Applications are open for the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship 2027 - a prestigious Canadian doctoral scholarship for outstanding PhD students in the humanities and social sciences whose research advances Canada and society.

Scholars can receive an annual stipend of up to CAD $50,000 for three years (tuition and living expenses) plus up to CAD $20,000 per year for research, networking, and travel. The 2027 competition uses a two-step process: confirm eligibility by 2 October 2026, then submit the full application by 6 November 2026 (4:00 p.m. ET).

This Opportunity Station guide is original copy based on official Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation pages. It is not a reprint of any third-party blog.

Quick Facts - Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship 2027

Detail	Information
Programme	Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation PhD Scholarship - 2027 competition
Organiser	Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation (Canada)
Level	Doctoral (PhD) - 1st or 2nd year at time of application
Fields	Humanities and social sciences aligned to Foundation themes
Annual stipend	Up to CAD $50,000 for up to 3 years
Research / travel allowance	Up to CAD $20,000 per year for up to 3 years
Eligibility screening deadline	2 October 2026
References deadline	30 October 2026, 9:00 a.m. ET
Full application deadline	6 November 2026, 4:00 p.m. ET
Info sessions	Mandatory online sessions - weeks of 5 and 12 October 2026
Official apply page	trudeaufoundation.ca/2027-applications
Overview	Become a Scholar

What the Scholarship Offers

Annual stipend of up to CAD $50,000 for three years for tuition and living expenses
Annual allowance of up to CAD $20,000 for three years for research, networking, and travel linked to the doctoral project and Foundation programming
Membership in a community of Scholars, Mentors, and Fellows
Lifelong access to the Foundation’s alumni network (500+ members)
Mentorship and leadership development beyond academia

Research Themes

Your PhD research must relate broadly to the humanities or social sciences, be relevant to Canada’s future, and align with at least one Foundation theme:

Human Rights and Dignity
Responsible Citizenship
Canada and the World
People and their Natural Environment

Who Can Apply

You must be one of the following:

A Canadian student enrolled at a Canadian university; or
A Canadian student enrolled at a university outside Canada; or
An international student enrolled at a Canadian university

Not eligible: international students residing outside Canada or enrolled at a university outside Canada.

At the time of application you must be in the first or second year of a PhD programme.

What Strong Applications Show

Academic excellence and an outstanding academic record
A compelling research project addressing issues that shape Canada’s future
Commitment to positive social impact through initiatives, collaborations, or achievements
Willingness to engage in dialogue, interdisciplinary collaboration, and knowledge sharing
Leadership potential, intellectual curiosity, and ambition beyond academia

Letters of Reference

You must provide three references:

One from your PhD supervisor
One from another academic referee
One from a referee outside academia

All three must be received by 30 October 2026 at 9:00 a.m. ET.

How to Apply (Two Steps)

Review eligibility on Become a Scholar.
Complete the eligibility screening form via 2027 Applications by 2 October 2026.
If confirmed eligible, access the full application form.
Attend a mandatory online information session (weeks of 5 and 12 October 2026).
Ensure all three references arrive by 30 October 2026, 9:00 a.m. ET.
Submit the complete application by 6 November 2026, 4:00 p.m. ET.

Applications that fail eligibility screening are not reviewed. Questions: scholarship2027@trudeaufoundation.ca.

Key Dates - 2027 Competition

Event	Date
Process opens	1 September 2026
Eligibility confirmation deadline	2 October 2026
Mandatory info sessions	Weeks of 5 and 12 October 2026
References due	30 October 2026, 9:00 a.m. ET
Full application due	6 November 2026, 4:00 p.m. ET

Official Links

Apply - 2027 Applications (eligibility screening)

Become a Scholar - eligibility & overview

Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation - homepage

Related Opportunities on Opportunity Station

FAQs - Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship 2027

How much funding is available?

Up to CAD $50,000 per year for three years (stipend) plus up to CAD $20,000 per year for research/networking/travel.

What is the first deadline?

2 October 2026 - deadline to request eligibility confirmation. Without confirmation you cannot submit the full application.

Can international students apply?

Yes - if enrolled at a Canadian university. International students outside Canada (or at non-Canadian universities) are not eligible.

Which PhD years are eligible?

First or second year of the PhD at the time of application.

Are STEM / pure science PhDs eligible?

Research must be broadly in the humanities or social sciences and align with at least one Foundation theme.

Are information sessions required?

Yes. Eligible applicants must attend a mandatory online information session in the weeks of 5 and 12 October 2026.

Results for “Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship 2027”

Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship 2027 (up to $50,000)