Northern Scientific Training Program 2027/28

In 1961, the federal government established the Northern Scientific Training Grants Program to encourage Canadian universities to train northern specialists to meet national needs. Now called the Northern Scientific Training Program (NSTP), it provides supplementary funding to over 350 students annually at over 35 universities across Canada. The program is administered by POLAR as part of its mandate to foster science and technology in Canada's North.

Table of Content

• Summary
• Benefits
• Requirements
• Interview Process
• Application Deadline
• How To Apply

Summary

• Application DeadlineNovember 10, 2026
• Study LevelMasters , PhD , Undergraduate
• SponsorPolar Knowledge Canada
• School to study
• Course to study
• Eligible CountryCanada

Benefits

• Funding helps cover additional northern research expenses, including:

  • Transportation.

  • Accommodation and living expenses during fieldwork.

  • Shipping and freight.

  • Interpreter fees.

• Undergraduate thesis research: up to one year of support.

• Master's thesis research: up to two years.

• Doctoral thesis research: up to three years.

Requirements

• Be enrolled in a degree program at a Canadian university.
• NSTP will provide one year of funding for thesis-based research at the undergraduate level, up to two years of funding for thesis-based research at the Masters level and up to three years of funding for thesis-based research at the doctoral level.
• Students supported by training funds must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
• Summer and winter projects are eligible.
• Post-doctoral studies are not supported.

Selection Process

Every year, a committee reviews the applications and allocates funding on the following basis:

• the extent to which the application fits within program guidelines
• the training component of the application, and
• the contribution to the development of northern specialists at the university.

This committee is also responsible for ensuring the effective use of funds allocated in the previous year.

Application Deadline

How To Apply

For more information, visit Polar Knowledge Canada scholarship webpage.