Explore a range of scholarships designed to support and uplift BIPOC students in their pursuit of higher education and academic success

At McMaster University, BIPOC students have access to a variety of scholarships aimed at reducing financial barriers and fostering academic achievement. These scholarships not only provide crucial financial support but also recognize the unique experiences of BIPOC students and the perspectives they bring to campus.

Discussed below are accessible and impactful scholarships available to help BIPOC students succeed in their educational journey. Whether you’re a first-year student or well into your studies, these opportunities can make a significant difference in your academic path.

RBC Capital Markets Pathways Diversity Award Program

The RBC Capital Markets Pathways Diversity Award Program includes a $10,000 award, a 2026 summer internship, an executive sponsorship for career guidance and networking opportunities. This program is available for full-time Black or Indigenous undergraduate students that will graduate between December 2026 and June 2027. The application deadline is Feb. 9, 2025.

Applicants must have a strong academic record, actively participate in extra-curricular activities and demonstrate a genuine interest in pursuing a career in finance after graduation. Additionally, candidates must be available to join a full-time summer internship program running from May to August 2026.

To apply applicants must also be Canadian citizens, permanent residents of Canada or legally eligible to work in Canada for any employer up until August 2026. This unique opportunity is designed for students from all academic programs who are committed to both their academic growth and a future in the finance industry.

RBC Indigenous Development Program

The RBC Indigenous Development Program is a two-year, nationwide rotational initiative designed for college and university graduates who self-identify as Indigenous people of Canada. The application deadline is Jan. 31, 2025.

This program offers four work rotations: three focused on a specific business area and one dedicated to a charitable organization or qualified non-profit. The charitable rotation provides meaningful work experience, allowing you to apply your skills while expanding your professional network in the non-profit sector. 

Upon applying, applicants must be recent university graduates and be willing to commit to the program for the full two years. Applicants must also reside in close proximity to an RBC Branch or RBC location and be willing to commute on a regular basis. 

This program aims to help participants develop essential skills and build valuable networks to support their career growth at RBC.

Blackspace Scholarship

The Blackspace Scholarship is an annual scholarship launched by the MSU club Blackspace in partnership with the Royal Bank of Canada. The scholarship is awarded to Black-Identifying women and nonbinary McMaster students. The application deadline is Feb. 1, 2025.

The application is open to both McMaster undergraduate and graduate students. Applicants for this scholarship must answer several questions that demonstrate a strong sense of self-awareness and personal growth.

They should highlight their educational aspirations and how their academic pursuits align with the broader goal of contributing to their community or society. Applicants are also expected to showcase resilience through past experiences, particularly how they've overcome adversity.

This scholarship application seeks to understand how applicants’ identities, particularly as Black women or nonbinary individuals, have shaped their academic journey, along with their perspectives on diversity and inclusion.

The Edgar Lee Ware Memorial Award

The Edgar Lee Ware Memorial Award, established in 2022 by Syrus Marcus Ware, recognizes undergraduate students enrolled in the School of the Arts who identify as Black, Indigenous and/or racialized with a $3,000 award. The application deadline is Apr. 29, 2025.

The award honours students who demonstrate significant community involvement and leadership potential. Applicants for the Edgar Lee Ware Memorial Award must be undergraduate students currently enrolled in the School of the Arts, pursuing a Bachelor's, Co-op, Honours Co-op, or Honours program.

Applicants must self-identify as a racialized or Indigenous person, have completed at least 18 graded units in the current year and maintain a minimum average GPA of 9.5 on the McMaster 12-point scale. Additionally, applicants must meet eligibility requirements for in-course awards. Graduating students are excluded from consideration. McMaster students can apply through the AwardSpring website.

The Adella Margaret Bragg Scholarship

The Adella Margaret Bragg Scholarship is a merit-based award valued up to $12,000, available to female students from the Six Nations of the Grand River territory enrolled in any undergraduate program at McMaster University. The scholarship is renewable for up to three years, with a maximum annual value of $4,000. The application deadline is Apr. 29, 2025.

To qualify, applicants must be an undergraduate student, enrolled in a Bachelor's, Co-op, Honours, Honours Co-op, or Year 1 program. Students must have completed the Indigenous Ancestry Verification process and have approved proof of Indigenous Identity in Mosaic. Additionally, applicants must have a minimum of 24 graded units and a sessional average of 9.5 or higher. This scholarship is not available to graduating students or those enrolled in Nursing Consortium Programs at Mohawk or Conestoga.

For consideration, applicants must agree to the Student Declaration and self-identify as Indigenous on the Mosaic Indigenous Ancestry Verification System. Proof of Indigenous identity is required prior to the deadline. McMaster students can apply through the AwardSpring website.

The CIBC Future Technology Leaders Black & Indigenous Scholarship

The CIBC Financial Technology Award is a $10,000 scholarship, typically awarded to 10 students, for undergraduate students enrolled in Level 2 of a Faculty of Engineering co-op program at McMaster University. Applicants must self-identify as Black and/or Indigenous and express an interest in working in the financial technology industry. The application deadline is Apr. 29, 2025.

To be eligible, students must meet the following requirements: be registered as an undergraduate student, have a minimum of 18 graded units in the current academic year and maintain a sessional average of 9.5 or higher. Applicants must also be eligible for in-course awards. The award is not available to graduating students or those pursuing a second degree.

Additionally, applicants must self-identify through the Indigenous Ancestry Verification System on Mosaic and students from racialized or Indigenous backgrounds are encouraged to apply. McMaster students can apply through the AwardSpring website.

These programs offer not only financial assistance but also mentorship and real-world experience to help students thrive in their chosen fields. By exploring and applying for these opportunities, BIPOC students can gain tools and networks to help them succeed in their educational and career journeys.

By actively seeking out and applying for these scholarships and work opportunities, BIPOC university students can help bridge the gap in representation within various industries. Students can discover additional scholarship opportunities through university resources, including the Black Student Success Centre's Instagram, the Indigenous Student Services Instagram and AwardSpring on Mosaic.

A look at what sports will run this winter through the intramurals program, and how its programming supports equity, diversity and inclusion for all participants

The McMaster athletics and recreation department has just kicked off the winter league for intramural sports. This semester features a variety of sports to participate in, including indoor cricket, dodgeball, innertube water polo and many others.

The leagues began as early as Jan. 12, 2025, giving McMaster students a space to play as the semester began. McMaster’s intramurals offer a variety of categories for participants of different skill levels. These range from PlayFun, for which cooperation and learning of the sport is the main focus, along with PlayCompetitve, for which, as the name would suggest, scoring and winning is the main focus. 

There are also open, co-recreational, women’s and men’s leagues for participants to choose from. Open leagues have no gender-based roster requirements. Co-recreational leagues allow players of all gender identities to share a roster, while women’s and men’s leagues provide spaces specifically for women-identifying and men-identifying players to form their respective teams.

These league styles and rosters are just one way Andrea Maxwell, the inclusion and gender equity advocate for McMaster Intramurals, has aimed to make intramurals more inclusive.

Maxwell creates programming in which all players feel welcome.

“So my role is fairly new. It focuses on creating a welcoming an actively inclusive environment within sports and I really aim to increase participation particularly among groups who have been discouraged from playing sports like marginalized groups such as people with minority gender identities, disabilities, sexualities, other cultures or races,” said Maxwell.

One of the main aspects of providing a welcoming space has been the introduction of the aforementioned open league. Providing a league with no gender-based requirements has opened the door to more people to enjoy intramurals at McMaster.

“We also have an open league where you don't have to identify with any gender identity at all, which is really a step forward. I know a lot of other universities don't really have that at any level of their sports, but this is an opportunity. You don't have to fit in a box to be able to play and be welcomed with our program,” said Maxwell. 

We also have an open league where you don't have to identify with any gender identity at all . . . You don't have to fit in a box to be able to play and be welcomed with our program.

Andrea Maxwell, Inclusion and Gender Equity Advocate
McMaster Intramurals

In addition, Maxwell has helped to facilitate single-day tournaments which provide a space for marginalized groups. These events also aim to provide a space for people who may not be signed up for intramurals and who may want to try a new sport. 

“We have a wheelchair basketball tournament coming later in the semester. We have an International Women's Day tournament coming up, a Black History Month tournament; We have a lot going on just trying to reach as many different groups on campus as possible just to encourage them to play. We want you here, you're welcome here, it's a safe space,” said Maxwell. 

We have a wheelchair basketball tournament coming later in the semester. We have an International Women's Day tournament coming up, Black History Month tournament . . . We want you here, you're welcome here, it's a safe space.

Andrea Maxwell, Inclusion and Gender Equity Advocate
McMaster Intramurals

Maxwell's efforts are aimed at making members of the McMaster intramurals community feel more welcomed, as well as to decrease any nervousness preventing people from joining. For Maxwell, the rewards of joining intramurals are immense.

“I know some people may be nervous to play intramurals, but I would say if you can go for it, it's a fun time. We have prizes, of course, but I guess the real prize is, you know, the friendships, the time and space to get active. It's a rewarding experience,” said Maxwell.

McMaster intramurals has aimed to provide a space for everyone to participate. Anyone can play and enjoy their time while doing so. If you are interested in participating in any of the single day tournaments, information can be found on the intramurals leagues' website.

McMaster's African and Black Diaspora Studies hosted a transformative discussion exploring the vital intersections of decolonization, creativity and cultural expression

The African and Black Diaspora Studies interdisciplinary minor at McMaster University kicked off its seminar series on Oct. 8 with a session called Decolonizing Arts, Music And Communications. This session featured a panel of three Black-identifying professors that engaged in an in-depth discussion about the significance of representation in the arts.

African and Black Diaspora Studies is an undergraduate interdisciplinary minor that offers courses spanning various departments at McMaster. These courses provide an understanding of African and African/Black-diaspora peoples and societies in an international context.

Decolonizing the arts involves talking about the importance of including diverse perspectives into the arts, as well as the audience that artwork and media caters to and how it is received. 

Hosea Patrick, a postdoctoral fellow and the chair of the African and Black Diaspora Studies seminar series committee, provided information about the seminar to the Silhouette via email.

“The rationale is to have a platform for academic and non-academic engagement on issues that affect the Black and African diaspora. This is an opportunity for people doing various work on black studies and experiences to share their work as well as allow others to collaborate with each other,” stated Patrick.

The session took place on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in The Hub. The panel featured associate professors Alpha Abeb and Selina Mudavanhu and assistant professor Syrus Marcus Ware

The session was split into two main parts: a discussion and social. The discussion began with each panelist presenting their own artwork or other pieces they've encountered firsthand, highlighting the intersections of Black creativity, culture, and communication.

This was followed by the social portion for networking. This itinerary allowed students to engage with panelists to question their perspectives and foster an insightful conversation.

“It means a lot to me … I think it’s really important that there are more of us [Black professors] and that we are connected to each other,” expressed Abebe, who is an associate professor in the faculty of humanities and the lead for African and Black Diaspora Studies.

It means a lot to me … I think it’s really important that there are more of us [Black professors] and that we are connected to each other.

Alpha Abebe, associate professor and lead
Faculty of Humanities, African and Black Diaspora Studies

For the first part of the event, the three panelists were introduced along with their works and backgrounds. This was followed by a discussion where the panelists were asked questions regarding decolonization in the arts by the panel moderator and later the audience.

The networking session that followed allowed the panelists, students and other McMaster staff in attendance to meet and discuss the topics with each other. "What you have access to in your classroom is only a sliver of the activity that’s happening on university campuses,” said Abebe, commenting on the importance of networking opportunities such as the seminar.

What you have access to in your classroom is only a sliver of the activity that’s happening on university campuses

Alpha Abebe, associate professor and lead
Faculty of Humanities, African and Black Diaspora Studies

Decolonizing Arts, Music And Communications was the first of four seminars in an ABLD series that showcases insightful conversations and networking opportunities for students. “The central theme for the year is "Exploring Black Experiences in Canada." This particular seminar happening eighth October 2024 focuses on decolonizing arts, music and communications. Others will look at other areas of decolonization from science and technology (21st November 2024) to decolonizing history (6th Feb. 2025) and decolonizing business (13th March 2025),” stated Patrick.

“What we’re trying to do here is not replicate the institutional structures that have always alienated us [people of colour] . . . I hope they [students] come and know they are welcomed with open arms and that they feel a sense of ownership and entitlement to be part of this process of dreaming up what this community looks like,” said Abebe.

I hope they [students] come and know they are welcomed with open arms and that they feel a sense of ownership and entitlement to be part of this process of dreaming up what this community looks like

Alpha Abebe, Associate Professor
Faculty of Humanities

Students are encouraged to keep up to date with this seminar series and explore other opportunities through the ABLD minor's Instagram

C/O Yoohyun Park

How a student’s dual identity has impacted her life 

By: Kimia Tahaei, Opinions Staff Writer 

We tend to generalize the types of racial identities that may be found within the Black community. We often forget the diversity that exists within the Black community itself, a community filled with different cultures, ethnicities, traditions and struggles.  

To gain a deeper insight on the extent of the matter, I interviewed Lina Hamed, a third-year chemical engineering student who proudly identifies as an “Afro-Arab.” She comes from a Sudanese background but was born and raised in the United Arab Emirates prior to moving to Canada.  

“When I started looking for my future university, I would without exception check their student demographics to see if there were other Sudanese people like me. I craved a sense of community with other Afro-Arabs so badly,” explained Hamed. 

Knowing that Lina and most likely many other individuals in underrepresented communities have to check for their demographics to feel a sense of community made me think whether underrepresentation causes feelings of doubt. Feelings of insecurity and doubt become more common among racialized minorities as they don't often see people from their culture presented in a positive light in their circles. 

“It’s strange because if you see that no one who looks like you made it, you question whether you can make it. You ask yourself if my people didn’t go through it, can I truly go through it? As a woman in STEM, these are the types of questions I ask myself often that unfortunately ignite my feelings of self-doubt,” said Hamed.  

Being of both Sudanese and Arab descent can affect one’s sense of identity in many different ways. This can be intensified when one may not feel welcomed in their communities.  

“The thing is, I grew up in the Middle East. So, often, I identify more as an Arab. I spoke Arabic and was more in touch with the Arab culture that was within Sudan. However, people in the Middle East really didn’t consider me Arab and I was often labelled as African. That’s not to say I’m not proud of being African — I take a lot of pride in being a Black African. It’s just that the Black community wasn’t too accepting either since I was more in touch with my Arab roots. It wasn’t the best feeling knowing that I’m part of two communities, yet neither fully accept me,” explained Hamed. 

Unfortunately, this is the reality for many multi-ethnic individuals. There are feelings of uncertainty, doubt and confusion when it comes to their sense of identity as they don't feel fully accepted by either community. Often, these feelings of insecurity heighten when stereotypes are attached to one’s ethnicity and race.  

Oftentimes, multi-ethnic individuals such as Afro-Arabs will face negative stereotypes regarding the various communities to which they belong.  

“As a Black woman, I’m often called unintelligent. As a Muslim Arab woman, I’m classified as a terrorist. And as a Sudanese, I’m characterized as lazy,” said Hamed.   

Such deplorable labels can discourage minorities as they already have feelings of doubt due to underrepresentation.  

Through all of the struggles and obstacles that individuals like Lina face, many come out stronger than before. They embrace their identity, culture, traditions and history and gain a sense of empowerment. 

“Identifying as Afro-Arab was something I didn’t think of until I was 16 or 17. Finalizing my decision to identify as Afro-Arab made me embrace both aspects of me. It felt as if I’m in touch with all the parts of me — that made me who I am. Even if my sense of identity gets lost sometimes and I question who I am, proudly calling myself an Afro-Arab reminds me of my roots and where I came from,” she responded.   

Unfortunately, unlike Lina, many individuals who come from different backgrounds still cannot fully embrace their identity and culture as they don’t see themselves represented in academia and media. It is crucial to understand that through a positive representation of minorities as they can gain confidence and flourish. Furthermore, although many people don't see it as necessary, having essential information on different ethnic backgrounds is vital. Not only does education on different cultures help us better understand individuals who come from diverse backgrounds, but I also believe that through education a sense of empathy is formed — a sense of empathy that can help us create a healthier and safer space for underrepresented communities like Afro-Arabs. Hopefully, when we discuss inclusivity in the future, we should consider each and every sector of different ethnic groups in hopes of an all-embracing society.  

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