Awards & scholarships

Bell Media Scholarship for Diversity in Journalism and Media

This award is to promote and encourage undergraduate studies in journalism. It is to be awarded to students that demonstrate a commitment to the increased awareness of diversity, equity and/or inclusion issues in journalism and media.

Eligibility: First, second or third-year students studying full-time. Open to Canadian citizens, Permanent Residents, and international students.

Application requirements:

1. One-page statement outlining commitment to increased awareness of diversity issues;
2. Two examples of journalism (in class or published) on diversity, inclusion and/or equity issues;
3. Current transcript.

Karen Macdonald Award in Journalism

The Karen Macdonald Award in Journalism was established in 2021 by the generosity of Karen Macdonald (BA82). The purpose of the award is to encourage and support Journalism students who demonstrate their involvement in causes within Black or Indigenous communities.

Eligibility: First-, second- or third-year students studying full-time or part-time with a minimum CGPA of 3.0. Open to Canadian citizens, Permanent Residents, and international students

Application requirements:

1. A letter stating involvement of causes within Black or Indigenous communities;
2. A letter of reference which outlines the candidate’s current or past involvement with Black or Indigenous communities;
3. Current transcript.                   

John W. Sancton Award

This award was established in 2005 in memory of John W. Sancton (1920-2004), who was a prominent figure in community newspapers in Quebec and in Canada. Mr. Sancton worked as a city editor at The Gazette and was the editor and publisher of The Westmount Examiner for over 30 years. He also served as president of the Canadian Weekly Newspapers Association and was a founding member of the Association of Quebec Regional English Media.

Eligibility: Second- or third-year students studying full-time. Open to Canadian citizens, Permanent Residents, and international students. Preference is given to students who have published in community newspapers (including university newspapers).

Application Requirements:

1. Letter of application addressed to the Selection Committee;
2. Current transcript;
3. One sample of published work – links can also be included. 

Global News Scholars 

The Global News Scholars supports an annual in-course award for Journalism students who demonstrate academic excellence and their involvement in causes within the Black community.

Eligibility: First, second- or third-year students studying full-time, with a minimum CGPA of 3.0. Open to Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents.

Application Requirements:

1. A one-page statement detailing involvement in causes within the Black community;
2. A letter of reference which outlines the candidate’s current or past involvement within the Black community;
3. Current transcript.

The Michael O'Hearn and Martin O'Connor Student Journalist Award

This bursary was established in memory of Michael O'Hearn and Martin O'Connor, who passed away in a car accident in 1974. At the time, O'Hearn and O'Connor were editor-in-chief and news editor, respectively, of Loyola News, a student run newspaper. Graduates with ties to the Loyola News reunited in November 2014 and announced the establishment of this bursary to mark the 40th anniversary of O'Hearn's and O'Connor's passing and to encourage budding journalists.

Eligibility: First-, second- or third-year students studying full-time. Open to Canadian citizens, Permanent Residents, and international students.

Application Requirements:

1. Letter of application addressed to the Selection Committee;
2. Current transcript;
3. Two samples of published work in student or community media – links can also be included;
4. Proof of involvement with student or community media (letter from a supervisor).

APTN News Scholarship for Indigenous Students in Journalism

This scholarship is to support Indigenous students entering the Department of Journalism. This award is reserved for First Nations, Métis and Inuit students, who began the program in Fall 2024.

Eligibility: First-year First Nations, Métis and Inuit students studying full-time or part-time. Open to Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents.

Application Requirements:

1. A letter of introduction w/the applicant’s background, information on nation and/or community of origin;
2. Current transcript

Bringing Back the Labour Beat Award

Preference to students from historically underrepresented groups. Applicants must self-identify as belonging to an underrepresented community and provide a statement as to why such a bursary would be meaningful for them. 

Eligibility: First-, second- or third-year students studying full-time or part-time. Open to Canadian citizens, Permanent Residents, and international students.

Application Requirements:

1. Letter of application addressed to the Selection Committee;
2. Current transcript;
3. Submit a ‘Labour beat’ article, either published or unpublished. 

Canadian Women's Press Club

This scholarship is awarded to an undergraduate student based on “scholarship, integrity and dedication to the profession of journalism.”

Eligibility: Second- or third-year students studying full-time or part-time. Open to Canadian citizens, Permanent Residents, and international students

Application Requirements:

1. Letter of application addressed to the Selection Committee;
2. Two samples of journalism work either published, broadcast or submitted as a class assignment. Links can also be included;
3. Current transcript.

Don McGillivray Memorial Prize

The Don McGillivray Prize in Explanatory Journalism is intended to encourage the art of explanatory journalism, that is, a story, column or editorial that explains to the reader a complicated matter in easy-to-understand terms.

Eligibility: First-, second- or third-year students studying full-time or part-time. Open to Canadian citizens, Permanent Residents, and international students.

Application Requirements:

1. A short letter of introduction;
2. One example of explanatory journalism -- a story, column or editorial that explains to readers some complicated and newsworthy matter in easy-to-understand terms. Writing examples can be in any field, including, but not limited to: government law or policy, scientific achievement, economic or financial matters, health or medical treatment or discovery or any topic of general or public interest. Eligible pieces of writing include class assignments and student or community publications. Submissions that were produced during a paid employment period or an internship are eligible but must be clearly identified as such and will be treated as examples of professional work by the selection committee;
3. Current transcript.

Lindsay Crysler Award

To award a deserving full-time undergraduate student in Journalism who is entering their first year.

Bob McDevitt Award

To award a deserving full-time undergraduate student in Journalism who is entering their first year.

Cynthia Gunn Award

To award a deserving full-time or part-time undergraduate student in the Department of Journalism entering their second or third year.

Lew Harris Award

To award a deserving full-time undergraduate student in journalism who is finishing their second year. It will consider performance and work submitted while successfully completing JOUR 302: Reporting and Research Methods for Journalism.

Frank B. Walker Award for first year students

To award a deserving undergraduate student in Journalism who has completed their first year. The award is to encourage and recognize excellence in writing.

Frank B. Walker Award for second year students

To award a deserving undergraduate student in Journalism who has completed their first year. The award is to encourage and recognize excellence in writing.

Ross Perigoe Award

To award a deserving full- or part-time undergraduate student in journalism, based on academic merit. Students must have completed at least 30 credits of undergraduate Journalism courses at Concordia University, with preference to those who are members of the Loyola International College and who have chosen any of the audiovisual options offered by the Department of Journalism. 

Mike King Scholarship

To award a deserving full-time undergraduate student in journalism, with preference given to a student who shows a committed preference for print or digital journalism. Students must have completed at least 24 credits of undergraduate journalism courses.

Enn Raudsepp Graduate Diploma in Journalism Entrance Scholarship

This scholarship supports and encourages academic excellence and is awarded to the diploma student who shows the most improvement during the Summer term.

James A. Stewart Memorial Scholarship in Journalism

This scholarship, named in memory of the former faculty member, James Alexander Stewart, is awarded to the Diploma student with the highest CGPA at the end of the Fall term. 

Philip Fisher Graduate Diploma Bursary

This bursary was established by The Gazette to honour the former chairman of the Southam newspaper company who was a long-time supporter of journalism education. Criteria for this bursary are: scholarship; potential for a career in journalism; demonstrated commitment to journalism; and financial need.

Susan Carson Memorial Bursary

This bursary was established to honour a committed and courageous journalist whose work at the Montreal Star and The Gazette touched many people. Recipients are selected on the basis of academic achievement combined with demonstrated financial need and must also demonstrate the highest ideals, concern for human kind and qualities of citizenship. 

Students are automatically considered for all entrance graduate awards when they apply to Concordia, provided they meet eligibility criteria. No separate application is required.

Our teaching assistantships are employment opportunities that provide both financial support and professional development to students in good standing with the necessary qualifications. During the Fall and Winter terms, teaching assistant positions are available to support our journalism classes, both production and lecture based. Position postings go out via email to all students in August and December. They are also posted in common areas in the CJ building.