Carleton University offers funding opportunities to prospective MPNL students in full-time studies. The university automatically considers applicants for admissions scholarships and awards, and notifies prospective graduate students about any offer of admission and funding (unless otherwise noted below).
In addition, donors have generously provided awards for both MPNL and DPNL students, including those in full- or part-time study. The MPNL program thanks our donors for these generous awards and scholarships.
Awards students must apply for:
MPNL Award for Black Emerging Fundraising Professionals: In partnership with Carleton, the Black Canadian Fundraisers’ Collective offers this award to Black students in the MPNL program. It’s awarded in the fall term, and a call for applications is sent out to all new and current students. Details are available in this downloadable pdf. Also, please visit PANL Perspectives for stories from past award recipients and donors, as well as info about how people can donate to this award.
Simone Joyaux Memorial Award: Established by Dr. Sharilyn Hale in honour of Simone Joyaux, who had a passion for advanced learning, social justice and governance issues in the nonprofit sector, this award is for outstanding graduate students who register for part-time studies in the MPNL program and who demonstrate volunteer leadership as critical thinkers, change-makers and bridge-builders. It’s awarded in the fall term. A call for applications is sent to all students before then. Click here for more information from PANL Perspectives or to learn about how to donate to the award.
Jackson Family Scholarship in Community Engagement: Ted Jackson and Magda Seydegart founded this scholarship for individuals who demonstrate a strong potential for leadership and innovation in community engagement on high-priority issues to nonprofits, government and businesses. A call for applications to conduct a project with a community partner is sent to all MPNL students in the summer, and the award is announced in the fall term. Please see PANL Perspectives for details or click here to donate to the award.
The MPNL Social Innovation Fellowship Award (also known as the Dr. Tessa Hebb Graduate Award in Social Innovation) is awarded to students involved with a project in the not-for-profit sector through the Carleton Centre for Community Innovation, at Carleton University. This award was endowed in 2009 by an anonymous philanthropic gift to further Carleton’s development of thought leaders, educators, and professionals in the nonprofit sector. Preference is given to students who are pursuing research in civil society and whose work may enhance program or process innovation and capacity building in the nonprofit sector. Please see PANL Perspectives to read about 2023 recipients of the award.
Awards offered on admission (applications not required):
Donald K. Johnson Award in Philanthropy: For an outstanding student in the MPNL program, the award recognizes Donald Johnson’s contributions to the philanthropic sector in Canada. All MPNL applicants are automatically considered, and recipients are chosen by the university each March. Click here for award details and past recipients.
Barbara McInnes Scholarship in Philanthropy: Recognizing Barbara McInnes and her long-time service and dedication to the Ottawa community, this scholarship is automatically awarded to an outstanding student entering the MPNL program, with preference for a recipient in financial need. Please see PANL Perspectives for details about the award and past recipients.
Keith and Dorothy Sjögren Philanthropy Award: In 2013, the Sjögrens established this annual award to recognize the importance of arts and culture. On admission, all MPNL students are automatically considered for the award, which goes to a student with a demonstrated interest in working within the cultural or performing arts community in Canada. Read more about how and why the award was set up or click here to donate to the award.
The Benevolence Award for MPNL was established by Alizeh Jaffrey Zaidi, an MPNL graduate, in honour of Hasan ibn Ali, a seventh-century philanthropist and spiritual leader known for his grantmaking and teachings about philanthropy. Today, her work in the philanthropic sector is inspired by his teachings and example. Eligible recipients will be selected based on academic promise, past academic achievement and/or professional experience. Preference is for students in financial need. Read about the first recipient of this award in 2023.
The Benefaction Foundation Travel Fund for the Summer Institute ($7,500) assists full-time and part-time students accepted into the DPNL or MPNL program, helping them with travel costs to participate in the program’s Summer Institute, a two-week, in-class series of courses and events on the campus of Carleton University. And the Benefaction Award for Philanthropic Leadership ($5,000) is awarded annually by the Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs on the recommendation of the Supervisor of the MPNL program to one outstanding, full-time graduate student who’s entering the MPNL program. Preference will be given to racialized students. Click here for more about both awards.
The Burgundy Legacy Foundation Philanthropy Award ($3,500). Awarded annually by the Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs on the recommendation of the Supervisor of the MPNL program to one outstanding graduate student who’s entering or continuing in the program. Both full-time and part-time students are eligible. Preference is given to students who have an interest in the area of financial management of charities and nonprofits.
Also, on admission, all MPNL students are automatically considered for the MPNL Alumni Award (see the 2023 recipient), the Who Gives Fund, and the McConnell Family Foundation Award.
Other awards and scholarships
A number of other internal, external and special awards are available: please see “Awards and Funding,” which also includes information on applying for the Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS).
Provinces or territories offer grants and loans to students. In Ontario, for example, the government offers these through the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP).
Funding for international students is limited and available to only a few, outstanding, international applicants. These students can explore options about external awards and international agreements, and can obtain additional information.
Costs and fees
Estimates of costs and fees are available on Carleton’s Admissions website. A Fee Estimator tool is also available to determine estimated tuition fees based on a specific program.