If you are applying for the 2027 Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship, the first requirement is to meet the Foundation’s doctoral-study and research criteria. The award is open to Canadian students enrolled in PhD programs in Canada or abroad and to international students enrolled at a Canadian university. Applicants must be in the first or second year of their doctoral program when applying, and their research must be broadly connected to the humanities or social sciences and aligned with at least one of the Foundation’s four themes: Human Rights and Dignity, Responsible Citizenship, Canada and the World, or People and their Natural Environment.
The scholarship provides up to $50,000 per year for three years toward tuition and living expenses, plus up to $20,000 per year for research, networking, and travel. In addition to funding, Scholars participate in mentorship, seminars, masterclasses, experiential learning, and activities with the Foundation’s Scholars, Mentors, and Fellows. The Foundation is looking for doctoral researchers who combine academic excellence with curiosity, leadership, engagement, collaboration, and a genuine interest in using knowledge to contribute to society
Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship Program Summary
The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation PhD Scholarship is a three-year doctoral scholarship for students whose research aligns with the Foundation’s mission and at least one of its four themes: Human Rights and Dignity, Responsible Citizenship, Canada and the World, and People and their Natural Environment.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Host Country | Canada |
| Funded By | Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation |
| Study Level | PhD / Doctoral |
| Scholarship Type | Doctoral scholarship and leadership program |
| Eligible Students | Canadian students studying in Canada or abroad, and international students enrolled at a Canadian university |
| Language of Study/Application | Application may be completed in English or French |
| Financial Support | Up to $50,000 per year for three years, plus up to $20,000 per year for research, networking and travel |
Eligibility for the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship
Before applying, students should carefully check whether they meet the Foundation’s eligibility conditions. The program has specific requirements concerning doctoral study, field of research, location of study, and research themes.
General Eligibility Criteria
- Be a Canadian student enrolled at a Canadian university;
- Be a Canadian student enrolled at a university outside Canada; or
- Be an international student enrolled at a Canadian university.
- Be in the first or second year of a PhD program at the time of application.
- Have doctoral research that is broadly related to the humanities or social sciences.
- Ensure the doctoral research aligns 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.
- Demonstrate strong academic achievement and intellectual ability.
- Demonstrate engagement and potential to create meaningful impact beyond academia.
Age and Academic Requirements
- Applicants must be in the first or second year of their doctoral program when applying.
- Applicants are expected to demonstrate:
- Outstanding academic achievement
- A high level of intellectual ability
- Academic excellence is assessed through the overall application, including:
- Academic records
- Recommendation letters
Benefits of the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship
The scholarship combines financial support with academic, professional, and leadership opportunities. This makes it different from scholarships that simply provide tuition assistance.
Financial Benefits
- Up to $50,000 per year for three years to cover tuition and living expenses related to their doctoral studies.
- Up to $20,000 per year for three years to support research, networking activities, and travel related to their doctoral work and Foundation programming.
- Potentially up to $210,000 over three years when the two annual funding components reach their maximum amounts.
Academic and Personal Benefits
- Participate in mentorship and experiential learning.
- Attend meetings, masterclasses, seminars, and field experiences.
- Connect with Foundation Fellows, Mentors, and other Scholars.
- Develop leadership and knowledge-sharing skills.
- Participate in a multidisciplinary community.
- Join the Foundation’s alumni network, which includes more than 500 alumni.
- Build connections with people working across different disciplines and sectors.
Documents Required for the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship
Applicants should prepare their academic and application information well before the competition opens. The exact requirements and instructions for the application will be provided through the Foundation’s application process.
The Foundation’s current information confirms that applicants must provide three reference letters:
- PhD supervisor’s reference: This should provide insight into your doctoral research and academic work.
- Academic referee’s reference: Another academic who can speak about your academic progress, research ability, and potential.
- Non-academic referee’s reference: Someone outside academia who can discuss your character, engagement, community involvement, or other relevant qualities.
- Academic transcripts
- Passport or national identification
How to Apply for the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship
The application process for the 2027 competition is changing. Rather than immediately completing the full application, prospective applicants will first need to complete an eligibility verification form.
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Access the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation’s official application portal for the 2027 competition.
- Complete and submit the eligibility verification form.
- Wait for the Foundation to review your eligibility. If your eligibility is confirmed, you will receive access to the full application form.
- Complete the full application in either English or French, using one language consistently throughout the form.
- Enter the requested information about your academic background, doctoral research, leadership experience, community involvement, and engagement beyond academia.
- Select exactly three referees:
- Your PhD supervisor
- Another academic referee
- A non-academic referee
- Contact your referees in advance and provide them with sufficient time to submit their letters. Family members cannot serve as referees, and referees may submit their responses in either English or French.
- Attend one of the mandatory information sessions scheduled. Consult the Foundation’s official announcements for the session dates and access details.
- Confirm that all three reference letters have been submitted.
- Review the completed application carefully to ensure that all personal, academic, research, and referee information is accurate and consistent.
- Submit the complete application through the official application portal.
Application Tips
- Because the Foundation assesses more than grades, present a clear and well-rounded profile that highlights your research, academic ability, leadership potential, and engagement.
- Clearly explain how your doctoral research connects to one or more of the Foundation’s four themes and why the issue matters to Canada and society.
- Demonstrate academic excellence through your academic record, research experience, publications where applicable, achievements, and strong recommendations.
- Highlight your potential to create meaningful impact beyond academia through community involvement, collaboration, public engagement, knowledge sharing, or initiatives related to your research.
- Choose referees who can collectively discuss different aspects of your profile, including your academic work, research ability, community involvement, personal qualities, and engagement.
Deadline for the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship
The 2027 Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship competition will open on September 1, 2026.
| Application Stage | 2027 Date |
| Eligibility verification opens | September 1, 2026 |
| Eligibility verification request deadline | October 2, 2026 |
| Mandatory information sessions | Weeks of October 5 and October 12, 2026 |
| Reference deadline | October 30, 2026, at 9 a.m. ET |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship?
It is a three-year doctoral scholarship offered by the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation. It supports PhD students whose research is broadly related to the humanities and social sciences and aligns with the Foundation’s themes.
Is the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship fully funded?
The scholarship provides substantial funding, including up to $50,000 per year for tuition and living expenses and up to $20,000 per year for research, networking, and travel. However, applicants should not assume that every Scholar automatically receives the maximum amount or that every individual expense is separately covered.
Can international students apply?
Yes. International students are eligible if they are enrolled in a doctoral program at a Canadian university. International students who are living outside Canada and enrolled at a university outside Canada are not eligible.
Can applicants choose multiple universities?
The scholarship is not a general university-admission scholarship where applicants select several universities through one application. Eligibility is connected to the applicant’s doctoral enrollment, and international applicants must be enrolled at a Canadian university. Specific university or program requirements are handled separately by the relevant institution.
Can students work while receiving the scholarship?
Yes. The Foundation states that Scholars may work part-time for up to 20 hours per week while continuing to receive the full benefits of the scholarship. This can include certain university or campus-based roles such as research assistant, teaching assistant, lecturer, or other part-time academic positions.
How competitive is the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship?
The scholarship is highly competitive. For the 2026 competition, the Foundation reported receiving 709 applications, with only a limited number of candidates ultimately selected as Scholars. Strong academic performance alone is therefore not enough; applicants should also demonstrate a compelling research project, engagement, leadership potential, and alignment with the Foundation’s mission.
