Canadian Bar Association Viscount Bennett Fellowship

Get $25,000 for post-graduate law studies if you are a Canadian citizen and a member of the Canadian Bar Association.

Published by G Paul · last checked September 26, 2026

Total value

$25,000

Deadline

Nov 16, 2026

Level

Undergraduate, Graduate

Open to

Across Canada

Apply on the official site ↗

What you will need

Completed official Viscount Bennett application form (your cover page), with your CBA membership number
A list of your academic distinctions
A one-page synopsis of your university transcripts
A one-page synopsis of your extra-curricular interests and activities
A one-page statement of the course of study you plan to pursue, including other funding you have applied for
A full curriculum vitae

About this award

You can receive a $25,000 fellowship for post-graduate studies in law. This is a fellowship, not a loan, so you do not have to pay it back. One student is selected for this award every year. This is for you if you are a Canadian lawyer or law student looking to advance your legal education and ethics through specialized post-graduate training. Applications must arrive by November 16 at 11:59 p.m. ET (if November 16 falls on a weekend, the deadline moves to the following Tuesday). The winner is usually notified in late spring. Selection criteria aren't published — ask Canadian Bar Association how winners are chosen and roughly how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds. Note that only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Ask Canadian Bar Association 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. The fellowship funds one year of graduate study; a second year is funded only if the selection committee is satisfied that exceptional circumstances justify it.

Who qualifies

You must be a Canadian citizen. You must have either graduated from an approved law school in Canada or be pursuing your final year of undergraduate studies at one of those schools at the time you apply. You must also be a member in good standing of the CBA (the Canadian Bar Association — the national professional association for lawyers and law students) when you apply. If you have already started your post-graduate studies, you can still apply as long as you have at least one year of studies remaining. Finally, you must have already applied for graduate studies at a university of your choice before you submit this application. That university can be outside Canada.

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

Canadian citizen
Open to undergraduate or graduate students
Studying law

How to apply

Read the award's official page
Check you meet every requirement, and note each document they ask for.
Order your transcript1–2 weeks
Your school's registrar can take a week or two.
Ask for reference letters2 weeks
Give your referees at least two weeks' notice, and send them your résumé.
Write your essay
Be specific about what you did and what changed because of it. Proofread it twice.
Submit your application
Save a copy, and submit at least a day before the deadline shown above.

Tips for applying

ApplicationAvoid sending your documents one by one. Instead, submit everything as a single complete package. Ensure all required attachments are included in your initial email or mail package.
SupportAvoid submitting your application without external feedback. Instead, share your draft with your Law School Dean for a professional review. Their insight can help you refine your presentation.
RealismAvoid expecting a response if you aren't shortlisted. Instead, remember that the organization only contacts applicants who are selected for an interview. Plan your other funding options accordingly.

Questions students ask

How do I apply?

Use the Apply on the official site button on this page: it opens the official application page in a new tab.

When is the deadline?

Applications close on November 16, 2026. Submit a day or two early: application sites get busy at the end.

Can international students apply?

No. You need to be a Canadian citizen.

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FundMyCourse.ca · checked Sep 26, 2026