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 scholarships of $15,000
  • Doctoral Level - 8 scholarships of $20,000
    Note: Students enrolled in a doctorate program who have not previously completed 1-year of graduate studies are only eligible for a scholarship of $15,000

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must be:

  • a Canadian citizen, Permanent Resident or Protected Person (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 as a full-time student in the current academic year for both fall and winter terms in a graduate program at an institution outside of Alberta.

An individual may receive a lifetime maximum of two scholarships.

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.

Deadline

Apply for this award between August 1 to January 15. 

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.

Many other scholarships and awards are offered by other organizations – we encourage you to visit Alberta’s public university and college websites to research the scholarships that they offer.

For more information, see Alberta post-secondary institutions.