Application Deadline: 2 October, 2026
LOCATION: Canada
Applications for the 2027 Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship are open to doctoral students who are in the first or second year of their PhD program at the time of application.
ELIGIBILITY:
They are looking for students with an outstanding academic record who demonstrate exceptional potential to advance knowledge and address the major challenges facing Canada and the world.
Successful candidates stand out through the quality of their research and their academic excellence, as well as their intellectual curiosity, ambition, leadership potential, commitment to society, and desire to create meaningful impact beyond academia.
To apply for a Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation PhD Scholarship, you must meet the following eligibility requirements.
Field of Study: Your field of study must be broadly related to the humanities or social sciences and address issues that are relevant to Canada’s future. Your PhD research must align with at least one of the Foundation’s four themes:
Human Rights and Dignity
Responsible Citizenship
Canada and the World
People and Their Natural Environment
To be eligible, you must be one of the following:
A Canadian student enrolled at a Canadian university;
A Canadian student enrolled at a university outside Canada; or
An international student enrolled at a Canadian university.
International students residing outside Canada or enrolled at a university outside Canada are not eligible.
Stage of Study:
At the time of application, you must be:
in the first year of a PhD program; or
in the second year of a PhD program.
What They are Looking For:
The strongest applications typically demonstrate:
Academic excellence, supported by an outstanding academic record.
A compelling research project that addresses issues shaping Canada’s future.
A strong commitment to making a positive impact, demonstrated through initiatives, collaborations, or achievements.
A willingness to engage in dialogue, interdisciplinary collaboration, and knowledge sharing.
Letters of Reference:
You must provide three letters of reference:
One from your PhD supervisor.
One from another academic referee.
One from a referee outside academia.
BENEFIT:
The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation PhD Scholarship is designed for doctoral students who want to go beyond academia, grow through mentorship, and contribute to major societal issues through their research.
As a Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholar, you will receive:
Up to $50,000 per year for three years
Up to $20,000 per year for research and travel
Mentorship and experiential learning
An engaged multidisciplinary community
A network of more than 500 alumni
