Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarship 2027 at University of British Columbia

About the Scholarship

The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship Program offers a three-year program designed to train engaged leaders with the skills required to turn their ideas into actions and contribute concretely to addressing the challenges of their communities, Canada, and the world. The Foundation welcomes applications from candidates across a wide range of disciplines in the humanities and social sciences, in business schools, public health, and law.

Scholarship Value

• Annual stipend of up to $50,000 per year for three years to cover tuition and living expenses.
• Annual allowance of up to $20,000 per year for three years to support research, networking, and travel related to the doctoral project and Foundation programming.
• Membership in a dynamic community of Scholars, Mentors, and Fellows.
• Lifelong membership in the Foundation's alumni network, which includes over 500 individuals.
• Total value: Up to $210,000 over three years.

Eligibility and Requirements

• Field of study must be broadly related to the humanities or social sciences and address issues relevant to Canada's future.
• 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.
• 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.
• At the time of application, must be in the first or second year of a PhD program.
• No age limit.
• Must be able to communicate effectively in either French or English.

Application Process (Two-Step)

1. Complete the eligibility screening form by 2 October 2026.
2. Once eligibility is confirmed, access the full application form and submit by 6 November 2026.

Required Documents

• Three letters of reference: one from PhD supervisor, one from another academic referee, one from a referee outside academia.
• Transcripts.
• Research proposal.
• CV.

Evaluation Criteria

• 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.
• A willingness to engage in dialogue, interdisciplinary collaboration, and knowledge sharing.

About Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation

Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation is a Canadian charitable organisation supporting doctoral researchers in the social sciences and humanities. Its scholarship programme combines financial support with leadership development, mentorship and exchange. The Foundation connects researchers with public questions and communities, with selection criteria and award conditions defined for each application cycle.

Official website: https://www.trudeaufoundation.ca

Application dates

Milestone	Date
Eligibility Verification Form Opens	1 September 2026
Deadline to Submit Eligibility Verification Request	2 October 2026
Mandatory Information Sessions	Weeks of October 5 and 12, 2026
Deadline for References	30 October 2026, 9:00 a.m. ET
Deadline to Submit Complete Application	6 November 2026, 5:00 p.m. ET

Official Link

https://www.trudeaufoundation.ca/2027-applications/

Important Notes

• The Foundation adjusts the scholarship amount based on other funding received. However, all Scholars receive the annual $20,000 allowance and a minimum of $25,000 from the annual stipend.
• Interested applicants apply directly to the Trudeau Foundation. UBC no longer nominates a subset of applicants.
• The scholarship is a three-year program.

Contact

Questions about this position, eligibility or the application process should be raised through the contact channel given on the official announcement page (see the Official Link section above). Always quote the position reference in your message so the admissions or HR team can route your enquiry quickly.

How to Apply

Submit your application through the official portal before the deadline: 6 November 2026, 17:00 ET (eligibility screening closed 2 October). Read the eligibility requirements carefully and prepare all requested documents — early applications are strongly recommended for competitive awards.

Open the official application page ↗

Application guides

• How to Email a PhD Supervisor: 7 Templates and Practical Tips
• How to Read a PhD Job Advert: Funding, Eligibility and Application Steps