Jennifer Robinson Memorial Scholarship

What you will need

• ✓ Cover letter including your email address
• ✓ Brief description of proposed research (2 to 3 pages) including hypothesis, relevance, title, purpose, area/type of study, methodology, and evaluation plan
• ✓ Identification of any collaborative relationships or work
• ✓ Three reference letters
• ✓ Complete curriculum vitae (CV)
• ✓ Official transcripts

About this award

You can receive between $3,000 and $5,000. This is a scholarship, not a loan, so you do not have to pay it back. One award is granted annually. This is for you if you are a graduate student dedicated to field-oriented research in Northern biology, specifically focusing on locations north of the southern limit of the discontinuous permafrost zone. You must apply by January 20, 2027. When you apply, ask Arctic Institute of North America (University of Calgary) how and when you'll hear back — whether it is by email, phone, or a portal. Selection criteria aren't published — ask Arctic Institute of North America (University of Calgary) how winners are chosen and roughly how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds. Ask Arctic Institute of North America (University of Calgary) 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 Arctic Institute of North America (University of Calgary) whether it's one-time or renewable and what you need to maintain.

Who qualifies

To be eligible, you must be a graduate student enrolled at a Canadian university. You must be studying Northern biology, which is defined as locations that lie north of the southern limit of the discontinuous permafrost zone. The committee looks for evidence of Northern relevance, a commitment to field-oriented research, and qualities of scholarship similar to those the late Jennifer Robinson brought to her studies at the Institute's Kluane Lake Research Station.

This is what the award's official page said when we last checked. Rules change, so confirm on the award's official page before you apply.

• ✓ Open to graduate students
• ✓ Studying Northern biology

How to apply

1. 1

   Read the award's official page

   Check you meet every requirement, and note each document they ask for.

2. 2

   Order your transcript1–2 weeks

   Your school's registrar can take a week or two.

3. 3

   Ask for reference letters2 weeks

   Give your referees at least two weeks' notice, and send them your résumé.

4. 4

   Submit your application

   Save a copy, and submit at least a day before the deadline shown above.

Tips for applying

• Research StatementAvoid writing a generic project overview. Instead, ensure your 2 to 3 page description includes a clear hypothesis, a specific title, and a detailed plan for evaluating your findings. Clearly identify any collaborative work you are doing.
• ReferencesAvoid providing vague character references. Instead, secure three letters that specifically speak to your commitment to field-oriented research and your academic scholarship.
• StrategyAvoid sending your documents in a zipped folder. Instead, attach every piece of supporting documentation as an individual file to your email to ensure the committee can access them easily.
• RealismAvoid treating this as a standalone application if you are also interested in the Lorraine Allison Memorial Scholarship. Instead, note in your cover letter that you are applying for both, as you can use the same transcripts and reference letters for both packages.

Questions students ask

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