BC First Nations Public Service Scholarship
Scholarship applications are open until October 15, 2025.
Complete your application for the First Nations Public Service Scholarship here.
Background:
The BC First Nations Public Service Scholarship was established in 2019 in celebration of the Local Government Management Association’s 100th anniversary. In 2015, the LGMA made a commitment to its members to facilitate greater engagement between First Nations and local government staff to increase efforts towards deeper understanding and reconciliation.
The LGMA has had a long-standing partnership with the First Nations Public Service Secretariat to collaborate on training and professional development to strengthen and enhance the professional capacity of their respective members so that they may better serve their communities.
This scholarship aims to provide support for Indigenous professionals to access training related to the administration or management of public services in their First Nation government. The scholarship is valid for up to two years in the amount of up to $1,500 and will be provided to the successful candidate as a voucher to the specified post-secondary institution upon proof of registration.
Eligibility:
The BC First Nations Public Service Scholarship is open to Indigenous applicants working in a non-elected role in any BC First Nation government or First Nation organization that supports governance and/or professional capacity development which contributes to the improved programming, services, or governance of a First Nation community, excluding applicants working for for-profit organizations.
Applicants must be enrolled in full- or part-time study in an accredited post-secondary course or program. Credit or non-credit programs delivered by an accredited post-secondary institution are eligible. Please note that preference will be given to applicants working for a First Nation government organization. The course or program may be offered online or in-person.
Area(s) of study must be related to the administration or management of core public services in First Nations government
Application Requirements must include:
- Any application for a Scholarship must be submitted by completing the online submission form by the deadline listed below. For any inquiry, please contact office@lgma.ca.
- To be considered, each application MUST be accompanied by confirmation from an accredited post-secondary institution that the applicant is a registered student in one of the programs noted in A1.
- Maximum 1,000-word statement outlining how long the applicant has worked in a First Nation government, description of their current role, and how the course or program will enhance their ability to perform their role or contribute to the improved programming, services or governance of their First Nation community. In lieu of a written statement, a video or audio statement will be accepted.
- A letter of support from the applicant’s manager (or member of Chief and Council or the most senior staff in the organization) for their application.
The successful applicant must be willing to allow their image and other information about their work and education profiled on the LGMA and its partner First Nations Public Service Secretariat websites, social media, etc.
Application Review Process
Applications must be submitted no later than 4:30 p.m. on October 15, 2025, with notification to the successful candidate being given by the Local Government Management Association by December 12, 2025 at the latest.
Applications will be reviewed by a select committee in partnership with the First Nations Public Service Secretariat, which will include First Nation members.
For further information on the BC First Nations Public Service Scholarship please contact the LGMA at
office@lgma.ca.
