Scholarships
Please download and read the FULL application instructions before you complete the application form.
The deadline to apply is January 31, 2027 at 11:59 pm PST.
Note: Applicants will only need to submit one application to be considered for all the scholarships, for which they are eligible. For more details on eligibility criteria, please see the descriptions below.
The Canadian Water Resources Association (CWRA) now offers six annual scholarships. These scholarships are awarded to graduate students enrolled full-time in a Canadian university or college. It is a requirement for the applicants to be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident or a Protect Person.
All six scholarships are awarded through a single application process. Selection of the award recipients is based on the overall ranking of the applications.
NHC Water Excellence Scholarship – $5,000
This premier scholarship will be awarded to the highest ranked of all applicants. Funding is provided by Northwest Hydraulic Consultants (NHC).
WSP Scholarship for Indigenous Students in Water – $2,000
Awarded to the highest ranked Indigenous applicant who has not already been awarded a higher-ranking scholarship. Funding is provided by WSP.
Harker/Cameron – Women in Water Scholarship – $2,000
Awarded to the highest ranked female applicant who has not already been awarded a higher-ranking scholarship. This scholarship is presented to recognize the ongoing legacy of Jennifer Harker and Valerie Cameron.
Rick Ross Student Scholarship – $2,000
Awarded to the highest ranked of all applicants who has not already been awarded a higher-ranking scholarship. This scholarship is presented to recognize the legacy of Rick Ross.
Ken Thomson Scholarship – $2,000
Awarded to the highest ranked of all applicants who has not already been awarded a higher-ranking scholarship. This scholarship is presented to honour the legacy of the late Ken Thomson.
CWRA Memorial Scholarship – $2,000
Awarded to the highest ranked of all applicants who has not already been awarded a higher-ranking scholarship. This scholarship represents a tribute to CWRA members through their colleagues’ donations.
Eligibility
- The applicant must be a graduate student whose research-based program of study focuses on applied, natural, or social science aspects of water resources, and enrolled in full-time graduate studies in any department in both fall and winter terms of the 2026-2027 academic year.
- The applicant must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident or a Protected Person under subsection 95(2) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada) as of the application deadline date.
- To be considered for the Scholarship for Indigenous Students in Water, the applicant must self-identify as an Indigenous student on the application form. Prior to the awarding of this scholarship, the successful applicant will be contacted by the CWRA to provide documentation of, or a description of, their Indigenous heritage. CWRA understands that Indigenous ancestry can be difficult to document, and if necessary, various forms of confirmation will be considered.
- To be considered for the Harker/Cameron Women in Water Scholarship, applicants must self-identify as a woman on the application form.
- Prior to the awarding of each of the six scholarships, successful applicants will be contacted by the CWRA and asked to provide documentation of their Canadian citizenship or permanent residency. Official transcripts may be requested to verify the applicant’s academic record.
- The recipient must agree to have their name and photo(s) published in both CWRA internal and external communications (e.g., website, social media, newsletter, Water News, etc.).
Application Process
- Access to the CWRA online application portal will open Monday, October 5, 2026
- The application deadline for submission is January 31, 2027 at 11:59 PM PST.
- Applications will be completed by the student via the online application portal.
- Applicants must include the following supporting documents in the online application portal for a complete submission:
- Proof of the applicant’s full-time enrolment. This document is often obtained through the same office as transcripts. If not available, a confirmation letter on the applicant’s department letterhead is deemed acceptable.
- Copy of the applicant’s undergraduate education transcript (usually available from the university Registrar). Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
- Copy of the graduate education transcript (usually available from the university Registrar). Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
- Two letters of reference from persons with a knowledge of the applicant’s research or professional experience. Letters must include the signature, full name and title, and contact information (phone number and email) of the referrer, and, if from an institution or organization, be on letterhead from that organization.
- An outline of the applicant’s research project and its relevance to sustainable water resources (max. 5,000 characters). The outline should include project research methods, type of data and analysis, as well as the expected outcomes. The research project description should be reader-friendly to non-specialists.
- Applications can be submitted in French or English.
- It is the student applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all application documents are uploaded to the application portal by the application deadline.
- Notification will be provided to successful applicants prior to in late March/early April 2027
- All successful applicants will be required to provide banking details for payment and their Social Insurance Number for tax form purposes.
- All applicants are encouraged to also submit an abstract to the 2027 CWRA National Conference. Information on the Call for Abstracts, and abstract submission deadlines, will be available here: conference.cwra.org
Application Review and Award Notification
The CWRA scholarships are awarded primarily based on academic excellence as well as project relevance to water resources management and development. When applicants are equal based on these criteria, selection will be based on encouraging diverse geographic reach and a diverse technical focus. Equity and diversity will also be valued.
A formal awards presentation will be held during our 80th CWRA-IAH 2027 Annual Conference in Niagara Falls, ON (June 6-10, 2027). Scholarship applicants are encouraged to consider submitting an abstract for the conference. Details can be found at: conference.cwra.org.
Questions about the application process should be sent to the CWRA Scholarship Chair via email: scholarships@cwra.org.
L’Association canadienne des ressources hydriques (ACRH) offre maintenant six bourses annuelles. Ces bourses sont destinées aux étudiantes et étudiants des cycles supérieurs inscrits à temps plein dans une université ou un collège canadien. Les personnes candidates doivent être citoyennes canadiennes ou résidentes permanentes.
Les six bourses sont attribuées dans le cadre d’un processus de candidature unique. La sélection des récipiendaires est fondée sur le classement général des candidatures.
Bourse d’excellence en eau NHC – 5 000 $
Cette prestigieuse bourse est attribuée à la personne candidate ayant obtenu le meilleur classement parmi l’ensemble des candidatures. Elle est financée par Northwest Hydraulic Consultants (NHC).
Bourse WSP pour les étudiants autochtones dans le domaine de l’eau – 2 000 $
Cette bourse est attribuée à la personne candidate autochtone ayant obtenu le meilleur classement et n’ayant pas déjà reçu une bourse de rang supérieur. Elle est financée par WSP.
Bourse Harker/Cameron – Femmes dans le domaine de l’eau – 2 000 $
Cette bourse est attribuée à la candidate ayant obtenu le meilleur classement et n’ayant pas déjà reçu une bourse de rang supérieur. Elle vise à souligner l’héritage durable de Jennifer Harker et de Valerie Cameron.
Bourse étudiante Rick Ross – 2 000 $
Cette bourse est attribuée à la personne candidate ayant obtenu le meilleur classement parmi celles n’ayant pas déjà reçu une bourse de rang supérieur. Elle vise à souligner l’héritage durable de Rick Ross.
Bourse Ken Thomson – 2 000 $
Cette bourse est attribuée à la personne candidate ayant obtenu le meilleur classement parmi celles n’ayant pas déjà reçu une bourse de rang supérieur. Elle rend hommage à la mémoire de Ken Thomson.
Bourse commémorative de l’ACRH – 2 000 $
Cette bourse est attribuée à la personne candidate ayant obtenu le meilleur classement parmi celles n’ayant pas déjà reçu une bourse de rang supérieur. Elle rend hommage aux membres de l’ACRH grâce aux dons de leurs collègues.
Admissibilité
- La personne candidate doit être inscrite aux cycles supérieurs dans un programme axé sur la recherche portant sur les aspects appliqués, naturels ou sociaux des ressources hydriques. Elle doit être inscrite à temps plein à un programme d’études supérieures, dans n’importe quel département, aux trimestres d’automne et d’hiver de l’année universitaire 2026-2027.
- À la date limite de dépôt des candidatures, la personne candidate doit être citoyenne canadienne, résidente permanente ou une personne protégée au sens du paragraphe 95(2) de la Loi sur l’immigration et la protection des réfugiés (Canada).
- Pour être admissible à la Bourse WSP pour les étudiants autochtones dans le domaine de l’eau, la personne candidate doit s’identifier comme Autochtone dans le formulaire de candidature. Avant l’attribution de cette bourse, l’ACRH communiquera avec la personne retenue afin qu’elle fournisse des documents ou une description attestant son ascendance autochtone. L’ACRH reconnaît qu’il peut être difficile de documenter une ascendance autochtone et, au besoin, différentes formes de confirmation pourront être prises en considération.
- Pour être admissible à la Bourse Harker/Cameron – Femmes dans le domaine de l’eau, la personne candidate doit s’identifier comme femme dans le formulaire de candidature.
- Avant l’attribution de chacune des six bourses, l’ACRH communiquera avec les personnes retenues afin qu’elles fournissent une preuve de leur citoyenneté canadienne ou de leur résidence permanente. Des relevés de notes officiels pourraient également être demandés afin de vérifier le dossier scolaire de la personne candidate.
- Les récipiendaires doivent accepter que leur nom et leur(s) photo(s) soient publiés dans les communications internes et externes de l’ACRH (p. ex. site Web, médias sociaux, infolettre, Water News, etc.).
Processus de candidature
- Le portail de candidature en ligne de l’ACRH ouvrira le lundi 5 octobre 2026.
- La date limite pour soumettre une candidature est le 31 janvier 2027 à 23 h 59 (HNP).
- Les candidatures doivent être soumises par les étudiantes et étudiants au moyen du portail de candidature en ligne de l’ACRH : https://cwra.org/en/awards/scholarships/.
- Pour que leur dossier soit considéré comme complet, les personnes candidates doivent joindre les documents suivants dans le portail de candidature en ligne :
- Une preuve d’inscription à temps plein. Ce document peut généralement être obtenu auprès du même service que les relevés de notes. S’il n’est pas disponible, une lettre de confirmation sur papier à en-tête du département de la personne candidate sera acceptée.
- Une copie du relevé de notes des études de premier cycle, généralement disponible auprès du registrariat de l’établissement. Les relevés de notes non officiels sont acceptés.
- Une copie du relevé de notes des études supérieures, généralement disponible auprès du registrariat de l’établissement. Les relevés de notes non officiels sont acceptés.
- Deux lettres de recommandation rédigées par des personnes connaissant les travaux de recherche ou l’expérience professionnelle de la personne candidate. Les lettres doivent comprendre la signature, le nom complet, le titre et les coordonnées (numéro de téléphone et adresse courriel) de la personne répondante. Si la lettre provient d’un établissement ou d’un organisme, elle doit être rédigée sur le papier à en-tête de celui-ci.
- Une description du projet de recherche et de sa pertinence pour la gestion durable des ressources hydriques (maximum de 5 000 caractères). La description doit présenter les méthodes de recherche, le type de données utilisées et les analyses prévues, ainsi que les résultats attendus. Elle doit être rédigée de façon à être facilement comprise par un lectorat non spécialisé.
- Les candidatures peuvent être soumises en français ou en anglais.
- Il incombe à la personne candidate de s’assurer que tous les documents requis sont téléversés dans le portail de candidature avant la date limite.
- Les personnes retenues seront avisées à la fin mars ou au début avril 2027.
- Toutes les personnes retenues devront fournir leurs renseignements bancaires aux fins du versement de la bourse ainsi que leur numéro d’assurance sociale aux fins de production des documents fiscaux.
- Toutes les personnes candidates sont également encouragées à soumettre un résumé pour la Conférence nationale 2027 de l’ACRH. Les renseignements concernant l’appel à résumés et les dates limites de soumission seront disponibles à conference.cwra.org
Évaluation des candidatures et annonce des récipiendaires
Les bourses de l’ACRH sont attribuées principalement en fonction de l’excellence académique ainsi que de la pertinence du projet pour la gestion et la mise en valeur des ressources hydriques. Lorsque des candidatures sont jugées équivalentes selon ces critères, la sélection visera à favoriser une diversité géographique ainsi qu’une diversité des domaines techniques représentés. L’équité et la diversité seront également prises en considération.
Une cérémonie officielle de remise des bourses aura lieu dans le cadre de la 80e Conférence annuelle ACRH-AIHC 2027, à Niagara Falls, en Ontario, du 6 au 10 juin 2027. Les personnes candidates sont encouragées à envisager de soumettre un résumé pour la conférence. Pour plus de détails, consultez conference.cwra.org.
Pour toute question concernant le processus de candidature, veuillez communiquer avec la personne responsable des bourses de l’ACRH à l’adresse suivante : scholarships@cwra.org.
2023-2024 Scholarships
Information about the 2023-2024 Scholarships are now available online. Please download and read the full application instructions above before you apply online at the link below.
The deadline to apply for the 2023-2024 Scholarships is January 31, 2024.
2022-2023 Scholarship Applications
The application for the CWRA graduate scholarships to be awarded in 2023 is now open. Applicants will submit one application to be considered for all the scholarships for which they are eligible. For more information on the scholarships that will be offered, please see the descriptions below.
Important Dates
The application deadline for submission is January 31, 2023.
Notification will be provided to all applicants prior to March 31, 2023.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents attending a Canadian university or college, enrolled in full-time graduate studies in any department in both fall and winter terms of the 2022-2023 academic year.
- Applicants must be graduate students whose research-based program of study focuses on applied, natural, or social science aspects of water resources.
- To be considered for the Golder Scholarship for Indigenous Students in Water, the applicant must self-identify as an Indigenous student on the application form. Prior to the awarding of this scholarship, the successful applicant will be contacted by the CWRA to provide documentation of, or a description of, their Indigenous heritage. CWRA understands that Indigenous ancestry can be difficult to document, and if necessary, various forms of confirmation will be considered.
- To be considered for the Harker/Cameron Women in Water Scholarship, applicants must self-identify as a woman on the application form.
- Prior to the awarding of each of the six scholarships, successful applicants will be contacted by the CWRA and asked to provide documentation of their Canadian citizenship or permanent residency.
Application Process
- Access to the CWRA online application portal will open October 27, 2022.
- The application deadline for submission is January 31, 2023.
- Applications will be completed by the student.
- One portion of the application will be submitted by the student applicant via the online application portal linked on this page.
- Several supporting documents need to be mailed or emailed directly to the CWRA Scholarship Committee by institutions or referees, as described below.
- Applicants will be contacted seven (7) days prior to the submission deadline if the application remains incomplete at that time.
- Applicants must prepare or obtain the following documents for a complete submission:
- Proof of the applicant’s full-time enrollment at their academic institution. This is to be provided in the form of a confirmation letter on the applicant’s department letterhead.
- Official undergraduate education transcript (mailed or emailed directly to CWRA Scholarship Committee by the undergraduate institution).
- Official graduate education transcript (mailed or emailed directly to CWRA Scholarship Committee by the graduate institution).
- Two letters of reference from persons with a knowledge of the applicant’s research or professional experience (mailed or emailed directly to CWRA Scholarship Committee by the referee).
- An outline of the applicant’s research project and its relevance to sustainable water resources (500 words). The outline should include project research methods, type of data and analysis, as well as the expected outcomes. The project description should be reader-friendly to non-specialists and contain as little jargon as possible.
- Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts and letters of reference can either be emailed directly to the CWRA Scholarship Chair at scholarships@cwra.org or mailed directly to the following physical address. Information received via mail must be postmarked prior to the application deadline.
Mailing address:
CWRA Scholarship Chair
c/o Nicholas Kehler
99 Commerce Drive
Winnipeg, MB R3P 0Y7
- Applications can be submitted in French or English.
- It is the student applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all application documents are uploaded to the application portal by the application deadline, and that the documentation or references from the appropriate person or institution are emailed directly to the CWRA Scholarship Chair by the application deadline or mailed to the CWRA Scholarship Chair postmarked prior to the application deadline.
- All applicants will receive a student membership to CWRA that will be valid from March 2023 to March 2024.
- Notification will be provided to all applicants prior to March 31, 2023.
- All successful applicants will be required to provide banking details for payment and their Social Insurance Number for tax form purposes.
- All applicants are encouraged to also submit an abstract to the 2023 CWRA National Conference. Information on the Call for Abstracts, and abstract submission deadlines, will be available here: conference.cwra.org
Application Review and Award Notification
The CWRA scholarships are awarded primarily based on academic excellence as well as project relevance to water resources management and development. When applicants are equal based on these criteria, selection will be based on encouraging diverse geographic reach and a diverse technical focus. Equity and diversity will also be valued.
A formal awards presentation will be held during the CWRA 76th Annual Conference in Canmore, Alberta (June 18-21, 2022). Scholarship applicants are encouraged to consider submitting an abstract for the conference. Details can be found at: conference.cwra.org.
Questions
Questions about the application process should be sent to the CWRA Scholarship Chair via email: scholarships@cwra.org
Meet the 2026 Scholarship Recipients
The winners of the 2026 Scholarships were notified in April and were announced at the National Conference in June. You can read more about each student and their work online now.
Scholarships Overview
The Canadian Water Resources Association offers five annual scholarships to graduate students whose programs of study focus on applied, natural, or social science aspects of water resources. A new, sixth scholarship was added in 2022. Scholarship applications typically open in the Fall each cycle and are due by the end of January. Please view the application documents for details. Students are responsible for compiling their own application materials and submitting them through our website.
Our past winners are listed here.
Questions? Please contact the Scholarship Chair at scholarships@cwra.org
Northwest Hydraulic Consultants (NHC) Water Excellence Scholarship ($5,000)
This premier scholarship will be awarded to the highest ranked of all applicants. Funding is provided by Northwest Hydraulic Consultants (NHC).
WSP Scholarship for Indigenous Students in Water ($2,000)
Awarded to the highest ranked Indigenous applicant who has not already been awarded a higher-ranking scholarship. Funding is provided by WSP.
Harker/Cameron – Women in Water Scholarship ($2,000)
Awarded to the highest ranked female applicant who has not already been awarded a higher scholarship. This scholarship is presented to recognize the ongoing legacy of Jennifer Harker and Valerie Cameron.
Rick Ross Scholarship ($2,000)
Awarded to the highest ranked of all applicants who has not already been awarded a higher scholarship. This scholarship is presented to recognize the ongoing legacy of Rick Ross.
Ken Thompson Scholarship ($2,000)
Awarded to the highest ranked of all applicants who has not already been awarded a higher scholarship. This scholarship is presented to honour the legacy of the late Ken Thomson.
Memorial Scholarship ($2,000)
Awarded to the highest ranked of all applicants who has not already been awarded a higher scholarship. This scholarship represents a tribute to CWRA Members by their colleagues’ donations.
Support the Scholarship Program
Make a donation to support the CWRA scholarship program. A charitable tax receipt is provided for all donations to the CWRA of $15 or more.
