Senator Norman Paterson Award

About this award

Get up to $10,000 for your PhD in nursing — applications typically open in December and close in late January.

You can receive up to $10,000 for your studies. This is a scholarship, not a loan, so you do not have to pay it back. This is for you if you are a nursing student pursuing a PhD and want to advance the field through high-level research and leadership. Applications typically open each December for the following academic year and close in late January. No specific date is posted publicly for the current cycle — before you start the application, check the Canadian Nurses Foundation (CNF — the national organization providing financial support to nurses) program page or call their office to confirm when applications open and close this year. You will hear back via the methods specified on their portal. The CNF awards committee selects winners based on merit. They award over 135 scholarships per year across all tiers, but selection criteria aren't published — ask the CNF how winners are chosen and roughly how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds. Ask the CNF 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 CNF whether it's one-time 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.

More details