Have you heard about the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarships for 2023? It’s a super cool opportunity for students like you who want to do their PhD studies in Canada. These scholarships are named after a famous former Prime Minister of Canada, Pierre Elliott Trudeau. They want to help students who do research on important topics that affect society. If you get chosen, you’ll not only get money to support your studies, but also get mentors to guide you and meet other smart scholars. It’s a chance to learn and make a difference!
About The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarships
The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarship is a prestigious and highly competitive award available to exceptional doctoral students in Canada. This scholarship program is specifically designed to support and nurture the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and change-makers who are committed to making a positive impact on Canadian society and beyond.
One of the key features of this scholarship is its emphasis on scholarly excellence. Recipients of the scholarship have demonstrated outstanding academic achievements and a strong commitment to research excellence in their respective fields. The selection process is rigorous, ensuring that only the most deserving and promising students are chosen.
Another important aspect of the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarship is its interdisciplinary approach. The program welcomes students from various academic disciplines, including the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, and health sciences. This interdisciplinary focus encourages collaboration and knowledge exchange among scholars with diverse backgrounds, fostering innovative and cross-cutting research.
Furthermore, the scholarship program is centered around four thematic areas: Human Rights and Dignity, Responsible Citizenship, Canada and the World, and People and their Natural Environment. Scholars are expected to engage with these themes and integrate them into their research projects, contributing to a deeper understanding of these critical issues and their impact on Canadian society.
Benefits Of The Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarships
Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholars:
- Become part of a lively community with other Scholars, Mentors, and Fellows who are all leaders in different fields and areas of work.
- Scholars get to learn important leadership skills from these Mentors and Fellows, and they even get to participate in hands-on experiences that make their academic journey more exciting and fulfilling.
- They also have the opportunity to improve their language skills. They can become even better at speaking French and English, which are the official languages of Canada. They can also learn Indigenous languages, which are the languages spoken by the Indigenous peoples of Canada.
- Once Scholars become part of the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation, they are part of it for life. They become lifelong members of the Foundation’s alumni network, which means they can stay connected with other Scholars and continue to benefit from the Foundation’s resources and support.
- The Scholars also receive financial assistance. They can get up to $40,000 per year for three years to cover their tuition fees and reasonable living expenses while they focus on their doctoral studies and the Foundation’s leadership program.
- On top of that, they can receive up to $20,000 per year for three years for various purposes. This money can be used for learning languages, such as French, English, or Indigenous languages. It can also be used for travel and accommodation expenses related to the Foundation’s leadership program. Additionally, Scholars can use this funding for research, networking, and travel connected to their doctoral research.
Eligibility Of The Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarships
To be eligible for the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Scholarship, you need to meet the following requirements:
- You should have already been accepted into a full-time doctoral program, or you should be in the first or second year of your doctoral studies. It’s important that you are on track to complete your doctoral degree in 2026 or later.
- Your area of study should be broadly related to the humanities or human sciences, and it should have a direct connection to the future of Canada.
- Your doctoral research must be relevant to at least one of the Foundation’s Four Themes. These themes include Human Rights and Dignity, Responsible Citizenship, Canada and the World, and People and their Natural Environment. It’s essential that your work aligns with one or more of these areas.
- You must be a Canadian citizen studying at either a Canadian institution or a foreign institution. Alternatively, you can be a non-Canadian, either a permanent resident of Canada or a foreign national, enrolled in a doctoral program at a Canadian institution.
How To Apply For The Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarships
To apply for the Trudeau foundation doctoral scholarships head over to https://fdnpetf.smartsimple.ca/s_Login.jsp. Sign up and fill the application.
Commitment For The Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarships
As a Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholar, you will have the opportunity to participate in various events and activities:
- Engage in Foundation Events: You will be able to attend both in-person and digital events organized by the Foundation. These events include specially designed Institutes of Engaged Leadership and Retreats during your first year as a Scholar. These gatherings are meant to foster learning, collaboration, and personal growth.
- Organize and Present at Impact Conference: In your second year of the leadership program, you will have the chance to collectively organize an important conference called the Impact Conference. This conference is a platform for Scholars to share their research, insights, and experiences. During your third year, you will have the opportunity to present at this conference, allowing you to showcase your work to a broader audience.
- Volunteer and Serve Your Community: As an active Scholar, you will be expected to contribute to your community through volunteer service or community initiatives. Each year, you are required to dedicate at least 30 hours to these activities. It is important to note that the Foundation has a broad interpretation of volunteerism, especially considering the ongoing challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Language Proficiency and Indigenous Languages: If you are not fluent in both of Canada’s Official Languages (French and English), you are encouraged to take steps to improve your proficiency in the language with which you are less familiar. The Foundation supports your language development through formal or informal training. Additionally, as part of the leadership program, Scholars commit to becoming more familiar with Canada’s Indigenous Languages, recognizing their cultural significance and importance.
Language Learning
The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation recognizes the importance of being proficient in multiple languages, especially Canada’s Official Languages (French and English). Here are the opportunities provided by the Foundation:
- Enhancing Multilingual Skills: The Foundation believes that having knowledge of different languages is a valuable asset for leaders, academics, and innovative thinkers. It offers Scholars the chance to acquire greater proficiency in Canada’s Official Languages, which is beneficial both personally and professionally. Being proficient in these languages enhances Scholars’ participation and engagement in the Foundation’s events and fosters a deeper understanding of Canada’s linguistic diversity.
- Supporting Indigenous Languages: The Foundation acknowledges the historical exclusion of Indigenous Languages from mainstream Canadian academia. In an effort to rectify this, the Foundation actively supports Indigenous Languages as an integral part of Canada’s past and future development. After their nomination, Scholars will have opportunities to familiarize themselves with one or more Indigenous Languages through activities organized by the Foundation. There may also be optional opportunities for Scholars to pursue more intensive training in an Indigenous Language, should they choose to do so.
- Language Study Plans: Scholars who are not fluent in both Official Languages are expected to take steps to improve their proficiency in the language with which they are less familiar. They will be provided with resources and support, both formal and informal, to help them enhance their language skills. Additionally, Scholars will be asked to develop Study Plans outlining their approach to language learning, ensuring a structured and personalized approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
The selection process is highly competitive and rigorous. Applications are assessed based on academic excellence, research potential, leadership abilities, and alignment with the Foundation’s thematic areas. Shortlisted candidates undergo interviews and evaluations by a distinguished selection committee.
Yes, the scholarship program is open to students from various academic disciplines, including the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, and health sciences. The Foundation values interdisciplinary approaches and encourages diverse research interests.
Yes, international students studying at Canadian institutions are eligible to apply for the scholarship. However, they should meet all the other eligibility criteria, including academic excellence and alignment with the Foundation’s thematic areas.
No, the scholarship is open to students who have been accepted into or are in the first or second year of their full-time doctoral program.
No, the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarship is specifically for full-time doctoral students. Applicants must be committed to pursuing their studies on a full-time basis to be eligible for the scholarship.
References
- https://www.sfu.ca/gradstudies/awards-funding/external-gov-funded/trudeau-scholar.html
- https://www.trudeaufoundation.ca/become-scholar
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