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Canadian Nurses Foundation · National

Sawer Sisters Nursing Award

Reviewed by G Paul · verified April 23, 2026

$10,000

Total value

Dec 1

Deadline

About this award

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

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 They award over 135 scholarships per year across all tiers, though they do not publish the exact number of winners for this specific award.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.

Can you get it?

Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident — citizenship requirement
Undergraduate, Graduate — study level
Resident of NS — provincial eligibility
Studying Palliative Care, nursing — field of study

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.
Submit by December 1, 2026~1 hour
Double-check every field, save a copy, and submit at least 24 hours early.

More details

Palliative Care

The biggest mistake is writing a generic essay about nursing.

Strategy

Winners instead focus on specific experiences in palliative care and explain exactly how this funding helps them advance their skills in that specialty.

Support

Many applicants provide vague references.

Strategy

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.

Strategy

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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