BlossomThe Canadian Engineering Memorial Foundation Scholarships represent one of the most meaningful opportunities for women pursuing engineering education in Canada. If you’re a woman considering or currently pursuing an engineering degree in Canada, understanding these scholarships could be the key to unlocking your academic and professional potential.
Since its establishment in 1990, this foundation has been dedicated to supporting aspiring female engineers, helping them overcome financial barriers while honoring the memory of 14 women whose lives were tragically cut short at École Polytechnique on December 6, 1989.
Understanding the Canadian Engineering Memorial Foundation
The Canadian Engineering Memorial Foundation (CEMF) was born from tragedy but has since become a beacon of hope and opportunity. Following the devastating events of December 6, 1989, when 14 women—most of them engineering students—were killed at École Polytechnique in Montreal, the Canadian engineering community came together to create lasting change.
The foundation’s mission goes beyond simply providing financial assistance. It aims to attract more women to the engineering profession, ensuring they can fully contribute to society’s development while honoring those whose contributions ended too soon.
Over the past three decades, CEMF has awarded scholarships to more than 200 women studying engineering across Canada, distributing over $65,000 annually to deserving candidates.
Types of CEMF Scholarships Available
The Canadian Engineering Memorial Foundation Scholarships come in several forms, each designed to support women at different stages of their engineering education:
a. Undergraduate Engineering Ambassador Awards
These regional awards provide $5,000 annually to Canadian women studying engineering at the undergraduate level. The foundation offers up to five awards, with one designated for each Canadian region: British Columbia, Prairies, Ontario, Quebec, and Atlantic Canada.
These scholarships recognize young women who demonstrate exceptional leadership qualities and actively volunteer in their communities. Recipients of these awards are expected to serve as ambassadors for the engineering profession, inspiring other young women to consider careers in this field and mentoring those who follow in their footsteps.
b. The Claudette MacKay-Lassonde Excellence Scholarship
Named after the CEMF’s founder, this prestigious Canada-wide scholarship is the crown jewel of the foundation’s offerings. Valued at $25,000, this annual award supports women in their second or third year of undergraduate engineering studies at Canadian universities.
Established through a generous CEMF donation, this scholarship reflects Claudette MacKay-Lassonde’s core values—leadership, academic excellence, and community service. The winner is announced each August during the Folie Technique summer camp, an event that inspires young people to explore STEM fields.
c. Graduate Level Awards
The foundation also provides scholarships ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 for women pursuing graduate studies in engineering.
These awards recognize students who continue to demonstrate leadership, maintain strong academic performance, and remain actively engaged in their communities throughout their advanced studies.
Eligibility Requirements for Canadian Engineering Memorial Foundation Scholarships
To qualify for Canadian Engineering Memorial Foundation Scholarships, applicants must meet specific criteria that vary slightly depending on the award type:
General Requirements:
- Must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident (landed immigrant)
- Must identify as a woman
- Must be enrolled in or accepted into an accredited engineering program at a Canadian university
- Must demonstrate leadership abilities and community involvement
- Must show commitment to academic excellence
The Undergraduate Awards:
- Enrollment in an undergraduate engineering program
- Active participation in extracurricular activities
- Evidence of volunteer work and community service
Graduate Awards:
- Enrollment in a graduate-level engineering program
- Continued demonstration of leadership and community engagement
- Strong academic track record
For the Claudette MacKay-Lassonde Excellence Scholarship:
- Must be enrolled in second or third year of undergraduate engineering studies
- Must provide proof of registration for the upcoming academic year
- Must demonstrate exceptional leadership and significant community involvement
- Must agree to return to high school annually to share experiences and inspire future engineers
Step by Step Application Process for Canadian Engineering Memorial Foundation Scholarships
Applying for Canadian Engineering Memorial Foundation Scholarships requires careful preparation and attention to detail. Here’s how to maximize your chances of success:
1. Research and Preparation Phase
Begin by visiting the official CEMF website to review current scholarship offerings and deadlines. Application deadlines typically fall in early January, though the Claudette MacKay-Lassonde Excellence Scholarship may have different timelines. Start preparing your materials at least two to three months before the deadline.
2. Gather Required Documents
Most CEMF scholarship applications require:
- A comprehensive application form
- Academic transcripts demonstrating your engineering coursework and grades
- A compelling personal statement (typically limited to 400 words for some awards)
- Letters of recommendation from academic and non-academic sponsors
- Proof of enrollment or acceptance into an engineering program
- Documentation of leadership activities and community involvement
- Evidence of volunteer work and extracurricular participation
3. Craft Your Personal Statement
Your personal statement is your opportunity to stand out from other applicants. Share your engineering journey—what inspired you, challenges you overcame, and your long-term career goals and aspirations and vision.
Explain how a CEMF Scholarship would support your goals and impact in engineering. Be specific—highlight projects or experiences that shaped your commitment, and show how you reflect CEMF’s values of leadership, academic excellence, and community service.
4. Select Strong References
Choose recommenders who know you well and can speak meaningfully about your qualifications, character, and potential. Ideal references include:
- Engineering professors who can attest to your academic abilities and passion for the subject
- Community leaders who have observed your volunteer work and leadership
- Supervisors from internships or research positions who can discuss your practical skills and professional potential
Provide your recommenders with sufficient time to write thoughtful letters, and give them context about the scholarship and why you’re applying.
5. Submit Your Application
Compile all materials into a single PDF document, following any specific naming conventions required (such as including your name and the scholarship name in the filename). Submit your application before the deadline, and keep confirmation of submission.
Impact of Canadian Engineering Memorial Foundation Scholarships
Receiving a Canadian Engineering Memorial Foundation Scholarship provides benefits that extend far beyond financial support:
> Financial Relief: With scholarship values ranging from $5,000 to $25,000, these awards significantly reduce the financial burden of engineering education, allowing you to focus more on your studies and less on part-time work.
> Recognition and Credibility: Being selected as a CEMF scholarship recipient is a prestigious honor that demonstrates your abilities to future employers, graduate schools, and professional networks.
> Networking Opportunities: Recipients often attend award ceremonies during Engineers Canada meetings, connecting with established professionals, fellow scholars, and influential leaders in the Canadian engineering community.
> Professional Development: The expectation that recipients serve as ambassadors helps you develop public speaking skills, mentoring abilities, and professional presence—all valuable assets for your engineering career.
> Contributing to Change: By accepting this scholarship and the ambassador role that comes with it, you become part of the solution to gender inequality in engineering, helping inspire the next generation of women engineers.
Tips for a Successful Application
Maximize your chances of receiving a Canadian Engineering Memorial Foundation Scholarship with these proven strategies:
Start Early: Don’t wait until the last minute. Give yourself plenty of time to thoughtfully complete each component of your application.
Be Specific: Use concrete examples and specific details rather than vague generalizations. Numbers, names, and particular incidents make your application more memorable and credible.
Show, Don’t Just Tell: Rather than simply stating you’re a leader, describe situations where you demonstrated leadership and the outcomes that resulted.
Connect Your Experiences: Draw clear connections between your past experiences, current studies, and future goals, showing a coherent narrative about your engineering journey.
Proofread Carefully: Spelling errors, grammatical mistakes, and formatting inconsistencies can undermine an otherwise strong application. Have others review your materials before submission.
Highlight Unique Qualities: What makes you different from other applicants? Perhaps it’s your perspective, your background, your specific engineering interests, or your approach to community service.
Address Challenges Positively: If you’ve faced obstacles in your educational journey, you can mention them, but focus on how you overcame them and what you learned rather than dwelling on difficulties.
Conclusion
For more information about application deadlines, specific requirements, and the latest scholarship offerings, visit the official CEMF website and begin preparing your application today. Your engineering career awaits, and the Canadian Engineering Memorial Foundation stands ready to support your journey.
These awards support outstanding young women studying engineering in Canada, helping them build leadership skills, advance their education, and positively impact society.
Though the application process requires effort, the financial, professional, and personal benefits are significant. By applying, women not only move closer to their goals but also join a powerful legacy of females shaping the future of engineering.
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