Each year the DSU awards more than $50,000 in grants to support various students and student societies on campus. Grants are administered by the Grants Committee, a committee of your DSU Council, and are awarded to students and societies who qualify for a grant as per the Union's policies

DSU funding may be awarded on a first come, first served basis for eligible member and society applicants.

Grants & Bursaries for Individuals

Member grants 

Member Grants are available to DSU members to offset the costs of attending conferences, competitions and events. Each applicant is eligible to receive $100 per year towards their registration and expenses. Please read the DSU Grants Policy before applying.

  • May 30, 2024

    July 28, 2024

    August 30, 2024

    September 29, 2024

    November 30, 2024

    January 30, 2025

    March 29, 2025


Student Accessibility Bursaries 

Bursaries of up to $1000 are available each year, which are open to all Dalhousie students with disabilities.

We recognize that there are additional financial burdens associated with having a disability; this bursary is provided to help defray these costs.

We're currently accepting applications for the 2024/25 academic year until we have exhausted our funds.


International Student Emergency Bursary

Emergency financial assistance is available for international students in financial difficulty due to unforeseen circumstances. Unfortunately, funds are limited so there is no guarantee that all eligible applicants will receive assistance. Read below for more information.


Domestic Student Housing Bursary

The Domestic Students Housing Bursary aims to provide financial assistance to domestic students facing housing challenges while pursuing their education at Dalhousie University. This bursary is designed to alleviate the financial burden associated with housing expenses and ensure that every student has access to safe and affordable housing options.

The Domestic Students’ Housing Bursary grants awards to thirty-seven (37) successful applicants. Each award is valued at $500 per recipient. 

This temporary bursary is available only for the academic year 2024/25 year and is aimed at alleviating housing-related financial burdens for domestic students

*priority goes to Indigenous students

  • To be eligible, applicants must:

    • Be registered domestic students at Dalhousie University, demonstrating a one-time emergency need for financial support specifically related to housing expenses.

    • Current COOP domestic students are also eligible.

    • Applicants are required to have a bank account in Canada in their own name.

    This bursary cannot be applied towards academic or non-academic fees at Dalhousie University or any other institution, and a student may only receive this bursary once.

  • The application process involves submitting a detailed online form to the committee chair, including personal, academic, and financial information, an explanation of the emergency housing need, proof of domestic student status, and other additional requirements listed on the form. This form can be found on the DSU website under the bursary description.

    The Domestic Students Housing Bursary Committee, chaired by the DSU President, an Executive Officer, a DSU Councilor, and a general member, will review applications. To ensure fairness and mitigate bias, the Chair will anonymize applications before review. Decisions are based on the urgency of need and fund availability, with updates provided to applicants within five weeks of submission.

    Both successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified of the outcome within one month of their application submission. For example, if you applied for the bursary on May 22, 2024, you can expect an email from the Chair by Jun 22, 2024


Isaac MacDonald Memoria Bursary

Isaac MacDonald's career goals were to develop computer apps that would increase access to learning for those with dyslexia. This bursary is to further these goals by providing support to students with dyslexia. It is the hope that the bursary award will provide dyslexic students the funds for a psycho-educational assessment, if needed, and supporting technologies. This bursary promotes the right to learning for all students, and the need in our world for the contributions of those with dyslexia.


Grants & Bursaries for Societies

Society Grants

Grants are available to help eligible societies defray operational costs, as well as help plan, promote and participate in endeavours that will be beneficial for the Dalhousie community. Each society is eligible to receive up to $1000 in Grant funding per year ($500/2 semesters). 

Please read sub-section 3 of the DSU Grants Policy to know more details about the revision process and minimum requirements.

Applications are due on the 15th of every month


Society EDIA Grant

The EDIA Grants are specifically designed to support DSU societies committed to enhancing Equity, Diversity, Inclusivity, and Accessibility within the Dalhousie community. These grants aim to assist societies in planning, promoting, and executing initiatives that underscore the importance of EDIA, fostering a more inclusive and equitable campus environment.

Eligible societies may receive between $250 and $500 in funding to support their EDIA-related projects or initiatives.

This temporary grant is available only for the academic year 2024-2025.

  • Please read sub-section 3 of the DSU Grants Policy to know more details about the revision process and minimum requirements.

    To be eligible, applicants must:

    • Be a ratified DSU society

    • Societies are required to have a bank account in Canada in their own name.

    • Is an EDIA-related society or planning on working on an EDIA project throughout the 2024/25 academic year.

  • The application process involves submitting a detailed online form to the committee chair, The form should include:

    • Information about the society and its members.

    • A description of the EDIA initiative or project.

    • A detailed budget and justification.

    • Expected outcomes and impact on the Dalhousie community.

    • Any additional requirements listed on the form.

    This form can be found on the DSU website under the Society EDIA Grant description.

    The Grants and Sponsorship Committee, chaired by the Vice-President Finance and Operations, includes an Executive Officer, a DSU Councilor, and a general member. To ensure fairness and mitigate bias, the Chair will anonymize applications before review.

    Decisions will be based on:

    • Alignment with EDIA goals.

    • Potential impact on the campus community.

    • Feasibility and sustainability of the initiative.

    • Innovation in addressing EDIA challenges.

    • Appropriateness of the budget.

    Both successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified of the outcome within one month of their application submission, with feedback provided to unsuccessful applicants upon request. For example, if you applied for the bursary on July 22, 2024, you can expect an email from the Chair by August 22, 2024.