Grant Applications

Grants for Women Graduate Students

The Soroptimist Foundation of Canada annually offers several $8,500 grants to female graduate students in Canada who are pursuing careers that focus on improving the quality of women’s lives. Examples of such careers include, but are not limited to providing medical services, providing legal counselling and assistance, counselling mature women entering or re-entering the labour market, counselling women in crisis, counselling and training women for non-traditional employment, and positions in women’s centres.

To be eligible, an applicant must be:

  1. A female, (or identify as female).
  2. A Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
  3. An accepted registrant in a full-time graduate studies program (Masters or PhD) or professional program at a similar level (medicine, law) in an accredited Canadian university, at the time of the application deadline. Note: their university must belong to Universities Canada. A list of these universities can be found on their website https://www.univcan.ca/. Note ineligible conditions: BA level studies, a medical residency program, attending a college that is not affiliated with a Canadian university.
  4. Pursuing a course of studies which will lead to a career to improve the quality of women’s lives.
  5. Committed to working in Canada for at least two years after graduation.
  6. Intending to use the award for academic studies in the academic year following receipt of award.
  7. Contributing to their community through volunteer service.
  8. In need of financial assistance.

An applicant must meet all EIGHT requirements to qualify for a Soroptimist grant. An applicant may apply more than once, but will not be eligible to receive a second grant. Soroptimist members are not eligible but family members may apply.

An applicant may apply in either English or French.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMITTING APPLICATIONS

Completed applications and ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (except references which can be submitted directly to the Grants Manager) must be submitted TOGETHER in one PDF file and must be received starting November 1st and no later than January 31st to be considered. The Soroptimist Foundation of Canada does not grant extensions. The Soroptimist Foundation of Canada decision on completeness and eligibility, including time of receipt, is final. Only the successful applicants will be notified and transcripts must be submitted by successful applicants.

If your permanent home address is WEST of the Manitoba/Ontario border send applications to:
Western Canada
Grants Manager
Email: grantsforwomenwest@soroptimistfoundation.ca

If your permanent home address is EAST of the Manitoba/Ontario border send applications to:
Eastern Canada
Grants Manager
Email: grantsforwomeneast@soroptimistfoundation.ca

Pour qu’un dossier soit considéré, le formulaire de demande et TOUS LES DOCUMENTS REQUIS devront être soumis ENSEMBLE, et devront être reçus à compter du 1er novembre et au tard le 31 janvier. La Fondation soroptimiste du Canada n’accordera aucun délai supplémentaire. La décision que prendra la Fondation quant à l’exhaustivité et l’admissibilité, y compris l’heure de réception, sera définitive. Seule une notification sera envoyée aux candidates retenues, et qui à ce moment devront transmettre leurs relevés de notes.

Si votre adresse de résidence permanente est Ouest de la frontière Ontario / Manitoba envoyer le formulaire de demande au :
Responsable des subventions pour Ouest Canada
grantsforwomenwest@soroptimistfoundation.ca

Si votre adresse de résidence permanente est Est de la frontière Ontario / Manitoba envoyer le formulaire de demande au :
Responsable des subventions pour Est Canada
grantsforwomeneast@soroptimistfoundation.ca


Live Your Dream

Live Your Dream: Education and Training Awards for Women is a program of Soroptimist International of the Americas. This is a unique education award for women who provide the primary financial support for their families. The Live Your Dream Awards give women the resources they need to improve their education, skills and employment prospects.

The Soroptimist Foundation of Canada now participates in this program by giving Live Your Dream awards to Canadian women living in communities without a local Soroptimist club. Applications are through the online Application Portal which opens each year on August 1st and closes November 15th.


Soroptimist Clubs

Soroptimist clubs always welcome new members. To learn more about Soroptimist clubs in Canada and how to become a member, go to the websites of Eastern Canada Region and Western Canada Region.

Is your club planning a Dream It, Be It program? Or some other program that educates women or girls? The Soroptimist Foundation Of Canada offers Club Grants of up to $1000 to Canadian Soroptimist clubs holding educational programs for women and/or girls that will help them to be the best they can be by developing their abilities and their awareness so that each of these young women can reach her full potential. The exact number of grants and the amounts for the grants will be determined each fiscal year at the discretion of the Board of Directors of the Foundation, depending on the funds available in that year. But we can’t give you a Club Grant if you don’t apply!

Completed applications must be emailed to clubgrants@soroptimistfoundation.ca by June 30 so that the Board can award these grants in a timely fashion.

Upon receipt of applications, the Grants Manager will send an e-mail confirming receipt.

A Club Grant Report is due before June 30 in the club year the grant money is received. The report must be submitted before the club will be considered for a future grant.