University of Toronto’s Lawson Climate Institute is currently inviting applications for the Lawson Climate and Sustainability PhD Award for multi-disciplinary PhD students for the 2025–2026 academic year. These awards are generously supported by the Brian and Joannah Lawson Family Foundation.
Post date: October 1, 2025
Closing date: October 30, 2025
Purpose
These awards are intended to fund world-class multi-disciplinary research within LCI pillars of Sustainable Innovation and Technology and Climate Policy and Sustainable Finance (lci.utoronto.ca), and attract distinguished early career researchers to the University of Toronto. Recipients will be part of a growing network of Lawson Climate Institute Scholars. The Lawson Scholars program provides support for programming, experiential learning opportunities, and internships.
Award
Selected PhD will be supported with $10,000 per student, per year, for one year. Recipients will be part of a growing network supported by dedicated programming and career and professional development activities.
Conditions
- The applicant must be enrolled in a University of Toronto PhD program for the year that the award is intended to be disbursed.
- Research projects must be related to areas of focus at the Lawson Climate Institute. They can be from a wide range of disciplines, and focused on, but not limited to climate policy solutions, climate technology solutions, climate finance solutions and sustainability.
- Awards are open to a diverse and multitalented group of students from a range of climate-related disciplines.
- Students will be encouraged as part of their scholarship stipulations to meet and discuss research themes and collaboration opportunities — including on projects supported by Lawson Climate Institute funds.
Application Procedure
Please apply via the online portal here.
The application should consist of PDF files containing the following required components. All components should be submitted by 11:59pm (EST) on October 30, 2025. Please direct any questions to info@cpe.utoronto.ca
Application components include:
- Research proposal
- [1000 words max, 1 figure, 5 references max]
- Describe the proposed research and how it is relevant to the Lawson Climate Institute goals. The proposal should include the following sections: background, research objectives and work plan. Identify which area(s) the research impacts: the university, city, or country/world. Identify how the work will integrate multidisciplinary perspectives.
- Curriculum Vitae & Transcripts
- Please provide your academic CV and graduate-level university transcripts. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
- Letter of recommendation
- Please provide a letter of recommendation from your immediate supervisor.
Criteria for Selection
Applications will be evaluated on these criteria:
- Relevance of the research to Lawson Climate Institute research themes and mission.
- Quality of the proposed research, i.e., level of innovation, feasibility, and significance.
- Applicant qualifications and academic excellence.
The University of Toronto and Lawson Climate Institute are strongly committed to diversity within our community, and we welcome and encourage applications from racialized persons / persons of colour, women, Indigenous / Aboriginal People of North America, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2S+ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas.