The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation PhD Scholarship 2027 offers up to CAD 70,000 per year for three years to exceptional doctoral researchers. The complete application is open until 6 November 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, but only applicants whose eligibility was confirmed after the mandatory screening deadline of 2 October can proceed. This is therefore an open final-submission window, not a new application opportunity.
PhD scholarship
CAD 70,000 per year
Three years
6 November 2026, 5:00 p.m. ET
Funding and benefits
The Foundation states that Scholars can receive:
- Up to CAD 50,000 per year for three years toward tuition and living costs.
- Up to CAD 20,000 per year for three years for research, networking and travel connected to the doctoral project and Foundation activities.
- Mentorship, experiential learning, meetings, masterclasses, seminars and field experiences.
- Membership in an interdisciplinary community and a network of more than 500 alumni.
The scholarship amount is adjusted when a Scholar receives funding from other organisations, universities or institutions. The Foundation says every Scholar still receives the CAD 20,000 annual research/travel allowance and at least CAD 25,000 from the annual stipend.
Eligibility
Applicants must satisfy the Foundation’s published requirements:
- Be in the first or second year of a PhD programme at the time of application.
- Conduct research broadly related to the humanities or social sciences.
- Align the research with at least one Foundation theme: Human Rights and Dignity; Responsible Citizenship; Canada and the World; or People and their Natural Environment.
- Be a Canadian student enrolled at a Canadian university, a Canadian student enrolled outside Canada, or an international student enrolled at a Canadian university.
- Demonstrate outstanding academic achievement, intellectual ability, engagement and potential for societal impact.
International students living outside Canada or enrolled at a university outside Canada are not eligible. There is no age limit.
Language requirement
Applicants do not need to be fluent in both of Canada’s official languages, but must communicate effectively in either English or French. The application must be completed entirely in one selected language. Interviews may be conducted in English or French according to the applicant’s preference.
Required documents and application evidence
The applicant’s individual portal checklist controls the complete submission. Official public guidance confirms that assessment uses the full application, including:
- Academic transcripts and the overall academic record.
- The doctoral research project and its alignment with the Foundation’s mission and themes.
- Information demonstrating community engagement, leadership potential and knowledge-sharing ability.
- Exactly three reference letters: one from the PhD supervisor, one from another academic referee and one from a non-academic referee.
- Any additional information or supporting material requested inside the confirmed applicant’s portal.
Reference letters must be attached through the prescribed application process; they cannot be sent directly to the Foundation.
How to apply
- Confirm prior eligibility approval: only applicants who submitted the screening form by 2 October 2026 and received confirmation can continue.
- Attend the required information session: confirmed candidates should follow the Foundation’s invitation for the October sessions.
- Complete the full application: use the Foundation’s SmartSimple portal and answer every section in either English or French.
- Invite exactly three referees: the supervisor, another academic referee and a non-academic referee must follow the portal instructions.
- Check the reference deadline: all three references must arrive by 30 October 2026 at 9:00 a.m. ET.
- Submit the complete application: finish by 6 November 2026 at 5:00 p.m. ET and retain the confirmation email.
Deadline and current application status
Complete application deadline: 6 November 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
The eligibility-screening deadline was 2 October 2026. Candidates who did not complete that first stage cannot begin a fresh application now. Confirmed applicants must also ensure all three references are received by 30 October 2026 at 9:00 a.m. ET.
Selection criteria and process
The Foundation assesses academic excellence, intellectual ability, the quality and rigour of the research project, alignment with its mission and themes, commitment to society, leadership potential, knowledge mobilisation and the ability to create impact beyond academia.
After full applications are reviewed, selected applicants are notified by email and may advance to group meetings and individual interviews in English or French. Final approval is made through the Foundation’s selection and governance process.
Practical applicant tips
- Ask referees to submit well before 30 October; the application cannot be submitted without all three letters attached.
- Show precisely how the research addresses a Canadian and global societal issue.
- Use concrete examples of community engagement, collaboration and knowledge sharing.
- Keep the research explanation understandable to an interdisciplinary selection committee.
- Declare other scholarships or income accurately because the stipend may be adjusted.
Frequently asked questions
Can I start a new application now?
No. The final application remains open only for candidates whose eligibility was confirmed after they submitted the screening form by 2 October 2026.
Is the scholarship worth CAD 70,000 every year?
The maximum is CAD 50,000 for tuition and living expenses plus CAD 20,000 for research, travel and networking. The stipend portion may be adjusted for other funding.
Can international students apply?
Yes, but international applicants must be enrolled in a PhD programme at a Canadian university. International students enrolled outside Canada are not eligible.
Must I speak both English and French?
No. Applicants need effective communication in either English or French and complete the application in one language.
Can Scholars work during the award?
The Foundation says Scholars may work part-time for up to 20 hours per week while continuing to receive scholarship benefits.
Related opportunities in Canada
- UBC International Scholars Program 2027
- McCall MacBain Scholarships 2027
- University of Alberta Global Citizen Scholarship 2027
- Canada Postdoctoral Research Award
Official sources
- Official 2027 application page
- Official eligibility and criteria page
- Official scholarship benefits page
- Official scholarship FAQ
Eligibility already confirmed?
Open the official 2027 application page and use your Foundation portal access to complete the remaining steps.
ScholarshipHubNow reviewed the official Foundation application, eligibility, benefits and FAQ pages on 9 October 2026. The applicant’s confirmed portal instructions remain controlling.
