Christopher Atkin Memorial Award

What you will need

• ✓ Complete the application through the NAIT awards portal
• ✓ Submit an essay outlining your commitment to patient care, building resiliency, and supporting the mental well-being of yourself, fellow responders, and the profession

About this award

You can receive a $2,500.00 grant. This is a scholarship, not a loan, so you do not have to pay it back. This is for you if you are a paramedic student who is deeply committed to patient care and the mental well-being of your fellow first responders. You must apply by February 12, 2027. When you apply, ask NAIT (Northern Alberta Institute of Technology) how and when you'll hear back — whether it is by email, the portal, or phone. Winners are chosen based on an essay you submit. Selection criteria aren't published — ask NAIT how the committee reviews essays and roughly how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds. Ask NAIT 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 NAIT whether it's one-time or renewable and what you need to maintain.

Who qualifies

You must be enrolled in the final year of the Advanced Care Paramedic program at NAIT (Northern Alberta Institute of Technology).

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.

• ✓ Open to certificate students
• ✓ Studying Advanced Care Paramedic

How to apply

1. 1

   Read the award's official page

   Check you meet every requirement, and note each document they ask for.

2. 2

   Write your essay

   Be specific about what you did and what changed because of it. Proofread it twice.

3. 3

   Submit your application

   Save a copy, and submit at least a day before the deadline shown above.

Tips for applying

• EssayAvoid writing a generic summary of your grades. Instead, focus on your personal commitment to patient care and how you build resiliency for yourself and other responders. Describe a specific moment where you supported a colleague's mental health.
• StrategyAvoid submitting a short or rushed response. Instead, treat the essay as a reflection of your professional identity as a paramedic. Ensure you address all three parts: patient care, your own well-being, and the profession as a whole.
• RealismAvoid assuming this is an automatic award based on enrollment. Instead, recognize that the essay is the primary deciding factor. Spend extra time polishing your writing to stand out from other final-year students.

Questions students ask

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