Jim Wilson Memorial Scholarship

$5,000
Deadline: September 30th 2026

Established in memory of Jim Wilson

The Jim Wilson Memorial Scholarship honours Jim Wilson’s long-term commitment to public awareness, science-informed advocacy, and meaningful communication in the field of public health and medical communities through support of a project regarding Lyme or other tick-borne diseases. CanLyme gives a voice to Lyme victims by working with researchers and various levels of government to promote recognition and effective diagnosis and treatment for this debilitating disease.

Application package (PDF)
Two people walk along a path into the background, while some grass looms in the foreground.

Scholarship eligibility

Applicants must meet all of the following requirements:

  • Canadian undergraduate student. 
  • Be enrolled as an undergraduate student at any publicly funded post-secondary educational institution in Canada (including universities, colleges, polytechnics, and CEGEPs) in one of the following fields:
  • Science (e.g., biological sciences, health sciences, environmental sciences, or related disciplines)
  • Communication (e.g., communication studies, journalism, media studies, public relations, or related disciplines)
  • Social Sciences (e.g., public policy, policy analysis, public policy and administration, public policy and governance, or related disciplines)
  • Law (e.g., regulatory and administrative, civil law, or related disciplines).

Note: If the candidate is not registered in one of these categories but believes their project will have a positive impact on the field of Lyme and other tick-borne diseases, they may still be considered. Please explain how your project aligns with this objective in your application.

  • Be in good academic standing at their institution.

Application requirements

  1. Completed Application Form.
  2. Personal Statement (maximum 500 words) addressing:
  • Academic goals and areas of study.
  • Interest in science, communication, social sciences, law, or public health-related issues.
  • How studies align with the values and legacy of Jim Wilson and CanLyme.
  • How this scholarship will make a difference.
  1. Project overview (maximum one page, single spaced) including research question, importance/overview, methodology, anticipated results, and audience/impact.
  • If the project is for a specific course, please describe the course and what deliverables are expected.
  1. Unofficial academic transcript will be accepted.
  2. One letter of reference from a professor, instructor, and/or academic advisor.
  3. Resume.

Selection criteria

Applicants will be reviewed based on:

  • Clarity of purpose and commitment to the chosen field of study.
  • Strength of the personal statement and research proposal.
  • Clarity of purpose and commitment to proposed project. 
  • Academic standing. 

Award details

  • One scholarship valued at $5,000, awarded annually.
  • The scholarship is non-renewable.

Application deadline

September 30, 2026

Notification of award

The successful applicant will be notified by email by December 1, 2026.

How to apply

Applications can be submitted in English or French. Submit all application materials in one electronic document to:

Additional information

The Jim Wilson Memorial Scholarship may be withheld if no suitable candidate is identified in a given year. The selection committee’s decision is final.

Once the applicable project has been completed between January to December 2027, the scholarship winner will be expected to produce a one-page, single-spaced report in English or French for CanLyme’s website.