Prime Highlights:

The Government of Canada announces a $648,000 scholarship program to support the development of future meteorologists.

Approximately 80 scholarships will be awarded over four years to students pursuing atmospheric science degrees at six eligible universities.

Key Background:

In response to the growing need for skilled meteorologists due to increasingly frequent and severe weather events, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, has announced the creation of the Environment and Climate Change Canada Meteorology Awards Program. This initiative represents a $648,000 investment in scholarships to support the development of future meteorologists, with approximately 80 scholarships to be awarded over the next four years.

Meteorologists play a crucial role in providing Canadians with timely and accurate weather information, which helps safeguard health, safety, and economic stability. With climate change intensifying the frequency of extreme weather events, the need for highly trained meteorologists is more critical than ever. To address this demand, the Government of Canada is investing in the training of the next generation of atmospheric scientists.

The Environment and Climate Change Canada Meteorology Awards will be available to students enrolled in atmospheric science programs at six designated universities across Canada: Dalhousie University, Université du Québec à Montréal, McGill University, York University, the University of Manitoba, and the University of British Columbia. This scholarship program will provide financial support to students who are pursuing degrees that align with the competencies needed for a career as a meteorologist.

Upon graduation, recipients of the scholarships will be eligible to apply for Environment and Climate Change Canada’s meteorology training program. This program offers valuable opportunities for students to develop their expertise and potentially join the organization’s teams, which are responsible for weather forecasting, research, and climate monitoring.

The program is designed with inclusivity in mind, prioritizing candidates from Equity Deserving Groups, such as Indigenous peoples, visible minorities, persons with disabilities, and women. The scholarships will be managed and administered by Universities Canada on behalf of Environment and Climate Change Canada. Minister Guilbeault emphasized the importance of investing in the youth of today, stating, “This new scholarship will provide financial support so that they can pursue careers in meteorology and climatology, helping Canada address the current and future impacts of climate change.”news