Canadian Nurses Foundation · National
CNSA Clinical Award
About this award
Get up to $3,000 for your clinical excellence in nursing — 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 have demonstrated exceptional skill and proficiency in clinical nursing over the past year. Applications open each December for the following academic year and typically close in late January. No specific time zone is posted publicly — before you start the application, check the Canadian Nurses Foundation (CNF — the organization that provides funding for nursing students) program page or call their office to confirm when applications open and close this year. You will hear back via the methods specified on the application portal. Winners are chosen based on merit by the CNF awards committee. They award over 135 scholarships per year across all tiers, but they do not publish the exact number of winners for this specific clinical award — ask the CNF how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds.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
- Undergraduate — 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 duties without results.
Winners instead provide specific examples of how they applied nursing skills to improve patient outcomes or excelled in a simulation lab.
Describe a specific moment where your proficiency made a difference.
The biggest mistake is using a general character reference.
Winners instead secure a letter from a clinical instructor or supervisor who can vouch for their technical skills in a healthcare setting.
Ask your preceptor for a detailed endorsement of your clinical performance.