Canadian Hydrographic Association Student Bursary
Three $2500 Bursaries to be Issued per Year
Criteria
- The applicant must be a full time Canadian or permanent resident enrolled in an accredited post-secondary program in the field of Geomatics with a hydrographic and/or a marine cartographic component, or enrolled in an International Board on Standards of Competence for Hydrographers and Nautical Cartographers (IBSC) recognized Category A or B program.
- The bursary will be available to college (including collège d’enseignement général et professionnel – CEGEP) and students in a degree (bachelor or master) or diploma program in the hydrographic or a closely related discipline.
- The applicants will be required to submit a transcript or copy of their most recent post-secondary marks at the time of application. The marks must indicate an academic average of 70% or higher.
- Applicants must submit one letter of reference from an official of the university or college most recently attended. This letter of reference must include the address and phone number of the official.
- Bursary applications are to be submitted by February 7th of each year.
- The value of the bursary is $2,500 each and only successful applicants will be notified.
- Successful applicants will be issued a CHA Certificate and have their name mounted on a perpetual winners’ plaque. A picture of the plaque, duly inscribed, will be provided to the winner along with a $2,500 cheque sent by mid-August.
- A student may receive the bursary once only.
- Successful applicants are requested to provide a letter of appreciation and a photo which will be published on the CHA website.
2025 Student Bursary Recipients
“I am honored and grateful to receive this award as I complete my studies in the Master of Applied Ocean Technology program at the Marine Institute. Receiving this award has given me added confidence as I finish up my studies and begin to navigate the job market. I am beyond excited to be starting a new career in this highly innovative field, and this award only enhances my motivation to continue working hard and making a meaningful contribution to the hydrographic industry.”
Kelsey Forrest
Marine Institute
“ I’m incredibly grateful to the Canadian Hydrographic Association for awarding me this bursary.
As a second-year Master’s student in the Applied Ocean Technology program at Memorial University of Newfoundland, this recognition means so much to me. Growing up by the ocean, I was always curious about what lay beyond the horizon. Now, through my studies and experiences in ocean mapping, I’m starting to explore that world in a meaningful way.
This bursary is both encouraging and inspiring to know that there’s a community supporting students like me as we work toward making an impact in this field.
Thank you again for this incredible honour. “
Ashlen Mersereau
Marine Institute
“I am honoured and grateful to be a recipient of the Canadian Hydrographic Association (CHA) Student Bursary. Thank you to the CHA Student Bursary Program for your generous support and for your commitment to supporting the next generation of hydrographers. This bursary will help me continue to grow both academically and professionally in the field of hydrography.
As a Multidisciplinary Hydrographer with the Canadian Hydrographic Service and a participant in the Professional Development Apprenticeship Program, I am passionate about building my skills and contributing to the industry. The Nippon Foundation/GEBCO Training Program is an incredible opportunity for me to deepen my understanding of advanced ocean mapping technologies, support sustainable marine management, and collaborate with experts from around the world.Thank you again to the CHA for investing in students like me and in the future of hydrography.
Elizabeth Yates
University of New Hampshire
2024 Student Bursary Recipients
I am writing to thank you for selecting me as a recipient of the 2024 CHA Student Bursary. This award has helped many students pursue careers in the field of hydrography, and I am extremely grateful to be chosen as part of this effort to continue the support of students’ education.
I am currently in my second year of Geodesy and Geomatics Engineering at the University of New Brunswick and am very proud to be a part of GGE. This program and the people in it have shown me an entire field of study that I was not aware of before coming to UNB and have helped me to discover my love for ocean mapping and hydrography.
Working as an undergraduate research assistant for the Ocean Mapping Group this summer, I got to take part in many of the different aspects of ocean mapping and hydrographic surveying. Furthermore, I was fortunate enough to attend the Canadian Hydrographic Conference in St. John’s, introducing me to a world of career possibilities that have made me very excited about my future studies.
I want to thank you again for your continued support of students across Canada, and for the financial support that will help myself and others with pursuing our educations. I look forward to the future, and to hopefully contribute to the CHA during my career.
Sincerely,
Olivia Bacon
I am deeply thankful for this bursary from the Canadian Hydrographic Association.
This recognition strengthens my commitment to the field of hydrographic sciences and provides essential support as I pursue my Master of Applied Ocean Technology (Ocean Mapping). Being part of a community that promotes growth, innovation, and knowledge sharing is truly inspiring, and I look forward to continuing my journey with the aim of contributing to advancements in ocean mapping and technology.
Jordan A. Rees
CLS, PMP, P.Tech, B.Tech
J’étudie présentement à la maîtrise en sciences géomatiques – avec mémoire, et ce, dans le but de proposer une solution à une problématique foncière. Parallèlement à ma recherche, j’ai à cœur la promotion de la géomatique et je souhaiterais que cette discipline soit davantage connue, de même que ses applications, telles que l’hydrographie.
Je remercie grandement l’ACH pour l’obtention de cette bourse!
Jordan A. Rees
CLS, PMP, P.Tech, B.Tech
2023 Student Bursary Recipients
I want to thank you for this opportunity you’ve given me and to many students and for the support you’ve provided for those in need.
I applied for this scholarship with the hope that despite going into this semester with a baby on the way, I would be able to have the funding I needed to keep going for another semester and not be forced to take a whole year off. I am so grateful that I get to keep pursuing the education I’ve worked so hard for, and eventually get that dream career.
I’m currently in my fourth year at the University of New Brunswick pursuing Geodesy and Geomatics Engineering with a focus on Ocean Mapping, and it’s been a wild ride. I’ve worked for the Ocean Mapping Group and had focused my efforts on outreach. I presented at the Hydrographic Conference in Alabama earlier this year and preached about giving equal opportunity through student funding, research and events. I also had the opportunity to be an instructor over the summer in a program designed to get high school students familiar with the world of hydrography.
It’s programs and opportunities like these that gives students a chance to pursue their goals regardless of their backgrounds. And that is an amazing feeling not only from a student standpoint such as my own, but also from someone who continues to stand for giving equal opportunity for those who otherwise would miss out on a rewarding career.
Thank you again for such an amazing opportunity and please keep doing what you do! It makes the biggest difference to so many lives.
Lizz Christie
I am thrilled to be selected as one of the 2023 CHA Student Bursaries recipients. This award has motivated me to continue pursuing a career in hydrography and will allow me to achieve my academic goals.
I am in my second year of the Ocean Mapping program at the Marine Institute and have enjoyed every second of my studies. I have always admired the ocean’s mysteries and will continue to explore the ocean’s unknown as part of the ocean mapping team. I’ve learned much about the technologies and processes I can apply while working in the field. I am excited to complete my degree and begin my contributions to the hydrographic community.
I want to thank the Canadian Hydrographic Association for the honour and motivation that comes with this award. It will be a great help to me in the continuation of my studies.
Kind Regards,
Arnold Murphy
