Canadian Nurses Foundation · National
Ann Beckingham Award
About this award
Get up to $10,000 for your PhD studies in gerontology — apply online between December and late January.
You can receive up to $10,000 for your studies. This is a scholarship, not a loan, so you do not have to pay it back. This is for you if you are a doctoral student specializing in gerontology, which is the study of aging and the challenges faced by older adults. Applications open each December for the following academic year and typically close in late January. No specific time zone is posted, so check the Canadian Nurses Foundation (CNF — the national organization supporting nursing education) website for the exact closing hour. You will hear back from the provider after the committee reviews the files, though the exact notification date isn't listed. The CNF awards committee chooses winners based on merit. They award over 135 scholarships per year across all tiers, but they don't publish exactly how many go to this specific award — ask the CNF how many PhD spots are available 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, 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 one-time or renewable and what you need to maintain.
Can you get it?
- Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident — citizenship requirement
- Graduate — study level
- Studying Gerontology — 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 writing a generic summary of your PhD.
Winners instead connect their specific research in gerontology to a real-world problem in Canadian healthcare.
Detail exactly how your work improves the lives of seniors.
The biggest mistake is providing references who only know your grades.
Winners instead use referees who can speak to your clinical skills or your impact on the nursing community.
Get a letter from a mentor who has seen your work in a geriatric setting.