Rio Tinto Diavik Community Scholarship Fund

Established in 2013 by Rio Tinto Diavik Diamond Mines Inc., this Fund was established to assist individuals pursuing a career in mining or resource development. Three scholarships of $2,000 each will be awarded provided suitable applicants are selected. 

1. The first scholarship (Mining) will be available for students whose area of study has a focus on mining, mineral, geological or geomatics engineering and/or mining related trades.
2. The second scholarship (Mining Support) will be available for students whose area of study has a focus on geology, environmental or earth sciences, communities, communications, finance or procurement.
3. The third scholarship (STEM) will be available for female students whose area of focus is in fields related to science, technology, engineering or math.

Eligibility/Prerequisites

To be eligible, applicants:

1. Must be NWT or West Kitikmeot students enrolled in or accepted to a college diploma or University degree in a mining or resource development programme or trade certification in a related field. Preference may be given to Indigenous applicants; however non-Indigenous NWT and West Kitikmeot residents are encouraged to apply.
   1. Indigenous persons are those who are descendants of Dene, Inuit or Metis people, indigenous to the present borders of the Northwest Territories and West Kitikmeot region of the Nunavut Territory.
   2. Non-Indigenous residents of the Northwest Territories and West Kitikmeot region are considered to be residents if they have lived in those areas for at least 50% of their lives.
2. Are eligible to reapply for the scholarship in successive years; however previous receipt does not guarantee future awards.
3. For the mining scholarship must be enrolled in or accepted to a post-secondary course in mining or resource development or a trade-related field. Courses include, but are not limited to, Mine Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Geological Engineering, Geomatics, Metallurgy, or a mining-related trade.
4. For the mining support scholarship must be enrolled in or accepted to a post-secondary course in geology, environmental or earth sciences, communities, communications, finance or procurement program with an interest in seeking employment in the mining sector.
5. For the STEM scholarship must be women enrolled in or accepted to a post-secondary program that focuses on the sciences, technology, engineering or math. Preference will be given to those with an interest in seeking employment in the mining sector after graduation.

In the event there are no suitable applicants for one of the scholarship, the selection committee may decide to recommend two awards in the same category.

For the mining support scholarship must be enrolled in or accepted to a post-secondary course in geology, environmental or earth sciences, communities, communications, finance or procurement program with an interest in seeking employment in the mining sector. 

Review

Factors taken into consideration in reviewing grant applications from individuals include:

1. Academic achievement;
2. Community involvement, volunteering and other activities; and
3. The factors outlined in the essay requirement below.

The scholarship may be awarded more than once to the same applicant, but prior receipt does not guarantee a future award.

Applications

The deadline for applications is May 15 of each year. Applications must include a written essay (maximum 200 words) on:

1. The benefit they will obtain from the scholarship,
2. Community involvement and contribution,
3. Willingness to be involved in promotional activities in relation to this scholarship,
4. Genuine desire to work in the mining and resource industry, and
5. How their chosen field is related to mining or resource development or a mining related trade.

The recipient must provide proof of acceptance or conditional acceptance or proof of enrolment for that year in a recognized post secondary institution or a recognized trades program. Indigenous status may be confirmed through acceptable government or Inuit, Dene or Metis identification documents. A Proof of Residency form must be submitted along with the application.

Past recipients

• 2021 Hillary Huynh, Trisa Ngo & Stephanie Bourgeois
• 2020 Patrick Adzin Jr., Kelvin Kotchilea, Gillian McNaughton, Allana Nakashook-Zettler, Nancy Ngo and Jada Xie Doctor
• 2019 Trisa Ngo, Lily Allison & Nancy Ngo
• 2018 Stéphane Careen & Johanna Stewart
• 2017 Sabrina Lakhani & Monique Chapman
• 2016 Julianna Neudorf & Jessica Norris
• 2015 Jessica Norris & Stephen Giovanetto
• 2014 Martha Hamre, Monique Chapman, Bryana Matthews & Sydney Friesen
• 2013 Jeff Rosnawski