The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation PhD Scholarship is a prestigious doctoral scholarship for students conducting research in the humanities and social sciences. The scholarship is open to Canadian students and eligible international students enrolled at Canadian universities.
For the 2027 competition, applicants must be in the first or second year of their PhD programme when applying.
Scholarship Benefits
Successful scholars can receive:
– Up to $50,000 per year for three years for tuition and living expenses
– Up to $20,000 per year for three years for research, travel and networking
– Mentorship and experiential learning opportunities
– Access to an international academic and professional network
– Membership in the Foundation’s alumni community
Eligible Fields
Applicants must conduct doctoral research broadly related to the humanities or social sciences and connect their research with at least one of the Foundation’s four themes:
– Human Rights and Dignity
– Responsible Citizenship
– Canada and the World
– People and their Natural Environment
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants for the 2027 scholarship must generally:
– Be in the first or second year of a PhD programme.
– Be a Canadian student studying in Canada or abroad, or an international student enrolled at a Canadian university.
– Have an outstanding academic record.
– Conduct research in an eligible field.
– Demonstrate strong research potential and engagement beyond academia.
– Provide three references: one from a PhD supervisor, one academic referee and one non-academic referee.
There is no age limit for the scholarship.
2027 Application Deadline
The 2027 competition follows a two-step application process:
– October 2, 2026: Eligibility confirmation deadline
– October 30, 2026: Deadline for all three references
– November 6, 2026: Complete application deadline
Applicants must first complete the eligibility screening process before gaining access to the full application.
Required Documents
Applicants should prepare:
– Academic records
– Research information or proposal
– CV
– Three reference letters
– Details of academic and community involvement
– Other information requested in the application
How to Apply
Applicants should first complete the 2027 eligibility screening form. Those whose eligibility is confirmed can proceed to the full scholarship application and submit all required materials before the deadline.
Conclusion
(Apply Now) The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Scholarship provides substantial financial support and professional development opportunities for doctoral students in the humanities and social sciences. Eligible PhD students should begin preparing their research proposal, academic records and references well before the 2027 application deadlines.