Deadline: March 5, 2026
Are you a graduate student passionate about tackling food insecurity in Canada? The Maple Leaf Centre for Action on Food Security Scholarship 2026 offers a valuable opportunity for Master’s and PhD students whose research focuses on understanding and addressing food insecurity. This scholarship recognizes academic excellence and supports research that has the potential to make a real impact on food security policies and practices across the country.
About the Maple Leaf Centre for Action on Food Security Scholarship 2026
The Maple Leaf Centre for Action on Food Security Scholarship 2026 is offered by the Maple Leaf Centre for Action on Food Security, in recognition of past chairs of Maple Leaf Foods’ Board of Directors. The program supports graduate-level research that deepens understanding of food insecurity in Canada and explores effective solutions to combat it.
Each year, four scholarships are awarded to outstanding Master’s and PhD students pursuing research aligned with the Centre’s mission. The scholarship aims to build knowledge that drives meaningful action toward a food-secure Canada.
Scholarship Details
- Number of Awards: 4
- Value per Scholarship: $15,000
- Duration: Up to 2 years of research support
The funding supports students whose research explores key aspects of food insecurity, including its causes, consequences, and potential interventions.
Research Focus Areas
Eligible research topics for this scholarship include, but are not limited to:
- Risk factors and lived experiences of food insecurity in Canada
- Impacts of food insecurity on health, social, and economic well-being
- Evaluation of programs, systems, or policy interventions designed to address food insecurity
- Research focusing on populations disproportionately affected by food insecurity, including:
- Indigenous peoples
- Black families
- People with disabilities
- Single adults aged 18–64
The program strongly encourages studies that help fill existing knowledge gaps and offer evidence-based insights that can shape future policies and systems.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Maple Leaf Centre for Action on Food Security Scholarship 2026, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be enrolled in a Master’s or PhD program at a Canadian university
- Be in good academic standing
- Be entering year 2 or 3 of their graduate program and ready to begin thesis research in 2026/2027
- Propose thesis research that contributes to new knowledge or fills existing gaps in the field of food insecurity
- Applicants cannot reapply for the same degree level if they have previously received this scholarship (for example, recipients at the Master’s level cannot apply again for the same degree)
Application Requirements
A complete application package typically includes the following documents:
- A Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- A Letter of Reference from the academic supervisor (may be sent directly to the Centre)
- A Research Proposal of no more than six single-spaced pages, clearly outlining:
- Research purpose, question, and objectives
- Background and rationale
- Methodology
- How the research addresses a gap in knowledge
- Funding plan and alignment with the Centre’s goals
How to Apply
Interested applicants should complete and submit their full proposals through the official fillable application form provided by the Maple Leaf Centre for Action on Food Security. Ensure all required documents and references are submitted before the deadline.
- Application Deadline: March 5, 2026
Important Links
🔗 Click here to apply for the scholarship
🔗 Read more about the programme
For assistance with proposal drafting, refining, and review, contact us today.
