Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
McGill University
Suite of Doctoral Support Programs
Thesis Writing Groups | College of Graduate Mentorship | Doctoral Internship Program
The Canadian Association for Graduate Studies (CAGS) is pleased to announce that McGill University’s Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies is the recipient of the 2025 CAGS Award for Excellence and Innovation in Enhancing the Graduate Student Experience (GSE Award).
Selected by a national adjudication committee of three expert judges from a highly competitive field of submissions representing CAGS member institutions across Canada, McGill’s winning initiative stood out for its comprehensive, evidence-informed, and student-centred approach to supporting PhD students at one of the most critical stages of their academic journey: the end-of-degree transition.
“My mentor kindly shared her journey through her PhD, postdoctoral training, and professorship. Hearing her story was both encouraging and insightful—it gave me a clearer picture of the academic career path and helped me better understand what to expect and how to prepare for the future.” Former student, College of Graduate Mentorship
McGill’s award-winning program features a suite of three integrated supports designed to help doctoral students successfully complete their degrees, navigate uncertainty, and transition into meaningful careers:
- Thesis Writing Groups, including the highly successful Three Months to Advance Your Thesis (3MAYT) program;
- The College of Graduate Mentorship;
- The Doctoral Internship Program (DIP)
Together, these initiatives address the interconnected academic and professional challenges that commonly intensify near the end of a PhD — including isolation, imposter syndrome, thesis completion pressures, and anxiety about post-degree employment.
Through structured, facilitated writing communities housed within the McGill Writing Centre’s Graphos program, the Thesis Writing Groups provide doctoral students with accountability, peer connection, and a predictable routine at a time when many report feeling most isolated. With over 1,000 participants since 2022, these programs demonstrably support timely degree completion while transforming students’ relationships with academic writing. As of August 2025, 70% of the students participating in the 2022-2023 cohort had already graduated or declared their intent to submit their theses.
Recognizing that academic success alone is not enough, McGill’s College of Graduate Mentorship connects upper-year doctoral students and postdoctoral scholars with experienced faculty mentors and PhD alumni across disciplines and sectors. Through faculty mentorship pairings and the TRaCE Talks non-academic career series, students gain confidence and practical insight into a wide range of career paths, helping to normalize diverse outcomes and expand students’ sense of possibility.
McGill’s Doctoral Internship Program further strengthens this ecosystem by providing funded, three-month internships with host organizations in Canada and internationally. By enabling students to apply their research expertise in non-academic settings, often during the thesis evaluation period, the program bridges the gap between doctoral training and employment. With over 200 doctoral interns to date and approximately 41% securing employment with their host organizations, the program demonstrates the value of doctoral skills to employers while empowering students to explore careers with confidence.
“I truly believe participating in this writing group changed my relationship with writing for the better. I am not convinced I would have finished in time without the Winter and Spring group.” Former student, Graphos thesis writing groups
“This experience not only bridged the time gap between my thesis submission and oral defense but also connected my research with my future career aspirations and solidified my desire to work in this field.” Former student, Doctoral Internship Program (DIP)
What distinguished McGill’s submission for the GSE Award was not only the scale or success of its individual programs, but the intentional way these initiatives work together to support and empower doctoral students. By combining structured academic support, meaningful mentorship, and real-world professional experience, McGill has created a robust and inclusive model that directly addresses some of the most significant stressors identified by doctoral students. The result is a graduate student experience marked by connection rather than isolation, and opportunity rather than attrition.
CAGS is proud to recognize McGill University’s Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies for this outstanding contribution to graduate education in Canada, and for exemplifying the student-focused commitment that the GSE Award was created to celebrate.
The CAGS Award for Excellence and Innovation in Enhancing the Graduate Student Experience is presented annually by CAGS to a member institution. Its purpose is to encourage, recognize, and reward administrative or programmatic excellence and innovation in enhancing the experience of graduate students from recruitment through degree completion. McGill Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies will receive a certificate of achievement, and an invitation to showcase their support programs in a workshop at the 64th Annual CAGS Conference in Regina, 2026.
“Together, these programs have attracted over 2000 participants and demonstrate how practical support combined with meaningful connections drives success for students through the end-of-degree transition and beyond. These innovative approaches promote creativity, connection, and vibrant communities…By building networks of peers, experienced mentors, and external partners, they create secure and supportive environments that empower doctoral students to reach their full potential during and after their time at McGill.”
