Smith Engineering is proud to participate in this cross-Ontario fellowship to improve inclusion of Indigenous and Black students pursuing doctoral degrees in engineering.
The Indigenous and Black Engineering and Technology (IBET) PhD Project aims to address the urgent need to encourage and support the pursuit of graduate studies by under-represented groups in Canada that have been ignored as potential candidates for academia. This lack of representation has hindered the enrolment of Canadian Indigenous and Black graduate students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programs. IBET recipients receive funding support and a Momentum Fellowship which includes access to industry partnerships and additional networking opportunities.
The IBET PhD project is expected to change the academic landscape by increasing the number of Indigenous and Black engineering professors teaching and researching in universities across Ontario. The program will create a pipeline of students who will also increase diversity in Canadian technology industries as they enter the workforce with graduate degrees from STEM programs.
The fellowship program is designed as a step toward lowering systemic barriers faced by Indigenous and Black engineering students in Canada and to catalyze a change in the representation and diversity of our talent pool in STEM fields. It provides financial support, industry mentorship, and academic networking to foster a robust community for participating researchers and students.
Queen’s and the other IBET institutions have also signed an agreement with Mitacs which will make tools available through their Accelerate program.
Canadian recipients receive $30,000 a year ($25,000 from faculty and $5,000 from faculty supervisor) for four years as they pursue doctorate degrees and specialized engineering research. Access to mentorship and community support will also be an integral component of the program.
Not accepting new Applications at the present time
