Ontario Public Buyers Association. Official Chapter of NIGP

OPBA–Canoe Scholarship

OPBA, in partnership with Canoe Procurement Group of Canada, is proud to launch a national scholarship program supporting public procurement professionals across Canada.

This $20,000 annual investment in professional development is designed to help practitioners build skills, enhance competencies, and advance their careers through education and training delivered by the Public Procurement Learning Lab (PPLL), OPBA’s national learning hub.

Limited availability: Applications may close early due to high demand. We encourage early submission.

About the Scholarship

The OPBA–Canoe Scholarship supports public procurement professionals across Canada in building skills, enhancing competencies, and advancing their careers through OPBA and PPLL learning opportunities.

The program is designed to support professionals at different stages of their careers, from practitioners to emerging leaders and people leaders, while helping strengthen procurement capacity across the public sector.

Scholarship Categories

Applicants may apply for one (1) scholarship only under one of the following categories:

Category A: Professional Development Scholarship ($250)

  • OPBA Ignite sessions
  • Coffee with Counsel webinars
  • Leadership Day
  • Other OPBA professional development opportunities

Category B: Education Scholarship ($1,000)

  • Principles Certificate Program courses
  • Public Procurement Specialty (PPS) courses
  • NIGP courses offered through PPLL
  • OPBA Annual Conference and other education programs

Number of Scholarships

  • 20 Professional Development Scholarships ($250)
  • 15 Education Scholarships ($1,000)

Eligibility

To be eligible, applicants must:

  • Be currently employed in a public procurement role in Canada
  • Submit one complete application
  • Commit to using the scholarship within the program year (July 1 to June 30)
  • Use the scholarship for OPBA/PPLL learning only

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit a complete application that includes:

  • Applicant and employer information
  • Selection of one scholarship category
  • A professional development plan outlining how the scholarship will be used
  • Specific OPBA/PPLL activities and timelines
  • Expected learning outcomes and career impact

Application Deadline: May 31, 2026


Key Details

  • Scolarships are applied directly to OPBA/PPLL registrations and are not issued as cash
  • Funds must be used within the program year in which they are awarded
  • Unused funds are forfeited
  • If the cost of a course or event exceeds the scholarship amount, the recipient is responsible for the balance
  • The scholarship is non-transferable

Questions or Accessibility Support

OPBA is committed to providing an accessible and inclusive application process.

For questions or to request the application in an alternate format or accommodation support, please contact members@opba.ca.