Senator Norman Paterson Award

About this award

Get up to $10,000 for your PhD in nursing — apply online between December and late January.

You can receive up to $10,000 for your studies. As a scholarship, this money is yours to keep and you do not have to pay it back. This is for you if you are a dedicated nursing student pursuing a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) and want to advance the profession through high-level research. Applications open each December and close in late January for the following academic year. No specific time zone is posted, so check the Canadian Nurses Foundation (CNF — the national organization supporting nursing education) website for the exact closing hour. You will hear back through the application portal or via email. Winners are chosen based on merit by the CNF awards committee. They give out over 135 scholarships per year across all their different funding tiers, so competition depends on the number of PhD applicants each cycle. 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 a one-time award or renewable and what you need to maintain.

Can you get it?

• ✓ Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident — citizenship requirement
• ✓ Graduate — study level
• ✓ Studying nursing — field of study

How to apply

1. 1

   Review eligibility and gather your documents~1 hour

   Read the official award page end-to-end. Confirm you meet every requirement before you start.

2. 2

   Submit by December 1, 2026~1 hour

   Double-check every field, save a copy, and submit at least 24 hours early.

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