Price McIntosh Bursary 2026: Eligibility, Application Steps, and the September 24 Deadline

Applications for the 2026–2027 Price McIntosh Bursary are open until September 24, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific time.
Eligible students in Canada may receive $5,000 as full-time students or $2,500 as part-time students.
You must submit the online application, then email proof of status and proof of enrollment to Library and Archives Canada.

What the Price McIntosh Bursary is and when to apply

The Price McIntosh Bursary is a Library and Archives Canada program for students preparing for careers in libraries, archives, and related documentary heritage fields. The 2026–2027 application period is currently open, and applications must be received by September 24, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific time.

The bursary is designed to support students who identify as Indigenous, a member of a visible minority, and/or a person with a disability. It’s available to eligible students living in Canada and studying at a Canadian postsecondary institution.

If you’re considering applying, don’t wait until the final day. The process has two parts: completing the online form and sending supporting documents by email.

Read the official Price McIntosh Bursary program information

Who is eligible for the 2026–2027 bursary?

You may qualify if you meet all of the main requirements below:

You reside in Canada.
You are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or protected person.
You identify as an Indigenous person, a member of a visible minority, and/or a person with a disability.
You’re enrolled at a Canadian postsecondary institution.
Your program prepares you for a career in libraries or archives.

Library and Archives Canada lists Information Studies, Library Studies, Archival Studies, Library and Information Technology, Technical Library Studies, and Technical Archival Studies as examples of eligible programs. The list isn’t exhaustive, so a program with a different name may still qualify if it clearly leads to work in libraries or archives.

That last point matters for students in interdisciplinary programs. If your course of study isn’t listed, explain how it connects to library, archival, or documentary heritage work. You can also contact the bursary coordinators before submitting if you’re unsure.

Check the official Price McIntosh Bursary eligibility requirements

How much is the Price McIntosh Bursary?

Student status	2026–2027 amount
Full-time	$5,000
Part-time	$2,500

Library and Archives Canada says recipients may receive funding for up to three consecutive years if they continue their education without interruption in an eligible field. Continued funding requires proof of enrollment and proof of tuition payment.

The bursary is paid in one instalment after proof of tuition payment is provided. Applying doesn’t guarantee funding, and the final decisions aren’t subject to review or appeal.

Part-time status is based on credit equivalency. The official guidance says part-time students must take at least half the credits of a full-time semester.

What to prepare before applying

Gather the following before opening the application form:

Basic contact information, including your address, phone number, and email.
Your Canadian residency or status information.
The name of your postsecondary institution and program.
A copy of proof that you’re a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or protected person.
Proof of enrollment at a Canadian university, college, or CEGEP.
Your written responses about equity, diversity, inclusion, your course of study, and your future objectives.

The application form asks applicants to explain how their studies and perspective could contribute to Canada’s documentary heritage professions. Keep your answers focused and specific. Rather than describing your program in broad terms, connect your coursework, experience, or goals to the work libraries and archives do.

Do not send original status documents. Library and Archives Canada requests copies, and selected applicants—not everyone who applies—may later be asked for proof of tuition payment, banking information, and a Social Insurance Number.

How to apply for the Price McIntosh Bursary

The application has two required steps. Completing only the online form isn’t enough.

Step 1: Complete the online application. Use the official 2026–2027 application form on a computer, tablet, or mobile device. The form supports current versions of Edge, Chrome, Firefox, and Safari. You can save your progress and return later, then submit the completed form online.

Open the official 2026–2027 Price McIntosh Bursary application form

Step 2: Email the supporting documents. After submitting the form, email copies of your proof of Canadian status and proof of enrollment to bourse-bursary@bac-lac.gc.ca. Use clear file names and check that the documents are readable before sending them.

Step 3: Keep your confirmation. Library and Archives Canada says applicants will receive an acknowledgement of receipt. Keep that message, along with a copy of your submitted form and the email containing your documents.

The deadline is September 24, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific time. Give yourself enough time for both the online submission and the document email, especially if you need to request an enrollment letter from your school.

How applications are assessed

Library and Archives Canada first checks whether the application is complete and whether the applicant meets the eligibility requirements. A selection committee then reviews the applications and makes recommendations to the Librarian and Archivist of Canada.

The published selection criteria include:

Clarity and consistency of the responses.
Enthusiasm and engagement with the field of study.
Your personal perspective on how you could contribute to the documentary heritage professions.

This means the written sections deserve as much attention as the supporting documents. Make sure your answers are easy to follow, directly address the questions, and show why your intended career path matters to you.

What happens after you submit?

Library and Archives Canada will acknowledge receipt of your application. It says recipient names will be published on its website after the selection committee makes its decision, but selected applicants will be contacted directly.

If you’re selected, you’ll need to provide proof of tuition payment before the bursary is paid. The terms and conditions also say that bursaries are taxable and recipients will receive a T4A slip.

Recipients must consent to the publication of their name, program of study, and educational institution in bursary announcements. The program’s privacy information explains that personal information is collected to verify eligibility, assess applications, issue payments, and support outreach.

Common mistakes to avoid

Missing the second step: submitting the form without emailing the required documents can leave the application incomplete.
Using the wrong academic year: make sure your documents and responses relate to the 2026–2027 school year.
Assuming every program automatically qualifies: if your program has an unusual title, explain its connection to libraries or archives.
Sending sensitive payment information too early: proof of tuition payment, banking information, and your Social Insurance Number are requested from successful applicants when needed.
Waiting until the deadline: technical issues, missing enrollment documents, or an email attachment problem can be difficult to fix at the last minute.

If you’re eligible, the safest next step is to open the official application form, prepare your two required documents, and submit everything before September 24, 2026.

Helpful Links

Price McIntosh Bursary – View the current 2026–2027 application status, deadline, and program overview.
About the Price McIntosh Bursary – Review award amounts, payment timing, and selection criteria.
Eligibility – Check residency, identity, institution, and program requirements.
How to apply – Review the official application steps and document requirements.
Terms and conditions – Read tax, privacy, consent, payment, and applicant obligations.
Contact the Price McIntosh Bursary team – Find the official email address and telephone numbers for questions.
Library and Archives Canada 2026-2027 Price McIntosh Bursary application form – Official page referenced in the article.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Can a student in a program not listed by Library and Archives Canada apply?

A. Yes. The listed programs are examples rather than a complete list. You may still apply if your studies clearly prepare you for a career in libraries or archives. Explain that connection in your application or contact the bursary coordinators for guidance.