Canadian Nurses Foundation · National
Sigma Theta Tau International Doctoral Scholarship
About this award
Get up to $10,000 for your PhD dissertation in nursing — apply between December and late January.
You can receive up to $10,000 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 currently working on your PhD dissertation. Applications open each December for the following academic year and typically close in late January. No specific time zone is posted publicly — before you start the application, check Canadian Nurses Foundation's program page or call their office to confirm when applications open and close this year. You will hear back through the provider's official channels, though the exact notification method isn't listed. The CNF (Canadian Nurses Foundation — the national organization supporting nursing education) awards committee chooses winners based on merit. They give out over 135 scholarships per year across all tiers, but selection criteria aren't published — ask Canadian Nurses Foundation how winners are chosen and roughly how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds. Ask 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 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
- Doctoral — 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 being too vague about your dissertation goals.
Winners instead provide a clear, concise map of their research objectives and the specific impact their work will have on nursing practice.
Detail exactly how this funding removes a barrier to your completion.
Many students forget to align their references with the merit-based nature of the award.
Winners ensure their referees can speak specifically to their academic rigor and clinical expertise.
Ask your supervisor to highlight your potential for leadership in nursing research.