Academic Awards
Trent University has a full and diverse program of academic awards designed to foster and reward high academic achievement among its students. Among these are a number of Scholarships and Prizes intended for Trent School of the Environment undergraduate degree programs.
TSE Undergraduate Research Internships (URI)
For TSE Majors entering their 4th year of study, to work on a full-time research project for a period of up to 14 weeks during the summer, generally as part of their Honours Thesis project. For further details see award criteria (pdf) and application form (pdf). Undergraduate students that meet the criteria are invited to submit applications to the TSE office (via email to tse@trentu.ca) by the deadline date of Monday, February 24th, 2025.
Undergraduate Student Research Awards
Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRAs) allow students to gain valuable research work experience that complements their studies in an academic setting by providing financial support available through the host institution. Through the support of the USRA program, students are able to develop the potential for a research career in health, natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, or humanities while it also encourages students to undertake graduate studies and foster the pursuit of a research career in these fields.
J.P. Bickell Foundation Mining Scholarship
Awarded to students studying mining, including the geological and geophysical fields including environmental geosciences, geological sciences, earth sciences programs and mining engineering.
Gordon T. Campbell Prize
In memory of Gordon T. Campbell ('77), a former Trent Geography student and rower. Preference will be given to an undergraduate student in Geography with a demonstrated and continuing interest in the Canadian North. If there are no students who qualify, it may be awarded to any qualified student in the Trent School of Environment.
Canadian Association of Geographers' Undergraduate Prize
Established by the Canadian Association of Geographers Awarded each year to the Honours Geography student at Trent who is judged to have the best academic record in fourth year.
Cyril and Jenny Carter Scholarship in Environmental Studies
Awarded to a student of high academic achievement and promise entering the second, third or further year of the Environmental Studies Program.
Currie Honours Prizes
Available to students enrolled in GEOG 4010Y or 4020D (Honours Thesis). Selection is based on both academic achievement and proposed thesis research.
Howard Darling Scholarship
Established in honour of Howard Darling, supervisor, Grounds and Custodial services. Awarded to an upper-year student who has demonstrated excellence in Environmental & Resource Studies.
J. Emmett Duff Memorial Prize in Geography
A gift from Professor THB Symons, Celanese Canada Inc, and John D Stevenson, QC, in memory of the late J. Emmett Duff, who, without formal training in the subject, was possessed of an intense love of traditional geography. Awarded to the Geography Honours student (single- or joint-major) who has demonstrated the best application and communication of a research project using Geographical Information Systems (GIS). If there are no geography students who qualify then it may be awarded to any student in Trent School of the Environment who has demonstrated the best application and communication of a research project using Geographical Information Systems (GIS).
Ecological Restoration Achievement Prize
Awarded annually to the graduating student in the Ecological Restoration BSc program who has achieved the highest standing.
Jim and Barbara English Prize
Established by Michael English ’72 (Otonabee College) and his wife Sherry Schiff for students in Trent School of the Environment in honour of Michael’s late parents Jim and Barbara, two beloved members of the Trent community. The prize is awarded to a full-time undergraduate student entering fourth year BA or BSc in Trent School of the Environment who demonstrates meaningful volunteer work including an active record and/or ongoing commitment to volunteerism.
Environmental & Resource Studies Program Prize
Awarded to a student in their first year at Trent achieving the highest combined academic standing in the introductory ERS courses. Both courses must be taken in the same year.
Environmental Geoscience Program Prize
Awarded to the student who achieved the highest academic standing in EGEO 2001H.
Marjorie Elizabeth Foster Prize
Given in memory of Marjorie Elizabeth Foster, this award is made to the Geography single- or joint-major who achieves the highest average GEOG 3100H: Geography of Peterborough & the Kawarthas, epitomizing the spirit of an integrated geographical approach to the study of Geography.
Department of Geography Prizes
Awarded in the first and second year to students who show excellence in the study of geography. The second-year prize, known as the Geography alumni prize, is donated by the Trent University Geographical Society using funds contributed by Geography alumni.
Founders' Prize in Geography
This prize was established by alumni in recognition of the founders of the Trent University Geography Department, Professors Peter Adams and Fred Helleiner It is awarded to the Geography single- or joint-major with the highest overall average in the 3rd or 4th year.
Peter Gzowski Northern Scholarship
This scholarship was established by the law firm Heenan Blaikie, and by his friends across Canada, to honour the late Peter Gzowski, the eighth chancellor of Trent University One scholarship is awarded annually to an academically outstanding undergraduate with a demonstrated interest in northern and polar studies and who has engaged in northern research as part of his or her undergraduate studies
Tom Hutchinson Scholarship
Named in honour of Professor Emeritus Tom Hutchinson, one of Canada's foremost ecologists and instrumental in establishing the Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Program. Awarded to an undergraduate student entering fourth year and majoring in SAFS with the highest overall average.
Indigenous Environmental Studies (IES) Prizes
Prizes awarded to students for contributions to indigenous environmental studies and to the student who has the highest grade graduating with an IES degree.
Otonabee Conservation Award for Environmental Excellence in Water Conservation
Sponsored by Otonabee Region Conservation Authority (ORCA) and intended to promote awareness and study of issues relating to water conservation in the Otonabee Region watershed. Given annually to TSE undergraduate students pursuing academic research broadly related to water resources and water conservation.
J. Percy MacNaughton Prize
Awarded to the student achieving the highest academic standing in Trent School of the Environment entering the fourth year.
Ralph McEwen Forestry Scholarship
Established with an estate gift from Canadian Author, Jessie E McEwen (1898-1986) in honour of her brother Ralph McEwen who died at the age of 12. Awarded for the highest marks to students completing second year in Trent School of the Environment and have taken courses in forestry and/or have undertaken outstanding forestry-related projects.
Heather Glendinning McMurter Prize
This award was established in memory of Heather J. Glendinning McMurter who graduated with a BSc from the Environmental Studies Program in 1988. Awarded annually to a student entering the fourth year (having completed 15 courses) of the Environmental and Resource Science/ Studies program whose research paper in ERS 3000 or 4000 level is judged the best of the year.
Robert Paehlke Scholarship
Named in honour of Professor Emeritus Robert C. Paehlke who was the founding chair of the Environmental and Resource Studies/Science program in 1972. Awarded to a full-time undergraduate student in third or fourth year in the TSE based upon academic achievement. Preference will be given to students excelling in environmental journalism or environmental communication.
Robert J.D. Page Scholarship
Established to honour Dr Robert J.D. Page who was a trailblazer with Trent’s ERS program from its beginnings. Awarded annually to a student entering fourth year in Trent School of the Environment’s ERS program (BSc, BA or BESS) who best combines academic achievement and public environmental service.
The Shibatani Group Hydrology Field Research Stipend
Established by Robert Shibatani, Alum ’84. This stipend is intended to help undergraduate and graduate students underwrite certain logistical necessities to support planned or ongoing fieldwork including but not limited to travel, lodgings, field camps, equipment, supplies, etc. for a wide range of hydrology-related field studies, including those in extreme and/or remote environments. The stipend is wholly underwritten and issued by the The Shibatani Group International. More information is at trentu.ca/environment/experience/awards-prizes-and-scholarships/hydrology-field-research-stipend
Stantec Prize
A prize will be awarded to a full-time student who is enrolled in the Environmental Geoscience program. Awarded to students based upon the top average after third year.
Complete list of Trent University Awards, Bursaries, Prizes, and Scholarships with descriptions (Accessible PDF)