For more information about the Gilles G. Patry Student Engagement Scholarship for Ontario Student Residents and Non-Ontario Student Residents, visit the Online Scholarships and Bursaries database.
Scholarships and funding opportunities
Several funding options can help you complete your community engagement project.
“Youth Leadership for Change” Micro-Grants for UOSU Clubs and Associations
The Youth Leadership for Change program funded by Canada Service Corps offers micro-grants to empower youth aged 15-30 in the Ottawa region to develop, lead, and implement community-based projects, gain experience and build important skills while giving back to their community.
The Canada Service Corps (CSC) through the Social Planning Council of Ottawa (SPCO) in collaboration with the University of Ottawa Career Corner and the University of Ottawa Student Union (UOSU) will provide funding to UOSU recognized student clubs and associations, in the form of micro-grants, to take ownership of an issue that is important to them, propose a solution, and implement it at the local community level (on or off campus), while developing their leadership, budgeting, and planning skills.
Grants range from $500 to $5,000, depending on the scale and impact of the initiative.
Deadline to apply this Spring: Friday, June 6th 2025
Deadline to apply for the Fall term: Tuesday, September 30th 2025
Learn more and apply directly via the Youth Leadership for Change page: https://www.spcottawa.on.ca/youth-leadership-for-change/
Gilles G. Patry Student Engagement Fund
This fund was established in 2008 in honour of former University of Ottawa president Dr. Gilles Patry, a champion of community service learning (CSL). It offers awards to those who combine strong academic performance with outstanding service to the community.
Pathy Foundation Fellowship
The Pathy Foundation Fellowship is an experiential learning opportunity for graduating students who want to become effective agents of change by proposing innovative ideas and working closely with communities to make a sustainable, positive impact in Canada and abroad.
About this program
The project could be something as small as helping a community set up a sports program in a school or as big as changing a country’s health policy, as long as it can be completed and yield benefits to the community within the proposed time and budget, and it includes equitable partnerships and strong sustainability elements. You could receive up to $40,000 for your project.
Check your eligibility
Learn more about the Pathy Foundation Fellowship, including deadlines, eligibility and the application process. You can also see the Pathy Fellowship FAQ.
Africa Community Service Fund
The purpose of each $2,000 award is to provide financial assistance to students to travel to Africa to plan and implement their own community service initiatives or to participate in field courses or unpaid CO-OP placements.
Note: The community service work can’t be in an African country, where there’s a Government of Canada “Avoid non-essential travel” advisory.
Latin American Community Service Scholarship
The purpose of this scholarship is to provide financial assistance to students carrying out community service in the following Latin American countries: Mexico, Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela.
Deadlines to apply: