Canadian Nurses Foundation · National
Senator Norman Paterson Award
About this award
Get up to $10,000 for your PhD in nursing — apply online between December and late January.
You can receive up to $10,000. This is a scholarship, not a loan, so you do not have to pay it back. This is for you if you are pursuing the highest level of academic achievement in nursing to advance the profession through research and leadership. 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 supporting nursing education) website for the exact closing hour. You will hear back through the application 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 go to PhD students—ask the CNF how many doctoral awards they typically grant 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 one-time or renewable and what you need to maintain.
Can you get it?
- Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident — citizenship requirement
- Graduate — study level
- Studying nursing — 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 writing a generic summary of your goals.
Winners instead connect their specific PhD research to a real-world problem in Canadian healthcare.
Clearly explain how your work improves patient outcomes.
The biggest mistake is using professors who only know your grades.
Winners use referees who can speak to your research independence and clinical leadership.
Provide letters that prove you can handle the rigors of a doctoral program.