Grant and Funding Programs Offered by CSPG Foundation (CSPG)

The CSPG Foundation is the charitable foundation linked to the Canadian Energy Geoscience Association (formerly the Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists). Its primary role is to advance petroleum and energy geoscience education in Canada by distributing charitable funds to students, academic institutions and organizations that support this field. The Foundation focuses on strengthening scientific training and field-based learning for emerging geoscientists.

The Foundation allocates funding through several mechanisms. It provides bursaries and scholarships to individual students pursuing studies in petroleum or energy-related geoscience disciplines. It also offers field study grants, helping to cover the costs of field schools and other experiential learning activities that are central to geoscience education. In addition, the Foundation makes donations to Canadian universities and issues grants to organizations that qualify as “qualified donees” under the Income Tax Act (Canada) and whose programs and activities advance the Foundation’s purposes.

To receive funding from the CSPG Foundation, a project, program or individual must clearly contribute to petroleum geoscientific education. Proposals that fall outside this purpose, or that are commercial or income-generating in nature, are not supported. Eligible applicant organizations must meet the Canada Revenue Agency definition of a qualified donee if they are to receive direct grants from the Foundation. This framework ensures that resources are directed to educational and charitable activities rather than private commercial ventures.

Applicants are asked to complete a formal Funding Request Form and submit it by email to the Foundation. The Board of Trustees reviews applications and makes decisions twice a year, typically at meetings in February/March and in November. To be considered, requests should be received by mid-January for the winter meeting or by mid-October for the fall meeting. This cyclical process provides a predictable calendar for universities, student groups and other organizations planning educational projects in energy geoscience.

Through its bursaries, scholarships and institutional grants, the CSPG Foundation primarily supports students, departments of earth sciences and related organizations across Canada. By emphasizing petroleum geoscientific education, it contributes to building technical expertise, supporting field-based learning and sustaining a knowledgeable professional community in the Canadian energy sector. Its targeted financial support complements the broader professional development and community-building activities of the Canadian Energy Geoscience Association.