Scholarships

The SC Johnson Environmental Scholarship supports a full-time student, who has completed their third year or sixth semester of an honours program at a university or college in the Grand River watershed (Waterloo, Guelph, Wilfrid Laurier). Or second year of engineering at Conestoga College. The scholarship is funded by SC Johnson & Sons Limited of Brantford, a long-time GRCF supporter.

This scholarship is not being offered in 2025.

Congratulations to Matthew Goodyear, the recipient of the 2024 SC Johnson Environmental Scholarship prize of $4,000. Matthew is completing a degree in environmental engineering at the University of Guelph. Matthew hopes to pursue a career as a water and wastewater process engineer.

The Murray McEwen Clean Water Prize was created in 2010 with the support of the late Murray McEwen, a former GRCF Board member and philanthropist with a long-time interest in young people and environmental preservation, along with additional donors. Applicants must be enrolled (full time or part time) in the second, third or fourth year of an undergraduate program, or in any year of a graduate program, at a university or college located in the Grand River watershed.

In celebration of Murray's 95th birthday, the McEwen family donated $9,500 in 2025 for the one time Murray McEwen Clean Water Prize 95th Birthday Honorarium Scholarship. The 2025 Murray McEwen Birthday Honorarium Scholarship is now closed.

Applicants must demonstrate a strong interest in the protection, development and restoration of clean water resources and be enrolled in a program focused on long-term improvement of our environment. Programs could include environmental science, engineering, emerging technologies, First Nations water issues, governance and/or education. Preference is given to full time students who have attended programs at a GRCA Nature Centre. 

Created in 2012, this scholarship supports a graduate-level student focused on applied research in the field of resource management. The scholarship was developed in honour and memory of Allan Holmes, who served as Chief Administrative Officer of the Grand River Conservation Authority from 1991 to 2000. 

Applicants must be registered at a university located in the Grand River watershed. Eligible fields of study could include environmental science, engineering, emerging technologies, governance and/or education. Preference will be given to students involved with a project or program that addresses the goal of a healthy and sustainable natural environment in the Grand River watershed. As part of their submission, candidates must submit a narrative on the nature of their research and its applicability to the Grand River watershed. 

Congratulations to Noelle Starling, the recipient of the 2024 Allan Holmes Scholarship prize of $4,000. Noelle is completing her master's degree in earth and environmental science at the University of Waterloo. Noelle hopes to pursue a career focusing on environmental health and freshwater environments.