CESEF Graduate Scholarship Program

The Canadian Evaluation Society Educational Fund (CESEF) is currently inviting applications from graduate students in program evaluation (or with a significant focus on program evaluation) for its Graduate Scholarship Program.

The Graduate Scholarship Program seeks to support the development of theory and practice of program evaluation by facilitating access to education and training for current and aspiring evaluators. To this end, the CESEF is offering two scholarships:

●     Universalia Charles Lusthaus Scholarship

○     For the current application period (2025), and going forward, this award aims to specifically support candidates who bring a global orientation to their evaluative education and aspirations, particularly in the field of international development, humanitarianism, and/or peacebuilding (i.e., the HDP nexus).

●     PRA Rita Gunn Scholarship

Each scholarship is valued at $5,000. These are one-time, non-renewable, 12-month awards.

Although CESEF’s objectives are specific to program evaluation, the objectives of this Scholarship Program are broader than just program evaluation:

●     To increase the supply of qualified evaluators who can benefit Canadian society and the international community through their careers in evaluation and related fields

●     To increase Graduate students’ capacity to:

○     Learn about evaluation theory and practice

○     Develop research skills while undertaking graduate learning

○     Address key issues in program evaluation and develop methodological innovations

○     Acquire the designation of Credentialed Evaluator

The Graduate Scholarship application period for the 2025 competition is now open! The application period will close on December 15th, 2024.

Please note that the application process for the Universalia Charles Lusthaus Scholarship and the PRA Rita Gunn Scholarship is the same. Instructions for students interested in applying can be found in the following documents. Students interested in applying for only one of the two scholarships can specify so in their application, otherwise they will be considered for both.

• Graduate Scholarship Information for Students
• Graduate Scholarship Application for Students

For any questions about the online application documents and related details about the Graduate Scholarship Program application process, please contact scholarship@cesef.ca. 

For any questions about the application process, please contact scholarship@cesef.ca.

I cannot think of anything that would please Charles more than knowing his contributions have resulted in supporting students. He loved teaching and he relished seeing his students learn, grow, and create new pathways for themselves and others. Charles would have enjoyed these scholarship recipients and had such a great relationship them! I cannot thank Universalia enough for honouring his life and work this way; it is at the heart of who he was and what he cherished. Many thanks and much appreciation to all at CESEF who implement this scholarship. Charles would be very pleased and honoured. I am sure he is smiling. 

Warm regards, Evelyn Lusthaus (Charles' wife)

Rita Gunn became a founding partner of PRA Inc. in 1988, mentoring dozens of evaluators both within the company and CES.  She evaluated many social and health programs, travelling throughout Canada. Rita also was a strong supporter of CESEF and contributed her talents to raising funds in its formative years. It is indeed fitting that her legacy continues to support the education of a new generation of evaluators.