Awards, prizes & opportunities
Explore a wealth of opportunities designed to recognize and support your journey in the Department of Communication Studies. From awards to scholarships, we're here to celebrate your achievements and empower your future.
Take a closer look at the array of prizes and awards awaiting you.
Key details
- Calls for applications to many of these award programs are sent out at specific times during the year.
- Remember that eligibility criteria and competition dates are subject to annual changes.
Got questions? We're here to help!
Undergraduate awards
Marcella Di Claudio
ugradcoms@concordia.ca
Graduate awards
Michelle Arseneault
graduate.comsjour@concordia.ca
Ready to learn more? Connect with Concordia's Financial Aid and Awards Office for comprehensive information on awards and scholarships available across the university.
Explore our prizes and scholarships
The Marc Gervais Prize
The Department of Communication Studies pays tribute to the memory of a great teacher and a wonderful friend with the Marc Gervais Prize in Communication Studies, an annual award to be given to a graduating BA student to support an existing or future project.
Students will compete for the award based on academic achievements and the quality and potential of their proposed project.
The award will support the future work of a graduating student from our BA program, with funding to be used to support:
- the production of a new creative project in film, video, sound or intermedia
- the attendance of the student at a festival or conference where the work is being presented
- a non-production project related to the media arts and/or the media industries
The Charles Gagnon Award
The Charles Gagnon Award in Communication Studies was created in honour and loving memory of Charles Gagnon, a renowned painter, photographer and filmmaker who received numerous awards and honours in his lifetime.
Gagnon was Artist in Residence in the Department of Communication Arts (now Communication Studies) from 1967 to 1974, where he established and taught in the filmmaking program after meeting Department founder Fr. John O'Brien during the planning of Expo '67.
The annual award celebrates originality and creativity in media and artistic production among students in the Department of Communication Studies.
Luigi Liberatore Entrance Scholarship
Generally provided to five new students entering the program, with the highest ranking in admission selection.
Pariso Scholarship in Communications Studies
This essay competition scholarship for undergraduate students was established in 2006 through the benevolence of Mr. Stephen Pariso, BA 2004, and Ms. Shauna Vineberg-Pariso.
Vincent, Olga and Denis Nicolas-Diniacopoulos Scholarships
The Vincent, Olga and Denis Nicolas-Diniacopoulos Scholarships Program was created in 2000 through the generosity of the late Mrs. Olga Nicolas-Diniacopoulos. Her son, the late Professor Denis Diniacopoulos, taught at Concordia University in the department of Communication Studies for over twenty years until his retirement in 1996.
These annual scholarships are intended to encourage excellent full-time students who are pursuing their undergraduate studies at Concordia University in a major, specialization or honours, in the areas of Classics, Communication Studies, Mathematics or Psychology.
In addition, the purpose of these scholarships is to encourage students who express and can demonstrate an interest in interdisciplinary studies.
Nawaf Al-Rufaie Scholarship in Communication Studies
This scholarship for full-time students in Communication Studies was established in 2006 in memory of Nawaf Al-Rufaie, by his family. The Nawaf Al-Rufaie Al-Rufaie Scholarship in Communication Studies is intended to encourage and reward talented Communication Studies students at Concordia University who exemplify the characteristics of Nawaf Al-Rufaie, BA Communication Studies 2004.
Candidates are required to submit with their application form an essay describing their enthusiasm, dedication, generosity and passion for learning, in the area of Communication Studies.
Sportsnet Scholarship in Communication Studies and Journalism
This scholarship is based on academic merit and personal statements through which a student expresses interest in sports journalism or sports broadcasting.
John E. O’Brien Medal
For graduating students, based on grades and recommended by the department. No submission is required.
Medal for Communication Studies
For graduating students, based on grades and recommended by the department. No submission is required.
Nastaran Dibai Award in Communication Studies
The Nastaran Dibai Award in Communication Studies was created by Nastaran Dibai (BA Communication Studies ’83), a prolific writer, director and filmmaker who powerfully combines humour and social integrity in her work. The annual award of $1000 is celebrates originality and creativity in media and artistic production among students in the Department of Communication Studies. Applicants may be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or international students. The award is not renewable. Applicants can be part-time or full-time students pursuing a BA in Communications Studies, enrolled in a production course and have completed their first year of studies.
