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Unama’ki College Scholarships & Bursaries

AECOM Canada Ltd. – CBCL Award

The AECOM Canada Ltd. – CBCL Awards recognize students who are committed to advancing sustainable, inclusive and ¸£ÀûÃâ·ÑÔÚÏß¿´-focused solutions through their studies in environment and engineering. Reflecting AECOM’s dedication to meaningful collaboration with Indigenous communities and its focus on equity, inclusion and long-term positive impact, alongside CBCL’s commitment to innovative engineering and environmental solutions that benefit communities and the planet, these awards support students who demonstrate strong academic standing and a passion for building a better future.

Awarded annually to students enrolled full-time or part-time in the Bachelor of Arts and Science in the Environment (BASE) and Bachelor of Engineering programs, preference will be given to one student from each program. In the absence of eligible candidates, the awards may be presented to students in the Bachelor of Arts – Community Studies (BACS) program.

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Bachelor of Social Work Class Gift Awards

The Bachelor of Social Work Class Gift Awards are funded by the CBU Bachelor of Social Work Society to support students in the BSW program as they pursue their studies and prepare for careers in social work. These awards reflect the Society’s commitment to reducing financial barriers and empowering students to focus on their academic and professional development.

Awarded annually, these in-course awards are open to full-time Bachelor of Social Work students at Cape Breton University. Preference given to Indigenous or African Nova Scotian students.

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Biology Heritage Award – In Honour of Dr. Cheryl Bartlett

Established by the Biology Department at Cape Breton University, this award honours Dr. Cheryl Bartlett, a pioneering educator and researcher whose work helped shape integrative science at CBU. Her contributions to bridging Indigenous knowledge and Western science through the concept of Two-Eyed Seeing have had a lasting impact on science education.

This award is presented to an Indigenous student pursuing a Bachelor of Science who has successfully completed Biology 1101 in the previous year. In cases where multiple students are eligible, the award is granted to the student with the highest final grade.

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Donald Marshall Jr. Legacy and Community Leadership Awards

The Donald Marshall Jr. Legacy and Community Leadership Awards honour the life and legacy of Donald Marshall Jr., a Mi’kmaw activist and advocate whose leadership advanced justice and strengthened Indigenous communities. These awards recognize students who demonstrate a commitment to ¸£ÀûÃâ·ÑÔÚÏß¿´ leadership and building respectful relationships with Indigenous communities, Elders, Knowledge Holders and youth.

Two awards, one for a graduating student and one for a returning student, are presented annually. Preference will be given to Indigenous students who are members of a First Nation ¸£ÀûÃâ·ÑÔÚÏß¿´.

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Eleanor Young Bursary

The Eleanor Young Bursary honours the memory of Eleanor Marie Young and celebrates her warmth, kindness and love for family, ¸£ÀûÃâ·ÑÔÚÏß¿´ and the outdoors. Established by the Cape Breton Transition House Association, this award supports students pursuing a future in social work.

This bursary is awarded annually to a female-identifying student entering the Bachelor of Social Work program at Cape Breton University. Preference is given to Indigenous or African Nova Scotian applicants who demonstrate financial need.

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Elijah Harper Bursary

Established by Unama’ki College in 2013, the Elijah Harper Bursary honours the legacy of Elijah Harper, an influential Indigenous leader and advocate for Indigenous rights in Canada, best known for his role in advancing recognition and inclusion for Indigenous peoples in Canadian society.

This renewable bursary supports full-time undergraduate students from Cape Breton who demonstrate strong academic achievement, ¸£ÀûÃâ·ÑÔÚÏß¿´ involvement and perseverance. Recipients may renew the award for up to two additional years, provided they maintain the required academic standing.

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Irving Shipbuilding Awards

Established through a transformative gift from Irving Shipbuilding Inc. (ISI) in May 2011, the Irving Shipbuilding Awards provide meaningful financial support to Indigenous students at Cape Breton University. This endowed fund reflects a commitment to advancing education and opportunity in the fields of sustainable energy, the environment, business and Indigenous Studies.

Awarded annually, the program includes two renewable bursaries and three scholarships each year. These awards empower Indigenous students to pursue their academic goals, reduce financial barriers and contribute to the growth of stronger, more sustainable communities.

Jack Hartery Memorial Awards

Established in 2005, the Jack Hartery Memorial Awards honour the legacy of Jack Hartery and his commitment to supporting opportunities for Indigenous students at Cape Breton University. A respected industrial leader and ¸£ÀûÃâ·ÑÔÚÏß¿´ supporter, Jack was known for his belief in education, inclusion and sustainable development.

The awards include three bursaries and three scholarships. Awards may be granted as either entrance or in-course support. Recipients must be full-time Indigenous students in good academic standing, demonstrating financial need and maintaining passing grades.

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Johnson Scholarships (Pending)

The Johnson Scholarship supports Indigenous students at Cape Breton University who have partially completed their degree and require financial assistance to continue and complete their programs through the Indigenous Students Post-Secondary Education Assistance Initiative.

Reflecting a commitment to equity, inclusion and meaningful support for Indigenous learners, this scholarship recognizes the importance of removing financial barriers and fostering opportunities for academic success. It aligns with broader efforts to build respectful relationships with Indigenous communities, support education pathways and create lasting, positive impacts for individuals and their communities. Awarded to students who have partially completed their program, the scholarship helps ensure recipients are able to register, persist and graduate, contributing to stronger communities and future leadership.

Joyce Foundation Bursary

Established through a transformative gift from The Joyce Family Foundation, this award reflects a commitment to empowering young people to achieve their full potential through education. The Joyce Foundation Bursary supports students from Cape Breton – Unama’ki who are beginning their undergraduate studies at Cape Breton University and demonstrate both financial need and resilience in overcoming challenges.

Renewable for up to four years, the bursary is awarded to full-time undergraduate students entering Year One of any program. Applicants must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or protected persons, have graduated from a Cape Breton – Unama’ki high school within the past three years and demonstrate significant financial need. Preference for one of the bursaries will be given to a student from an Indigenous ¸£ÀûÃâ·ÑÔÚÏß¿´ within Cape Breton – Unama’ki who is entering the Shannon School of Business.

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ÌýKathryn Maroun Award in Honour of Mother Earth

Established by Lou and Kathryn Maroun, this award recognizes Indigenous students at Cape Breton University who demonstrate a passion for environmental stewardship and a commitment to protecting the natural world. It reflects Kathryn Maroun’s lifelong dedication to conservation, wildlife preservation and environmental advocacy through her work in outdoor education and storytelling.

Awarded annually in the fall, this in-course award is open to Indigenous undergraduate or graduate students who have completed at least one semester at CBU, studying either full-time or part-time. Applicants are required to submit either a two-page essay or a five-minute video outlining their contributions to environmental sustainability, ideas for improving their ¸£ÀûÃâ·ÑÔÚÏß¿´â€™s environment and how they would complete 20 hours of ¸£ÀûÃâ·ÑÔÚÏß¿´ service to support environmental initiatives.

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Mastercard Foundation Awards

Established through a historic $5 million gift from the Mastercard Foundation in late 2025, the Mastercard Foundation Milestone Awards provide targeted financial support to Indigenous learners at Cape Breton University. Part of the Mastercard Foundation’s EleV program, this initiative reflects a commitment to reducing financial barriers, transforming education pathways and enabling Indigenous youth to achieve meaningful livelihoods.Ìý

The program includes two distinct categories of financial support designed to incentivize retention and celebrate academic graduation. Eligible students receive a $1,500 milestone award upon reaching the halfway mark of their academic studies, followed by a $2,500 completion award honouring graduating students.

Murdena Marshall Science Award

The Murdena Marshall Science Award honours the legacy of Mi’kmaw Elder and educator Murdena Marshall, a leader in Indigenous education at Cape Breton University. As a founding faculty member of the Mi’kmaq College Institute (now Unama’ki College), Murdena played a pivotal role in expanding Indigenous student access and co-developing the Integrative Science Program and the concept of Two-Eyed Seeing, bridging Indigenous knowledge and Western science.

This award is presented annually to a Mi’kmaq student graduating from a natural science or related program. Recipients must have completed a minimum of 18 credits in their final academic year and achieved a minimum average of 65%.

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Rose Nolan Memorial Scholarship

The Rose Nolan Memorial Scholarship was established through a generous gift from Ted and Sandra Nolan to honour the life and legacy of Ted’s mother, Rose Nolan. This scholarship recognizes Indigenous women who are pursuing their educational goals while demonstrating strong commitment to their communities. Ted Nolan has long believed that the true strength of our world comes from women—a belief shaped by the profound influence his mother had on his life through her guidance, values and unwavering support.

Awarded annually in the amount of $5,000, the scholarship is open to an Indigenous woman who is a Canadian resident and a member of a First Nation ¸£ÀûÃâ·ÑÔÚÏß¿´ in Canada. Applicants must have completed at least one year of full-time study at Cape Breton University or another recognized post-secondary institution and be enrolled full-time in an undergraduate degree or the Shannon School of Business MBA in Community Economic Development.

Shaylene Paul Award

The Shaylene Paul Award honours the life and legacy of Shaylene Paul (Johnson) of Membertou, a proud Mi’kmaw woman, dedicated student in CBU’s Integrative Science program and passionate advocate for Indigenous women and communities. Her commitment to culture, ¸£ÀûÃâ·ÑÔÚÏß¿´ and justice continues to inspire and guide others.

Valued at $1,500, this in-course award is presented annually beginning Winter 2026 to an Indigenous student in their third or fourth year of a natural science program (Biology, Chemistry or Mathematics). Recipients must have completed a minimum of 18 credits in the previous academic year, achieved a minimum average of 65% and have no failures in their most recent evaluations.

Sisters of St. Martha Indigenous (Mi’kmaw) Education Scholarship (In Honour of Sister Dorothy Moore)

This scholarship honours the legacy of Sister Dorothy Moore, a respected Mi’kmaw educator, leader and advocate whose work advanced Indigenous education, language preservation and human rights. Her contributions helped shape the Mi’kmaq Studies Program at Cape Breton University and laid the foundation for what is now Unama’ki College,

Awarded to an incoming Indigenous student from one of the seven Mi’kmaw communities in Nova Scotia, this renewable scholarship supports students entering the Bachelor of Education program. Recipients must be enrolled full-time and may renew the award for one additional year, provided they meet program requirements.This scholarship reflects the Sisters of St. Martha’s commitment to supporting Indigenous students and creating pathways to education, opportunity and ¸£ÀûÃâ·ÑÔÚÏß¿´ impact.

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Sisters of St. Martha Indigenous (Mi’kmaw) Nursing Scholarship (In Honour of Sister Veronica Matthews)

This scholarship honours the legacy of Sister Veronica Matthews, a respected Mi’kmaw nurse, Elder and ¸£ÀûÃâ·ÑÔÚÏß¿´ leader whose work significantly advanced Indigenous health care. A leader in her field, she played a key role in establishing the first certified Indigenous diabetic clinic in Atlantic Canada and dedicated her career to improving health outcomes in her ¸£ÀûÃâ·ÑÔÚÏß¿´.

Awarded to an incoming Indigenous student from one of the seven Mi’kmaw communities in Nova Scotia, this renewable scholarship supports students entering the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. Recipients must be enrolled full-time and may renew the award for up to two additional years, provided they meet program requirements. This scholarship reflects the Sisters of St. Martha’s commitment to supporting Indigenous students and strengthening pathways to careers in health care.