Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarship
Quick Facts
Up to 15 Trudeau Scholarships are awarded each year to support doctoral students pursuing research in one or more of the four themes: human rights and social justice, responsible citizenship, Canada and the world, and humans and their natural environment. Trudeau Scholars are highly gifted individuals who are actively engaged in their fields and expected to become leading national and international figures.
Mid- to late October 2011 - check with graduate program
Eligibility
- Candidates must be applying into the first year of a PhD at UBC, or be registered in the first or second year of a PhD at UBC.
- Although priority will be accorded to Canadian citizens and landed immigrants, up to one fourth of the total number of Trudeau Scholars may be international students (preference will be given to international students from the developing world ).
Evaluation Criteria
Candidates must demonstrate the following qualities in their applications:
- academic achievement at the level of the most competitive scholarship programmes worldwide
- an outstanding ability to engage in lively exchange with other researchers and scholars
- the intention to work in an area related to one or more of the four themes of the Foundation, and a desire to contribute to public dialogue around those themes. The four themes of the Foundation are: human rights and social justice, responsible citizenship, Canada and the world, and humans and their natural environment.
Please note: Any applicant who is submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies must be truly exceptional. Not only must they be outstanding scholars (as evidenced by superior grades, awards, and publications), but they must also be engaged, contributing members of society as demonstrated by involvement in social, environmental, cultural, or political endeavours. Plainly put, Trudeau Scholars are expected to become leading national and international figures in their fields and in Canada. The level of competition is such that universities generally have only one successful candidate in each competition; many universities do not have any successful candidates at all. The award is targeted to a very few outstanding students, and the past years’ competitions indicate that a record of good scholarship alone is unlikely to result in an award.
Procedures
Students complete application form and request supporting documents (transcripts, letters of reference). Application forms (as well as competition guidelines and other information) are available from the Trudeau Foundation website.
Students submit their application package to their UBC graduate program. Students are advised to verify their graduate program’s deadline well in advance.
Of the applications received from its students, each UBC graduate program may submit up to two nominations to the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
Together with their students’ application materials, graduate programs must submit a letter of support (one per nominee, maximum two pages each) which outlines the program’s nomination process and highlights any other relevant information in support of the nomination.
Application packages (original and three copies) must be received by the Faculty of Graduate Studies by 4:00pm on Friday, October 28, 2011. Incomplete nominations will not be considered.
Applications will be reviewed and ranked by a committee of UBC faculty members. UBC may nominate a maximum of eight applications to the Trudeau Foundation.
Finalists will be contacted by early March 2012 and interviews will take place later that month. Universities in Canada and the United States are asked to bear the travel expenses of their nominees who are selected for interviews. Successful candidates will be notified in May 2012.
Further Information
For application forms and other information, please visit the Trudeau Foundation website.
