These opportunities are open to both MSW & PhD students unless otherwise indicated.
Full-time undergraduate students are eligible
for the following awards.
✪ Applications are not required unless otherwise specified.
Recruitment Awards
Indigenous Graduate Excellence Recruitment Fellowship
Anti-Black Racism Initiative Recruitment Awards
Entrance Fellowships
Full-time graduate students are eligible for the following entrance fellowships, available specifically for graduate study in social work. Students do not apply for these. All fellowships are awarded by the School and are normally allotted during the spring; they are competitive, non-renewable, and based on merit. Value of awards vary.
Barbara Cowan Prize in Social Work
Established in 2014 by Barbara Cowan, BA 1947, BSW 1948, MSW 1951, for three outstanding undergraduate or graduate students pursuing a degree in Social Work. Awarded by the Faculty of Arts upon recommendation of the School of Social Work on the basis of academic merit.
Anne D. Fish Fellowship in Social Work
Established through a bequest in 2008 in memory of Anne D. Fish, MSW 1959. Awarded annually by the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Office, upon nomination from the School of Social Work, to a Master's or Doctoral student whose research is related to early childhood and family studies with preference given to studies in adoption and/or foster care services.
Hazeldine Smith Bishop Fellowships
Established in 1998 by a bequest from Hazeldine Smith Bishop, who received a diploma from the Montreal School of Social Work in 1944. Awarded by the School on the basis of academic standing, to graduate students pursuing studies in community development and administration.
Henry Oelberg Memorial Award
Created in memory of lifelong Jewish Community Foundation of Montreal colleague and friend, Henry Oelberg. Awarded to a graduate student in the School of Social Work based on academic merit. Preference will be given to a student with a focus on community organization.
Jean Crombie Fellowship
Established in 2010 through the generous bequest of Jean Crombie for outstanding graduate students enrolled in the School of Social Work. Eligibility: Awarded by the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Office upon recommendation of the School of Social Work. Preference will be given to students with extensive community and/or life experiences who are conducting research in the area of gerontology.
Keefer Fellowship
Established by George Keefer, and tenable by a student in social work who wishes to pursue graduate studies in social work practice related to the elderly.
Manny Weiner Research Award
Established by Mr. Manny Weiner. Awarded by the School of Social Work to a graduate student who is concentrating their studies in the field of social policy.
Margaret Griffiths Fellowship
Established by a bequest from the late Professor Margaret Griffiths, a long-time member of the faculty of the McGill School of Social Work. Awarded annually, on the basis of academic and professional merit, to an incoming MSW student, with a declared interest in services to children.
Margaret Mary Burns Awards
Established in 1997 by a bequest from Margaret Mary Burns, who received a Diploma from the Montreal School of Social Work in 1944. Awarded by the School of Social Work on the basis of academic standing to graduate students.
Mark and Mildred Goldenberg Fellowship in Social Work (PhD)
Established through a bequest in 2007 in memory of Mildred Heller Goldenberg, B.A. 1941, M.A. 1942, and Mark E. Goldenberg, B.A. 1934, M.S.W. 1967, Awarded by the School of Social Work on the basis of academic merit to a student entering a Doctoral program in social work.
Miriam and E. Michael Berger Fellowship
Awarded annually by the School to a graduate student whose area of practice or research is in the field of community organization and/or social policy and who demonstrates academic competence and financial need.
Myer Katz Fellowship
Established in 1986 by contributions from former students, colleagues and friends, the School of Social Work Alumni Committee, and the McGill Advancement Program, on the occasion of the retirement of Professor Myer Katz from the Directorship of the School. Awarded annually by the School to a student pursuing graduate studies related to clinical social work practice.
Project Awards
A call for project proposals is distributed in the middle of the academic year. Applications are assessed by the School’s Fellowships Committee, and awards are announced in January. Upon completion of the project winners will submit a report outlining the project undertaken and its results.
Freda L. Paltiel Award for Immigrant and Minority Women's Health and Development
For students or faculty of the McGill School of Social Work to undertake a research, service or demonstration project concerned with the health needs of immigrant and visible minority women and their families. Preference will be given to projects undertaken with the involvement of the intended beneficiaries.
Approx. value: Varies
Jane Harris-Van Gelder Award
For students or faculty of the McGill School of Social Work to undertake activities (research, service, demonstration project, seminar) in the area of social work and health including mental health. Preference will be given to submissions concerned with the development and advancement of the volunteer and volunteerism in health and mental health care.
Approx. value: Varies
Joan Macfarlane Bailin Research Award
Established by Joan Macfarlane Bailin, a graduate of the McGill School of Social Work, to recognize and promote academic achievement by students in the School of Social Work. This Award will permit students to undertake activities (action research projects, service demonstration projects, and seminars) relating to aging and/or the aged. Applicants must have completed one full year of study in the McGill School of Social Work. Preference will be given to submissions concerned with self-help, volunteerism and non-traditional and/or innovative work settings. The money cannot be used for salaries.
Approx. value: Varies
Tryna Rotholz Annual Creative Award for Social Group Work Practice
Established in memory of Professor Tryna Rotholz. Awarded annually by the School of Social Work to upper-level Social Work students to assist them in developing an innovative group work project.
Approx. value: Varies
Field Placement Awards
Shirley Pfefer Award
For a student at BSW, MSW, MSW, MScA level whose current field placement relates to palliative care.
Approx. value: Varies - 
ssw_project_field_education_awards_2022-23.pdf
Theodora H. Lambert Award
For MSW students currently in practicum working with people with physical disabilities to attend a training or conference related to their field placement (ex. CASWE).
Approx. value: Varies
Non-Graduation Prize
Lotte Marcus Sheldon Prize (MSW)
Established in 2000 by a bequest from Lotte Marcus Sheldon, a former faculty member of the School of Social Work. Awarded annually to an MSW student who is deemed to have generated a particularly innovative research or service project.
Approx. value: $500
Graduation Prizes
Dr. Nico Trocmé Award for Social Work Excellence (BSW or MSW)
The Dr. Nico Trocmé Award for Social Work Excellence is given to a student at the BSW/MSW level who has shown exceptional commitment to child welfare.
Approx. $200
Sadie Aronoff Award (BSW or MSW)
Awarded annually to a graduating BSW or MSW student on the basis of demonstrated qualities of leadership.
Approx. value: $100
Zelda Ruth Harris Award (BSW or MSW)
Established in 2000 by Zelda Ruth Harris,a graduate and former faculty member of the School of Social Work. Awarded annually to a graduating BSW or MSW student deemed to have made the greatest contribution to the advancement of self-help/mutual aid principles and practice & volunteerism.
Approx. value: $500
Sydney Duder Excellence Prize
Established in 2019 to celebrate Dr. Sydney Duder's incredible career at the McGill School of Social Work. Awarded at Fall Convocation, this prize will go to two graduate-level students who demonstrate excellence in the field of program evaluation or quantitative research methods.
Awarded by the School of Social Work on the basis of merit.
Approx. value: $100
School of Social Work Alumni Prizes (MSW)
The Alumni Committee of the School makes three awards each year to graduating MSW students:
1. Alumni Prize for the Outstanding MSW Thesis
2. Alumni Award for Excellence in Clinical Practice
3. Alumni Prize for the Outstanding MSW Independent Study Project
Director's Prize for Outstanding Doctoral Research in Social Work
Presented by the McGill School of Social Work to the graduating PhD student with the most outstanding research record.
Approx. value:$1,000.