ACUNS Awards Open for Applications
Applications for four ACUNS Awards are now open for applications, with the deadlines given below. [Pour plus de détails en français, suivez ce lien]
FOR APPLICATION TO ALL ACUNS AWARDS VISIT THIS SITE
Dr. Weston Blake Jr Memorial Doctoral Scholarship
Open for applications 31 October 2026 – 31 January 2027
1. ACUNS offers a $10,000 scholarship to students currently enrolled in a doctoral program at a Canadian university.
2. Applications are open to students studying the physical sciences, including interdisciplinary and comparative studies, who: a) are conducting research leading to a thesis or similar document; b) include direct fieldwork or experience in the North as part of their studies; and c) whose program addresses issues and challenges in the North.
3. The selection committee will consider the following criteria: academic record, quality of application, potential impact of the research, originality, reports from referees, and the applicant's interest in and commitment to the North and research on the North.
4. The research must include a fieldwork component in the North, conducted between May (of the year the scholarship is awarded) and March of the following year.
Kay and Peter McGeer Scholarship
Open for applications 31 October 2026 – 31 January 2027
1. The Association of Canadian Universities for Northern Studies (ACUNS), with the support of the family of the late Kay and Peter McGeer, sponsors one scholarship valued at $3,000 for students currently enrolled in graduate studies at a ACUNS member university.
2. Proposals are invited from candidates working in all subject areas including interdisciplinary and comparative studies:
who are engaged in research culminating in a thesis or other such document;
whose program makes a contribution to the North; and
who are working to establish meaningful relationships with local communities based on knowledge-sharing.
3. The proposed research project must include fieldwork that is conducted in northern Canada or the circumpolar north (see Northern Boundary line) between May of the year the scholarship is granted and the following March.
4. The selection committee will be guided by the following considerations:
academic record
the quality of the written application
the potential benefits of the proposed research
the referees’ reports
the applicant’s interest in and commitment to northern scholarship
the applicant’s plans to engage with Indigenous peoples and/or local communities in knowledge-sharing and collaboration.
5. Special consideration will be given to:
students from the North (Northwest Territories, Yukon, Nunavut & provincial north)
projects that offer opportunities for Indigenous community members, particularly youth, to participate in research.
CNST Scholarship
Open for applications 31 October 2026 – 31 January 2027
1. ACUNS offers one scholarship valued at $10,000 available to students presently enrolled in a doctoral program at an ACUNS member university.
2. Proposals are invited from candidates from all subject areas including interdisciplinary and comparative studies who (a) engage in research culminating in a thesis or other such document, (b) include direct northern field research or experience as part of their studies, and (c) whose programs are relevant to northern challenges or issues.
3. The selection committee will be guided by the following considerations: academic record, the quality of the application, potential benefit of the research, originality, referee’s reports, and the applicants’ interest in, and commitment to, the north and northern scholarship.
4. The research must involve a northern fieldwork component that is conducted between May (in the year the award is granted) and the following March.
Dr. Jim McDonald Scholarship for Northern Research
Open for applications 31 October 2026 – 31 January 2027
1. The Association of Canadian Universities for Northern Studies (ACUNS), with the support of the family of the late Dr. Jim McDonald, sponsors one scholarship valued at $5,000 for students currently enrolled in graduate studies at an ACUNS member university in the social sciences and humanities whose research focuses on northern regions and their inhabitants in Canada. Special consideration will be given to Community-based-research, interdisciplinary research and local Indigenous collaboration.
2. Applications are invited from students:
who are engaged in research culminating in a thesis or other such document;
whose program makes a contribution to the North; and,
who demonstrate leadership in northern scholarship.
3. The research project must involve a fieldwork component that is conducted in northern Canada or the circumpolar north between May of the year the scholarship is awarded and March of the following calendar year.
4. The selection committee will be guided by the following considerations:
academic record
the quality of the written application
the potential benefits of the proposed research
the referees’ reports
the applicants’ leadership skills and interest in, and commitment to northern scholarship
BQCMB Scholarship
Open for applications 9 October 2026 – 15 November 2026
This award supports graduate thesis research that advances the conservation, management and stewardship of barren-ground caribou, with priority to the Beverly and Qamanirjuaq herds and their habitat. Applications should show a clear connection to BQCMB priorities, practical management needs, and respectful relationships with communities and knowledge holders.
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