First Nations Resource Development Scholarship

Award offered by the Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security

Award Overview

Value of the award:
Minimum $1,250
Number of awards:
Variable
Award frequency:
Annual
Level or program of study:
Undergraduate and Graduate
Application Type:
Online Scholarship and Bursaries portal, accessible via uoZone.
Application Deadline:
April 1
Renewable:
No

Purpose of this Award

The First Nations Resource Development Scholarship was announced in the 2025 Ontario Budget: A Plan to Protect Ontario.  “The government is investing $10 million over three years to create new scholarship opportunities for First Nation students interested in pursuing careers in resource development. Ontario’s colleges, universities and Indigenous Institutes play a key role in ensuring Ontario’s mining sector has a highly skilled workforce to drive its economy.” The scholarship is intended to respond to the financial barriers faced by First Nations students across Ontario wishing to enter postsecondary institutions and to increase enrolment in programs related to the mining sector where industry has identified a significant labour need.  

Eligibility Criteria

The candidate must:

  1. be a Canadian citizen
  2. be a resident of Ontario, as per OSAP rules
  3. be members of or connected to a First Nation community in Ontario.
  4. be enrolled full time or part time in an eligible mining-related program ( i.e. Geology/Earth science, Geotechnical and geoenvironmental engineering, Environmental Science)

How to Apply

Submitted in the Online Scholarship and Bursaries portal, accessible via uoZone, and must include:

  1. documented proof of Indigenous identity, in accordance with the requirements of the University of Ottawa Eligibility for Focused Admissions, Scholarships, and Bursaries for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis People administrative procedure

About this Award

The objective of the scholarship is to support students in offsetting educational costs associated with the mining-related programs, including tuition, ancillary fees, textbooks and program equipment.