About the opportunity
What this programme is offering
The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarship is one of Canada's most prestigious doctoral awards, supporting outstanding PhD students whose research addresses major societal issues and who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership and community engagement.
The 2027 competition is officially open. The Foundation confirms that applicants must be in the first or second year of their PhD at the time of application.
🎓 Scholarship Overview
CategoryDetailsScholarshipPierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Doctoral ScholarshipHost CountryCanada 🇨🇦Study LevelDoctoral / PhD2027 Cohort2027–2030Eligible NationalitiesCanadian, permanent residents & international students, subject to eligibilityDurationUp to 3 yearsAwardUp to CAD $70,000 per yearMaximum supportUp to CAD $210,000 over 3 yearsApplicationTwo-stage online processFinal application deadlineNovember 6, 2026
💰 What Does the Scholarship Cover?
The Foundation currently lists:
Up to CAD $50,000 per year for 3 years to cover tuition and living expenses related to doctoral studies.
Up to CAD $20,000 per year for 3 years for research, travel, networking and participation in Foundation activities.
Membership in the Foundation's network of Scholars, Mentors and Fellows.
Leadership development and experiential learning opportunities.
Access to the Foundation's alumni network.
That gives a potential total of up to CAD $210,000 over three years.
👨🎓 Who Can Apply?
For the 2027 competition, applicants must be doctoral students who are in their first or second year of their PhD programme at the time of application.
Applicants should also demonstrate:
Outstanding academic achievement.
Strong leadership potential.
Community or public engagement.
A commitment to sharing knowledge beyond academia.
Research connected to one or more of the Foundation's priority themes.
🔬 Research Themes
Your doctoral research must relate to at least one of the Foundation's four themes:
Human Rights and Dignity
Responsible Citizenship
Canada and the World
People and their Natural Environment
The Foundation particularly seeks candidates whose research contributes to understanding and addressing important societal challenges.
🌍 International Students
International students can apply. The Foundation has historically supported both Canadian and foreign doctoral candidates, and its programme is not restricted exclusively to Canadian citizens.
However, applicants must satisfy all of the 2027 eligibility requirements, including the doctoral-stage and research-theme requirements.
📝 How to Apply
The 2027 process has two stages:
Stage 1 — Eligibility confirmation
Submit the online eligibility screening form by:
📅 October 2, 2026
Only candidates whose eligibility is confirmed can proceed to the full application.
Stage 2 — Full application
Eligible candidates then complete the full scholarship application, including the required references.
Key date:
📅 October 30, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. ET — Deadline for all three references
Final application deadline:
🔴 November 6, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. ET
📅 Important 2027 Dates
September 1, 2026: Eligibility verification begins
October 2, 2026: Eligibility confirmation deadline
October 5 & 12 weeks: Mandatory information sessions
October 30, 2026: Three references must be received
November 6, 2026: Complete application deadline
2027: Selected Scholars begin the programme
How to apply