Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation PhD Scholarship 2027

Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation is looking for students with an outstanding academic record who demonstrate exceptional potential to advance knowledge and address the major challenges facing Canada and the world.

Successful candidates stand out through the quality of their research, their academic excellence, as well as their intellectual curiosity, ambition, leadership potential, commitment to society, and desire to create meaningful impact beyond academia.

Table of Content

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

Summary

• Application DeadlineOctober 2, 2026
• Study LevelPhD
• SponsorPierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation
• Eligible CountryAll Countries

Benefits

• An annual stipend of up to $50,000 for three years to cover tuition and living expenses.
• An annual allowance of up to $20,000 for three years to support research, networking, and travel related to the doctoral project and Foundation programming.
• Membership in a dynamic community of Scholars, Mentors, and Fellows, all recognized for excellence in their respective fields; and lifelong membership in the Foundation’s alumni network, which includes over 500 individuals.

Requirements

To apply for a Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation PhD Scholarship, you must meet the following eligibility requirements.

Field of Study

Your field of study must be broadly related to the humanities or social sciences and address issues that are relevant to Canada’s future. Your PhD research must align with at least one of the Foundation’s four themes:

• Human Rights and Dignity
• Responsible Citizenship
• Canada and the World
• People and their Natural Environment

To be eligible, you must be one of the following:

• A Canadian student enrolled at a Canadian university;
• A Canadian student enrolled at a university outside Canada; or
• An international student enrolled at a Canadian university.

International students residing outside Canada or enrolled at a university outside Canada are not eligible.

STAGE OF STUDY

At the time of application, you must be:

• in the first year of a PhD program; or
• in the second year of a PhD program.

Selection Process

WHAT Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation LOOK FOR

The strongest applications typically demonstrate:

• Academic excellence, supported by an outstanding academic record.
• A compelling research project that addresses issues shaping Canada’s future.
• A strong commitment to making a positive impact, demonstrated through initiatives, collaborations, or achievements.

A willingness to engage in dialogue, interdisciplinary collaboration, and knowledge sharing.

The key dates to remember are:

• September 1, 2026: Eligibility verification form opens;
• October 2, 2026: Deadline to submit an eligibility verification request;
• October 30, 2026, at 9 a.m. ET: Deadline for references to be received;
• November 6, 2026, at 4 p.m. ET: Deadline to submit the complete application.

Application Documents

You must provide three letters of reference:

• One from your PhD supervisor.
• One from another academic referee.
• One from a referee outside academia.

Check also:
Free Ongoing Fully Funded Scholarships Guide 2026 (Download Now)

Application Deadline

How To Apply

For more information, kindly visit Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation PhD Scholarship.