Apply for the Herb Stovel Scholarship


Thank you to everyone who applied for the Scholarship. The 2023 application period is now closed. Stay tuned for the recipient announcement this summer.


All who knew Herb Stovel understood his commitment to heritage conservation and, more importantly, his strong support for education and preparing a new generation of professionals.

The Herb Stovel Scholarship keeps his legacy alive by providing one or more post-secondary students and/or emerging professionals (ages 20-35) in the field of heritage conservation with opportunities to travel, network and enrich their research.


The Scholarship provides two types of bursaries:

  1. Project Research Bursaries up to $2,500 for candidates who propose special projects, results-oriented travel and participation at conferences, and events that continue Herb’s passion for community innovation and/or international dialogue in built heritage conservation theory and practice. Applications that are focused only on general tuition expenses will not be considered.
  2. National Trust Conference Bursaries cover the cost of travel, conference accommodation and registration (approximate value $1,000) for candidates to attend the National Trust’s Annual Conference. In the case of a virtual conference, the bursary will cover the general conference registration fee.

Project Research Bursary applicants may also opt to be considered for a National Trust Conference bursary during the application process.

Please note:

  • Project research bursaries will not cover activities or expenses directly related to the applicant’s employment.
  • Project research bursaries will not cover activities or expenses already incurred.

Eligibility Criteria

The Herb Stovel Scholarship is open to Canadians between the ages of 20 and 35 who are either:

  • Students pursuing post-secondary or graduate studies in built heritage conservation; or
  • Emerging professionals working in the field of built heritage conservation.

Application Process

Applications for National Trust Conference bursaries must include:

  1. A statement of interest expressing what you hope to gain from attending the conference;
  2. A Curriculum Vitae demonstrating your studies or work in heritage, including contact information for at least one reference who is aware of your studies or work in heritage;
  3. Proof of student status (if applicable); and
  4. Proof of Canadian citizenship.

Learn more about the 2023 National Trust Conference

Applications for Project Research Bursaries must include:

  1. A written proposal (max. 1,000 words) with estimated project and/or travel costs and your proposed dates of study/conference attendance;
  2. A brief Curriculum Vitae demonstrating your studies or work in heritage, with references;
  3. Proof of student status (if applicable); and
  4. Proof of Canadian citizenship.

Project Research Bursary applicants may also opt to be considered for a National Trust Conference bursary during the application process.

For more information, please read the Application Guidelines and the General Rules and Regulations.


Herb Stovel Scholarship Advisory Committee

The Herb Stovel Scholarship Advisory Committee is a volunteer panel that includes experts with a sincere interest in the Program and in Herb Stovel’s legacy, and members of the Stovel-Oliver family.

The Scholarship

National Trust Conference Bursaries: National Trust Conference Bursaries will include conference registration, up to three nights’ accommodation at the conference hotel, and return travel to and from the conference from the recipient’s place of residence or study within Canada. The National Trust will make all hotel and travel bookings and pre-pay them on behalf of the recipient. Recipients will be responsible for incidental expenses including taxis, additional hotel expenses, and any meals not provided as part of the conference.

Project Research Bursaries: Project Research Bursary amounts will be determined based on the applicant’s estimates and the availability of funds, to a maximum of $2,500. Recipients will be required to provide proof of acceptance into the educational program for which funding was approved, or completion of the proposed project, as well as other relevant documentation identified.

Project Research Bursaries will be disbursed as follows:

  • 50% of the total bursary upon the receipt of the recipient’s proof of acceptance; and
  • 50% of the total bursary upon the receipt of the recipient’s proof of completion.
    In both cases, the National Trust and the recipient will mutually agree on what constitutes an acceptable form of proof.

Scholarship Presentation

All Herb Stovel Scholars are invited to attend a special recognition event at the National Trust’s Annual Conference, generally held in October each year, and may be featured in National Trust publications.

Recipients will be required to submit a short final report (approx. 700 words) detailing their experience at the conference or their project research outcomes following the completion of their scholarship.


About Herb Stovel

Over a period of decades, Herb Stovel generously passed on his insight and knowledge, which have helped define the theory and practice of heritage conservation for the 21st century in Canada and internationally.

In Canada, he taught as professor at Université de Montréal and at Carleton University. Early in his career, he developed courses for the National Trust’s Main Street® program, which prepared over 100 professionals in communities across the country for careers in downtown revitalization. His training of federal employees reached across disciplines and departments, most notably perhaps with the Federal Heritage Building Review Office (FHBRO) course. Herb believed in empowering others and giving them the means to spread the word as broadly as possible. He developed train-the-trainer courses to put this knowledge into the hands of those best placed to deliver it. Then he moved on.

It is no exaggeration that Herb Stovel had students and followers in every corner of the globe. He believed in people and brought them together in the name of heritage conservation, leaving behind conflicts of war and politics, and allowing them to work together towards a common goal.


Questions? Email us.

Herb Stovel

All who knew Herb Stovel understood his commitment to heritage conservation and, more importantly, his strong support for education and preparing a new generation of professionals.

Herb’s commitment to education lives on through the Herb Stovel Scholarship.  

Questions? Email us.


Help support Canadian students and young professionals.

Consider making a tax deductible donation to the Herb Stovel Scholarship. Call us or send a cheque made out to the Herb Stovel Scholarship to:

Herb Stovel Scholarship
National Trust for Canada
190 Bronson Avenue
Ottawa, ON
K1R 6H4

Telephone: 613-237-1066
Toll-free in Canada: 1-866-964-1066

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