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Scholars of Excellence Hosting & Workshop Grants

Description

We invite researchers to nominate and host future Scholars of Excellence—a prestigious role that directly unlocks dedicated workshop funding for your academic initiatives.

Hosting a Scholar of Excellence offers a unique opportunity to deepen your research networks, co-convene high-impact workshops, and build lasting international collaborations. The Bridging Divides (Br Div) team provides full support, including allocated office space for your guest and administrative backing from our scientific and operations leadership.

Scholar Eligibility

We are looking for nominees who meet the following criteria:

  • Academic Distinction: Highly established leaders in their field.
  • Global Perspective: Strong preference is given to scholars from outside Europe and North America to champion diverse global perspectives and knowledge systems.
  • Duration: Available for a physical residency of 1 to 3 months (minimum 1 month).

Host Expectations

Proponents serve as the primary academic host, which involves integrating the Scholar into your team, co-convening a workshop, and identifying avenues for future collaborative work.

How to Submit

To propose a Scholar, please submit a 1–2 paragraph justification detailing:

  1. Why the candidate is exceptional and how their work advances the mission of Br Divides.
  2. Highlights of their academic CV and career contributions.
  3. Supporting links to their work (Note: Links should complement, rather than substitute, your written narrative).

Application Process

All applications must be submitted via email to bridging.divides@torontomu.ca with the Subject line: NAME OF SCHOLAR | SCHOLAR OF EXCELLENCE PROPOSAL.

Monitoring and reporting

Applicants will be expected to report on the use of grant funds, on funded activities undertaken during the funding period and on outcomes. Please provide a two page outline of the activities undertaken during the workshop, what was achieved during the event including plans for publication or other output, contributions to training early career scholars and HQP, and add any other comments you deem pertinent within one week after the event to bridging.divides@torontomu.ca. Please note that reporting is mandatory. Bridging Divides will not consider future applications from individuals with outstanding reports.

Outcomes 

Describe the benefits and outcomes (such as, evolution, effects, potential learning and implications) that emerged from the workshop, conference, research planning meeting, or knowledge mobilization activities. Elaborate on the benefits and/or outcomes of your event. Examples of outcomes include enhanced curriculum and teaching material; enriched public discourse; improved public policies, enhanced business strategies and increased innovations in every sector of society; and HQP training and supervision opportunities.

Training and Mentoring

It is expected that undergraduate students, graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and other highly qualified personnel such as, practitioners, subject matter experts and Indigenous Elders will meaningfully participate in the proposed initiative. Clearly describe the specific roles and responsibilities of students, emerging scholars and/or other highly qualified personnel, indicating the work they undertook. Include:

  • the nature and extent of training, mentoring and employability activities;
  • the number of students, emerging scholars and/or other highly qualified personnel that were trained and mentored. Where applicable, indicate the level of study (i.e., undergraduate, master’s or doctoral) 
  • the nature and level of specialized skills that the students, emerging scholars and/or other highly qualified personnel developed as a result of their participation; and
  • any career development opportunities for students, emerging scholars and/or other highly qualified personnel.