NLN.ON/CNF Nursing Leadership Award

Canadian Nurses Foundation

Get up to $10,000 for your graduate nursing leadership studies in Ontario — apply between December and late January.

Published by G Paul · last checked April 23, 2026

Total value

$10,000

Next deadline

Dec 1, 2026

Level

Graduate

Open to

Ontario

Apply on the official site ↗

What you will need

Online application submitted via cnf-fiic.ca/scholarships/
Canadian citizenship or permanent residency
Enrollment in a Canadian nursing program (RN, IEN, NP, LPN, or RPN)
Registration as a Nurse in Ontario
NLN.ON membership for at least one year
Enrollment in a graduate program dedicated to nursing leadership

About this award

Depending on your level of study, you can receive up to $5,000 for a Master's degree or up to $10,000 for a Doctoral or PhD program. This is a scholarship, not a loan, so you do not have to pay it back. This is for you if you are a registered nurse in Ontario who is committed to advancing the profession through nursing leadership and sharing your findings with others. Applications open each December and typically close in late January for the following academic year. No specific notification date is posted publicly — before you start your application, check the Canadian Nurses Foundation (CNF — the national organization that supports nursing education) program page or call their office to confirm the exact dates for this cycle. Winners are chosen based on merit by the CNF awards committee. While they award over 135 scholarships per year across all their different funding tiers, they do not publish the specific number of winners for this leadership award — ask the CNF how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds.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. 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.

Who qualifies

To qualify, you must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and be enrolled in a Canadian nursing program such as RN (Registered Nurse), IEN (Internationally Educated Nurse), NP (Nurse Practitioner), LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse), or RPN (Registered Practical Nurse). Specifically for this award, you must be a registered Nurse in Ontario and have been a member of NLN.ON (the Ontario chapter of the National League for Nursing) for at least one year. You must also be enrolled in a graduate program dedicated to nursing leadership and be willing to present your knowledge translation through a presentation at NLN.ON events.

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.

Canadian citizen or permanent resident
Open to graduate students
Resident of Ontario
Studying nursing leadership

How to apply

Read the award's official page
Check you meet every requirement, and note each document they ask for.
Submit your application
Save a copy, and submit at least a day before the deadline shown above.

Tips for applying

Knowledge TranslationAvoid describing your research in purely academic terms. Instead, explain how your findings actually improve patient care or nursing practice in the real world. Describe exactly how you will present your findings at NLN.ON events to show you are ready to lead.
StrategySince one single application covers every CNF scholarship you are eligible for, do not try to tailor your entire profile to just one award. Highlight your leadership credentials clearly, but also emphasize your overall academic merit and professional registration in Ontario.
RealismWith over 135 awards given across many tiers, the competition is significant. Focus your application on the specific "leadership" requirement of this award rather than just your general nursing experience to stand out from other graduate applicants.

Questions students ask

How do I apply?

Use the Apply on the official site button on this page: it opens the official application page in a new tab.

When is the deadline?

Applications close on December 1, 2026. Submit a day or two early: application sites get busy at the end.

Can international students apply?

No. You need to be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

Similar awards

Share this award

FundMyCourse.ca · checked Apr 23, 2026