Scholarships

Congratulations to the 2026 recipients:

Murray McEwen Clean Water Prize ($5,000) – Emily Heimpel

Emily is enrolled as an undergraduate student in Environmental Sciences at the University of Guelph. Her application demonstrated her keen interest and commitment to the protection and restoration of clean water sources. Her goals include completing a Master’s degree and building a career focused on wetland conservation and restoration.

Allan Holmes Scholarship ($4,000) - Speranza Martin

Speranza is enrolled as a Master’s student at the University of Guelph, and is currently conducting research that aims to improve understanding of ecosystem conditions, support biodiversity, and inform future freshwater management decisions.

Please check back in spring of 2027 for next year's scholarships.

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.

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. 

Contact Us

Grand River Conservation Authority
400 Clyde Road, PO Box 729
Cambridge, ON
N1R 5W6
Phone: 519-621-2761
Toll Free: 1-866-900-4722
grca@grandriver.ca