Killam Trusts: Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I am currently enrolled in a PhD program at one of the Killam institutions (The University of British Columbia, The University of Calgary, University of Alberta, Dalhousie University). What are the requirements for obtaining a Killam Predoctoral Award and how do I apply?

A: As each university runs its program independently, you must contact the university directly for answers to questions of eligibility and application procedures. The contacts are:

Q: Can I apply for more than one Killam award at a time, at different institutions?

A: Yes. Since the programs are run independently of each other, you may apply to as many as you like. You must contact each institution that you are interested in, as there is no centralized Killam application process. For contacts, please see above.

Q: I wish to apply for a Killam Postdoctoral Fellowship. Where do I get the application forms?

A: Four of the six Killam institutions offer Killam Postdoctoral Fellowships. They are University of Alberta, The University of British Columbia, The University of Calgary, and Dalhousie University. For more information on the eligibility requirements, applications procedures, forms and due dates, please contact the universities directly:

Q: Recently, I have been accepted as a PhD student at a Canadian university which is not a Killam institution. What are the possibilities for obtaining funding from the Killam Trusts?

A: Under the terms of Mrs. Killam's Will, the money was left in trust to six institutions: The University of British Columbia, The University of Calgary, University of Alberta, the Canada Council for the Arts, the Montreal Neurological Institute and Dalhousie University. In order to obtain a Killam Predoctoral Scholarship, the candidate must be a student at one of those institutions. Funding is not available for study outside these institutions, with the exception of the Canada Council's Research Fellowships (available only to faculty, normally at the full professor level).

Q: I am working on a project and am looking for funding to help complete it. Would the Killam Trusts be able to assist?

A: The Killam Trusts would not be able to assist with funding. Under the terms of Mrs. Killam's Will, the money was left in trust to six institutions: The University of British Columbia, The University of Calgary, University of Alberta, the Canada Council for the Arts, the Montreal Neurological Institute and Dalhousie University. The money can only be used at these institutions for scholarships for graduate and post-graduate students, and awards for faculty. The Killam Trusts also provide funds for Killam Chairs, salaries for Killam Professors, and general university purposes.

Q: Why did the Canada Council for the Arts receive a Killam Trust?

A: In addition to the Killam Scholarships at five specific Canadian universities, Mrs. Killam wanted to establish fellowship and prize programs that would be open to professors from all Canadian universities. Accordingly, she made lifetime and testamentary gifts in trust to the Canada Council for the Arts to fund the Canada Council’s Killam Research Fellowships and Prizes. These programs are administered under a special section of the Canada Council Act, and are separate from the Council’s publicly funded programs in support of the arts. It is an interesting historical fact, however, that funding for the “arts” side of the Council’s activities also has a “Killam” connection. When Izaak Walton Killam died in 1955, the government of the day used the $50 million received from the death duties imposed on his estate to help found the Canada Council.