Canadian Nurses Foundation · National
Elanor Jean Martin Award
About this award
Get up to $5,000 for your Masters in neuro-surgical or cancer nursing — apply between December and late January.
You can receive up to $5,000. This is a scholarship, not a loan, so you do not have to pay it back. This is for you if you are a graduate student specializing in the highly technical fields of neuro-surgical nursing or cancer nursing. 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 tiers, but they don't publish the exact number of winners for this specific award or the number of applicants. Ask the CNF how many people typically apply for the Elanor Jean Martin Award so you can judge your odds. Ask the CNF 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 CNF 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 neuro-surgical nursing, cancer 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 general nursing essay.
Winners instead focus deeply on their specific work in neuro-surgical or cancer nursing and show why those specialties need more expert practitioners.
Detail your clinical experience in these exact areas.
The biggest mistake is providing a generic character reference.
Winners instead use referees who can vouch for their technical skill in surgical or oncology settings.
Get a letter from a clinical supervisor who has seen you handle complex cases.