Join a tradition of excellence
Dalhousie master’s and PhD students and postdoctoral fellows are among a select group of early career researchers eligible to receive full scholarships from the prestigious Killam Trusts. Designed to empower students from around the world to make significant contributions to their chosen field while studying in Canada, Killam Scholars receive the funding they need to realize their full potential.
- Dalhousie is the largest recipient of Killam Trusts' funding.
- $140 million+ endowment for Dal graduate scholarships.
- More than 2,100 Dal students fully funded since 1967.
Meet our Killam Scholars
Beyond scholarships
The Killam Trusts at Dalhousie support key activities at the university designed to enhance research and teaching impact, including:
The George Cooper Master's and Doctoral Killam Prizes
These Prizes are awarded annually to the most outstanding Killam Memorial Scholarship recipients, the top-ranked master's and top-ranked doctoral award winner.
Recipients receive a cash prize of $2,500 and a certificate of acknowledgement. Recipients are selected based on academic achievement, a research proposal, letters of recommendation and leadership qualities.
The George Cooper Prizes were inaugurated in 2016 as a tribute to Halifax lawyer and former Managing Trustee George Cooper, who was a Killam Trustee for 34 years, 24 of those as Managing Trustee.
Izaak Walton Killam Memorial Chairs
The Killam Memorial Chairs are academics of the highest distinction and are appointed for five-year terms by a committee chaired by the Provost and the Vice President of Research. Each Killam Memorial Chair at Dalhousie is expected to be a senior research leader and to pursue a research program that advances University and Faculty research priorities; as well as present a highly positive profile for research both internally and externally.
Renewal will be considered upon the recommendation of the Dean of the Faculty involved, similar to the request for a new Chair. The awards provide salary relief to a maximum of $100,000 with an additional Faculty commitment of a minimum of $25,000 towards research funding.
Faculty of Science Killam Professorships
The Faculty of Science Killam Professorships were established by the Faculty of Science of Dalhousie University in recognition of the financial support provided to the Faculty by the Killam Endowment. Up to ten professorships are awarded to faculty members in the Faculty of Science, for a term of five years. Their purpose is to recognize the careers of the most outstanding scientists. The winners must have made outstanding contributions to their fields. Each professorship is accompanied by an award of $2,000.
Faculty of Science Killam Prize
The Faculty of Science Killam Prize was established by the Faculty of Science of Dalhousie University in recognition of the financial support provided to the Faculty by the Killam Endowment. One prize is awarded annually to enhance the careers of the most promising scientists in the Faculty of Science who have obtained their doctorate within the preceding eleven years. The winners must demonstrate exceptional research ability through their contributions to scientific knowledge. The prize is accompanied by an award of $2,000.
