Weston Family Awards in Northern Research and Weston Family Boreal Research Fellowships

Investing in early-career northern researchers whose work aims to protect and restore northern biodiversity in Canada

Weston Family Awards in Northern Research

Each year, the Foundation aims to support:

  • Up to 15 awards for master’s students valued at $20,000 over one year
  • Up to 10 awards for doctoral students valued at $120,000 over three years
  • Up to 5 awards for postdoctoral fellows valued at $130,000 over two years

The Weston Family Awards in Northern Research were established in 2007 with the goal of investing in early-career northern researchers whose work aims to protect and restore northern biodiversity in Canada. Since their inception, the Awards have supported more than 450 researchers from over 30 academic institutions. Research projects have taken place across the country and have focused on many diverse species of flora and fauna.


These annual Awards are considered some of the most generous and prestigious in the country for students who are pursuing a master’s degree, doctoral degree, or postdoctoral fellowship in northern natural sciences. Weston Family Northern Scholars are part of a growing community of researchers who collaborate with northern and Indigenous communities to co-design research that is locally meaningful and globally relevant. Their work spans diverse fields of study, contributing to our understanding of biodiversity and supporting meaningful conservation outcomes in Northern Canada.

Congratulations to our Northern Scholars

Download the list of all current and past award recipients.

2026 Northern Scholars
2025 Northern Scholars
2024 Northern Scholars
2023 Northern Scholars
2022 Northern Scholars
2021 Northern Scholars

Learn more about Northern Scholar Aidan Sheppard (PhD 2023) and his research project!

Where We Fund

Weston Family Northern Scholars are encouraged to co-design their research with northern communities. Projects must take place in northern Canada. The terrestrial geographic scope of northern Canada for this program is anything north of the southernmost Boreal line as defined by Brandt (2009) The marine geographic scope of northern Canada for this program includes the following marine bioregions:

  • Arctic Basin
  • Western Arctic
  • Arctic Archipelago
  • Eastern Arctic
  • Hudson Bay Complex
  • Newfoundland-Labrador Shlves

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Partners

ArcticNet

The Weston Family Foundation is proud to be attending ArcticNet’s Annual Scientific Meeting. These meetings often include events or learning opportunities for the Weston Family Awards in Northern Research Scholars, Reviewers, and other partners. To learn more about ArcticNet, visit their website 

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Earth Rangers

Earth Rangers supports the Weston Family Awards in Northern Research Scholars through their Northern Wildlife Adoption Program. Each year, iconic northern wildlife species are available in plushie form for symbolic adoption by kids and families that are keen to support northern conservation. The proceeds of these adoptions flows directly to select Northern Scholars’ research efforts. These Scholars are also invited to engage with children and youth through Earth Rangers’ science communications efforts. It is a great opportunity to learn about science communications and engaging non-scientific audiences!

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WCS Canada Weston Family Boreal Research Fellowships

Since 2009 the Foundation has supported the Weston Family Boreal Research Fellowships offered by Wildlife Conservation Society Canada (WCS Canada). These fellowships support field-based research that contributes to WCS Canada’s conservation objectives or priority research projects in the Ontario Northern Boreal and the Northern Boreal Mountains of British Columbia and the Yukon. Successful applicants receive financial support for their projects along with mentorship from WCS Canada’s scientists and an opportunity to network with other Fellows and Fellowship alumni.

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