CGOV Foundation · National
Rob Dowler and Lisanne Hill Matawa First Nations Scholarship
About this award
Apply by August 1, November 1, or February 1 for an annual bursary available to Indigenous students attending any post-secondary program. 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 CGOV Foundation 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 pursuing your education at a post-secondary institution regardless of your field of study. 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 — email, portal, or phone. Selection criteria aren't published — ask CGOV Foundation how winners are chosen and roughly how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds. Ask CGOV 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 CGOV Foundation whether it's one-time or renewable and what you need to maintain. 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
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 how the bursary fills a gap in their tuition or living costs.
List your specific monthly expenses to prove the need.
The biggest mistake is using a generic teacher who barely knows you.
Winners instead use a community leader or elder who can speak to their Indigenous heritage and connection to their home community.
Get a letter that confirms your ties to the Matawa Tribal Council or Nishnawbe Aski Nations.