Sir James Lougheed Award of Distinction

The Sir James Lougheed Award of Distinction honours the Calgary lawyer, parliamentarian, senator and cabinet minister who served in several federal parliaments in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

This award recognizes academic excellence and provides Alberta students in graduate programs with the opportunity for study outside of Alberta at institutions anywhere in the world. Each year up to fifteen students may be eligible for these awards.

Value

• Master's Level - 7 awards of $15,000
• Doctoral Level - 8 awards of $20,000
  Note: Students enrolled in a doctorate program who have not previously completed 1-year of graduate studies are only eligible for an award of $15,000

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must be:

• a Canadian citizen, Permanent Resident of Canada or Protected Person under Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, (Visa students are not eligible).
  
  
• an Alberta resident, and to be considered an Alberta resident one of the following conditions must apply:
  • one parent, or legal guardian has maintained permanent residence in Canada for at least twelve (12) consecutive months immediately prior to commencing post-secondary studies and be residing in Alberta, or
  • Alberta is the last place the student has lived for twelve (12) consecutive months immediately prior to commencing post-secondary studies, or
  • the student’s spouse/partner is an Alberta resident.
    
    
• enrolled full-time for both fall and winter terms at a post-secondary institution located outside of Alberta in a master's or doctoral level program. The program must be focused on academic research such as a Doctor of Philosophy.

Note: Professional doctoral programs focused on practical application in professional settings such as Doctor of Medicine, Juris Doctor, and the like are not eligible programs for this award.

An individual may receive a lifetime maximum of two awards.

Recipients may hold other awards and accept remunerative awards depending on the policy of the institution they attend. In order to qualify for a doctoral level award, a student must have completed at least one full year of graduate study or a masters degree.

Application Process

Applicants must submit:

• a completed and signed application form;
• an official transcript(s);
• a resumé that includes:
  - all universities, colleges or technical institutes attended to date, including current institution,
  - a list of scholarships, awards, and other forms of achievement received,
  - any publications, if any, such as the name of the journal they were published in, and
  - any performances/exhibitions (dates, location, etc.).;
• two reference letters from professors or associate professors – someone who can affirm the applicant’s name, award name, program of study, research (if applicable), and accomplishments; and
• an essay providing a detailed description of the applicant’s program of study.

Your transcript must have an official signature or seal indicating that the transcript paper is issued by your school/institution. Photocopies and/or faxed copies will not be accepted. Post-secondary students must contact their school to request their official transcripts.

• Application - Sir James Lougheed Award of Distinction

Deadline

Apply for this award between August 1 to November 30. 

Selection Process

Applications are evaluated by selection members consisting of professors of Universities and Colleges in Alberta. Applications are judged on previous academic accomplishments, program of study, appraiser evaluations and answers to the essay question.