Ongoing

The Laure Waridel Bursary

Support for next-generation environmentalists

Power to act

Created in 2008, this $15,000 bursary is intended for university students, researchers and activists whose work contributes to the ecological transition. It supports the dissemination of applied research that can be transferred to action on the ground, helping advance environmental justice and community engagement in Quebec. The bursary is made possible through the support of the Caisse d'économie solidaire Desjardins.

The 15th Laure Waridel Bursary has been awarded to Evelyne Corriveau, a PhD candidate in criminology at Université Laval.

Her project, Créer du lien, will take the form of a travelling exhibition based on the lived experiences of residents of Rouyn-Noranda affected by industrial pollution from the Horne smelter. The initiative aims to raise public awareness of industrial environmental violence, foster empathy and strengthen citizen mobilization.

“ To make the transition work, we need to amplify solutions from all areas and we need to take action on the ground together. Social and environmental change is brought about by citizen engagement on many levels. We are the water we drink, the air we breathe, the soil that feeds us and the sum of the social links that we forge - now - for the future of our children and all living things. ”

Laure Waridel

Eco-sociologist and co-founder of Équiterre

The next generation of environmentalism

The Laure Waridel Bursary seeks to address such topics as sustainable mobility, agriculture and food, which are aligned with Équiterre's strategic priorities.

It’s important to support and encourage the next generation of environmentalists - the future of the environmental movement. Their implication, determination and capacity to create awareness is crucial in the fight against the climate crisis.

Équiterre is proud to support and encourage the innovative projects that today’s youth are putting forward for the ecological transition.

History of the bursary

2025

The 15^thLaure Waridel Bursary recipient shines a light on industrial environmental violence in Rouyn-Noranda

The scholarship is awarded to Évelyne Corriveau, a doctoral student in criminology at Laval University. Her project will take the form of a traveling exhibition that reveals the experiences of Rouyn-Noranda citizens living near the Horne smelter. By sharing their stories, this initiative aims to raise public awareness, foster empathy, and encourage citizen mobilization around environmental justice.

Découvrir son projet

2024

14th Laure Waridel Bursary recipient works on the collective capacities of citizen movements

Joris Maillochon is a committed citizen and Master's student in environmental sciences. His research project sheds light on the socio-ecological transition and encourages citizen mobilization in Montreal.

Discover his project

2023

13^th Laure Waridel Bursary recipient will shed light on greenwashing

Julien Olivier Beaulieu's project is aimed at tackling environmental disinformation and helping consumers to make more informed decisions.

Discover his project

2022

Winner of the 12^th edition

The bursary is awarded to Noémie Videaud Maillette, a master's student in environmental management and circular economy. Her research project concerns post-industrial and post-consumer textile waste and will take the form of a documentary theater.

Discover her project

2018-2019

The 11^th edition is launched

The bursary went to Caroline Dufour-L'Arrivée, an MA student in agroforestry at Université Laval, for her research project: a guide to establishing community forest gardens in Quebec.

2017-2018

The 10^th edition is launched

Marie-Élise Samson, a doctoral candidate in agronomy at Université Laval, was awarded the bursary for her research project on the capacity of agricultural soil to store carbon and thus combat climate change.

2016-2017

The ninth edition is launched

Marianne Falardeau-Côté, a doctoral candidate in renewable resources at McGill University, received the Laure Waridel Bursary for her interdisciplinary research into the importance of eco-systemic services in the community, such as healthy, nutrient-rich seafood.

2015-2016

The eighth edition is launched

The Laure Waridel Bursary was awarded to Valérie Toupin-Dubé to allow her to develop and disseminate the “École-O-Champ” learning/teaching kit to bring sustainable agriculture and food into our schools and other public institutions.

2014-2015

The seventh edition is launched

The bursary went to Chantal Lacasse, an MA student in environmental management at Université de Sherbrooke, for her project: a comparative analysis of various wheat production methods in Quebec.

2013-2014

The sixth edition is launched

The winner of the sixth Laure Waridel Bursary is Olivier Samson-Robert, an MA student in plant biology at Université Laval. His study on the impact of neonics (a new class of insecticide that threatens pollinizers) on bees, captured the attention of the selection panel.

2012-2013

The fifth edition is launched

Marcus Lobb, a BA student in environmental geography, is awarded the bursary for his ambitious project in urban agriculture. “Concordia City Farm School” has three community-building parts: urban vegetable production, harvesting of medicinal herbs for therapeutic purposes, and an internship entitled “Jardin dans les écoles” (gardening in our schools).

2011-2012

The fourth edition is launched

The Laure-Waridel Bursary is awarded to Bruno Demers, who holds a Master’s degree in sociology from UQAM, for his project “Rénocyclage Montréal, enquête sur le milieu de la déconstruction et de l'écorénovation” (Rénocyclage Montréal, survey on the deconstruction and eco-renovation sector).

2010-2011

The third edition is launched

Marie-Eve Arbour, a communications graduate at UQAM, receives the bursary for her project on three aspects of citizen involvement: organic farming, environmentally responsible habitat and civic engagement in a number of regions of Quebec.

2009-2010

The second edition is launched

The winner is Vincent Galarneau, a Master’s student in anthropology at Université Laval, for his project Guide des pratiques éco-solidaires à la ferme (guide to environmental and communal practices on the farm).

2008-2009

Équiterre and the Caisse d’économie solidaire Desjardins create and launch the Laure Waridel Bursary to recognize Laure Waridel’s exceptional contribution to the advancement of environmental and social issues and to encourage the dissemination of research in Quebec.

February 2009 – The inaugural winner is announced: Julie Guicheteau, a Master’s student in civil engineering majoring in environmental studies, whose project looks at success factors for carrying out sustainable transportation projects.

FAQ

How do I apply?
- The application period for the 2025 edition is now closed. We thank everyone who submitted their project.
  
  A new call for applications for the Laure Waridel Scholarship will be launched in spring 2026. Interested candidates will be invited to complete an online form and provide the required documents, including a résumé, proof of studies, a transcript and a letter of support.
  
  Stay tuned for more information!
What are the eligible topics?
The Laure-Waridel Bursary focuses on the environmental transition involving collective action around the following themes:
- Reducing GHG emissions;
- Reducing waste;
- Farming and eating more sustainably;
- Fostering sustainable mobility;
- Making intelligent land use decisions (development, green spaces, energy, buildings);
- Promoting responsible finance;
- Encouraging citizen mobilization.
What are the eligibility requirements?
To participate, you must:
- Be a Canadian citizen or have permanent resident status;
- Reside in Quebec;
- Be 18 years or over as of June 10, 2025;
- Not have received a bursary from the Desjardins Foundation or the Caisse d’économie solidaire Desjardins in 2024;
- Be a full-time university student or enrolled for at least six months in the fall 2025 session at an institution recognized by the Ministère de l’Éducation et de l’Enseignement supérieur;
- Have received your degree less than a year before applying.
What are the evaluation criteria?

The evaluation criteria are detailed in this PDF document entitled Règlement et critères d’admissibilité (in French).