Alberta has established a new scholarship for female students

As part of Women in STEM Week (October 8-14), the Province of Alberta has announced the creation of a new student scholarship. Female students pursuing research in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) will be eligible to apply.

A total of CA$ 125,000 has been allocated to the project, meaning 50 female applicants will receive CA$ 2,500 each.

Ministry of Arts, Culture and Status of Women Tanya Fir articulated the meaning behind the creation of the Women in STEM Fellowship as follows:

"We are committed to empowering women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Scholarships like these enable success and encourage a new generation of innovation, development, and continuing Alberta’s economic success."

Any Alberta college/university student who meets all criteria will be eligible to apply for the scholarship:

• who have chosen a STEM major as their major field of study;

• identifying as a woman or gender-diverse individual;

• current resident of Canada (citizen/permanent resident or protected person);

• having a connection to Alberta (parents, spouse, partner or the student herself has been a permanent resident of Alberta in the last 6-12 months prior to the start of the program).

Registration on the website to create an application will be open through and including December 8 this year. You can apply for the scholarship through December 18.

Statistically, women make up half of Alberta's population, with only one-third of STEM students. They are even fewer in the workforce — only a quarter. The provincial government is using the new scholarships to increase the representation of women in this field and thus stimulate the development of science and the economy. Encouraging women to study in high-demand fields also helps to reduce the wage gap in the future.