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The W. L. Mackenzie King Scholarships

The Mackenzie King Scholarships were established as an independent trust under the will of the late Rt. Hon. William Mackenzie King (1874-1950). Two classes of Mackenzie King Scholarship are available to graduates of Canadian universities: the Open Scholarship and the Travelling Scholarship. Both are to support graduate study. 

The awards will be based on high academic achievements (typically all A’s or very nearly so), personal qualities, and demonstrated aptitudes.  Consideration will also be given to the applicant’s proposed program of study.   

The awards will be made by, and at the sole discretion of the Board of Scholarship of Trustees.

More information. (external link) 

The Mackenzie King Open Scholarship – $8,500 (value subject to change)

The Mackenzie King Travelling Scholarship – $10,500 (value subject to change)

February 1st annually

Note: This is the internal YSGPS Toronto Met deadline for all candidates to submit their application packages.

  • The Mackenzie King Open Scholarship is open to graduates of any Canadian university who engage in (commence or continue) graduate study (master's or doctoral) in any field, in Canada or elsewhere. One Open Scholarship is awarded annually. Its value has lately been $8500 but is subject to change.  
  • The Mackenzie King Travelling Scholarship is open to graduates of any Canadian university who engage in (commence or continue) postgraduate study (master's or doctoral) in the United States or the United Kingdom, of international relations or industrial relations (including the international or industrial relations aspects of law, history, politics and economics). 

Mr. King expressed the hope in his will that this scholarship would "afford to Canadian students in the future opportunities to broaden their outlook and sympathies and contribute in some measure to that understanding of the problems and policies of other countries which is the basis of international good will". 

Four Travelling Scholarships of $10,500 have lately been awarded annually, but the number and value of scholarships are subject to change.

  • The completed and signed application form (including attached sheets A and B as described on that form).
  • Three letters of reference from persons who have an intimate knowledge of your record and ability and are able to give a critical evaluation of your plans for graduate study.

Note: At least two of these testimonials must be from persons under whom you have taken your major work at university, or from senior colleagues with whom you have been associated in academic teaching or research. 

Information for Referees: Reference letters must be signed, dated, on letterhead and sent directly by the referee(s) to Natasha Mills - natasha.mills@torontomu.ca in a PDF format.

  • Certified copies or official transcripts of marks and other academic records from each university you have attended. If a transcript is not available, you may substitute a certified statement by the Registrar or the Faculty concerned.

Each applicant must submit an electronic copy of their application (completed application form and certified or official transcripts) in a single PDF package by February 1 to Natasha Mills – natasha.mills@torontomu.ca

The Toronto Met YSGPS internal committee will forward the Board of Scholarship Trustees a short-list of its recommended candidates together with their applications and will advise all applicants of the outcome of this internal competition.

Decisions in the national competition are usually announced by the end of May. The results will include a list of alternative recipients for the event that a scholarship is declined by a candidate to whom it is offered. Alternative recipients will be notified if they are placed on the list.