MLF Bursaries

MLF Bursaries

The Foundation is proud to have established three transformational bursaries made possible
through $4.5 million in grant funds to the University of Manitoba, Faculty of Law.

Beginning in Autumn 2025, the bursaries will be available for eligible students
enrolled at the University of Manitoba, Faculty of Law.

The bursaries, described below, reflect the Foundation’s unwavering commitment to
reconciliation, equity and fostering a legal profession that is representative of the
vibrant and diverse communities it serves.

The Manitoba Law Foundation Truth & Reconciliation Bursary

As part to the Foundation’s efforts to advance Reconciliation, as well as Access to
Justice in a manner that reflects and includes the values and legal orders of First
Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities, this bursary is meant to enhance access to
legal education and support the membership and participation of individuals from
these communities in Manitoba’s practicing bar.

The Manitoba Law Foundation Equity & Transformation Bursary

The Foundation believes the practising bar should reflect the society it serves. This
bursary is intended to increase access to legal education, as well as membership
and participation in Manitoba’s practicing bar, of Black/racialized individuals or
other underrepresented and marginalized groups.

The Manitoba Law Foundation Northern, Remote & Rural Access to Justice
Bursary

The majority of Manitoba’s practising bar resides in Winnipeg. With fewer and fewer
new lawyers choosing to practice in Northern, remote, and rural Manitoba, this
bursary seeks to enhance access to legal education and support membership and
participation in Manitoba’s practicing bar for individuals committed to advancing
access to justice in Northern, remote, and rural Manitoba.

The Foundation’s choice to set up bursaries instead of scholarships – which are
typically based primarily on academic achievement – was deliberate. It
acknowledges that students experiencing financial barriers to legal education may
also have less time and capacity to dedicate to their studies due to work obligations
and other competing priorities.

Over time, these bursaries will help to build a legal profession that is truly
representative of the diversity of our province and move us closer to ensuring that
all Manitobans, regardless of where in Manitoba they reside, have meaningful
access to legal services and justice.

Up to Full Tuition

Eligible students can apply for a bursary to cover up to full tuition costs in any year
of study and could benefit from the bursary for up to three years, as long as they
achieve and maintain a satisfactory academic average and can demonstrate
continued financial need.

For more information, students can reach out to lawadmissions@umanitoba.ca.