Applications are now open for the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship 2027, a major three-year doctoral scholarship for outstanding PhD students whose research is broadly connected to the humanities and social sciences and addresses issues relevant to Canada and the wider world.
The scholarship provides up to CAD 50,000 per year for three years toward tuition and living expenses, plus up to CAD 20,000 per year for three years for research, networking and travel. Scholars also join the Foundation’s interdisciplinary community of Scholars, Mentors and Fellows and its alumni network of more than 500 members.
The 2027 competition is open now, but applicants need to pay attention to three different deadlines. The first and most urgent deadline is October 2, 2026, when the eligibility-screening request must be submitted. References are due October 30, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. ET, and the complete application is due November 6, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. ET.
Students looking for other current doctoral opportunities can also browse Scholarships Central’s PhD Scholarships hub and PhD Scholarships Still Open 2026.
Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship 2027 Overview
| Scholarship Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scholarship | Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship |
| Country | Canada |
| Level | PhD |
| Duration | 3 years |
| Main fields | Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Annual stipend | Up to CAD 50,000 |
| Research/travel allowance | Up to CAD 20,000 per year |
| Maximum potential support | Up to CAD 210,000 over 3 years |
| Canadian applicants | May study in Canada or abroad |
| International applicants | Must be enrolled at a Canadian university and meet the Foundation’s current residency rule |
| PhD stage | First or second year at time of application |
| Age limit | None |
| Application language | English or French |
| Eligibility screening deadline | October 2, 2026 |
| Reference deadline | October 30, 2026, 9:00 a.m. ET |
| Final application deadline | November 6, 2026, 4:00 p.m. ET |
| Current status | Open |
The Foundation’s current 2027 pages confirm the two-step process, funding structure, eligibility rules and current application deadlines.
What Is the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship?
The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship is a three-year PhD scholarship designed for doctoral researchers who combine academic excellence with research that has wider social relevance.
The Foundation describes the award as more than financial assistance. Scholars participate in meetings, masterclasses, seminars, experiential learning and interdisciplinary exchanges with Mentors, Fellows and other Scholars.
The programme particularly looks for candidates who demonstrate:
- academic excellence;
- a strong and rigorous research project;
- intellectual curiosity;
- leadership potential;
- commitment to society;
- ability to communicate knowledge beyond academia;
- willingness to engage with different perspectives and disciplines.
The Foundation states that strong applications connect the applicant’s research to major issues affecting Canada and the world and show evidence of meaningful social engagement.
Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship Benefits
The financial package has two separate components.
Up to CAD 50,000 Per Year for Tuition and Living Costs
Each Scholar may receive:
Up to CAD 50,000 per year for three years
to support tuition and living expenses associated with doctoral study.
Because the official wording says “up to” CAD 50,000, applicants should not assume that every Scholar will automatically receive exactly CAD 50,000 in every year.
The amount can be affected by other scholarship funding received by the Scholar.
Up to CAD 20,000 Per Year for Research, Travel and Networking
Scholars may also receive:
Up to CAD 20,000 per year for three years
for expenses related to:
- doctoral research;
- research travel;
- academic networking;
- Foundation programming;
- other approved research-related activities.
This allowance is separate from the main tuition/living stipend.
Maximum Potential Funding Over Three Years
Based on the current annual maximums, the scholarship can provide as much as:
CAD 210,000 over three years
through a combination of the annual stipend and research/travel allowance.
However, this should be described as the maximum potential package, not a guaranteed fixed award for every Scholar, because the annual stipend can be adjusted when the recipient has other funding.
Mentorship and Experiential Learning
The scholarship also includes non-financial support.
Scholars can participate in:
- masterclasses;
- seminars;
- meetings;
- field experiences;
- interdisciplinary exchanges;
- interactions with Foundation Mentors and Fellows.
Alumni Network
Recipients also become part of the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation’s community and its network of more than 500 alumni.
Applicants comparing major Canadian awards can also see Scholarships Central’s McCall MacBain Scholarship 2027 guide.
Is the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship Fully Funded?
The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship provides very substantial PhD funding, but applicants should understand exactly what is guaranteed.
The current programme offers:
- up to CAD 50,000 annually toward tuition and living expenses;
- up to CAD 20,000 annually for research, travel and networking;
- funding for three years.
Because both amounts are expressed as “up to” amounts and the main stipend can be adjusted if the Scholar receives other awards, it is more accurate to describe the programme by its confirmed funding components rather than claiming that every possible personal or academic expense is automatically covered.
Students specifically searching for broad cost-coverage awards can also browse Scholarships Central’s Fully Funded Scholarships directory.
Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must satisfy several specific requirements.
You Must Be a PhD Student
The scholarship is exclusively for doctoral students.
For the 2027 competition, applicants must be in either:
- the first year of their PhD; or
- the second year of their PhD
at the time of application.
Students who have not yet entered a PhD or who are already beyond the eligible stage should not assume they can apply.
Canadian Student Eligibility
A Canadian applicant may be:
- enrolled at a Canadian university; or
- enrolled at a university outside Canada.
International Student Eligibility
International eligibility is more restrictive.
The Foundation currently states that an international applicant must be:
enrolled in a doctoral programme at a Canadian university.
Its current eligibility page also states that international students residing outside Canada or enrolled at a university outside Canada are not eligible.
This means the scholarship should not be promoted as an award where any international student anywhere in the world can first apply and later move to Canada if selected.
International applicants should check this condition carefully before completing the eligibility form.
Is There a Minimum GPA?
The Foundation does not publish one universal numerical GPA cutoff such as 3.5/4.0 for the 2027 scholarship.
Instead, applicants are expected to demonstrate:
- outstanding academic achievement; and
- a high level of intellectual ability.
The Foundation states that academic strength is assessed across the entire application, including academic records, transcripts and references.
Therefore, it would be inaccurate to invent a fixed GPA requirement that does not appear in the official criteria.
Is There an Age Limit?
No.
The Foundation’s current FAQ explicitly states that there is no age limit for the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship.
Eligibility instead depends on the applicant’s doctoral stage, field, university status and other programme requirements.
Eligible Fields of Study
The research must be broadly related to the humanities or social sciences.
It must also address issues relevant to Canada’s future and align with at least one of the Foundation’s four founding themes.
The four themes are:
- Human Rights and Dignity
- Responsible Citizenship
- Canada and the World
- People and their Natural Environment
The Four Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Themes
Human Rights and Dignity
This theme extends beyond traditional legal definitions of human rights.
Relevant research can examine areas such as:
- civil and political rights;
- economic and social rights;
- health equity;
- marginalisation;
- Indigenous rights;
- structural power imbalances;
- justice and dignity.
The Foundation’s examples show that the theme can include legal, health, social and cultural research rather than only traditional human-rights law.
Responsible Citizenship
This theme addresses questions around citizenship, democracy, responsibility and participation in increasingly interconnected societies.
Topics can include:
- democratic processes;
- civic participation;
- misinformation;
- political representation;
- community engagement;
- social responsibility;
- changing relationships between individuals and institutions.
Canada and the World
This theme explores Canada’s changing role internationally.
Potential areas can include:
- international relations;
- migration;
- technology;
- artificial intelligence;
- security;
- culture;
- economics;
- global governance;
- polarization;
- Canada’s relationships with other countries.
People and Their Natural Environment
This theme goes beyond environmental science alone.
Relevant research can address:
- climate change;
- environmental justice;
- Indigenous knowledge;
- ecological governance;
- migration and climate;
- environmental rights;
- sustainability;
- economic and social effects of environmental change;
- technology and environmental policy.
Applicants from interdisciplinary programmes should therefore focus on whether the research question fits the Foundation’s themes rather than relying only on the formal name of their department.
Can You Hold Another Scholarship at the Same Time?
Yes.
The Foundation allows Scholars to receive other awards.
However, the value of the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation stipend may be adjusted according to funding received from other universities, organisations or institutions.
Scholars must declare their other income and scholarship support each year.
Minimum Funding Even With Another Scholarship
The Foundation states that regardless of other funding:
- the Scholar retains the annual CAD 20,000 research/travel/networking allowance; and
- the Scholar receives at least CAD 25,000 from the annual stipend.
This is an important detail because a Scholar who already has another doctoral award should not assume either that the Trudeau Scholarship disappears completely or that both awards will always be stacked at their maximum value.
Can Trudeau Scholars Work Part-Time?
Yes.
The Foundation currently allows Scholars to work:
up to 20 hours per week
while continuing to receive the full benefits of the scholarship.
The FAQ specifically gives examples such as:
- research assistant;
- teaching assistant;
- lecturer;
- other part-time academic positions.
This is useful for students who want to maintain teaching or research responsibilities while completing their PhD.
Reference Letter Requirements
Three references are required.
Applicants need exactly:
- one reference from their PhD supervisor;
- one reference from another academic referee;
- one reference from a person outside academia.
PhD Supervisor Reference
The first reference normally comes from the applicant’s current thesis or PhD supervisor.
The referee should be able to speak meaningfully about the applicant’s academic background, research ability and potential.
Academic Reference
The second reference must be another academic referee.
This may be someone who knows the applicant as:
- a student;
- researcher;
- academic collaborator; or
- doctoral candidate.
Non-Academic Reference
The third reference comes from outside academia.
This person should be able to discuss qualities such as:
- character;
- social engagement;
- commitment;
- community involvement;
- leadership;
- impact outside university research.
This is important because the Trudeau Scholarship assesses more than academic performance alone.
What If You Do Not Have a PhD Supervisor Yet?
The Foundation provides an alternative.
If a PhD supervisor:
- has not yet been selected; or
- does not know the applicant sufficiently well,
the applicant may ask a former supervisor or another professor to provide the reference instead.
The Foundation strongly recommends explaining this situation in the Special Circumstances section of the application.
Can a Family Member Be a Referee?
No.
Family members cannot act as referees.
Can a Referee Live Outside Canada?
Yes.
The Foundation explicitly says that referees may live outside Canada.
Can References Be Written in French or English?
Yes.
References may be submitted in either:
- English; or
- French,
regardless of which of those languages the applicant uses for the main application.
Exactly How Many References Are Allowed?
Exactly three.
The Foundation states that applicants cannot submit more than three referees.
Documents and Information Required
Applicants should be cautious with third-party articles that publish long generic document lists.
The Foundation’s 2027 process begins with a short eligibility-screening form. Only after eligibility is confirmed does the applicant receive access to the complete scholarship application.
The public 2027 information confirms that the full assessment involves information including:
- the applicant’s academic record;
- transcripts;
- doctoral research project;
- evidence of academic excellence;
- information demonstrating social engagement and impact;
- three references.
Because the full 2027 form is only made available after eligibility confirmation, applicants should not rely on generic third-party checklists claiming that items such as passport copies, separate SOPs, IELTS certificates or other documents are universally required unless those items appear in their actual 2027 application portal.
Is IELTS Required?
The Foundation does not publish IELTS as a general scholarship requirement on its current eligibility pages.
Applicants must be able to communicate effectively in either:
- English; or
- French.
They do not need to be fluent in both languages.
However, this scholarship condition is separate from any English- or French-language requirements imposed by the applicant’s university or PhD programme.
International applicants enrolled at a Canadian university must still comply with their institution’s admission and enrolment requirements.
Can You Submit the Application in French?
Yes.
The scholarship application can be completed in either English or French.
The applicant must select one language and complete the application in that language.
How to Apply for Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship 2027
The 2027 scholarship uses a two-step application process.
Step 1: Confirm That You Meet the Eligibility Rules
Before doing anything else, make sure you meet the key requirements:
- first- or second-year PhD student;
- eligible Canadian or international status;
- humanities/social-sciences-related research;
- project aligned with at least one Foundation theme.
Applications that fail the eligibility criteria will not proceed.
Step 2: Submit the Eligibility-Screening Form
The first formal step is the short eligibility-screening form.
It opened on:
September 1, 2026
and must be completed by:
October 2, 2026.
Applicants can access the official eligibility portal through the Foundation:
Official 2027 eligibility and application portal
Step 3: Wait for Eligibility Confirmation
The Foundation reviews the information submitted in the screening form.
Only applicants whose eligibility is confirmed receive access to the full 2027 scholarship application form.
If the eligibility screening is not completed by October 2, the applicant cannot simply skip directly to the November 6 application deadline.
Step 4: Attend a Mandatory Information Session
Eligible applicants must participate in a mandatory information session.
The current schedule places these sessions during the:
- week of October 5, 2026; or
- week of October 12, 2026.
Applicants should therefore keep availability during those periods.
Step 5: Arrange Three References
Once access to the full application is granted, applicants must arrange:
- PhD supervisor reference;
- academic reference;
- non-academic reference.
All three references must be received by:
October 30, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. ET.
Do not wait until the November 6 application deadline to request references.
Step 6: Complete the Full Application
Applicants then complete the detailed scholarship application.
The application should demonstrate:
- academic excellence;
- strength and rigour of the doctoral project;
- alignment with one or more Foundation themes;
- leadership and engagement;
- ability to share knowledge beyond academia;
- potential for meaningful impact.
Step 7: Submit Before November 6
The complete application must be submitted by:
November 6, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. ET.
Applicants should not confuse this final deadline with the earlier October 2 eligibility deadline.
Pierre Elliott Trudeau Scholarship 2027 Deadlines
There are three especially important deadlines.
| Application Stage | 2027 Deadline |
|---|---|
| Eligibility-screening request | October 2, 2026 |
| Mandatory information sessions | Weeks of October 5 and October 12 |
| All three references received | October 30, 2026, 9:00 a.m. ET |
| Complete application submitted | November 6, 2026, 4:00 p.m. ET |
Which Deadline Is the Most Important?
The first deadline—October 2, 2026—is critical because applicants must successfully enter the eligibility-screening process before receiving access to the full application.
Someone who first discovers the scholarship in late October cannot simply submit a complete application by November 6 without having completed the first stage.
Important Note About Conflicting Reference Deadlines Online
Applicants may encounter conflicting dates on older pages.
The Foundation’s current FAQ contains one lower section that still displays an outdated 2025 reference-letter date.
However, the dedicated 2027 Applications page clearly states the current reference deadline as:
October 30, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. ET.
For the 2027 competition, applicants should follow the current cycle-specific 2027 page.
Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship Selection Criteria
The Foundation assesses applicants on more than grades alone.
Its current scholarship pages emphasize:
Academic Excellence
Candidates should have an outstanding academic record and strong intellectual ability.
Quality of the Research Project
The doctoral project should be:
- rigorous;
- compelling;
- relevant to major societal issues;
- connected to Canada’s future;
- aligned with at least one Foundation theme.
Leadership and Social Engagement
Strong applicants show evidence of positive impact through activities such as:
- initiatives;
- collaborations;
- leadership;
- community engagement;
- public contribution.
Knowledge Sharing
The Foundation also values the ability to communicate research and knowledge beyond a narrow academic audience.
Interdisciplinary Engagement
Applicants should demonstrate willingness to engage in:
- dialogue;
- interdisciplinary collaboration;
- exchange of perspectives;
- knowledge sharing.
How Competitive Is the Trudeau Scholarship?
The Foundation describes the selection process as rigorous, but its current 2027 call does not publish a guaranteed number of scholarships to be awarded.
Older Foundation announcements have referred to approximately 15 Scholars in specific previous competitions, but applicants should not assume that this is a confirmed quota for 2027 unless the Foundation explicitly publishes a 2027 number.
For the current competition, it is safer to focus on the published selection criteria rather than an unconfirmed acceptance rate.
How Is the Scholarship Paid?
After a successful application is approved by the Foundation’s Board of Directors and the Scholar completes the funding agreement and required documentation, scholarship payments begin.
The Foundation states that the annual scholarship is paid in:
three instalments per year.
This is a useful budgeting detail because the award is not necessarily paid as one lump sum at the start of each year.
Can You Take Leave During the Scholarship?
Yes, subject to Foundation approval.
Scholars may suspend the scholarship for up to:
one year
for reasons including:
- parental leave;
- medical leave;
- personal leave;
- professional leave.
Scholarship payments are paused during the leave.
Funding can resume when the Scholar returns to full-time doctoral enrolment, subject to the Foundation’s review of the individual case.
The Foundation also clarifies that Scholars are not employees of the Foundation and therefore do not receive paid parental leave from it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship 2027 open?
Yes.
The 2027 application process opened on September 1, 2026.
What is the first deadline?
The eligibility-screening deadline is:
October 2, 2026.
What is the final application deadline?
The complete scholarship application is due:
November 6, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. ET.
How much is the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Scholarship?
The award provides up to CAD 50,000 per year for tuition and living expenses plus up to CAD 20,000 per year for research, networking and travel, for three years.
Is CAD 210,000 guaranteed?
No.
CAD 210,000 represents the maximum potential value based on the published annual caps. The CAD 50,000 stipend may be adjusted if the Scholar receives other funding.
Can international students apply?
Yes, but international applicants must satisfy the Foundation’s specific Canadian enrolment and residency rules.
The current eligibility page says international students must be enrolled at a Canadian university and that international students residing outside Canada or enrolled outside Canada are not eligible.
Can a student outside Canada apply and then move to Canada?
International students should not assume this route is available.
The Foundation’s current criteria require eligible international applicants to already satisfy its Canadian university and residency conditions.
Can Master’s students apply?
No.
The scholarship is exclusively for doctoral students.
Can third-year PhD students apply?
The current 2027 criteria specify first- or second-year PhD students at the time of application.
Is there an age limit?
No.
Is there a minimum GPA?
No single universal numerical GPA threshold is published.
Applicants are expected to demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and intellectual ability.
Is IELTS required?
The Foundation does not list IELTS as a universal scholarship requirement.
Applicants need to communicate effectively in either English or French. University-level language requirements remain separate.
Can I apply in French?
Yes.
Applications may be submitted in either English or French.
How many reference letters are required?
Exactly three.
Can my family member be a referee?
No.
Can my referee live outside Canada?
Yes.
Can I hold another scholarship?
Yes, although the main Trudeau stipend may be adjusted based on other funding.
How much funding do I keep if I have another award?
The Foundation states that Scholars retain the annual research/travel/networking allowance and receive at least CAD 25,000 from the annual stipend.
Can I work while receiving the scholarship?
Yes.
Scholars may work part-time for up to 20 hours per week.
How often is the scholarship paid?
The annual scholarship is disbursed in three instalments per year.
Official Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship Links
Applicants should use the Foundation’s own pages for final verification and submission.
2027 Application Page
This is the most important page for current deadlines and the two-step process:
Official Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation 2027 Applications page
Official Eligibility Criteria
Use this page to check nationality, university, field and doctoral-stage requirements:
Official Become a Scholar eligibility page
Official Scholarship Benefits
Use this page for funding, programme benefits and selection principles:
Official Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship page
Official FAQ
This page contains rules on other awards, employment, references, languages, payment instalments and leave:
Official Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation FAQ
Four Founding Themes
Applicants can review the themes and examples of relevant research here:
Official Four Founding Themes page
Official Application Portal
The Foundation’s 2027 page links applicants to its SmartSimple eligibility/application system:
Official Pierre Elliott Trudeau application portal
Related Scholarships on Scholarships Central
Students exploring other doctoral and Canadian opportunities can also use:
- PhD Scholarships
- PhD Scholarships Still Open 2026
- Fully Funded Scholarships
- Scholarships Still Open 2026
- McCall MacBain Scholarship 2027
Final Thoughts
The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship 2027 is particularly attractive for doctoral students whose work combines strong academic research with wider social relevance.
Its financial package can provide substantial support for three years, but the Foundation is clearly looking for more than high grades. Successful applicants need to demonstrate a rigorous doctoral project, alignment with the Foundation’s themes, intellectual strength, leadership, engagement and an ability to communicate research beyond academia.
The most important practical point is the application sequence.
Do not treat November 6 as the only deadline.
Applicants first need to complete the eligibility-screening stage by October 2, 2026, attend a mandatory information session if confirmed eligible, ensure all three references arrive by October 30 at 9:00 a.m. ET, and then submit the full application by November 6 at 4:00 p.m. ET.