Ad Standards Scholarships

Ad Standards awards three annual scholarships of $2,500 to individuals pursuing studies in advertising, marketing, communications, or public relations at Canadian colleges and universities.

The scholarships are awarded to:

One applicant attending a primarily English-language college or university
One applicant attending a primarily French-language college or university
One applicant who identifies as being part of an underrepresented community in the Canadian advertising and marketing industry

The Ad Standards Scholarship honours Robert E. Oliver, Ad Standards' first president and a pioneer of Canadian advertising self-regulation. Mr. Oliver played a key role in developing the Canadian Code of Advertising Standards, sat on various charity boards, and was an accomplished student and public educator.

Who Can Apply?

Applicants must be enrolled in an advertising, marketing, communications, or public relations program at a Canadian college or university and meet one of the following criteria:

Be enrolled full-time in an undergraduate program
Be enrolled full-time in a graduate program
Be employed by an organization in an advertising, marketing, communications, or public relations role while enrolled in part-time or continuing studies. Note: Winners in part-time or continuing studies will be asked to provide proof of employment.

Selection Criteria

Successful applicants will demonstrate:

Academic excellence
A commitment to volunteerism
Demonstrated interest in pursuing a career in advertising, marketing, communications, or public relations

Applicants who identify as part of an underrepresented community in the Canadian advertising and marketing industry may also apply for the scholarship designated for underrepresented communities. Examples of underrepresented communities include:

Indigenous peoples (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis)
Members of visible minorities or racialized groups
Members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community
People with physical, sensory, learning, developmental, or mental disabilities/differences
Other equity-deserving groups

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit the following through our online form:

Academic results (screenshots accepted)
Essay: "Why You Should Receive the Award" (750-word maximum)
Letter of recommendation from a volunteer supervisor or associate (200-word maximum)
For applicants from an underrepresented community: Submit a brief personal statement (maximum 100 words) identifying the underrepresented community or communities with which you identify. Scholarship recipients may be asked to provide third-party verification satisfactory to Ad Standards.

About Ad Standards

Ad Standards is the self-regulatory body for Canada's advertising industry. Through member support and cooperative industry initiatives, we build public confidence in advertising by helping ensure ads in all media are truthful, fair and accurate. We administer the Canadian Code of Advertising Standards, which sets criteria for acceptable advertising, and provides a mechanism for adjudicating and resolving consumer complaints and competitive disputes. We also review advertising creative and offer consultative services to help ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulatory guidelines. Our collaborative relationships with Canadian regulators and global self-regulatory organizations provide a diversity of valuable insights, which inform our initiatives and goals.

Check back soon for the opportunity to submit for the 2026-27 scholarship.