Support the Lambda Foundation McMaster University QTBIPOC Award, which provides financial support to queer and trans Black, racialized, and Indigenous students in their first year. Your gift can increase it to $2,500 and secure at least five more years of funding for future recipients.
Sustaining Access to Education for QTBIPOC Graduate Students at McMaster University
Through the Lambda Foundation, this award provides first-year queer and trans Black, racialized, and Indigenous graduate students with financial support and affirmation, helping them thrive academically, personally, and professionally.
The Lambda Foundation McMaster University QTBIPOC Award currently provides $1,000 annually to a deserving first-year graduate student. Without additional funding, the final award will be disbursed in 2026. Rising tuition, living costs, and inflation have made it increasingly difficult for students to participate fully in academic life, and QTBIPOC queer students are disproportionately affected.
Increasing the award to $2,500 and securing funding for at least five additional years will provide meaningful stability and recognition, supporting students’ ability to focus on their research, leadership, and community impact.
Past recipients, including inaugural awardee Suman Mondal and the 2025 recipient (who remains anonymous for personal safety), demonstrate the difference this award can make. It helps students continue their studies with confidence and sends a clear message: their work, presence, and leadership are valued.
This campaign ensures that future students will continue to benefit from financial support, mentorship, and recognition, while laying the foundation for longer-term sustainability. Your contribution—whether one-time or multi-year—directly sustains access to education and opportunity for QTBIPOC graduate students at McMaster University, and the encouragement to lead in their communities.
