Graduate Student Scholarship for Studies in the History of Ideas
Applications are now closed
The Robert and Moira Sansom Ideas Foundation was established in 2013 with the intention to create a Graduate Student Scholarship for Studies in the History of Ideas, granting $10,000 each year in support of the work of the recipient.
The scholarship is open to graduate students, who are or will be studying at a university in Canada, whose work relates to the History of Ideas. In the past few years, awards have been made to students working in political science, history, philosophy, and the history of art, but we take the history of ideas to be broadly defined and no field of intellectual history will be excluded from consideration.
The scholarship is intended to support work in the 2024-2025 academic year.
Multiple scholarships (of $10,000) may be awarded in any given year.
Before starting your application, be sure to use the preview application form to develop your answers first as you will not be able to save and return to the online form.
Please note: you’ll be asked to upload a letter of application. This document should be no more than two pages in length, and should outline your research interests and proposed course of study (including the institution where you wish to hold the award).
Also, note: the scholarship applicant is responsible for being aware of any conditions or conflicts that may arise with their pre-existing funding before they submit an application.
Are you a previous recipient of this scholarship who wishes to renew? If so, we request that you use a different submission format (in place of the application form accessed below). A scholarship may be renewed, although new applications will be given first priority. Please submit the following two items to the Award Trustees – Graduate Student Scholarship for Studies in the History of Ideas at grants@lcf.on.ca by March 1, 2024:
1. A letter of application that includes a summary of your progress and achievements since the award was granted, as well as justification for an extension of funding.
2. A letter from (and sent directly by) your supervisor stating why renewal is important in your case.
Ready to start your application?
$10,000
Scholarship amount
2023 Recipients +
Ari Finnsson, University of Toronto
Auguste Nahas, University of Toronto
Ian MacLean-Evans, York University
Joe Borsato, Queens University
Joseph Dattilo, University of Toronto
Sajdeep Soomal, University of Toronto
Shal Marriott, McGill University
2022 Recipients +
Erica Kunimoto, University of Toronto
Soroush Marouzi, University of Toronto
Jake Penner, McMaster University
David Jo, McGill University
2021 Recipients +
Laura Aguilera, University of British Columbia
William Little, Carleton University
Mary Jo MacDonald, University of Toronto
Pamela Mackenzie, Renewal - University of Toronto
Alex Martinborough, Queens' University
2020 Recipients +
Ben Woodfinden, Department of Political Science, McGill University
Pamela Mackenzie, Department of Art History, University of British Columbia
Martina Zago*, Department of Political Science, University of British Columbia
*Honorary Awardee