The Hartley and Margaret Fredeen Scholarship is offered annually to a student who is conducting research on co-operatives, either entering or continuing studies in a master’s or doctoral program at the University of Saskatchewan. Students who are currently enrolled in the Graduate Certificate in the Social Economy, Co-operatives, and Nonprofit Sector (GSECN) are also eligible to apply.

Value: $5,000

Margaret and Hartley lived their lives in Saskatchewan believing that co-operatives contribute to stable and economically inclusive and peaceful societies. As young people, they and their families lived through challenging times, made more difficult by financial institutions, corporations and governments that did not represent the interests of everyday people. The role that co-operatives played to mitigate the consequences of the Great Depression left a strong impression that shaped their shared values and motivated their commitment to social and economic justice. Margaret and Hartley and their six children are all alumni of the University of Saskatchewan and the Fredeen family continues to hold a deep and long-standing relationship with the University.

The goal of the scholarship is to support students in creating and sharing knowledge about co-operatives. The successful applicant for the Hartley and Margaret Fredeen Scholarship in Co-operative Studies will be chosen based upon the applicant’s proposed research exploring the ways that co-operatives can make our lives better, whether that be locally or globally.

Application deadline: November 1, 2023

• Download the scholarship notice

The Leo and Bruce Thordarson Social Economy and Co-operatives Award is offered annually to a student who is enrolled in the Graduate Certificate in the Social Economy, Co-operatives, and Nonprofit Sector program through the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy.

Value: $1,500

Established by family members, the Leo and Bruce Thordarson Social Economy and Co-operatives award was created in memory of father and son and their contributions to the co-operative sector. Raised in Mozart, Saskatchewan, Leo was the first in the family to attend university at the University of Saskatchewan. There, Leo received three degrees, including one in education, which led to a lifelong career in teaching and leadership in the field. Like his father, Bruce Thordarson attended the University of Saskatchewan. Bruce then devoted his life to serving the co-operative sector, including taking up posts as the executive director at the Co-operative Union of Canada (1979-1985) and the Director General for the International Co-operative Alliance (1988-2001), amongst roles in numerous other national and international co-operatives. 

The goal of the award is to support students in becoming the next generation of leaders in the co-operative, social economy, and nonprofit sector. The successful application will be chosen based on: academic performance, demonstrated financial need, and the merits of the written submission.

Application procedure: Submission of a statement of no more than one page providing personal insight into the role(s) played by co-operatives, non-profits, and social enterprises in shaping your professional and/or academic career, and how this award will assist you in shaping your career. 

Extended Application deadline: November 30, 2023

Please submit applications to:
The Canadian Centre for the Study of Co-operatives
101 Diefenbaker Place, University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B8
Email: coop.studies@usask.ca

Alexander Fraser Laidlaw Fellowship

Open to graduate students only, this award is sponsored by the Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada. 

The Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada established the Laidlaw Fellowship to honour Dr. Alexander Fraser Laidlaw, the father of the non-profit co-operative housing movement in Canada. The Laidlaw Award, valued at $1,000, is available to graduate students only. The award is based on the applicant’s academic record, as well as on the importance of the proposed research activities to the development of the co-op movement in Canada or abroad. 

Amy and Tim Dauphinee Scholarship

Open to graduate students only, this award is sponsored by the Ontario Credit Union Foundation.

The Ontario Credit Union Foundation established the Amy and Tim Dauphinee Scholarship in recognition of the outstanding contribution these two leaders made to the development of the credit union movement and the Ontario Credit Union Charitable Foundation. Tim, a retired scientist from the National Research Council, and Amy, who passed away in 2010, had a strong commitment to co-operatives, education and research. Both served as local directors on a number of organizations. Amy was the first woman elected to the board of directors of Credit Union Central of Ontario and served for 22 years. The award, currently valued at $3,000, is available to graduate students only. The award will be based on the applicants' academic records and on the importance of the proposed research activities to the development of the co-op movement in Canada or abroad. 

Lemaire Co-operative Studies Award

Open to undergraduate and graduate students.

Louis Lemaire, a co-operative pioneer, dedicated much of his life to organizing co-operatives in Saskatchewan and willed part of his estate to the Co-operative College of Canada (now Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada) to support co-operative studies. Available to both undergraduate and graduate students, the Lemaire awards are intended to encourage students to undertake studies and research which will help them contribute to the development of co-operatives in Canada or elsewhere. These awards are also intended to support students who have been involved in co-operatives, preferably in leadership positions as volunteers or employees. Eligible candidates will have been involved with co-operatives, must demonstrate reasonable knowledge and understanding of co-op principles and their application, and be able to indicate how the proposed studies and research will contribute to the co-op movement. Full-time or part-time students, taking full- or partial-credit courses at any university or university-equivalent college are eligible to apply. Eligible candidates must take a minimum of one course about co-operatives. The bursaries will be awarded in multiples of $1,000 to a maximum of $3,000. The amount of the awards will be proportional to the significance and contribution of the studies to the advancement of co-operatives. 

The Ian MacPherson Legacy Fund

The Co-operative Development Foundation of Canada (CDF), in partnership with Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada (CMC) and the Canadian Association for Studies in Co-operation (CASC), has established a scholarship fund to commemorate Ian MacPherson and his outstanding contribution to the study and promotion of cooperatives. This fund supports student participation in research conferences, co-operative research, and co-operative involvement. Students at post-secondary institutions under the age of 35 will be given priority, with a preference for those studying or researching co-ops and presenting at an event. Applications are accepted year-round, but we recommend that you apply at least 60 days prior to the date of an event you wish to attend.