DIALOG · National
DIALOG Scholarship for Students in the Design of the Built Environment
About this award
Apply by August 1, November 1, or February 1 for a scholarship supporting Indigenous students in architecture, engineering, and urban design. Apply through Indspire's central Building Brighter Futures program — one application covers all sponsor pools.
The provider doesn't post a fixed dollar amount — contact DIALOG to confirm the value for your specific award before you apply. This is a scholarship, not a loan, so you do not have to pay it back. This is for you if you are an Indigenous student pursuing a career in the design of the built environment and want to gain professional experience in a design studio. You have three deadlines to choose from: August 1, November 1, and February 1. When you apply, ask how and when you'll hear back — email, portal, or phone. Selection criteria aren't published — ask DIALOG how winners are chosen and roughly how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds. Ask DIALOG 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 DIALOG whether it's one-time or renewable and what you need to maintain. How to apply: This funding is administered through Indspire's Building Brighter Futures Bursaries & Scholarships program. Students complete one central application that's evaluated against all 360+ of Indspire's funding pools (including this one) — you don't apply to the sponsor directly. The Apply button on this page routes to Indspire's portal automatically. For the full program description, all three application deadlines, and detailed eligibility, see Indspire Building Brighter Futures Bursaries & Scholarships on FundMyCourse.
Can you get it?
- Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident — citizenship requirement
- Undergraduate, Graduate, Technical Diploma — study level
- Studying Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, Structural specialization), Bachelor of Arts Interior Design, Bachelor of Urban Planning, Urban Design, Bachelor of Landscape Architecture, Master of Landscape Architecture, Bachelor of Architecture, Master of Architecture, Technical Diploma in Mechanical/Structural/Electrical Engineering, Architectural Technical Diploma, Landscape Architectural Technologist — 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.
Draft and revise your essays~10 hours
Use the STAR framework. Be specific, show impact, proofread twice.
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 writing a generic essay about wanting a degree.
Winners instead explain exactly why they want a co-op placement at a DIALOG studio in Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, or Toronto and how that specific city's design landscape interests them.
The biggest mistake is providing a general character reference.
Winners instead use referees who can speak to their technical skills in architecture or engineering and their reliability in a professional studio setting.
The biggest mistake is applying only once.
Since there are three separate deadlines (August 1, November 1, and February 1), you should tailor your application to the specific term you are targeting for your co-op work experience.