Stewardship Community Bursary Program

Every year, PSF’s Stewardship Community Bursary program awards bursaries worth $2,500 to support multiple students in B.C. and the Yukon with a passion for salmon conservation and restoration. By alleviating financial barriers, we aim to foster the next generation of salmon stewards dedicated to advancing salmon recovery.

Application Deadline

Applications are accepted from August 1 through October 30 annually. The application review takes place in the fall and bursaries are typically awarded in November.

Apply online

Eligibility Criteria

Are you pursuing a career in salmon conservation and restoration?

Eligible applicants must be residents of B.C. or the Yukon, demonstrate financial need, and be enrolled full-time in a B.C. university or college in a program related to Pacific salmon. Applicants with demonstrated volunteer/work experience in salmon stewardship groups will be given priority.

Check your eligibility:

Resident of B.C. or the Yukon
Passion for salmon conservation and restoration
Demonstrated financial need
Enrolled full-time (minimum 12 credit hours) in at least the second year of an education or training program at a recognized B.C. or Yukon college, university or technical institute, in a program related to salmon conservation
Preferred: demonstrated volunteer/work experience helping conserve or restore Pacific salmon and their habitats with streamkeepers or other stewardship groups.

How to Apply

Applications are accepted starting August 1 through October 30. Please note that gathering the necessary documents for this application may take some time. We recommend starting early to ensure you have everything ready before the deadline.

To apply, you must have the following documents ready to submit:

A short essay (no more than 500 words) outlining your interest in Pacific salmon, field of study, career goals, and any salmon stewardship experience;
Your academic transcripts (unofficial transcripts are also accepted);
An annual budget and/or BC Student Assistance Funding (BCSAF) documents demonstrating your financial need;
If applicable, a confirmation/recommendation letter from a supervisor about your salmon stewardship experience.

You can view and download the application worksheet here. The application form cannot be saved or edited, so we encourage you to prepare your answers in the worksheet.

For further information, please contact Rene Martins at rmartins@psf.ca or call 604.664.7664

Apply online

Support a student, protect salmon

Emerging salmon stewards are grappling with rising tuition costs and the increasing cost of living. Support the next generation of salmon leaders by donating online today.

Your contribution will help reduce financial barriers for passionate students dedicated to salmon conservation and restoration. Every donation makes a difference.

Support young salmon leaders

Donate Today

TIPS & TRICKS

What makes a good application?

Here are a few tips to make your application stand out:

Be Specific: When writing your essay, provide examples to prove your interest in Pacific salmon. Highlight specific projects, your role in them, and the outcomes or impact of your efforts.
Show Your Commitment: Explain why salmon conservation is important to you and how it aligns with your career goals. Share your long-term vision and how the bursary will help you achieve it.
Demonstrate Financial Need: Clearly outline your financial situation in your budget and supporting documents e.g. a table outlining your income streams and estimated expenses. Be honest and detailed about your financial challenges and how the bursary will make a difference.
Highlight Experience: If you have volunteer/work experience related to salmon conservation, make sure to emphasize this. Include any leadership roles, skills gained, and the impact of your work. Confirmation/recommendation letters from your supervisor in the stewardship group are particularly encouraged.
Proofread: Ensure your essay and application are free of grammatical errors and typos. A polished application reflects your dedication and attention to detail.
Update Your Documents: Do not reuse essays from previous applications. Ensure all your information is current and relevant to this year’s application. Applications similar or identical to previous submissions will be disqualified.

Starting early will give you ample time to gather all necessary documents, reflect on your experiences, and craft a compelling application before October 30. Good luck!

BURSARY SPOTLIGHTS

Learn more about previous bursary winners.

PSF Community Bursaries spotlight – James Kennedy

Blog, Community Salmon Program, Stories

The Stewardship Community Bursary is awarded to students in B.C. and the Yukon dedicated to the conservation and restoration of Pacific salmon. The intent is to reduce the financial barriers in order to support their career goal in salmon conservation. Meet Stewardship Community Bursary recipient James Kennedy, UBC Science Class of ’22, and congratulations to […]

Jun 17, 2022

Voices for Salmon: PSF Scholarship and Bursary Recipients

Blog, Community Salmon Program

The Pacific Salmon Foundation supports a variety of scholarships and bursaries to ensure a new generation of stewards will be ready to champion wild salmon and navigate new challenges to their future. This year we are delighted to announce the Dr. Brian Riddell – PSF Fisheries Endowment Fund at Vancouver Island University in honour of our departing […]

May 27, 2019

Stewardship Community Bursary Program