Joan and Bob Lehman · National
Joan and Bob Lehman Bursary
About this award
Get financial support for your post-secondary education if you are an Indigenous student with demonstrated financial need — apply by August 1, November 1, or February 1. 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 Joan and Bob Lehman to confirm the value for your specific award before you apply. As a bursary, this money is yours to keep and you do not have to pay it back. This is for you if you are an Indigenous student attending a post-secondary institution and can show that you have a financial need for help with your education costs. You have three different deadlines to choose from: August 1, November 1, and February 1. When you apply, ask how and when you'll hear back — whether it is by email, a portal, or phone. Selection criteria aren't published — ask Joan and Bob Lehman how winners are chosen and roughly how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds. Ask Joan and Bob Lehman 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 Joan and Bob Lehman whether it's one-time or renewable and what you need to maintain. Note that this bursary is distributed annually. 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?
- Indigenous — citizenship requirement
- Post Secondary — study level
- Studying Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Community and Regional Planning, Environmental Design, Planning, Rural Planning and Development, aménagement, architecture, City Planning, Urban Planning, Environmental Planning, Urban and Regional Planning, Regional and Urban Planning, Geography and Planning, Resource and Environmental Management, Resource and Environmental Planning, Geography, Community Planning, Environmental Studies — 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 providing a vague statement about needing money.
Winners instead provide a clear budget showing exactly where their funding gaps are and how this bursary fills those holes.
The biggest mistake is using a general character reference.
Winners instead use a professor or mentor who can specifically speak to their academic potential and their connection to their community.
The biggest mistake is applying only to the closest deadline.
Winners instead map out all three dates (August 1, November 1, and February 1) and prepare their documents early to ensure they don't miss a window.