Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Chinook Country Historical Society (CCHS)

Chinook Country Historical Society (CCHS) is a nonprofit local chapter of the Historical Society of Alberta focused on preserving and sharing the history of southern Alberta. Its service area stretches from Olds to Nanton and from the British Columbia border to the Saskatchewan border. Through public programs, events and publications, the society supports engagement with local and regional history and collaborates with partners such as universities, museums and heritage organizations.

In addition to its educational and outreach activities, CCHS directly supports students of history through a named scholarship program. The Chinook Country Historical Society Scholarship consists of two identical awards offered annually at the University of Calgary and at Mount Royal University. These scholarships are targeted to continuing undergraduate students majoring or minoring in History who have completed at least two Canadian history courses with a minimum grade threshold.

The CCHS scholarship program is designed to encourage academic study of Canadian and regional history. By endowing or sponsoring awards that are administered through university award offices, the society ensures that funding reaches qualified students within clear institutional frameworks. Eligibility focuses on academic performance in Canadian history courses, reinforcing the organization’s mandate to foster deeper understanding of the region’s past.

Application details, including deadlines and selection processes, are managed through the participating universities’ official award portals. Prospective applicants are directed from the CCHS website to the University of Calgary’s scholarship listing, where they can review current criteria, values and procedures. A similar structure applies at Mount Royal University, ensuring transparency and consistency in adjudication.

Beyond direct financial aid, CCHS serves a broad audience of community members, researchers, educators and heritage enthusiasts. Its mission is to provide opportunities for people to engage with the region’s rich history through diverse programs and events. The board of directors brings experience from museums, archives, education, cultural institutions and community organizations, helping to align funding initiatives like the scholarship with wider heritage and educational goals.

Through this combination of programming and targeted financial support, Chinook Country Historical Society contributes to the long-term vitality of historical studies in southern Alberta, strengthening local capacity for research, interpretation and public history projects.