Applications are now open for the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship Program to study in Canada. The scholarship program is fully funded and aims to help shape researchers into engaged leaders who are conscious of the impact of their research, connected to the realities of their communities, and open to non-conventional forms of knowledge.

The Foundation is looking for audacious, original, and avant-garde candidates. The program will last for three years and will also provide generous support for Scholars’ doctoral work in the form of a stipend and a research and travel allowance (for research and conferences attendance).

Founded in 2001 as a living memorial to the former prime minister of Canada, the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation is an independent and non-partisan charity. Not only does the foundation support creative and critical thinking but also shapes its scholars to become leaders with meaningful impact in their institutions and communities.

Programme Details

• Host Institution: Canadian Universities in Canada.
• Eligible Program: Your work must be related to one of the following themes: Human Rights and Dignity, Responsible Citizenship, Canada and the World, and People and their Natural Environment.
• Number of Awards: Not specified.
• Duration: Three years.
• Eligible Countries: Open to nationals of all countries in the world.

Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship Benefits

Successful applicants for the Trudeau Foundation Scholarship will enjoy a full scholarship that provides the following benefits:

1. Up to $40,000 per year for three years to cover tuition and reasonable living expenses to support Scholars to focus on their doctoral studies and the Foundation’s leadership program.
2. Leadership training from the program’s Mentors and Fellows, including unique experiential learning opportunities that enrich and complement their academic experience (for an approximate value of $5,000).
3. Opportunities to acquire greater proficiency in Canada’s official languages (French and English) as well as Indigenous languages for up to $5,000 a year.
4. Up to $10,000 per year for three years, as a research, networking, and travel allowance related to the Scholar’s doctoral research.
5. Membership in a vibrant community of Scholars, Mentors, and Fellows, all of whom are leaders in their respective disciplines and sectors.
6. Lifelong membership in the Foundation’s alumni network.

Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship Eligibility

To apply for this North America program, candidates must meet the following conditions:

• be already accepted into or in year one or two of a full-time doctoral program and expected to complete your doctoral studies in 2027 or later;
• your field of study is broadly related to the humanities or human sciences of direct relevance to the future of Canada;
• your doctoral work must relate to at least one of the Foundation’s Four Themes: Human Rights and Dignity, Responsible Citizenship, Canada and the World, People and their Natural Environment;
• be a Canadian citizen studying at a Canadian or foreign institution, or a non-Canadian (permanent resident of Canada or foreign national) enrolled in a doctoral program at a Canadian institution.

Similar opportunities

1. Emile-Boutmy Scholarship at Sciences Po for international students;
2. ENS International Selection Scholarship for All;
3. Ashinaga Africa Initiative to Support Orphaned Students.

How to Apply for the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship?

Those wishing to apply for this foundation scholarship program must follow these steps:

1. Registration: click on the apply button below and follow the instructions to create your account. If you already have an account from a scholarship competition prior to 2022, you will need to create a new application.
2. Fill out the application : Once your registration is complete, you will be able to create an application for the 2024 Scholarship Competition. In order to complete your application, you will need to provide:
   • Demographic information on yourself: The Foundation gathers demographic information for statistical purposes, in order to fulfill its commitment to diversity and inclusion. This information will only be used by the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation.
   • Essay Questions: Provide answers (200 to 400 words) to four essay questions.
   • Doctoral Projects and Themes: Provide information on your doctoral project, with answers ranging from 200 to 400 words in length.
   • Referees: Enter the name and email address of two referees in the boxes provided. At least one of them must be an academic referee who is able to comment on your university’s academic performance.
   • Language Skills, Post-secondary Education, Achievements, and Experience: Provide information on your language skills, your post-secondary education, and your achievements – including scholarships, fellowships, awards, publications, conferences, extracurricular, and volunteer activities – as well as your relevant work experience.
   • Upload Transcripts: Upload transcripts for all your post-secondary education, except information related to CEGEP in Quebec, should you have attended CEGEP in Quebec.
   • Read and understand the Foundation’s policies: All candidates are asked to acknowledge that they have read and understood the key policies of the Foundation. Throughout the three-year program, all Scholars are asked to read, understand and comply with these policies: Policy on the Prevention of Harassment and Violence and Code of Community Engagement.
3. Get recommendations: Once you have entered the name and email address of your referees in the space provided in the application form, an email will automatically be sent to the referees, asking them to complete a predetermined referral form directly on the Foundation’s application portal. Referees must complete the predetermined referral form, which includes both narrative answers and numerical evaluations. The foundation is no longer asking referees to upload their reference letters in PDF format on the application portal. You’re advised to follow up with your referees to ensure they submit the completed form on time, by December 1, 2023.

Same as the reference form submission, the deadline to submit an application directly to the foundation is December 1, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. EST. Successful applicants will be officially announced in May 2024. For further information on the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship Program in Canada, please visit the official page. To be the first to see latest opportunities, please follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.