External Awards

External Scholarships, Awards and Bursaries

The Anniversary Bursary Fund

The Anniversary Bursary Fund at Eglinton St. George’s United Church in Toronto awards bursaries to candidates for ministry in The United Church of Canada who are registered in a campus-based ordination programme of a United Church Theological School. Individual awards of $1,000 or more are granted after careful consideration by the Anniversary Bursary Committee. The decision is based upon the financial needs of the candidates, their academic achievement, and their statement of faith.

Grand Chapter Order of the Eastern Star, Ontario: Canada Eastern Star Training Awards for Religious Leadership (ESTARL)

Since 1952, the Grand Chapter of Ontario-Order of the Eastern Star has supported a program of financial assistance for qualifying students pursuing a vocation in ministry. The annual awards are based on the funds available each year and on the number of qualifying applicants.

The awards are granted to applicants preparing for leadership in various forms of religious service, such as Ministers, Missionaries, Directors of Church Music, Director of Religious Education and Counsellors of Youth Leadership.

In 2014, the ESTARL (Eastern Star Training Awards for Religious Leadership) programme presented 12 students with awards of $1,500 each towards the financial cost of their education.

Interested applicants should contact a member of a local Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, or contact the Secretary of the ESTARL Committee- Rosemarie Delahey at cleoromeo.estarl@gmail.com for an application form. Completed applications must be submitted to a local OES Chapter for approval prior to June 1.

Background, eligibility criteria and contact information for these awards can be found on the OES website. The Grand Chapter offers bursaries for students who will be or are enrolled in an accredited college or university for training in ordained ministry or church music, and who have financial need. Please contact your nearest ESTARL chapter for more information and an application.

Forum for Theological Exploration

The Forum for Theological Exploration (FTE) is a leadership incubator that inspires young people to make a difference in the world through Christian communities. FTE offers young adults, students and partner organizations the financial support and opportunities necessary to develop leadership in the face of complex shifts in the church, economy and theological education. Visit the Forum for Theological Exploration website for details.

Ontario Graduate Scholarships (OGS)

The Ontario government provides graduate scholarships tenable at Ontario universities. Ontario Graduate Scholarships are available for graduate studies in all disciplines. Sixty of these awards are available to visa students.

Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)

The federal and provincial governments provide financial support to qualified students who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Ontario. The amount of the loan depends on the calculated financial need.

Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship 2021

The annual Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation (PETF) Scholarship competition recognizes excellence in the humanities and social sciences. The application period will run until January 5, 2021, at 11:59 p.m. EST. The PETF Scholarship offers a three-year leadership program designed to train Engaged Leaders, in addition to offering a stipend of up to $40,000 per year and additional support up to $20,000 annually for research-related travel, and to attend Foundation leadership training institutes and events.

The President’s Award for Most Outstanding Indigenous Student of the Year

Applications are now being accepted for the President’s Award for Most Outstanding Indigenous Student of the Year. This award recognizes exceptional Indigenous students who demonstrate academic achievement and meaningful contributions to Indigenous communities.

Be First Nations, Métis, or Inuit
Be studying full-time and actively involved in coursework
Demonstrate academic achievement
Show previous and/or intended contribution to the Indigenous community

Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD, and Second Entry students are eligible to apply.

Two awards are granted annually, valued at $10,000 each.

June 1, 2026 (end of day)

Redemptorist Anniversary Bursary 2021

Bursary for graduate students whose focus is on Moral Theology. Click here for details.

Shi Wu De Community Care Bursaries

The Buddhist Education Foundation of Canada is offering bursaries of $500 per course to registered Emmanuel College students who are taking one or more Buddhism courses that are listed in both the Master of Pastoral Studies Program (Buddhism stream) and the Buddhist Mindfulness and Mental Health Diploma Program. Click here for details about Shi Wu De Community Care Bursaries.

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC)

Canadians and permanent residents may also apply for external support in the form of scholarships offered by SSHRC . These are awarded to outstanding graduate students pursuing doctoral studies in a Canadian university. Doctoral awards are valued at $20,000 for 12 to 48 months (depending on eligibility).

More helpful information about how to apply and the process can be found at the SSHRC Resource Centre.

Toronto School of Theology

A listing of internal and external scholarships and bursaries for basic and advanced degree students.

United Church of Canada Foundation Scholarship and Research Grants and Bursaries

Applications are due March 15.

UTSU Financial Assistance

The UTSU Student Aid Program offers bursaries and grants to those in financial need.

Willowdale Emmanuel Scholarship

Terms: Awarded once a year to a domestic or international doctoral or MDiv student at Emmanuel College who speaks Korean (or has a Korean background).

To apply, email Willowdale Emmanuel United Church (attn: Lina Posa).

Your browser is no longer supported