Canadian Nurses Foundation · National
Kathy Howe Nursing Leadership Fund
About this award
Get up to $5,000 for your nursing, leadership, or business degree if you are a licensed nurse in Alberta with at least two years of experience.
Depending on your level of study, you can receive up to $3,000 for a Baccalaureate level program or up to $5,000 for Masters and Nurse Practitioner levels. This is a scholarship, not a loan, so you do not have to pay it back. This is for you if you are an experienced Alberta-based nurse looking to advance your career through higher education in leadership or business. 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 providing financial support to nurses) website for the exact current-cycle dates. You will hear back through the application portal or email. The CNF awards committee selects winners based on merit. They award over 135 scholarships per year across all tiers, but they do not publish the exact number of winners for this specific fund—ask them how many applicants they typically receive to judge your odds. Ask the Canadian Nurses Foundation during your application how the money will reach you—some awards pay students directly, while 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 a one-time award or renewable and what you need to maintain.
Can you get it?
- Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident — citizenship requirement
- Undergraduate, Graduate — study level
- Resident of AB — provincial eligibility
- Studying nursing, leadership, business — 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 listing your work history as a simple list of dates.
Winners instead describe exactly how their two-plus years of clinical experience prepared them for leadership roles.
Detail a specific time you led a team or improved a ward process.
Many applicants provide generic letters of recommendation.
Winners secure a reference from a nursing supervisor who can vouch for their leadership potential in a clinical setting.
Since one single application covers every CNF scholarship you qualify for, don't try to write a separate essay for each.