Canadian Nurses Foundation · National
CNSA Environmental Award
About this award
Get up to $3,000 for your environmental advocacy work 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 are a nursing student who spends your own time fighting for the planet and promoting environmental stewardship in your profession. 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 national organization supporting nursing education) program page or call their office to confirm when applications open and close this year. You will hear back via the methods listed on their portal. The CNF awards committee chooses winners based on merit. They give out over 135 scholarships per year across all tiers, but they do not publish exactly how many people win this specific environmental award — ask the CNF how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds.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 a class project or a graded assignment.
Winners instead show initiative by starting their own campaigns or volunteering for environmental causes outside of school.
List specific outcomes, like how many people you educated on waste reduction.
The biggest mistake is providing a generic character reference.
Winners instead get a letter from a supervisor at an environmental non-profit or a community leader who saw their advocacy in action.
The biggest mistake is applying to multiple CNF awards separately.