold Medal

Two Governor General's Medals are awarded at Convocation: the Gold Medal to the graduate student who achieves the highest academic standing in his/her Graduate degree program; and the Silver to the undergraduate student obtaining a first degree who stands highest in the graduating class and has an average of first-class standing. More information found here.

University Medal for Excellence in an All-Course Master’s Program

The medal is awarded by the Dean of Graduate Studies to a student graduating at the Master's level who has demonstrated academic excellence in course work throughout his/her graduate program. One medal may be awarded in each academic year. More information found here.

University Medal for Excellence in a Thesis-Based Master’s Program

The medal is awarded by the Dean of Graduate Studies to a Master's candidate who has demonstrated excellence in the production of a thesis. One medal may be awarded in each academic year. More information found here.

Chancellor’s Graduate Award and Fry Family Foundation Graduate Leadership Award

The Chancellor's Graduate Award, the most prestigious leadership recognition awarded by Memorial University, is given at Convocation to the student of the graduating class who has demonstrated the greatest leadership contribution to graduate student life and other areas of the community during his or her university years. It is awarded by the Senate Committee on Undergraduate Scholarships, Bursaries and Awards based on a recommendation from the President in consultation with the Deputy Provost (Students) and Associate Vice-President (Academic) Undergraduate Studies and the Dean, School of Graduate Studies. The recipient of the Chancellor’s Graduate Award will also receive The Fry Family Foundation Leadership Award valued at $10,000.00 in recognition of their contribution to student life at Memorial University. More information found here.

Dissertation Awards

Dissertation Awards recognize the outstanding dissertations produced by master’s and doctoral students.

Canadian Associations of Graduate Studies (CAGS) / Proquest UMI Distinguished CAGS/ProQuest Distinguished Dissertation Award

The CAGS/ProQuest Distinguished Dissertation Awards have been recognizing outstanding Canadian doctoral dissertations for more than 20 years. CAGS seek out work that makes significant, original contributions to both the academic community and to Canadian society. There are two awards: one for engineering, medical sciences and natural sciences; and one for fine arts, humanities and social sciences. They include a $1,500 prize, a Citation Certificate, and an awards ceremony at the CAGS Annual Conference.

Learn more about CAGS Dissertation Award.