The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship Program will help shape researchers into engaged leaders who are conscious of the impact of their research, connected to the realities of the communities in which they work, and open to non-conventional forms of knowledge. Up to 15 Trudeau Scholars are selected each year nationally to support outstanding doctoral candidates pursuing research in social sciences and humanities, touching upon one or more of the four themes of the Foundation: (1) human rights and dignity; (2) responsible citizenship; (3) Canada in the world; and (4) people and their natural environment.
The Foundation takes all measures to ensure that universities from all regions of the country, as well as doctoral students from First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities, are represented in its selection.
York University Information
Founded in 1959, York University is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the large city of Toronto (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants), Ontario. Officially accredited and/or recognized by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, Ontario, York University (YU) is a very large (uniRank enrollment range: 40,000-44,999 students) coeducational higher education institution. York University (YU) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees, master degrees, doctorate degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. International students are welcome to apply for enrollment.
Eligibility Criteria
1. You are:
- A Canadian student studying at a Canadian university
- A Canadian student studying at an international university
- An international student studying at a Canadian university
NOTE: Students from international universities that are living outside Canada are not eligible.
2. At the time of application, you must:
- Be in the first year of a doctoral program
- Be in your second year of a doctoral program
NOTE: Candidates in the final year of their master's degree are no longer eligible for the 2026 scholarship competition.
3. Your field of study is broadly related to the humanities and social sciences or human sciences and is directly relevant to the future of Canada.
4. Your doctoral work must relate to at least one of the Foundation's four general themes:
- Human Rights and Dignity
- Responsible Citizenship
- Canada and the World
- People and their Natural Environment.
Offered Benefits
Trudeau Doctoral scholarships can be up to $210,000 in total, including:
- Up to $50,000 per year for three years to cover tuition and living expenses during their doctoral research.
- Up to $20,000 per year for three years to cover the costs of research travel, networking, participation in Foundation events, and to improve their knowledge of Canada’s official languages.
Application Process
All applicants should apply directly to the Foundation using the application portal.
Please review the complete details of the application process on the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation website.
In order to apply, applicants must:
- Register for an account on the Foundation’s new application portal (click “Register Here” button)
- Once registration is complete, create an application for the competition, complete and submit the application before the deadline.
- Referees will be asked to complete and submit a predetermined referral form directly on the Foundation’s application portal. All candidates are strongly advised to follow up with their referees to ensure they complete and submit the form well before the November 17, 2025 at 4:00 PM EST deadline.
For more details, visit York University Scholarship webpage
Founded in 1959, York University is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the large city of Toronto (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants), Ontario. Officially accredited and/or recognized by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, Ontario, York University (YU) is a very large (uniRank enrollment range: 40,000-44,999 students) coeducational higher education institution. York University (YU) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees, master degrees, doctorate degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. International students are welcome to apply for enrollment.