As you look forward to starting your graduate degree this September, I am writing to let you know of a number of free, online courses that the Graduate Centre for Academic Communication (GCAC) at the University of Toronto is offering this August.
If you are required to apply for a grant from the Canadian Institute for Health Research (CIHR) or from the Natural Science and Engineering Council of Canada (NSERC), the consecutive-day intensive courses listed below will help you get a head start on crafting a strong grant proposal before the deadlines in mid- to late-September. These courses provide instruction on the principles of effective grant writing as well as a chance to receive individual feedback on your proposal. The Tri-Council prohibits students from applying to more than one agency in the same year, so students should register only for the course related to the award for which they are applying. The courses are open to both domestic and international students. Registration links can be found here.
Writing CIHR Proposals : Aug 5 – 8 (4 days), 2:00 – 3:30 pm. Online.
Writing NSERC Proposals : Aug 12 – 14 (3 days), 10:00 am – 12:00 noon. Online.
Moreover, if you are an incoming multilingual graduate who has had more experience reading and writing in English than listening or speaking, our intensive online Academic Conversation Skills course is designed to help you communicate effectively and confidently in an academic environment. Through active student participation and reflection, this course covers engaging in academic discussion in English, how to ask and answer challenging questions, how to disagree respectfully, and how to manage speaking to your classmates or professors sensitively, either in person or online. This intensive course will take place on 5 consecutive days (Aug 11 – 15), from 9:00 am – 12:00 noon. Priority will be given to students starting their degrees in September 2025. Please note: You should register for this course ONLY if you are able to attend all 15 hours. If you are not available for the full 15 hours, you will have a chance to register for a 6-week, 2-hours-a-week version of the course starting in the fall.
Academic Conversation Skills : Aug 11 – 15 (5 days), 9:00 am – 12:00 noon. Online. Registration deadline: Wed, August 6th.
All our courses are free, non-credit, and open to U of Toronto graduate students. Registration instructions and links for our courses can be found here.
And finally, keep us in mind as you undertake and continue through your degree. The GCAC is a service from the School of Graduate Studies, with the purpose to help graduate students develop proficiency in research communication. Starting in September we offer a range of courses and workshops to help you get oriented to the norms and genres of writing and speaking at the graduate level. Registration for September courses will open in mid-August.