Seeking out the finest thinkers in all disciplines of
the humanities and social sciences

Every year the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation selects up-to five Fellows who have set themselves apart through their research achievements, creativity and social commitment. The Fellows are chosen by an independent jury of eminent researchers and intellectuals, after a rigorous selection process. The Foundation does not accept direct applications for these prizes, but establishes a list of candidates based on suggestions put forward by an extensive nomination network in Canada and abroad. The Trudeau Fellowships are of a total value of $225,000. Trudeau Fellows are appointed for a mandate of three years.

Trudeau Fellowships and
Trudeau Visiting Fellowship

Since the program was started in 2002, the Foundation has named 38 Trudeau Fellows. The Foundation considers candidates from all disciplines in the social sciences and humanities and all domains of creative arts and focuses its efforts in four fields - human rights and dignity, responsible citizenship, Canada in the world, and people and their natural environment.

As of fall 2008, the Foundation started requesting nominations for a "Visiting Trudeau Fellowship". This Fellowship is given to an international (uneven year) or national (even year) Visiting Fellow who will be invited to reside at a Canadian University for at least one year during his or her mandate.

Objective of the Trudeau Fellowship

Trudeau Fellowships are not granted for particular careers or specific activities, although these do factor into the evaluation of the candidates. Trudeau Fellows are chosen above all because they have proven that they can imagine and promote new solutions to major contemporary issues, relying on both the knowledge they have drawn from leading-edge research and the conscientious attention they pay to the needs of our society.

Trudeau Fellows enjoy extensive freedom in their use of the funds they are given, and the Foundation does not require them to make a prior commitment to undertake any specific projects or programs of action. The only important criteria are the excellence of the candidate's record and his or her moral and intellectual qualities. Because of this approach, the Trudeau Fellowships have been able to support original initiatives and truly innovative projects that would not always have been supported by traditional research or creativity grant programs. The Fellows are encouraged to communicate their ideas and works broadly, and the Foundation supports all efforts in this regard.

The nomination deadline for the 2011 Trudeau Fellowships is
November 15, 2010.

The nomination deadline for the 2011 Visiting Trudeau Fellowship (international) is
December 1, 2010.

Additional Information

Detailed description of the general Trudeau Fellowship program [PDF].

Detailed description of the Visiting Trudeau Fellowship program  [PDF].


For further information about the Fellowship program, please contact:

Bettina B. Cenerelli, Program Director
tel  (514) 938-0001, ext. 227