Canadian Nurses Foundation · National
Dorothy Kergin Fellowship Award
About this award
Get up to $10,000 for your Masters or PhD in nursing — apply online between December and late January.
Depending on your level of study, you can receive up to $5,000 for Masters and Nurse Practitioner level or up to $10,000 for Doctoral / PhD level. This is a scholarship, not a loan, so you do not have to pay it back. This is for you if you are pursuing advanced academic credentials in nursing and want to focus on higher-level research or clinical leadership. Applications open each December for the following academic year and typically close 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 specified in the online portal. Winners are chosen based on merit by the CNF awards committee. They award over 135 scholarships per year across all tiers, though they do not publish the exact number of winners for this specific fellowship. 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
- Graduate — 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 writing a generic goal statement.
Winners instead connect their specific research interests to the current needs of the Canadian healthcare system.
Detail exactly how your advanced degree will improve patient outcomes.
The biggest mistake is using a general professor who barely knows you.
Winners instead use a mentor or clinical supervisor who can vouch for your specific research capabilities and academic rigor.
The biggest mistake is treating this as a separate application.