Inspiring the leaders of tomorrow to make our world a better place, the Arthur L. Irving Family Foundation Scholarships at Acadia University foster the development of future leaders in building stronger, more resilient communities and creating a more just and sustainable future for all.

For students wishing to study environmental issues through their education, the Arthur L. Irving Family Foundation Scholarships at Acadia University are among the most prestigious awards in Canada, offering financial assistance, as well as mentorship and research project options.

Value: Scholarships are awarded to high school students at a value of $60,000 ($15,000 per year). All recipients must enroll, or be enrolled, in programs which relate to the study of environmental issues at Acadia University. This includes Environmental Science, Environmental Geoscience, Biology, Environmental and Sustainability studies, Community Development, Politics, Philosophy, Business, Chemistry, Engineering, Psychology and any other program in which the environment and sustainability issues are a topic of study.

Each recipient must present strong academic credentials and have a history of leadership, community service, and extracurricular activities, with a demonstrated passion for the environment. Renewability conditions apply for each of the scholarships.

Deadline: Applications for the undergraduate scholarship must be received by March 31, 2024.

The Arthur Irving Scholarships Review Panel will select and interview a shortlisted group of applicants. Shortlisted candidates for the undergraduate scholarship will be interviewed in Wolfville in April. Candidates from outside of the Atlantic Provinces may be interviewed by videoconference.

Please see detailed application instructions here.

About the Arthur L. Irving Family Foundation

The Arthur L. Irving Family Foundation is guided by the value of education in society. With a strong focus on student advancement and scholarship, the foundation supports several prestigious scholarship programs, as well as research and academic programming.

The Arthur L. Irving Family Foundation is committed to empowering the next generation of leaders to create more resilient communities and a more just and sustainable future for all. Together with Irving Oil, the organizations invest in students across Atlantic Canada and beyond, and support vital research required in uncovering history or solving challenges facing humankind and protecting our natural environment. 

Arthur Irving (’52) and his wife Sandra (’74) are loyal alumna of Acadia University. Arthur Irving served as Acadia’s Chancellor from 1996 to 2010. The Arthur Irving Family’s legacy at Acadia includes a gift from the Irving family – the K.C. Irving Environmental Science Centre and the Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens – as well as a gift from Irving Oil of the Beaubassin Research Centre in Aulac, New Brunswick. It now extends to the Arthur Irving Research Grants to faculty at Acadia and the prestigious Arthur L. Irving Family Foundation Scholarships in Environmental Science.

Arthur L. Irving Scholars »