Undergraduate awards and scholarships

2023 Rising Stars
Congratulations to our 2023 Rising Stars award winners!

The information here is about undergraduate scholarships in political science. For information on graduate fellowships and assistantships, see the Graduate Studies website. For more general university information, see the Student Awards and Financial Aid website.

Most scholarships are are awarded by the Senate Committee on the basis of recommendations made by the department. However, some require students to fill out a separate application form.

The following scholarships are awarded by the Senate Committee:

Churchill Foundation V.I. Aleck Trawick Scholarship in Political Science

A scholarship is awarded to an outstanding undergraduate student in the 3rd or 4th year of a Major of Honours program in History or Political Science and who best exemplifies the character and qualities of the Right Honourable Sir Winston Spencer Churchill, with emphasis on leadership, courage, innovation, determination and maganimity.

Lieutenant-General S.F. Clark, CBE CD Scholarship

A scholarship of $400 is awarded to a student of high academic standing in three units of senior undergraduate or graduate course work (or equivalent) dealing with military history or defence studies given in the Department of History or the Department of Political Science.

Dr. Edgar S. Efrat Book Prize

A prize is awarded to an outstanding student entering third or fourth year who is taking courses in Comparative Government.

Aaron Learmont Memorial Scholarship

One scholarship of $1000 is awarded to an academically outstanding undergraduate student entering third or fourth year in the Department of Political Science. Preference is given to a student with demonstrated financial need. Approval of the recipient will be made by the Senate Committee on Awards based upon the recommendation of the Department of Political Science.

Richard J. Powers Memorial Scholarship

A scholarship of $525 is awarded to an outstanding student who is entering third or fourth year of the Political Science program and who has achieved the highest standing in three or more units of International Politics courses.

Norman J. Ruff Scholarship

A scholarship is awarded to an undergraduate student entering their final year in a Majors or Honours program in Political Science with a wide interest in the study of British Columbia politics who has submitted the best essay on some aspect of BC politics, public policy or government.

The Robert Lorne Stanfield Book Prizes in Political Science

Prizes are awarded to the top students in each of Political Science 101 and 102, and the top two students in Political Science 360.

The Walter D. Young Book Prizes

Two prizes of $225 each are awarded to the two students registered in first or second year who achieve the highest standing in three units of second year Political Science courses.

The Walter D. Young Book Prizes in Political Science 101/102

Two prizes of $225 each are awarded to the two students registered in first or second year who achieve the highest standing in three units of second year Political Science courses.

The following scholarships require an application:

The Leo Chan Memorial Scholarship

Leo ChanLEO CHAN was a gifted Political Science student who died in tragic circumstances in January 2012 in his second year of studies. His family and friends organized a memorial fund in his honour. More info about Leo is available here http://leoinspiresus.com/.

TERMS: One or more scholarships are awarded to academically outstanding undergraduate students who intend to do a Major or Honours program in Political Science. Preference will be given to students who have an interest in Canadian Politics and who can demonstrate leadership and/or community involvement. Selection of the recipient(s) will be made by the Senate Committee on Awards upon the recommendation of the Department of Political Science.

APPLICATION INFORMATION: Submit a letter describing your leadership and/or community involvement and passion for Political Science along with a resume to the POLI General office ATTN: Scholarships Committee, or by e-mail to poliao@uvic.ca by MAY 1. Questions? E-mail: poliao@uvic.ca.

The Walter D. Young Scholarship

Walter Young...a scholar, a teacher, a sailor, an editor, a true public servant, an influential community volunteer, a father and husband, a witty story teller and a sharp observer of the public arena. He was a Professor of Political Science at the University of Victoria from 1973 until his death in 1984 and served as Chair of the Department from 1973 to 1979.

Walter Young remained dedicated to teaching and thousands of Canadian university students have been inspired by him. This scholarship is a memorial established through donations from a legion of friends and former students. Candidates are encouraged to acquaint themselves with his more important writings.

TERMS: A scholarship is awarded to a student in an honours or major program offered by the Department of Political Science. To be eligible, students must have completed between 37.5 and 51 units (inclusive) of coursework towards their degree, and at least 6 units of upper-level coursework in Political Science.

The recipient will be selected by a committee after consideration of the following criteria: overall post-secondary academic performance; grades in Canadian politics courses, particularly the grades in Political Science 101 or its equivalent, and other activitiesundertaken at the University and in the wider community.

APPLICATION INFORMATION: Submit a cover letter, short CV, a transcript of all post-secondary grades and an essay previously submitted for an upper division course in Political Science. E-mail to poliao@uvic.ca by MAY 1 or submit a paper application to the POLI General office (DTB A318) Attn: Scholarships Committee. In your cover letter, be sure to highlight the following:

  • future academic and career plans
  • participation in on-campus and off-campus organizations and activities
Questions? E-mail: poliao@uvic.ca.

James Wattie Memorial Essay Scholarship in International Relations

A scholarship is awarded to an academically outstanding 3rd- or 4th-year student in a Major or Honours program in the Department of Political Science who has written the best essay for a course in the previous academic year on International Relations Theory.

APPLICATION INFORMATION: Submit an outstanding essay for consideration (minimum grade of A) by MAY 1 to the POLI General Office marked JAMES WATTIE ESSAY SCHOLARSHIP to the POLI General office ATTN: Rosemary Barlow, or by e-mail to poliao@uvic.ca.

Lindgren Wade Award for Community Engagement

An award is given to an undergraduate student with a declared major in Political Science who has community involvement. Nomination forms may be obtained from the Department of Political Science and submitted by September 30. Selection of the recipients will be made by the Senate Committee on Awards upon the recommendation of the Department of Political Science.

The applicant must submit an essay (500 words maximum) answering the following question:

"As a student trying to handle the costs of tuition, nourishment, and living, it is often very difficult to stay involved in your community. Please describe your past and current community involvement and how these costs have impacted your ability to stay involved in the community. How will this award help you further your community involvement?"

Note: This award was formerly know as the Undergraduates of Political Science (UPS) Award for Community Engagement. In July 2022 it was renamed to the Lindgren Wade Award for Community Engagement.

Selection will be determined by the Department of Political Science. A minimum grade average of B- is required for the recipient of the award. The deadline for this award is September 30 annually. Questions? E-mail: poliao@uvic.ca.

Emergency Funding
Life happens... let us help you.

Through Student Awards and Financial Aid, UVic has an emergency loan fund which provides short term assistance to students experiencing an unanticipated and urgent financial crisis.