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Adriana Polderman International Education Certification Award

Get up to $3,000 for internationally educated nurses enrolled in a Canadian nursing program—apply between December and late January.

Reviewed by G Paul · verified September 1, 2026

$3,000

Total value

Dec 1, 2026

Next deadline

Canadian Nurses Foundation

Administered by

What you will need

Online application submitted via cnf-fiic.ca/scholarships/
Proof of Canadian citizenship or permanent residency
Proof of enrollment in a Canadian nursing program (RN, IEN, NP, LPN, or RPN)
Documentation of status as an Internationally Educated Nurse

About this award

You can receive up to $3,000 through this award. As a scholarship, this money is yours to keep and you do not have to pay it back. This is for you if you are an internationally educated nurse working to integrate into the Canadian healthcare system. Applications open each December and typically close in late January for the following academic year. No specific time zone is posted, so check the Canadian Nurses Foundation (CNF — the national organization supporting nursing education) program page at cnf-fiic.ca/scholarships/ to confirm the exact closing date and time this year. You will hear back through the application portal or email. The CNF awards committee selects winners based on merit. They award over 135 scholarships per year across all their different funding tiers, though they do not publish the exact number of winners for this specific award—ask the CNF how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds. Ask the Canadian Nurses Foundation during your application how the money will reach you—some awards pay students directly, while 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 the Canadian Nurses Foundation whether it's a one-time award or renewable and what you need to maintain.

Who qualifies

To qualify, you must be an internationally educated nurse and a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. You must be enrolled in a Canadian nursing program such as RN (Registered Nurse), IEN (Internationally Educated Nurse), NP (Nurse Practitioner), LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse), or RPN (Registered Practical Nurse). Preference will be given to those who live in British Columbia (BC).

This is what the award's own page said when we last checked. Rules change, so confirm with the provider before you apply.

Canadian citizen or permanent resident
Studying nursing

How to apply

Read the award's own page
Check you meet every requirement, and note each document they ask for.
Submit your application
Save a copy, and submit at least a day before the deadline shown above.

More details

Certification

Avoid providing a generic resume.

Instead, highlight your specific international credentials and exactly how you map to Canadian standards.

List your previous licensure clearly.

Support

Don't forget to prove their current enrollment.

Ensure your registrar's letter explicitly confirms you are in a recognized Canadian nursing program to avoid a technical rejection.

Strategy

Since one single application covers every CNF scholarship you qualify for, do not try to create multiple accounts.

Share this scholarship

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