Funding and Awards

There are a number of opportunities available to help fund your MPA degree:

Dr. Fernando Jimenez Gomez Scholarship

The scholarship is awarded to full time students entering their 1st or 2nd year second year of study in the Master of Public Administration program at Dalhousie University. 

To be eligible for the Fernando Jimenez Gomez Scholarship, a student must have a strong academic background and have experience in, or demonstrate a high level of commitment to, public sector reform in transitional or developing societies or countries.

Preference will be given to students who come from transitional or developing societies or countries.

Applications must include a cover letter and résumé

 

Award Amount: $1000

Faculty of Graduate Studies Scholarships

The Faculty of Graduate Studies offers entrance scholarships to students in the Master of Public Administration program. These awards are made on the basis of scholarly performance and promise. Applicants wishing to be considered for fellowships should indicate their interest in their original application.  

See the full list of Faculty of Graduate Studies scholarships.

Guy Henson Gold Medal in Public Administration

The Guy Henson Gold Medal honours the memory of Dr. Guy Henson, a former Director of the Institute of Public Affairs, Professor of Public Administration at Dalhousie, and a member of the Order of Canada.

Graduating MPA students and faculty annually vote on the awarding of the Henson Medal. It is awarded to a graduating MPA student who has achieved a high level of scholastic achievement, personal integrity, social justice and professionalism.

IPAC Award for Academic Excellence

The Nova Scotia Regional Group of IPAC annually awards two certificates plus memberships in the Institute to graduating MPA students—one to a full-time and one to a part-time student. Recipients are those who best fulfil the criteria of academic excellence specified by the MPA program.

Promise Scholars

The program was launched in 2021. It was developed it to align with Dalhousie’s commitment to admit, engage, support and graduate a more diverse student body, with attention to enhancing access and success of historically underrepresented students and especially Black and Indigenous Students.

The Promise Scholars program for a student in the Master of Public Administration (MPA) program provides students with a $2,000 scholarship.

In addition to financial support, our advisors will provide academic and career support, including assistance in finding paid work during the program should you choose and career mentors to support your long-term career aspirations.

Criteria: The sole awarding criteria for the Promise Scholars will be an Indigenous or Black Canadian student, with priority given to Mi’kmaq and African Nova Scotian students.

How to apply: If you self-identify as Indigenous or African Canadian, you can apply. Applicants must submit a 500 word statement (by email to dalmpa@dal.caarticulating the importance of diversity and inclusion in public administration.

Deadline:
    May 1 at 4 p.m. (AST)

For more information about the Scholar Program, please contact krista.cullymore@dal.ca or lturnbul@dal.ca.

Public Administration Alumni Awards

$500 is awarded annually to the student obtaining the highest aggregate standing in the first year of the Master of Public Administration program.

$1,000 is awarded annually to the student entering the MPA program who is deemed by the Admissions Committee to have attained the highest level of scholarship in a previous academic program.

Roselle Green Award in Public Administration

This annual award goes to a full-time student who has completed the requirements for the first year of the MPA program, and who demonstrates an interest in the areas of community and public affairs as they impact public policy.

Teaching and Marking Assistantships

A number of assistantships are available from the Faculty of Management. Details of the positions and the procedures for applying will be distributed by email to all MPA students.

The optional MPA Internship Program offers an opportunity for a paid work term.  

Tom Merklinger Award

The Tom Merklinger Award ($500) is  presented annually in memory of Tom Merklinger (MPA'79) to the student attaining the highest overall standing in MPA 5120. The endowment fund for this award is accumulated from donations made by alumni, friends and faculty.