Canadian Nurses Foundation · National
Keith and Donna Brunskill Pain Management Scholarship
About this award
Get up to $5,000 for your Master's level nursing studies focusing on pain management — apply between December and late January.
You can receive up to $5,000 for this award. This is a scholarship, not a loan, so you do not have to pay it back. This is for you if you are a nurse pursuing graduate education to improve how patients experience and manage pain, especially if you use participatory action research (a method where you work closely with the people you are studying to create real-world change). Applications open each December and close in late January for the following academic year. No specific time zone is posted, so check the Canadian Nurses Foundation (CNF — the national organization supporting nursing education) website for the exact closing minute. You will hear back via the 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 exactly how many people win this specific pain management award. 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. You can only receive this scholarship one time only. Renewal conditions aren't listed because it is a single-payment award, but confirm with the CNF if there are any reporting requirements after you receive the funds.
Can you get it?
- Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident — citizenship requirement
- Graduate — study level
- Studying nursing, pain management — 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.
Draft and revise your essays~10 hours
Use the STAR framework. Be specific, show impact, proofread twice.
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 essay about pain management.
Winners instead specifically highlight their use of participatory action research and show how their work improves interdisciplinary practice.
Detail exactly how your project involves participants in the research process.
The biggest mistake is providing a general character reference.
Winners instead use referees who can vouch for their clinical skills in pain management or their academic rigor at the graduate level.
Get a letter from a supervisor who has seen your work with patients.