Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarships

Brief description: 

Each year, the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation awards up to fifteen doctoral scholarships to Canadian and foreign doctoral candidates pursuing research related related to humanities and social sciences.

Host Institution(s):

Participating Canadian Univeristies

Level/Fields of study:

PhD Research Programme related to Social sciences and Humanities, specifically one or more of the following areas: Human Rights and Dignity, Responsible Citizenship, Canada in the World and People and their Natural Environment

Number of Awards:

Up to 15

Target group:

Canadian student studying at a Canadian university, a Canadian student studying at an international university, or an international student studying at a Canadian university

Scholarship value/inclusions/duration:

The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation scholarships provide $40,000 per year for three years to cover tuition and reasonable living expenses and up to $20,000 per year for three years  for the learning of languages (see below), for travel and accommodations for the Foundation’s leadership program and for research, networking, and travel related to their doctoral research.

Other benefits include membership in a community of other Scholars, Mentors, and Fellows, all of whom are leaders and change-makers in their respective disciplines and sectors; Leadership training from Mentors and Fellows; opportunities to acquire greater proficiency in Canada’s official languages (French and English) as well as Indigenous languages; and lifelong membership in the Foundation’s alumni network.

Eligibility:

1. You are a Canadian student studying at a Canadian university, a Canadian student studying at an international university, or an international student studying at a Canadian university

NOTE: Students from international universities that are living outside Canada are not eligible. 

2. At the time of application, you must be in the first year of a doctoral program or be in your second year of a doctoral program.

NOTE: Candidates in the final year of their master’s degree are no longer eligible for the 2026 scholarship competition.

3. Your field of study is broadly related to the humanities and social sciences or human sciences and is directly relevant to the future of Canada.

4. Your doctoral work must relate to at least one of the Foundation’s four general themes:

• • • Human Rights and Dignity
  • • Responsible Citizenship
  • • Canada and the World
  • • People and their Natural Environment.

Application instructions:

Students must apply via the Foundation’s online portal. Their registration is then matched with their school. Each university holds its own internal selection process to determine which applicants from their institution will be nominated for the scholarship. Please contact your university to learn about its internal selection process and deadlines.

Each university has its own internal deadlines to select students whom it will nominate for the scholarship. The final deadline for universities to submit their nominations to the Foundation is 17 November 2025, at 4:00 p.m. EST.  

It is important to visit the official website (link found below) to access the application form and for detailed information on how to apply for this scholarship.

Website:

Official Scholarship Website:  http://www.trudeaufoundation.ca/en/programs/doctoral-scholarships