CNF Diversity Fund

Canadian Nurses Foundation

Get up to $3,000 for internationally educated nurses enrolled in a Canadian nursing program — applications open each December.

Published by G Paul · last checked August 21, 2026

Up to

$3,000

Next deadline

Dec 1, 2026

Open to

Across Canada

Apply on the official site ↗

What you will need

Complete the single online application at cnf-fiic.ca/scholarships/
Canadian citizenship or permanent residency
Enrollment in a Canadian nursing program (RN, IEN, NP, LPN, or RPN)

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 for the following academic year and typically close in late January. No specific date is posted publicly for the current cycle, so you should check the Canadian Nurses Foundation (CNF — the national organization supporting nursing education) website at cnf-fiic.ca/scholarships/ to confirm the exact deadline. You will hear back from the organisers via the methods listed on their application portal. Winners are chosen based on merit by the CNF awards committee. They award over 135 scholarships per year across all their different funding tiers, though they do not publish the exact number of winners for this specific diversity fund. 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.

Who qualifies

To qualify, you must be an internationally educated nurse. You must also be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and currently enrolled in a Canadian nursing program, such as those for Registered Nurses (RN), Internationally Educated Nurses (IEN), Nurse Practitioners (NP), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN), or Registered Practical Nurses (RPN).

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 or permanent resident
Studying nursing

How to apply

Read the award's official 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.

Tips for applying

Professional ExperienceAvoid simply listing your previous nursing roles. Instead, highlight how your international experience prepares you to contribute to the Canadian healthcare system. Detail specific clinical skills you bring from your home country.
StrategyAvoid treating this as a separate application from other CNF awards. Since a single online application covers every scholarship you are eligible for, ensure your profile is exhaustive and covers all your strengths to maximize your chances across all tiers.
RealismAvoid assuming the award is guaranteed because of your credentials. With over 135 awards spread across many different tiers and thousands of applicants, you should treat this as a helpful supplement rather than your primary source of funding.

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 December 1, 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 or permanent resident.

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FundMyCourse.ca · checked Aug 21, 2026