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Sawer Sisters Nursing Award

Get up to $10,000 for your nursing studies in palliative care in Nova Scotia or across Canada — applications open each December.

Reviewed by G Paul · verified August 21, 2026

$10,000

Total value

Dec 1, 2026

Next deadline

Canadian Nurses Foundation

Administered by

What you will need

Proof of Canadian citizenship or permanent residency
Proof of enrollment in a Canadian nursing program (RN, IEN, NP, LPN, or RPN)
Online application submitted via cnf-fiic.ca/scholarships/

About this award

The amount you receive depends on your level of study. If you are in a baccalaureate program, you can get up to $3,000; those in masters or nurse practitioner programs can get up to $5,000; and doctoral or PhD students can get up to $10,000. This is a scholarship, not a loan, so you do not have to pay it back. This is for you if you are a nurse or nursing student dedicated to improving palliative care (specialized medical care for people with serious illnesses). Applications open each December for the following academic year and typically close in late January. No specific date is posted publicly for the current cycle — before you start your application, check the Canadian Nurses Foundation (CNF — the national organization that supports nursing education) program page or call their office to confirm when applications open and close this year. You will hear back through the application portal. Winners are chosen based on merit by the CNF awards committee. They award over 135 scholarships per year across all tiers, though they do not publish the exact number of winners for this specific award. Ask the CNF how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds. Ask the Canadian Nurses Foundation during your application how the money will reach you — some awards pay students directly, others apply funds to tuition. Confirm this so you can plan your cash flow. Renewal conditions aren't listed — if you're counting on this for multiple years, confirm with the Canadian Nurses Foundation whether it's one-time or renewable and what you need to maintain.

Who qualifies

You must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident enrolled in a Canadian nursing program such as RN (Registered Nurse), IEN (Internationally Educated Nurse), NP (Nurse Practitioner), LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse), or RPN (Registered Practical Nurse). Priority is given to those studying in the Province of Nova Scotia, but you can still qualify if you are studying palliative care elsewhere in Canada.

This is what the award's own page said when we last checked. Rules change, so confirm with the provider before you apply.

Canadian citizen or permanent resident
Resident of Nova Scotia
Studying Nursing or Palliative Care

How to apply

Read the award's own page
Check you meet every requirement, and note each document they ask for.
Submit your application
Save a copy, and submit at least a day before the deadline shown above.

More details

Palliative Care

Avoid writing a generic essay about nursing.

Instead, focus on specific experiences in palliative care and explain exactly how this funding helps you advance your skills in that specialty.

Support

Many applicants provide vague references.

You should secure a letter from a clinical instructor or supervisor who can vouch for your specific work in palliative care settings.

Strategy

Since one application covers every CNF scholarship you qualify for, do not treat this as a separate form.

Tailor your personal statement to highlight the keywords found in the palliative care criteria to ensure the committee notices your fit for this specific award.

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