Departmental Graduate Associations (DGAs)

The GSA Departmental Graduate Association (DGA) program gives graduate students in every department, regardless of size, the chance to plan and manage their own graduate students’ association. DGAs allow graduate students to take an active role in their education and in their graduate school experience by organizing various events, creating new initiatives, and providing support and advice to graduate students in their department.
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Important Documents

DGA Handbook
DGA Policy
DGA Agreement

About the DGAs

The GSA provides a strong foundation for our members and community by offering valued services and programs that support and empower graduate students during and after their academic endeavors. We create an environment built on fiscal sustainability, social engagement, and effective representation.

We are here to enhance the experience of all grad students, and one of the ways in which we do this is by encouraging engagement by facilitating Departmental Graduate Associations (DGAs).

Questions about running your DGA or other processes? Email the GSA Governance & Services Coordinator at  governance.gsa@ucalgary.ca.

Run Your DGA

The GSA offers funding and event support to your DGA so that your DGA can host events, offer programs and services, and represent your graduate students on different levels within the University of Calgary. Below is an overview of financial funding and event support provided by the GSA. Please find more information about DGA funding and support HERE.

University of Calgary guidelines and processes for hosting in-person events can be found HERE.

$300+ Operational Bursary

Fill out the DGA Change of Information Form annually and receive an Operational Bursary (for pre-existing DGAs: $300 base amount + additional funding based on department registration numbers)
Deadline: October 15

Event Grant

NEW! Up to $1,000 per year
DGA Event Grants are processed at the same time as your Operational Bursary. DGAs will receive $500 at the beginning of the Fall term and an additional $500 for the Winter term upon submission of a Fall Events Report. Please note that Event Submission Forms still need to be submitted.
Deadline: October 15

Event Support

Fill out the Event Submission Form to request any non-monetary event support from the GSA including equipment rental, insurance information, and promotional items.
You must submit your request at least 4 weeks prior to the event date. Visit the Event Forms and Resources page for more details on GSA’s event support.

Other resources

Links to DGA Forms

Graduate Representative Council (GRC)

Each DGA is required to appoint GRC Representatives to GRC meetings. The number of GRC Representatives are dependent on the number of graduate students actively enrolled in the program or to be referred as Active Members as defined by the GSA Bylaws.

For more information about the Graduate Representative Council, please visit the GRC web page here.

Start A DGA

If your department doesn’t yet have a DGA, you can create a DGA. Fill out the DGA Creation Form. The Board of Directors will review your request and ratify your DGA when all of the required documents are submitted. Your new DGA will be able to obtain $300 Start-up Grant for the first year.
DGA Creation Form

Consortium

Each DGA is required to appoint GRC Representatives to GRC meetings. The number of GRC Representatives are dependent on the number of graduate students actively enrolled in the program or to be referred as Active Members as defined by the GSA Bylaws.

For more information about the Graduate Representative Council, please visit the GRC web page here.

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Start a Consortium

Receive your Start-up Grant of $100, or $0.50 per member, whichever is GREATER, to a maximum of $500, (one time only) when the consortium is ratified by the Board of Directors.
Consortium Creation Form

Run a Consortium

Fill out the Change of Information Form annually and receive Consortium Operational Bursary of $100, or $0.50 per member, whichever is greater, to a maximum of $350 per year.
Change of Information Form

Event Grant & Event Support

Fill out the Event Submission Form to request event grants and any non-monetary event support from the GSA including equipment rental and promotional items. Submit your request at least 4 weeks prior to the event date
Event Submission Form
Please contact the Governance & Services Coordinator at governance.gsa@ucalgary.ca if you have any questions.

List of Registered Departmental Graduate Associations

NAME OF DGA