Maple Leaf Centre for Action on Food Security Scholarship 2026

📖 About the Scholarship

The Maple Leaf Centre for Action on Food Security Scholarship recognizes the contributions of David Emerson, Wallace McCain, Purdy Crawford, and W. Geoffrey Beattie, past Chairs of the Maple Leaf Foods' Board of Directors.

Each year, four scholarships are awarded to Master's or PhD students conducting research to advance understanding of food insecurity in Canada.

🎯 Research Focus

The scholarship encourages applications addressing knowledge gaps in food insecurity in Canada, particularly in the following areas:

• Predictors and Risk Factors

  • Who is most at risk for food insecurity in Canada, and what is the experience of food insecurity for these groups?
  • What are the determinants of food insecurity, and are there any mediating or moderating factors?

• Impacts and Efficacy of Potential Interventions

  • How can food insecurity in Canada be alleviated, especially for groups most impacted (e.g., Black and Indigenous families, single adults aged 18-64, and people with disabilities)?
  • What programs, policies, and/or market instruments should be used (e.g., food prescription or food benefit policies)?
  • Who needs to be involved?

💰 Benefits

• Four scholarships of $15,000 will be awarded in the summer of 2026.
• The funding supports research spanning up to two years.
• Applications are reviewed by a Research Sub-Committee of the Centre’s Board, with recommendations made to the Board Chair for approval.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

To be considered, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be a Master’s or PhD student of any discipline enrolled at a Canadian university.
• Be in good academic standing with their institution.
• Be entering their second or third year of graduate study and prepared to commence thesis research in the 2026/2027 academic year.
• Conduct thesis research that seeks to fill knowledge gaps on food insecurity.
• Applicants cannot have received this scholarship for the same degree in the past (e.g., if awarded for a Master’s, they cannot reapply unless now pursuing a PhD).

📋 Proposal Requirements

Applicants must submit the following:

1. Curriculum Vitae (CV)
2. Letter of Reference from a research supervisor (can be sent directly to the Centre at info@feedopportunity.com with the applicant's name in the email title).
3. Research Proposal (maximum 6 single-spaced pages, excluding references), including:
   • Research purpose, question, target population, and objectives.
   • Background and rationale.
   • Proposed methodology.
   • Explanation of how the research fills knowledge gaps on food insecurity.
   • Knowledge translation plans.
   • Other sources of funding for the research.
   • Alignment with the Centre’s goals and research focus areas.

🎓 Scholarship Requirements

Upon completion of the research, scholarship recipients are required to:

• Submit status reports twice per year.
• Provide a final report sharing research findings.
• Submit a summary of how the funds were spent and how they amplified the student’s work.

Recipients may also be invited to present their research to the Centre’s partners and/or Board.

📅 Application Date and Process

• Application Deadline: 05 March, 2026
• Full proposals must be submitted using a fillable form.
• Research supervisors emailing reference letters should include the candidate's full name in the email title and send it to info@feedopportunity.com.

🌐 Scholarship Application Portal

For more details and to apply, visit the Maple Leaf Centre for Action on Food Security Scholarship Application Portal.

📩 Contact Information

For inquiries, email: info@feedopportunity.com

This scholarship offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the understanding and alleviation of food insecurity in Canada. Don't miss the chance to make a meaningful impact!

• Four $15,000 scholarships will be awarded in the summer of 2026 for research spanning up to two years in length.
• A Research Sub-Committee of the Centre’s Board reviews all applications and makes recommendations to the Centre’s Board Chair for approval.