The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarship supports doctoral students in the humanities and social sciences whose research engages with pressing social issues. The Foundation, established in 2001 in memory of the former Canadian prime minister, awards the scholarships to PhD candidates at, or affiliated with, Canadian universities. The scholarship is among the most substantial in Canada: it provides an annual stipend of up to ~CAD 40,000 for up to 4 years, plus a yearly research and networking allowance of up to ~CAD 25,000, giving a total package that can exceed ~CAD 250,000. Each year around ~16 to 20 scholars are selected and join the Foundation's community of mentors and fellows, with research connected to its themes of human rights, responsible citizenship, Canada in the world, and people and their natural environment. Candidates are usually nominated by their university, with internal deadlines around the autumn; a representative date is 24 September (est.). Treat the figures and date here as estimates and confirm current details on the Foundation's official website.
Seek your university's nomination, then submit the Foundation application with your research and engagement profile.
The scholarship looks for engaged researchers willing to take part in public dialogue, not only academic merit. Universities have a limited number of nominations, so an internal selection usually comes first.
Open to Canadian and international doctoral candidates at Canadian universities
The Foundation selects scholars on the originality and social relevance of the doctoral research, academic excellence, and the candidate's willingness and ability to engage in public dialogue and leadership. Universities nominate, and the Foundation makes the final selection of a small cohort each year.
The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation is a Canadian charity established in 2001 in memory of the former prime minister. It supports doctoral research in the humanities and social sciences on pressing social issues and builds a community of scholars, fellows, and mentors engaged in public dialogue.
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
A major Canadian doctoral award for PhD students in the humanities and social sciences whose research engages with pressing social issues, run by the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation.
A stipend of up to ~CAD 40,000 per year for up to 4 years, plus a research and networking allowance of up to ~CAD 25,000 per year, and membership in the Foundation's scholar community.
The combined package can exceed ~CAD 250,000 over four years, including the stipend and the research/networking allowance.
Doctoral candidates in the humanities or social sciences at, or affiliated with, Canadian universities, whose work connects to the Foundation's themes. Both Canadian and international students can apply.
Around ~16 to 20 each year, forming a cohort that takes part in the Foundation's programmes.
The humanities and social sciences, linked to themes such as human rights, responsible citizenship, Canada and the world, and people and their natural environment.
Usually you must be nominated by your university after an internal selection, then submit the Foundation application.
Yes — the scholarship looks for researchers willing to engage in public dialogue and leadership, not academic merit alone.
University internal deadlines fall around the autumn; a representative Foundation date is 24 September, but the 2026 date here is an estimate. Confirm with your university and the Foundation.
No — both Canadian and international doctoral candidates at Canadian universities can be considered.
For up to 4 years within the doctoral programme, subject to the Foundation's conditions.
On the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation's official website, which lists the current themes, eligibility, values, and deadlines.