Student Initiatives Fund (SIF)
The Student Initiatives Fund (SIF) provides seed funding to TMU student-led non-profit initiatives. It recognizes the potential of student-led initiatives to:
- Improve community engagement
- Create meaningful dialogue on campus
- Contribute to building a diverse and innovative campus culture
- Enhance the reputation of TMU
up to $9,000 for new initiatives
up to $4,500 for established initiatives
Application Dates:
Fall
Application period is from August 21st - September 18th
Pitch weekend - October 2nd to 4th
Winter
Application period is from October 18th 2026 to January 22nd 2027
Pitch weekend - February 3rd to 5th
SIF E-Learning Module:
For more details regarding the Students Initiatives Fund (SIF), please reference the SIF e-learning module here (external link, opens in new window) .
Funding
An individual or student group can submit a SIF application for one (1) initiative per semester. SIF awards funding for two main projects:
- undergraduate and graduate student-led initiatives
- undergraduate and graduate student-led lounge upgrades
Add-on Funding Opportunities
Learn more about add-on funding opportunties through the Black Initiatives Fund and Indigenous Student Initiatives Fund below:
The Black Initiatives Fund add-on is funding that you can apply to if your initiative meets the BIF criteria. The BIF aims to support our university’s Black students in developing and advancing events, meetings and information sessions that specifically support and centre Black students.
The BIF Fund will award up to $5,000 in funding to initiatives that are eligible for the SIF undergraduate and/or graduate student-led initiatives award, and which also meet the BIF fund criteria.
To be eligible for the SIF Black Initiative Fund, your Initiative must fulfill the 5 main objectives of SIF, as well as BIF Criteria:
- Center and engage topics and issues relating to the Black Communities
- Provide opportunities for students from diverse Black communities (e.g. Black, Black Canadian, Afro-Caribbean, African, International students, Diaspora communities) to engage with and learn from one another
- Provide experiential learning for Black-Identified students
- Intersectional initiatives that amplify Blackness, and Mental Health, Queerness, Ability, Gender Identity and Expression
- Empower Black-Identified students to realize their unlimited potential
You will have the option within the SIF portal to apply for the BIF funding add-on and be asked “how will your event support Black students on campus?”.
The Indigenous Student Initiatives Fund (ISIF) is an add-on that you can apply to if your initiative meets the ISIF criteria. The ISIF aims to support our university’s Indigenous students in developing and advancing events, meetings and information sessions that specifically support and centre Indigenous students.
The ISIF Fund will award up to $5,000 in funding to initiatives that are eligible for the SIF undergraduate and/or graduate student-led initiatives award, and which also meet the ISIF fund criteria.
To be eligible for the SIF Indigenous Student Initiatives Fund, your Initiative must fulfill the 5 main objectives of SIF, as well as SIF Criteria:
- Center and engage topics and issues relating to the Indigenous Community
- Provide opportunities for students from diverse Indigenous communities to engage with and learn from one another.
- Provide experiential learning for Indigenous Identified students.
- Intersectional initiatives that amplify Indigenous identity and Mental Health, Queerness, Ability, Gender Identity and Expression.
- Empower Indigenous-Identified students to realize their unlimited potential.
You will have the option within the SIF portal to apply for the ISIF funding add-on.
Visit these pages to learn more
Complete the SIF E-Learning Modules for information on the application process and requirements
SIF Mandatory E-Learning Modules
SIF E-Learning Module (external link, opens in new window)
Project Supervisor E-Learning Module (external link, opens in new window)
Committee
Grant-funding applications are reviewed by a standing committee that reports to the Student Services Advisory Committee. SIF is administered by the Department of Student Life & Learning Support on behalf of the Vice Provost Students, Toronto Metropolitan University.
