Laurentian University Graduate Scholarships and Bursaries 2026–2027
Overview
Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, provides multiple funding opportunities, including university-funded awards, bursaries, and external scholarships from government programmes, Canadian research councils, and professional organisations for students pursuing Master's and PhD programmes. University-funded support includes the Dean’s Entrance Scholarship, which is automatically awarded to a limited number of meritorious students during the Fall term and requires no separate application. Additional opportunities include the Fall 2026 Graduate Donor-Funded Awards, the Ontario Graduate Scholarship, major Canadian research council awards from CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC, the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship, and specialised options such as the Autism Scholars Award, John Charles Polanyi Prizes, Ontario Women’s Health Scholars Award, research travel supplements, and architecture-related scholarships.
Who can apply
Eligibility depends on the specific award, level of study, and residency status. The Dean’s Entrance Scholarship goes to a limited number of meritorious Master's and doctoral students. Fall 2026 Graduate Donor-Funded Awards are open to students currently registered in a graduate programme during the competition period. The Ontario Graduate Scholarship is available to Master's and doctoral students enrolled in full-time studies, with separate domestic and international application routes. External Master's scholarships from CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC are generally limited to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, whereas eligible doctoral applicants for these council awards can include international students based on detailed agency requirements. The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship accepts both Canadian and international students for doctoral research in humanities and social sciences. The Ontario Women’s Health Scholars Award supports Canadian citizens and permanent residents researching women's health.
What you get
The Dean’s Entrance Scholarship provides $1,500 for Master’s students and $3,000 for doctoral students, though the value and number of awards can vary based on available funding. CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC Master’s awards provide $27,000 for 12 months. CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC doctoral scholarships provide $40,000 per year for up to 36 months. The provincial Ontario Graduate Scholarship can be worth up to $15,000 for three consecutive study terms, depending on the award period. The Ontario Women’s Health Scholars Award ranges from $25,000 at the Master’s level to $50,000 at the postdoctoral level, plus research allowances. Other donor-funded awards, specialised prizes, and travel supplements vary according to the specific award and availability.
Requirements
Applicants must review individual eligibility criteria, research themes, and application instructions before applying, as procedures and rules differ between university-administered awards and external agency competitions. The Ontario Graduate Scholarship requires applicants to choose the correct form based on residency status and submit two references using the designated referee submission form. External council scholarships require applicants to use the appropriate agency portal. The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship requires doctoral research in the humanities and social sciences connected to themes including human rights and dignity, responsible citizenship, Canada and the world, and people and their natural environment. International applicants must carefully verify citizenship and residency restrictions for each specific award.
How to apply
Students should identify awards matching their academic, residency, programme, and research requirements, and verify whether application takes place through Laurentian University or directly via external funding agency portals using the designated agency systems. Applicants must prepare any required research proposals or statements, arrange for referees to submit the designated referee submission forms in advance, and submit all supporting materials before the applicable deadlines.
Key dates
The deadline for CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC doctoral scholarships is October 17, 2026. The deadline for Fall 2026 Graduate Donor-Funded Awards is October 31, 2026. The application period for the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship runs from September 1 to November 6, 2026. The deadline for CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC Master’s scholarships is December 1. The deadline for the Ontario Graduate Scholarship 2027–2028 competition is January 31, 2027.