Bursary Program
The Maureen McCauley Bursary
OMAA established a Bursary program in 2015. It was renamed after former OMAA Executive Director Maureen McCauley, the primary driver of its creation, by the Board of Directors in 2023.
OMAA is delighted to announce that the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) has recently become an equal partner on this initiative. AMO is actively engaged in developing initiatives to help municipal employers with recruitment and retention under its Workforce Development Project. This commitment is another step AMO is taking to engage Ontario’s municipal employers and employees, municipal staff associations, and post-secondary sector partners to attract the next generation of community builders for careers in the municipal sector.
The Maureen McCauley Bursary now offers two $5,000 bursaries annually to support the education of future municipal government leaders and to:
- Raise the profile regarding the benefits of municipal careers
- Promote the profession of CAO
- Provide an opportunity for OMAA Members to assist students interested in a local government future with the financing of their schooling
The opportunity for this Bursary is available to any student in a post secondary program meeting the following criteria:
- Is a student residing in Ontario
- Has completed at least one year of an Ontario university or an Ontario community college program that has the potential to lead to a municipal government career.
- Has submitted a completed Application Form accompanied by the noted requirements before end of day September 30.
Selection Process
Applicants must provide the following before end of day September 30:
- A complete Application Form
- A detailed resume
- A 2-3 minute video describing the significance of municipal government service delivery and the value of professional management from your personal point of view.
- Proof of successful completion of at least one year of post-secondary study
The Awards Committee will assess all submissions under approved evaluation criteria. The candidate with the highest aggregate score will be declared the winner.
The successful candidate will be advised of their award in October. Bursary funds will be made available to the successful applicant shortly thereafter. Although not mandatory, successful candidates will be invited to attend the OMAA Fall Workshop virtually or in person to receive their bursary award.
2024 OMAA Bursary Award Recipients
2023 OMAA Bursary Award Recipient
Coverage of Gracee's win in Soo Today.