Student Program
The Canadian Nuclear Association would like to give students an all-expenses paid opportunity to attend our 2025 Conference and Trade Show.
What is the Student Program?
Are you ready to ignite your future in the nuclear sector? The CNA Student Participation Program selects about 100 dedicated students from Canadian post-secondary institutions to attend the CNA Conference and Trade Show each year.
This opportunity goes beyond just attending an event; it’s about building connections with industry professionals, exploring innovations, and discovering diverse career paths. Engage with leaders in the field and gain valuable insights into the future of clean and reliable energy.
The CNA and its members are committed to empowering the next generation of bright minds to tackle global energy challenges. If you’re motivated to make a difference, this is your chance to participate and contribute to a sustainable future!
Frank Saunders Memorial Awards for Nuclear Excellence
This year, CNA is proud to introduce the Frank Saunders Memorial Awards for Nuclear Excellence. Sponsored by Bruce Power and the Nuclear Innovation Institute, these prestigious awards will be presented annually to recognize outstanding contributions in the field. Each of the top five essays addressing the designated essay prompt will receive a one-time cash award of $1,000.
Learn more about Frank Saunders’ work and legacy here.
Eligibility
Am I eligible to apply?
If you are at least 18 years old, currently residing in Canada, and are a registered student at a recognized Canadian post-secondary institution at the time of the event. In that case, you are eligible to submit your application.
What does the Student Program cover?
The Student Program covers grants for transportation (train, plane, bus, taxi, kilometres, or other) and accommodation at the most economical rates. No other travel expenses are eligible.
Application
Am I eligible to apply?
If you are at least 18 years old, currently residing in Canada, and are a registered student at a recognized Canadian post-secondary institution at the time of the event. In that case, you are eligible to submit your application.
What does the Student Program cover?
The Student Program covers grants for transportation (train, plane, bus, taxi, kilometres, or other) and accommodation at the most economical rates. No other travel expenses are eligible.
When will the CNA begin accepting applications?
Applications will open on December 16, 2024.
What is the application deadline?
The deadline for applications is January 31, 2025, at 5:00 PM EST. No applications will be accepted after this deadline.
How do I apply?
On December 16, 2024, the CNA team will post four essay prompts on the CNA2025 website – Student Program page. Students must choose one (1) essay prompt and can submit their response through a video submission OR a written essay.
What are the prompts to choose from?
The four essay prompts will be available on December 16, 2024. Students are required to select only ONE (1) prompt for their application.
How do I submit my application?
The application form will also be accessible starting December 16, 2024. Applicants should fill out the form and upload their video submission OR written essay at the end of the application form. Please ensure that you have read and understood the submission guidelines before applying.
The application form will also require some personal and academic information, so please have these details ready when you start your application.
Will I receive an email confirming that my application has been successfully submitted?
Yes. If not, kindly check your spam folder; if it’s still not there, kindly contact us at conference@cna.ca.
Rules
Submission Guidelines for Written Essay
- Prompt Selection: You must choose only one (1) prompt for your written essay and state which prompt you are using at the beginning of your essay. This will be included in the total word count.
- Submission Format: You can submit your written essay in PDF or Microsoft Word.
- Word Count Requirement: Written essays must be between 300 and 500 words long. Submissions that do not meet this requirement will incur point deductions.
- Entry Limit: Only one entry is permitted per person.
- Original Work Requirement: All essays must be the student’s original work whose name appears on the submission form. Plagiarism will result in immediate disqualification.
- Content Restrictions: We will not accept entries that include profane, vulgar, racist, or otherwise offensive language or any additional inappropriate or unsafe content.
- File Naming Convention: Please name your document file “CNA2025 Written Essay Entry – Your Name (Name of Educational Institution).”
Example: CNA2025 Written Essay Entry – James Campbell (University of Toronto)
Submission Guidelines for Video Essay
- Prompt Selection: You must choose only one (1) prompt for your video essay and state which prompt you are using at the beginning of your video.
- Time Limit: Your video must be a maximum of 2 minutes long and no larger than 20MB. Submissions that exceed these limits will incur point deductions.
- Entry Limit: Only one (1) original video entry is permitted per person.
- Format Recommendation: We recommend that video essays be filmed in landscape mode (horizontally).
- Original Work Requirement: Entries must be your original work. Any submission that includes third-party material, including music, without proper licensing will be disqualified. Plagiarism will result in immediate disqualification.
- Presentation Guidelines: Entrants are encouraged to wear professional attire, limit background noise, and choose a clear, uncluttered background for their videos. However, the content of your video is more important than production quality.
- Content Restrictions: We will not accept entries that contain nudity, profanity, explicit violence, drug use, politically charged messages, images of minors, or any other inappropriate or unsafe content.
- Submission Process: You can submit your application form and upload your video essay only once.
- Uploading Instructions: Please upload your video essay to YouTube and set the visibility to “unlisted” so that the CNA team can access it. Include the YouTube link in your application form.
- File Naming Instructions: Please title your video as “CNA2025 Video Essay Entry – Your Name (Name of Educational Institution)”
Example: CNA2025 Video Essay Entry – Patti Smith (University of Ottawa)
Criteria
What criteria will be used to judge submissions?
Each submission will be evaluated based on the following factors:
- Originality and Creativity: Are you stating your ideas in a completely new way? Are your ideas original, and do they stand out?
- Effectiveness in Responding to the Prompt: How well do you connect your ideas to the chosen essay prompt?
- Clarity and Conciseness: Is your content logically structured with a clear thought process? Can you express your ideas succinctly?
- Impact: Do you use facts, examples, and clear reasoning to support your arguments?
- Presentation: How well is the essay executed? Can you deliver your points in an engaging manner?
- Adherence to Rules: Did you follow the contest rules?
- Technical Skills:
- Written Essay: Grammar, spelling, flow, and vocabulary.
- Video Essay: Communication skills and delivery.
- Wild Card: We also appreciate the passion for the industry and the future of nuclear technology, along with a bit of personality and the fundamentals of good presentation and writing skills.
Who will judge the submissions?
Both written and video essays will be evaluated by an internal committee of CNA staff, who will be focusing on sound ideas and innovative responses.
Are there additional selection criteria?
Yes. If your submission is accepted, we will submit your name to the Deans and Administrators of your academic institution to confirm your eligibility to attend. Your school may restrict your attendance if you are not a student in good standing or for any other reason they deem necessary.
When will winners be notified?
Due to the high volume of entries we receive each year, all participants’ efforts are acknowledged. Winners will be notified by February 2025. Students not selected will still have the option to register at the regular student rate of $400 CAD.
What will happen to the winning video and written submissions?
Ownership of any submission remains with the creator. However, entering this competition grants the Canadian Nuclear Association permission to use, reproduce, transmit, post, distribute, adapt, edit, and/or display the submission without compensation or attribution.
What if I have more questions?
For additional inquiries, please email us at conference@cna.ca.
Student Program Sponsor
We are thrilled to announce that Aecon, the Student Program Sponsor, has generously stepped forward to support our hardworking students. Thanks to their sponsorship, all travel expenses, including flights, hotel accommodations, and transportation, have been fully covered. This incredible contribution ensures our students can focus on making the most of this valuable experience without any financial burden.
Apply for CNA's
Student Program
Please review the following prompts to frame the subject of your written or video essay.
Once you are ready, please submit your application using our online application form.
Entrants are required to choose only ONE (1) prompt for their application. *
Option 1:
How has Canada shown itself a global first mover in developing and deploying Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)?
Option 2:
Some critics view nuclear energy as unsustainable and expensive to build; how would you respond to these critics?
Option 3:
What policies or programs could the Federal and Provincial governments implement to ensure Canada’s nuclear energy sector has a growing and sustainable supply of skilled workers?
Option 4:
How can the industry and policymakers address public concerns on nuclear waste management and disposal, and what communication methods are crucial to promote transparency and trust?
We'd Love to Hear From You
