What are the key dates for the 2026 scholarship competition?
The 2026 Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship competition opens on September 9, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. ET. Applicants must submit their applications directly through the Foundation’s online portal.
The deadline to apply is November 17, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. ET.
All eligible applications that are complete and submitted before the deadline will be reviewed and evaluated by the Foundation.
When am I eligible to apply for the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation scholarship?
Schooling
At the time of application, candidates must be:
In the first year of a doctoral program, or
In the second year of a doctoral program.
Due to the high volume of applications, starting in 2026, the Foundation will only accept applications from students in the first or second year of their doctoral program. You are no longer eligible to apply if you are in the final year of your master’s program.
Citizenship
At the time of application, candidates must be:
- A Canadian student in a Canadian university
- A Canadian student in an international university or
- An international student studying in a Canadian university.
Students from international universities that are living outside Canada are not eligible.
Four themes
The Foundation recognizes that doctoral students often pursue interdisciplinary research projects that fall within the humanities and social sciences, regardless of their department or faculty affiliation. Applications from fields such as engineering, business, health sciences, or the natural and applied sciences are also welcome, provided the research clearly relates to one or more of the Foundation’s four themes.
Candidates’ research must clearly align with one or more of the Foundation’s four themes:
- Human Rights and Dignity
- Responsible Citizenship
- Canada and the World
- People and their Natural Environment
Learn more about the four themes.
Research versus Professional Doctorate Studies
An eligible doctoral program must be research oriented (PhD, JD, etc.) and must lead to a thesis, dissertation, scholarly publication, etc. Professional doctorates are not eligible. Joint programs with a professional degree (JD/PhD; MBA/PhD, etc.) may be eligible if they have a significant research component.
Reference: Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral program (under Program of Study)
Scholarship
Who can apply for the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Scholarship?
The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation’s scholarship program is exclusively for students enrolled in a Ph.D. program. The Foundation does not provide funding for undergraduate, master’s, or postdoctoral studies.
What does the scholarship include?
- An annual stipend of up to $50,000 for three years to cover tuition and living expenses.
- An annual allowance of up to $20,000 for three years to support research, networking, and travel related to the doctoral project and Foundation programming.
- Membership in a dynamic community of Scholars, Mentors, and Fellows, all recognized for their excellence in their respective fields; and lifelong membership in the Foundation’s alumni network, which includes over 500 individuals.
How long is the scholarship valid?
The Scholarship is a three-year program.
Can Pierre Elliott Trudeau Scholars accept other awards?
Yes but the value of the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship is adjusted based on the amount received from other organizations, institutions, or universities. Scholars must declare all additional sources of income each year, including other scholarships.
Regardless of other funding, all Scholars receive the annual $20,000 allowance for research, travel, and networking, and each Scholar receives a minimum of $25,000 from the annual stipend.
Does the Foundation adjust the scholarship amount for other reasons?
For Scholars studying outside Canada who receive external funding in foreign currency, the Foundation converts that amount into Canadian dollars to determine the value. The location of study does not affect the scholarship amount.
Is there an age limit to apply?
No.
Are there academic performance requirements?
Applicants must demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and a high level of intellectual ability. These qualities will be assessed across your entire application, including transcripts and letters of recommendation.
Do I need to be fluent in both French and English to receive the scholarship?
No, fluency in both official languages is not required.
Can I submit my application directly to the Foundation?
No. Applicants must apply through the Foundation’s official application portal.
Where can I find the application form and how do I apply for the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship?
To access the application form, you must create an account on the Foundation’s portal here.
In what language can I fill out the application?
You can fill out the form in either English or French. You can select the language of your application form on the homepage. Please note, the form must be filled out in one language only.
Will I be informed about the status of my application?
Once your application has been submitted, you will receive a confirmation email.
After that, only applicants selected as semi-finalists will be informed of their application status. Semi-finalists selected for group interviews will be notified in late January 2026.
If you are selected as a semi-finalist, you will receive an invitation to participate in group interviews via videoconference. These interviews are an opportunity for semi-finalists to get to know one another, meet Foundation staff, and gain a deeper understanding of the Foundation and its programs.
What language is used for the interviews?
Group meetings and individual interviews will be conducted in French, English, depending on the applicant’s preference.
What happens to my application after the competition closes?
Once the competition ends, your application form will be removed from the portal.
If you received a confirmation email acknowledging submission, your application has been received.
Referees will be asked to submit a formal letter of recommendation. The specifics will be shared in the application form.
How many reference letters are required to apply for the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation scholarship?
Three, your thesis supervisor, another academic referee and a non-academic referee.
Guidelines
What if my thesis supervisor has not yet been chosen or does not know me well?
In that case, you may ask a former supervisor or another professor to act as a referee. Make sure the person you choose can speak to your academic background. We strongly recommend that you explain this in the “Special Circumstances” section of your application.
What is meant by “another academic referee”?
This can be anyone who can speak to your academic progress. We are looking for someone who knows you as a student, academic, or researcher.
What is meant by “non-academic referee”?
This can be someone who knows you outside of academia and can speak to your character, commitment, and/or commitment and engagement in non-academic settings.
N.B. It is possible that you met this person in an academic setting, but we ask that this person speak to the person you are outside of academia.
Can a family member act as a referee?
No.
Do you have any tips for choosing referees?
We encourage applicants to choose referees who can speak to different aspects of their personality—academic, research, community involvement, and personal qualities. We want to understand who you are as a scholar, research partner, volunteer, and human being.
Does my referee have to respond in the same language as my application?
No. Referees may respond in either French or English, regardless of the language used in your application.
When is the deadline for submitting reference forms?
No later than November 12, 2026.
N.B. You cannot submit your application if the references letters are not attached to your file.
Can reference letters be submitted directly to the Foundation?
No, there is a specific way to proceed within the application file. Details are clearly provided.
Can I have more than three referees?
No. Exactly three referees are required—no more, no less.
Can someone who lives outside Canada be a referee?
Yes.
Can I work while receiving the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship?
Scholars may work part-time (up to 20 hours per week) while continuing to receive the full benefits of the scholarship. This includes university or campus-based roles such as research assistant, teaching assistant, lecturer, or other part-time academic positions. Please note that full-time employment renders a Scholar ineligible for the scholarship, regardless of whether they are enrolled full-time in a doctoral program.
If I receive the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship, what is the process for receiving the funds?
Once your application has been selected by the Application and Nomination Review Committee (ANRC) and approved by the Board of Directors, and once you have signed the funding agreement and submitted the required documentation, you will begin receiving the funds. This includes the scholarship amount and the annual allowance for travel and language learning.
The annual scholarship is disbursed in three instalments per year.
What happens if I need to take a leave from my studies (e.g., parental leave, professional leave, etc.)?
Scholars may suspend their scholarship for up to one year for parental, medical, personal, or professional leave. Please note that Scholars are not employees of the Foundation, and the Foundation does not provide paid parental leave.
If you take a leave from your studies, scholarship payments will be paused until you re-enrol full-time in your doctoral program. The Foundation reviews such cases individually and may offer various options to help Scholars reintegrate into the program upon their return.