Canadian Nurses Foundation · National
Adriana Polderman International Education Certification Award
About this award
Get up to $3,000 for your international nursing certification — apply between December and late January.
You can receive up to $3,000. This is a scholarship, not a loan, so you do not have to pay it back. This is for you if you are an Internationally Educated Nurse working toward your certification in Canada. Applications open each December for the following academic year and typically close in late January. No specific time zone is posted publicly — before you start the application, check Canadian Nurses Foundation's program page or call their office to confirm when applications open and close this year. You will hear back through the application portal or email. The CNF (Canadian Nurses Foundation — the national charity supporting nursing education) awards committee selects winners based on merit. They give out over 135 scholarships per year across all tiers, but they do not publish the exact number of winners for this specific award — ask them how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds. Ask Canadian Nurses Foundation during your application how the money will reach you — some awards pay students directly, others apply funds to tuition. Confirm this so you can plan your cash flow. Renewal conditions aren't listed — if you're counting on this for multiple years, confirm with Canadian Nurses Foundation whether it's one-time or renewable and what you need to maintain.
Can you get it?
- Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident — citizenship requirement
- Internationally Educated Nurses — study level
- Studying nursing — field of study
How to apply
Review eligibility and gather your documents~1 hour
Read the official award page end-to-end. Confirm you meet every requirement before you start.
Submit by No deadline~1 hour
Double-check every field, save a copy, and submit at least 24 hours early.
More details
The biggest mistake is listing your credentials without explaining how they translate to the Canadian system.
Winners instead clearly map their international experience to Canadian standards.
List your specific certifications and the governing body that issued them.
The biggest mistake is providing a generic character reference.
Winners instead use referees who can speak specifically to their clinical skills and adaptability in a Canadian healthcare setting.
Ask your current supervisor or clinical instructor for a detailed letter.