The FishCAST Graduate Fellowship supports interdisciplinary natural- and social scientists who hope to address biodiversity loss and food security issues in freshwater fisheries, fish culture, and fish conservation.

Financial Support 

FishCAST will provide MSc students up to $17,500/year (for two years) and PhD students up to $21,000/year (for three years). If the student is receiving an external award, the amount eligible through FishCAST can be adjusted depending on the rules of the funding agency. Successful applicants, whether or not they receive a stipend to support their graduate education, will be expected to take part in FishCAST program activities. These activities may include field courses, professional development and technical workshops, off-campus internships, and annual symposia and JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Indigenity) mentorship and advocacy. 

Program Expectations 

Graduate students who join the program will participate in FishCAST training and fully benefit from the unique training experiences that emphasize partnership building and collaboration alongside Indigenous communities, industry, government and non-governmental organizations.  

Scientific Training 

The scientific research pursued by each student will be complemented by enriching place-based internships or lab exchanges, workshops, and land-based learning opportunities. 

Internships 

Students will be expected to complete internships or lab-exchanges for a minimum of 8 weeks. MSc students are required to complete one internship and PhD students are required to complete two internships during their time with FishCAST. We offer flexibility regarding the timing and completion of the required internships and the Program Coordinator is happy to answer any questions you may have.

Travel and accommodation may be remunerated up to a certain amount at the discretion of the hosting institution and FishCAST. Assistance will be provided to find a suitable internship that aligns with both the research theme and stream of the student. Students are also encouraged to find their own internships, subject to approval by the FishCAST internship committee. 

Professional Development 

Professional and technical development workshops are a core component of FishCAST. Students will work in groups, together with faculty, postdoctoral fellows and/or collaborators, in choosing and planning workshop activities. Professional development workshops are expected to be two week-long intensive events, with technical workshops/lectures comprising one or two day-long events. 

The student shall also contribute to FishCAST’s community and activities by taking part in presentations on their research at the annual FISHCAST symposium, attending and organizing JEDI events, and participating in FishCAST field courses. 

Lastly, FishCAST students are expected to follow our Code of Conduct; and recognize they are a member of an academic and wider social community to which they shall contribute. 

Eligibility 

The fellowship is currently available to applicants and current graduate students whose (co)supervisor is one of FishCAST’s main academic members. 

*Please speak with your current or prospective supervisor about the fellowship program before applying.* 

 FishCAST is not a degree-granting program; applicants interested in the FishCAST program must also be applying for entrance or have already been accepted into a graduate program at our participating Universities. 

Application Requirements 

For information on our Admissions process, please visit our applications page.