Canadian Nurses Foundation · National
Brenda Jeam IEN Nursing Award
About this award
Get up to $3,000 for your nursing studies if you are an internationally educated nurse in a bridging program — 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 to integrate your skills into the Canadian healthcare system. 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 through the application portal or email, though the exact notification date isn't listed. The CNF awards committee chooses winners based on merit. They give out 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 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, 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
- 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 international experience as a simple history.
Winners instead explain exactly how their previous global nursing practice prepares them for the specific challenges of the Canadian healthcare system.
Detail your transition goals in your statement.
Many applicants provide generic letters.
Winners secure references from their current bridging program instructors who can vouch for their clinical adaptation and academic success in Canada.
Since one single application covers every CNF scholarship you qualify for, do not try to create multiple accounts.