Top 10 CFUW Fellowships That Support Women’s Education

When women invest in education, they don’t just change their own lives—they shift entire communities. That’s the driving spirit behind the Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) fellowship and award programs, which for decades have been funding women pursuing graduate studies, research, and professional training in Canada and abroad. From medicine to music, from STEM to social justice, these fellowships open doors that otherwise might stay closed.

Here’s a look at ten of the most impactful CFUW fellowships that have been empowering women to pursue higher learning.

1. CFUW Dr. Margaret McWilliams Pre-Doctoral Fellowship

Named after one of CFUW’s founding members, this award supports women undertaking doctoral work in the humanities or social sciences. It helps ease the financial strain of research-heavy programs where funding is often scarce.

2. CFUW Dr. Alice E. Wilson Awards

These awards, honoring Canada’s first female geologist, assist women in graduate or doctoral studies who have had their academic journeys interrupted. They recognize resilience and encourage women returning to research after breaks.

3. CFUW Elizabeth Massey Award

Focused on the arts, this award supports women in creative disciplines—music, theatre, visual arts—helping them fund training and development opportunities that often fall outside traditional research grants.

4. CFUW Linda Souter Humanities Award

Dedicated to women pursuing advanced study in the humanities, this fellowship encourages research that explores culture, philosophy, and history—fields that shape our understanding of society.

5. CFUW Graduate Studies Award

One of CFUW’s most flexible fellowships, it supports graduate students in a variety of disciplines. Its broad scope makes it a vital lifeline for women pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees.

6. CFUW Memorial Fellowship

Established to honor CFUW members who made lasting contributions, this award supports women completing doctoral studies in science, mathematics, or engineering—fields where women are still underrepresented.

7. CFUW Aboriginal Women’s Award (AWA)

This award funds Indigenous women pursuing post-secondary studies at any level. It aims to strengthen Indigenous leadership and support reconciliation through education.

8. CFUW 1989 École Polytechnique Commemorative Awards

Created in memory of the women murdered in the 1989 École Polytechnique tragedy, these awards support women in graduate-level engineering studies, directly challenging the gender gap in STEM.

9. CFUW Ruth Binnie Fellowship

For students pursuing graduate work in education, this fellowship honors Ruth Binnie’s legacy as an advocate for learning. It supports research into teaching, curriculum development, and educational equity.

10. CFUW International Fellowships

CFUW also funds women pursuing studies abroad, emphasizing cross-cultural learning and global collaboration. These awards strengthen international ties while empowering Canadian women to study at world-class institutions.

At a Glance: CFUW Fellowships

Fellowship/Award	Field of Focus	Level Supported
Dr. Margaret McWilliams	Humanities/Social Sciences	Doctoral
Dr. Alice E. Wilson	Interrupted Studies	Graduate/Doctoral
Elizabeth Massey	Creative Arts	Various
Linda Souter	Humanities	Graduate/Doctoral
Graduate Studies Award	Multidisciplinary	Graduate
Memorial Fellowship	STEM	Doctoral
Aboriginal Women’s Award	Indigenous Studies	Any level
École Polytechnique Award	Engineering	Graduate
Ruth Binnie Fellowship	Education	Graduate
International Fellowships	Cross-disciplinary	Graduate/International

These fellowships prove CFUW’s commitment isn’t just symbolic—it’s practical, financial, and deeply personal. By funding women’s education, CFUW invests in the changemakers who will shape Canada’s next chapter.

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