Canadian Nurses Foundation · National
The Tecla Lin and Nelia Laroza Memorial Award
About this award
Get up to $3,000 for your nursing studies if you are an internationally educated nurse in a bridging program — apply between December and late January.
You can receive up to $3,000. This is a scholarship, not a loan, so you do not have to pay it back. This is for you if you are an internationally educated nurse working to integrate your skills into the Canadian healthcare system through a bridging program. 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 the 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 application portal or email, though you should ask the provider for the exact notification date. 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, so ask them how many applicants they typically receive for the IEN (Internationally Educated Nursing) tier to 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
- Internationally Educated Nurses — 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 listing your credentials without explaining your journey.
Winners instead describe the specific challenges of transitioning their international experience to Canada and how this bridging program fills those gaps.
Detail exactly how the funding removes a barrier to your licensure.
The biggest mistake is providing generic character references.
Winners instead secure letters from clinical instructors or supervisors in their bridging program who can vouch for their technical skills and adaptability in a Canadian clinical setting.
The biggest mistake is treating this as a standalone application.