Fulbright Canada - Honouring Nations Student Awards for Americans

Fulbright Canada - Honouring Nations Student Awards

• US$25,000 for one academic year (8 months)
• Grants begin in September 2025
• Fulbright Canada Program Officer, Recruitment
• Applicants who will have received a Ph.D. by December 31, 2024 should instead apply to the Fulbright Scholar Program.
• Grantees are expected to use the award to cover necessary expenses such as housing, travel, school fees and other academic expenditures.
• Fulbright enrichment opportunities are also available on a competitive basis.

The Fulbright Canada - Honouring Nations Student Award, established by Fulbright Canada and the Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness, supports American citizens who are graduate students, prospective graduate students, or promising young professionals. These awards are dedicated to advancing research that focuses on critical Indigenous issues and fostering social connectedness and belonging within Indigenous communities.

Awards may be held at any university, research center, research institute, think tank, or government agency in Canada. 

Explore a wide range of scholarly issues, including important contemporary issues that are relevant to Canada, the United States, and to the relationship between our two countries. Research topics should emphasize building belonging and social connectedness. Relevant fields include, but are not limited to:

• Indigenous conceptions of belonging
• Social connectedness
• Inequality
• Loneliness
• Polarization

Research can also intersect with areas such as:

• Public policy
• Urban planning
• Healthcare
• Environmental studies

All applicants are required to demonstrate the relevance of their projects to Fulbright Canada's mandate, which is to enhance mutual understanding between our two countries.

Additional Eligibility

Applicants must be U.S. citizens.

Applicants should be planning to enroll in a graduate program in Canada, enrolled in a graduate program in the United States and planning to undertake field research in Canada, or early career independent researchers who are working in a compelling and socially impactful focus or project area on building belonging and social connectedness.

Applicants must demonstrate leadership potential, flexibility, and adaptability.

Applicants must also meet the Fulbright Canada Student Award eligibility criteria.

Added Benefits

Awardees will benefit from both the academic support and resources of the Fulbright Canada Student Award. Grantees will gain access to the Samuel Center for Social Connectedness and its Belonging Lab, providing valuable academic and practical resources.

American students can take up the award in one of two ways

• Graduate Studies Award
  For applicants who plan to enroll in a graduate-level program (Master's or Ph.D.) at a university in Canada. This award would help support the first year of studies.
  Affiliation may be with any accredited university in Canada.
  NOTE: Fulbright Canada is not involved in university admissions. Candidates must apply directly for acceptance to their Canadian graduate program and are recommended to do this coincident with their application for a Fulbright award. Applicants are encouraged to have a fallback position. For more information, refer to the guidelines in the application.
  Finalists must provide a letter of acceptance to the degree program prior to the Fulbright grant start.
• Research Award
  For applicants that are either students enrolled in a graduate program at a U.S. university and wish to conduct research in Canada that will support their U.S. degree (MA or Ph.D.)
  OR researchers who have completed an undergraduate degree or a master’s degree and wish to pursue one academic year of independent research in Canada.
  Affiliation may be with any university, research center, research institute, think tank, or government agency in Canada. 

• Bonus Award
  Fulbright U.S. Student Program applicants may apply for the Fulbright-National Geographic Award Program and propose up to $20,000 in additional grant funds from the National Geographic Society to expand their research and/or help bring their stories to life and, if selected, join the National Geographic Explorer community. 

• NOTES:

• • • For applicants seeking affiliations with research centers, research institutes, think tanks, or government agencies, preference will be given to those with a supporting affiliation at a university in the same region.

• • • Applicants are responsible for obtaining a letter of invitation from their intended host institution and must adhere to all host institution regulations pertaining to visiting students/researchers. Applicants are encouraged to establish an affiliation with the intended host institution at an early stage and ideally have a fallback position. 

HOW TO APPLY

Create an online application for the Fulbright Canada Student Award.

Select the Fulbright Canada – Honouring Nations Student Award when completing your application.

Follow the Study/Research Objectives guidelines as per the application guidelines.

Try to address the following questions in your Study/Research Objectives:

• Why is your research significant and relevant, and what potential social impact does it aim to achieve?
• How does your research foster a sense of community, belonging, and social connectedness?
• How will access to the resources and support from the Samuel Center for Social Connectedness and its Belonging Lab enhance your research and amplify its impact?

 

The Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness (SCSC) is dedicated to understanding and addressing the causes and consequences of social isolation and promoting a sense of belonging and community. Through research, advocacy, and collaboration with partners around the globe, SCSC aims to create inclusive societies where everyone can thrive. The Centre's Belonging Lab specifically focuses on fostering connections within and across communities, leveraging innovative research and practical initiatives to bridge social divides. By partnering with SCSC, the Fulbright Canada - Honouring Nations Student Award provides awardees with access to invaluable resources and networks, enhancing their research impact and supporting their professional development.

How to Apply