We cultivate the potential in every child by levelling the playing field.
Kids are amazing; sometimes, they need a boost.
The Education Foundation of Ottawa’s Active Living and Opportunity fund opens up a world of possibilities for students by administering awards and bursaries on behalf of families and individuals. Every child in Ottawa deserves a chance to explore and excel in their learning.
Sometimes stars need a little extra help to shine. Explore award/bursary links to learn more. You can apply and donate to each award or bursary on the information page.
Overview of Awards and Bursaries:
| Award Name | Focus Area | Award | Eligibility | Application Information | Who can apply? | Deadline |
| Bob and Bonnie Dagenais Memorial Award | Supporting graduating students in pursuing post-secondary studies | Two awards will be given (1 to Ottawa Technical Secondary School and 1 to Sir Guy Carleton Secondary School). The total amount of the award is dependent on the endowment fund’s annual earnings. | All graduating students at Ottawa Technical Secondary School or Sir Guy Carleton Secondary School | No application required, staff from the two schools identify candidates | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Brian Murphy Fund | Music | Provide award in music for graduating high school student who exemplifies passion and knowledge of music. Amount depends on funds available. | All graduating OCDSB students | Awarded bi-annually with the next award available in 2025.
Application open: Tuesday, April 22, 2025 |
Secondary OCDSB staff | 3:00 pm on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 |
| Cam Walker Fund | Support needs and initiatives of Indigenous OCDSB students and their families | Varied support depending on request and funds available | All OCDSB students who identify as First Nations, Métis, or Inuit | With the support of the OCDSB Indigenous Education Team requests made to the Education Foundation of Ottawa | Not applicable | |
| Carol Hill Bursary for Science and Mathematics | Science and Mathematics | The Bursary will be granted to one or more RAISE schools each year. The amount of the award will vary depending on number of schools selected to receive an award each year. | OCDSB RAISE School or equivalent school with elementary students | Usually open April – May annually
Application open: Tuesday, April 22, 2025 |
Elementary OCDSB staff | 3:00 pm on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 |
| Cathy Nevins Memorial Award | Music | Approximately $500. The total amount is dependent on the endowment fund’s earnings. | OCDSB elementary schools | Awarded bi-annually with the next award available in 2025
Application open: Tuesday, April 22, 2025 |
Elementary OCDSB staff | 3:00 pm on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 |
| Charlotte Lemieux Memorial Award | Supporting graduating students in pursuing post-secondary studies | Amount of the award dependent on the annual grant received from the Ottawa Community Foundation | All OCDSB graduating students | Usually open April – May annually
Application open: Tuesday, April 22, 2025 |
Secondary OCDSB staff | 3:00 pm on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 |
| Connie St. Louis O’Brien Memorial Award | Dance | $250 | Graduating Canterbury High School student with a focus in dance. Canterbury High School Staff to select. | No application required, Canterbury High School Staff to select | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Joan Waddell Beavis and Anne Beavis Award | Support graduating students in following programs: Fine Arts, English, Mathematics, Geography | $1000 | Graduating students at Lisgar Collegiate Institute, Glebe Collegiate Institute or Canterbury High School who are pursuing post-secondary education at Queen’s University. Award rotated annually between the 3 schools. | No application required, school staff will select the recipient | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Lorne and Margaret Trudeau Education Award | Supporting graduating student in following programs: engineering, natural sciences, or nursing | Expenses for up to four years of post-secondary studies | Open to all OCDSB graduating students who would otherwise be able to afford to pursue post-secondary studies | One Award granted in 2025 | Not applicable | Applications are closed |
| MacDonnell Selfless Award given by Cathy and Wally MacDonnell | Supporting graduating students in post-secondary studies | Two awards to be provided annually of $1500 each. | Open to graduating students from A.Y. Jackson Secondary School. School staff will select the candidate(s). | No application required, school staff to select | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Marjorie Loughrey Artists in the Schools Grant | The Arts | Grant up to $2500 | Open to all OCDSB schools with elementary schools with a focus on RAISE schools for staff to submit application | Application period NOW OPEN | Elementary OCDSB school staff | May 23, 2025 |
| Nancy Douglas Memorial Award | Support graduating student with preference to students going into Education and interested in social justice. | $1000 | Open to OCDSB graduating students who identify as female and are pursuing post secondary studies with focus to those going into Education and having interest in social justice. | Usually open April – May annually
Application open: Tuesday, April 22, 2025 |
Secondary OCDSB staff or students | 3:00 pm on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 |
| OCDSB/OCENET International Study Abroad Bursary | Study Abroad | $250 – $1000 | Open to OCDSB secondary students. Students are eligible to receive a bursary only once during their high school years. | ON-GOING | Secondary OCDSB students | November 30, for travel between January 1 and June 30.
May 31, for travel between July 1 and December 31. |
| Raymond Joyal Memorial Award | Supporting graduating student who has achieved high level of creativity in the specialized arts program and also enrolled in the Core/Extended French Program. | $1500 | All graduating students at Canterbury High School who are pursuing post-secondary education. | No application required, Canterbury High School staff select. Students can submit their names to the Canterbury Scholarship Committee for consideration. | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Stantec/Ottawa Senators Community Foundation Award | Supporting graduating students who are going on to study: Science, Technology, Engineering and/or Math (STEM) | Four awards of $5000 each | Open to graduating OCDSB students who are in historically underrepresented groups going on to study and to pursue career in a field STEM at the College or University level | Application period now closed | Secondary OCDSB students | March 7, 2025 |
| Suddy and Barbara Ashfield Award | Supporting graduating students in post-secondary studies | Number of awards dependent on the annual amount received by the Education Foundation of Ottawa. Typically around 20 awards of $1000 granted | Open to all OCDSB graduating students who have achieved academic success and volunteered/given to their community. | Usually open April – May annually
Application open: Tuesday, April 22, 2025 |
Secondary OCDSB staff & require approval by principal | 3:00 pm on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 |
| Tony Adamo Fund for Music | Music | One guitar, case and accessories for one student awarded annually | Open to all OCDSB students who a focus on RAISE schools. Student is enrolled in music course and would benefit from this gift. | Usually open April – May annually
Application open: Tuesday, April 22, 2025 |
All OCDSB staff | 3:00 pm on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 |