Canadian Nurses Foundation · National
CNF Diversity Fund
About this award
Get up to $3,000 for your studies if you are an internationally educated nurse — 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 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 their different funding tiers, so while there are many awards, they are competitive. 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 credentials without explaining your journey.
Winners instead describe the specific challenges they faced moving their nursing practice to Canada and how this funding removes a direct barrier to their licensure.
Detail exactly how the $3,000 changes your ability to study.
The biggest mistake is providing generic character references.
Winners instead use referees who can speak to their clinical skills and their adaptability in a Canadian healthcare setting.
Ask your supervisor to highlight your professionalism and eagerness to learn local protocols.