IBET PhD Project

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IBET PhD Project
Awarded forFour-Year $30,000 annual IBET Momentum Fellowships awarded to foster equitable and inclusive research environments to increase the presence of Indigenous and Black academics in STEM
Sponsored by18 academic institutions across Canada
LocationWaterloo, Ontario, Canada
Established2021 (2021)
Websitewww.ibetphd.ca

The Indigenous Black Engineering Technology PhD Project (IBET PhD Project) is a Canadian program that was created in 2021 to reduce the barriers that exist for Indigenous and Black scholars in Canada pursuing doctoral degrees in STEM programs.[1] The Project provides financial support and academic mentoring to eligible incoming Canadian and permanent resident (CPR) Black and Indigenous graduate students registered in a full-time Engineering PhD program at 18 academic institutions across Canada [2]: McMaster University, University of Ottawa, University of Toronto, Queen's University, University of Waterloo, University of Western Ontario (branded as Western University),[3] the University of British Columbia, the University of Calgary, Carleton University, University of Manitoba, McGill University, Ontario Tech University, Toronto Metropolitan University, University of Windsor, York University, Concordia University and the University of Saskatchewan.[4]

History

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Indigenous and Black scholars have traditionally been underrepresented as faculty members in Canadian Engineering schools. In 1966, Civil Engineering Professor Dr. Barrington DeVere Batchelor became the first Black professor at Queen's University.[5] However, in 2021 there were less than 15 Indigenous or Black faculty members in Engineering fields in Ontario,[6] including only one in the University of Waterloo's Faculty of Engineering's roster of approximately 350 professors.[7]

In response to the Black Lives Matter movement that was active after the 2020 murder of George Floyd, University of Waterloo's Faculty of Engineering sought to increase the number of Indigenous and Black professors teaching in Engineering programs across Canada,[8] while creating and supporting a talent pipeline for PhD students with these same diverse backgrounds.[9] To help build an academic partnership that would achieve this end, the University of Waterloo's Faculty of Engineering joined corresponding faculties at University of Ottawa, Queens University, University of Toronto, McMaster University and University of Western Ontario to form an academic partnership.[10] [11]

Together, these six academic institutions launched the IBET PhD Project in January, 2021. [12] The Project that emulated a U.S. program called the PhD Project that was introduced in 1994 to increase the presence of faculty of colour in U.S. business schools.[13] The PhD Project has garnered a 90% doctoral completion rate with 97% of PhD Project members.[14]

The IBET PhD Project was later expanded to include University of Alberta, the University of British Columbia, University of Calgary, Carleton University, the University of Manitoba, McGill University, Ontario Tech University, Toronto Metropolitan University, the University of Windsor, York University, Concordia University, and the University of Saskatchewan. There are now 18 academic institutions participating in the program.[15] [16]

It is estimated that by 2026, close to 200 Black and Indigenous PhD Fellows will be pursuing their PhDs through the IBET PhD Project.[17]

IBET PhD Project Benefits

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IBET Momentum Fellowships are a central part of the IBET PhD Project. Recipients receive up to $30,000 per annum for four years as they pursue doctoral degrees and undertake specialized Engineering, Design and Technology research.[18] Fellows also receive academic mentoring [19], as well as mentoring by industry leaders in the areas of Engineering and Technology.[20] In addition, they are eligible for paid internships through Mitacs, a nonprofit Canadian research organization. Mitacs provides the internships via its Accelerate, Globalink and Business Strategy programs.[21]

The IBET PhD Project hosts an annual conference where its Fellows can build their professional networks. The current Fellows give short talks - or poster presentations - on their research progress and newly added Fellows introduce their proposed research projects.[22]

Selection Criteria

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The IBET PhD Project seeks to change the academic landscape within the next five to 10 years by increasing the number of Indigenous and Black Engineering professors teaching and researching in universities across Canada.[23]

IBET Momentum Fellowships are awarded to eligible incoming CPR Black and Indigenous (a person who self-identifies as First Nations Status/Non-Status, Metis or Inuit as defined in the Canadian Constitution Act of 1982) graduate students registered in a full-time Engineering PhD program at one of the participating academic institutions.[24]

Selection of Fellows is a competitive process. Applicants must meet qualifying admissions requirements (normally a cumulative average of 80%) for their chosen Faculty of Engineering PhD program.[25] [26] [27]

Administration

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The Director of the IBET PhD Project is Professor Tiz Mekonnen. He is an assistant Professor in the department of Engineering at the University of Waterloo who spearheaded the initial development of the program. Professor Mekonnen coordinates and leads the consortium.[28]

Project Sponsors

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The McCall MacBain Foundation, founded by John McCall MacBain, is a supporter of the IBET PhD Project. It has made gifts that will ensure the continued success of a range of important program initiatives and will significantly contribute to the growing community of IBET Fellows.[29]

Consulting and Engineering firm, Geosyntec Consultants, provides financial support to the IBET PhD Project and serves as a sponsor for the program's annual conference.[30]

External Partners

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The IBET PhD Program partners with three organizations to help enhance the doctoral experience for Fellows.

Black Engineers of Canada provides networking and mentoring opportunities at IBET PhD conferences and events. And they continue to promote diversity and inclusivity in the engineering profession that reflects Canadian society. [31]

The Vector Institute partners with the IBET PhD Project (IBET) to increase the number of Indigenous and Black professors in Engineering and Computer Science in Canada. Through the partnership, IBET Fellows gain access to Vector programming, including research talks and courses, as well as the Vector Digital Talent Hub, where they can connect with leading industry sponsors on AI-related internships and work opportunities. [32]

Part of the Canadian Black Scientists Network's (CBSN) mission is to increase the representation of Black Canadians as STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics & Medical/Health) researchers and practitioners. CBSN holds conferences such as BE-STEMM that allow Black IBET PhD Project Fellows to share their research with other Black scientists. [33] [34] [35]

References

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  1. ^ "Supporting The Next Generation of STEM Leaders". Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  2. ^ "Networking and mentorship at the third annual IBET conference-". engineerscanada. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
  3. ^ Belinda A. Beaton (8 February 2012). "About - Western University". Thcanadianencyclopedia.ca. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
  4. ^ "About - Addressing An Urgent Need-". IBETPhD.
  5. ^ "Queen's Black Faculty & Staff Caucus". queensu.ca.
  6. ^ Paula Duhatschek (20 January 2021). "Ontario lacks Black and Indigenous engineering profs — this program hopes to change that". cbc.ca. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  7. ^ Office of Research (26 July 2022). "IBET PhD Program To Represent Waterloo In Federal Competition". cbc.ca. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  8. ^ "Changing The Face of Faculty in Engineering and Technology". uwaterloo.ca. 3 February 2025. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  9. ^ "Indigenous and Black Engineering and Technology Scholarship". smithengineering.queensu.ca. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  10. ^ "About - Addressing An Urgent Need-". IBETPhD.
  11. ^ "U of T, other Ontario universities create fellowship to increase diversity in engineering and technology". utoronto.ca. 18 January 2021. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
  12. ^ "How IBET Is Supporting Black and Indigenous STEM PhDs". Innovatingcanada. Retrieved 11 June 2025.
  13. ^ Marybeth Gasman (7 October 2023). "Why Diversifying The Business School Ph.D. Matters". Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  14. ^ "Our History-". phdproject.org. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  15. ^ "New program aims to increase Indigenous, Black representation in engineering faculties". engineerscanada.ca. 30 June 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  16. ^ "IBET Project Offers PhD Fellowships to Indigenous and Black Students in Engineering and Technologys". engineerscanada.ca. 21 January 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  17. ^ "Engineering professors recognized as top innovators". uwaterloo.ca.ca. 22 October 2022. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  18. ^ "NEM 2022 Interview Series – University of Waterloo IBET PhD Project". nemontario.ca. 1 February 2022. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  19. ^ Kerry Lorimer (31 January 2025). "Lassonde professor champions diversity, inclusion in role as menor". yorku.ca. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  20. ^ "Championing mentorship for Black youth through the IBET PhD project". smithengineering.queensu.ca/. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  21. ^ "Mitacs and IBET Expand Partnership and Opportunities for Indigenous and Black Researcher". mitacs.caaccess-date = June 7, 2025.
  22. ^ "The IBET PhD Project Inaugural Conference". uwaterloo. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  23. ^ "Ontario universities create fellowship to increase diversity in engineering and technology". uottawa.ca. 18 January 2021. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
  24. ^ "IBET Momentum Fellowships". gradstudies.engineering.utoronto. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
  25. ^ "Indigenous and Black Engineering and Technology (IBET) Momentum Fellowship". uwaterloo.ca. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  26. ^ "IBET Momentum Fellowship". concordia.ca. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
  27. ^ "IBET Momentum Fellowship". carlton.ca. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  28. ^ "NEM 2022 Interview Series – University of Waterloo IBET PhD Project". nemontario.ca. 21 February 2022. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  29. ^ "McCall McBain Foundation Grant to Support Indigenous and Black Engineering and Technology PhD Project". carlton.ca. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  30. ^ "Networking and mentorship at the third annual IBET conference". engineerscanada.ca. 5 December 2024. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  31. ^ "Black Engineers of Canada: Empowering Excellence and Diversity in Engineering". engineerscanada. 29 February 2024. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  32. ^ "Vector partners with IBET To Increase the Number of Indigenous and Black AI Researchers". vectorinstitute.ai. 17 October 2023. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  33. ^ "BE-STEMM 2025 CBSN's 4th Annual Conference Road to Calgary". Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  34. ^ "Project Partnerships". ibetphd.ca. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  35. ^ "Acting at all levels to reverse negative impacts of Anti-Black racism in STEM: A call to build pathways through barriers for Students, Graduates & Professionals". sciencepolicy.ca. 23 October 2025. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
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