Canadian Women Graduate Student Scholarships

The Soroptimist Foundation of Canada annually offers several $8,500 grants to female graduate students in Canada who are pursuing careers that focus on improving the quality of women’s lives. Examples of such careers include, but are not limited to providing medical services, providing legal counselling and assistance, counselling mature women entering or re-entering the labour market, counselling women in crisis, counselling and training women for non-traditional employment, and positions in women’s centres.

To be eligible, an applicant must be:

1. A female, (or identify as female).
2. A Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
3. An accepted registrant in a full-time graduate studies program (Masters or PhD) or professional program at a similar level (medicine, law) in an accredited Canadian university, at the time of the application deadline. Note: their university must belong to Universities Canada. A list of these universities can be found on their website https://www.univcan.ca/. Note ineligible conditions: BA level studies, a medical residency program, attending a college that is not affiliated with a Canadian university.
4. Pursuing a course of studies which will lead to a career to improve the quality of women’s lives.
5. Committed to working in Canada for at least two years after graduation.
6. Intending to use the award for academic studies in the academic year following receipt of award.
7. Contributing to their community through volunteer service.
8. In need of financial assistance.

An applicant must meet all EIGHT requirements to qualify for a Soroptimist grant. An applicant may apply more than once, but will not be eligible to receive a second grant. Soroptimist members are not eligible but family members may apply.

An applicant may apply in either English or French.

Ineligible conditions: BA level studies, a medical residency program, attending a college that is not affiliated with a Canadian university.

A candidate must meet all EIGHT requirements to qualify for a Soroptimist grant.

Applications will be assessed based on the following five criteria:

1. Work, study and a career leading to a positive impact on women and girls
2. Scholarly ability
3. Work history and personal statement
4. Demonstration of community involvement of some type
5. Demonstration of financial need

A candidate may apply more than once, but will not be eligible to receive a second grant. Soroptimist members are not eligible but family members may apply.

Completed applications and ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (except references which can be submitted directly to the Grants Manager), must be submitted TOGETHER IN ONE PDF FILE and must be received starting November 1st and no later than January 31st to be considered. The Soroptimist Foundation of Canada does not grant extensions. The Soroptimist Foundation of Canada decision on completeness and eligibility, including time of receipt, is final.