Calgary Foundation First Nations, Métis and Inuit Graduate Bursary
$ 3,000
Two bursaries valued at $3,000 each, applied directly to tuition
Heads up: this scholarship was renamed from
….
Update your bookmark or shared link to use this URL.
Calgary Foundation · Regional
Calgary Foundation First Nations, Métis and Inuit Graduate Bursary
Reviewed by G Paul · verified April 17, 2026
$3,000
Total value
May 15, 2026 (past — check with provider)
Deadline
About this award
$3,000 for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit graduate students attending an Alberta institution — apply by May 15, 2026.
You can receive one of two bursaries valued at $3,000 each. As a bursary, this money is yours to keep and does not have to be paid back, though it is applied directly to your tuition. This is for you if you are a First Nations, Métis, or Inuit student pursuing a graduate degree in Alberta. You must apply by May 15, 2026. When you apply, ask Calgary Foundation how and when you will hear back — whether it is by email, phone, or through their portal. Selection criteria aren't published — ask Calgary Foundation how winners are chosen and roughly how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds. The money is applied directly to your tuition. Confirm with Calgary Foundation if this happens as a direct payment to the school or as a reimbursement to you. Renewal conditions aren't listed — if you are counting on this for multiple years, confirm with Calgary Foundation whether it is a one-time award or renewable and what you need to maintain.
Can you get it?
- You qualify if you are a First Nations, Métis, or Inuit student attending an Alberta post-secondary institution in the upcoming fall. You must be entering any year of study in a graduate degree program. This includes professional degree programs that lead to entry-to-practice professions, such as Juris Doctor (law) or Doctor of Medicine (medical school) programs. You must also demonstrate financial need for tuition.
How to apply
Review eligibility and gather your documents~1 hour
Read the official award page end-to-end. Confirm you meet every requirement before you start.
Collect reference letters2 weeks
Give your referees at least two weeks' notice and share your résumé.
Draft and revise your essays~10 hours
Use the STAR framework. Be specific, show impact, proofread twice.
Submit before the posted deadline~1 hour
Check the official source for the current deadline: save a copy and submit at least 24 hours early.
More details
Essay
The biggest mistake is writing a generic academic summary.
Strategy
Winners instead share a personal story about their connection to First Nations, Métis, and/or Inuit culture and community, detailing their specific educational journey and how this money removes a concrete barrier to their goals.
References
Many students provide a generic character reference.
Strategy
Winners provide a letter from a community leader or professor who can specifically vouch for their commitment to their culture and their potential to succeed in a graduate program.
Strategy
Focus your essay on the bridge between your past community involvement and your future aspirations.
Strategy
Show exactly how your degree will allow you to give back to your community.
-
How do I apply?
Click the Start application button above: it opens the official application page in a new tab.
-
When is the deadline?
The provider lists the deadline as "May 15, 2026 (past — check with provider)". Check the official source before applying.
-
Can international students apply?
Check the official source: citizenship requirements vary.
-
Shannon Burwash Award for Leadership and Excellence in Equine, Agri-Business and/or Agricultural Studies
Calgary Foundation Two or more awards valued at a minimum of $5,000 each, applied directly to tuition -
Jeanne Henuset-Fraser Memorial Bursary for Rural Manitoba Students
Calgary Foundation ranging from $500 to $2,500 in value, applied directly to tuition -
Calgary Black Chambers Nutrien Community Scholarship
Calgary Foundation One award valued at $7,000, applied directly to tuition -
Optimist Club William J. Cummer Scholarship
Calgary Foundation One award at approximately $2,500, applied directly to tuition -
Beyond the North Scholarship
Calgary Foundation $1,000, applied directly to tuition -
Fogolâr Furlan di Calgary Graduate Scholarship in Italian Studies
Calgary Foundation approximately $5,000 applied directly to tuition -
Vicky Oveson Memorial Award
Calgary Foundation One award valued at approximately $1,500, applied directly to tuition -
Academic Excellence at MRU Scholarship
Calgary Foundation One award of $7,000, applied directly to tuition
Share this scholarship
Screenshot the card below for Reddit, WhatsApp, or your school's chat — verified, dated, with a one-line citation back to the source.