Maple Leaf Research Award
The Actuarial Foundation of Canada (AFC) is pleased to announce the 2022–2023 Maple Leaf Research Award (MLRA). The goal of the MLRA is to encourage and support graduate and undergraduate students in their actuarial and mathematics careers. The award has been funded by a generous gift from Joe Cheng.
This is the second time that the MLRA has been offered. The first winner was Zhouxuan (Vanessa) Wu at the University of Waterloo for her paper entitled “On the Comparison of Distribution-Free Chain Ladder Reserve Estimates and Risk Adjustment Under the Framework of IFRS 17.”
Award Guidelines
The AFC will award the MLRA to the paper that best promotes the actuarial profession, brings value to society, and displays rigorous research attributes. There are no constraints on the choice of topic. The MLRA would also like to encourage participation of graduate and undergraduate students in the research, as well as connections to the industry (internships, partnerships, etc.).
Eligible papers must have been published (or accepted for publication) in an independent, peer‐reviewed journal.
The AFC reserves the right to award the full prize to one candidate or share the award between two candidates. The AFC will accept input from a winning team if the AFC determines that the award should be shared among several team members.
Applications
The application process has two steps:
- paper submission
- oral presentation
Paper submission: Send a two-page letter and link to the published paper to mapleleafaward@afc-fac.ca. In the letter, please summarize the paper’s findings and the potential impact on society, and explain why this paper promotes the actuarial profession and brings value to society. If the paper is not yet online, please attach the paper to the email along with proof of acceptance by the journal. Deadline: March 31, 2023.
Oral presentation: Authors of selected papers will be invited to present their work in a 30-minute online presentation to a jury made up of academics and practitioners. Communication skills will be a critical evaluation component. More details to come.
Communication with the AFC
Questions about the MLRA, as well as submissions, should be directed to the AFC at mapleleafaward@afc-fac.ca.
Equality of Opportunity Scholarship
In 2021, the Actuarial Foundation of Canada (AFC) established its Equality of Opportunity Fund (EOS) to promote diversity in the actuarial, mathematics & statistics, data management and computer science professions. The EOS Fund will provide scholarships to eligible Canadian students facing financial and societal barriers to attending their intended university or college program.
Annual scholarships of (approximately) $4,000 (University) and $2,000 (College) will be awarded to successful applicants for the duration of the student’s program, to a maximum of 4 years, provided that they meet the eligibility criteria of the EOS Fund, as described below:
- Resident Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) Canadian student.
- Accepted as a full-time student at a Canadian college or university.
- Intent on pursuing a post-secondary degree in actuarial science, mathematics, statistics, data management or computer science program.
- Minimum grade of 2.8 (on maximum GPA of 4) or equivalent.
Each year, the recipients of the scholarships will be chosen based on the selection criteria. To qualify each student will have had to apply or be accepted into a Canadian university program leading to a degree in one of the eligible disciplines listed above.
The EOS Fund is administered by the AFC. The AFC issues tax receipts, invests and manages all charitable donations to the fund, promotes the award among the actuarial community, and administers the annual distribution of the scholarships.
AFC Equality Scholarship Application
Any questions can be sent to equalityopportunityscholarship@afc-fac.ca.
The Hugh G. White Memorial Scholarship
In 2011, in memory of Hugh G. White, his family, friends, and colleagues established a fund with the Actuarial Foundation of Canada (AFC) to provide two annual scholarships to high school students entering an actuarial science or mathematics program at a Canadian university. The first scholarships were presented in the fall of the 2011–2012 academic year.
Hugh was a prominent actuary with Eckler, which he joined in 1999. Hugh consulted in the property and casualty practice, was head of the financial services group, and served on Eckler’s board of directors. Prior to joining Eckler, he spent 31 years with Zurich, where his positions included head of underwriting and risk management, chief financial officer, and chief actuary.
Throughout this career, Hugh devoted a great deal of time and energy as a volunteer in the work of the actuarial community. At the time of his death, he was the Secretary-Treasurer of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries and a Director Emeritus of the AFC. These were only two in a long list of volunteer positions Hugh undertook, demonstrating his great willingness to help the profession evolve and improve.
Hugh was instrumental in the development of the AFC. One of its missions is to promote youth awareness and education in mathematics and financial matters. This memorial scholarship represents the very things that Hugh held dear: the love for his profession, excellence, and education. This award will promote these qualities among young students with a passion for mathematics and is a meaningful way to honour Hugh’s countless volunteer hours to the profession.
The fund is administered by the AFC. The foundation issues tax receipts, invests and manages all charitable donations for the fund, promotes the award among the actuarial community, and administers the annual distribution of the two scholarships. Each year, the two recipients of the scholarships are chosen from the high school Hugh attended, London Central Secondary School, and from the high school Hugh’s three children attended, Erin District High School.
The Hugh White Memorial Scholarship is presented annually to the graduating student from each of these schools with the highest mathematics marks. To qualify each student will have had to apply or be accepted into a Canadian university program leading to a degree in actuarial science, mathematics, statistics, or computer science.
Past recipients of this award are:
- Camille DeThomasis, Ann Wright (2020)
- Siyu Tang, Ranen Oomen-Dancker (2019)
- Melissa Bill, Riley Benville (2018)
- Linda Luo, Emma Bottomley (2017)
- Josh King, Jacob Nelson (2016)
- Steve Wan, Courtney Jones (2015)
- Bill Lui, Andrew McEwen (2014)
- Franco Quan (2013)
- Jay Woo, Derek Ratz (2012)
- Matt Boyd, Jonathan Beverley (2011)
2011 award recipient - Matt Boyd
Memorial Actuarial Aboriginal Scholarship
In 2013, with help from the Actuarial Foundation of Canada, the Actuarial Foundation (US) established a trust fund of $100,000 US at the University of Manitoba, again in memory of James C.H. Anderson. The Manitoba Scholarship and Bursary Initiative also contributed to this scholarship. This renewable scholarship will be offered to an undergraduate student who :
- Is Aboriginal (Status, Non Status, Metis, Inuit);
- Is enrolled full time (minimum 24 credit hours) in any year of study at the I.H. Asper School of Business, the faculty of Science, or University 1;
- Has indicated his/her intent to pursue undergraduate studies in actuarial mathematics.
In years where no suitable candidate exists, the scholarship will be directed to the James C. H. Anderson Bursary, as per the donor’s wish.
The James C.H. Anderson Memorial Actuarial Scholarship Recipients:
- Cassandra Phaneuf (2020)
- Cassandra Phaneuf (2019)
- Cassandra Phaneuf (2018)
- Cassandra Phaneuf (2017)
- Dylan Allary (2016)
- Dylan Allary (2015)
- Christian Torfason (2014)
- Christian Torfason (2013)
James C.H. Anderson Bursary
In 2005, in conjunction with the Actuarial Foundation (our sister organization in the US), the Actuarial Foundation of Canada facilitated a contribution of $100,000 to provide bursary support to actuarial students in the Asper School of Business and faculty of science at the University of Manitoba, in memory of James C.H. Anderson (BA/52). The Manitoba Scholarship and Bursary Initiative matched the contribution, thus establishing a fund of $200,000.
Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, James C.H. Anderson began his actuarial career by working for two insurance companies in his hometown while attending the University of Manitoba. Upon graduation he moved to the United States where he assumed subsequent positions of increasing responsibility throughout his 40 years of service in the insurance industry.
Three bursaries, each valued at one-third of the available annual interest, will be offered annually to undergraduate students who:
- are enrolled full-time (minimum 24 credit hours) in their second year of a four-year undergraduate program at the University of Manitoba, leading to either a
- Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) with a declared major in Actuarial Mathematics through the Asper School of Business, or
- Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Actuarial Mathematics (single or joint Honours program), through the Faculty of Science;
- have achieved a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0; and
- have demonstrated financial need on the standard University of Manitoba bursary application form.
- 2020-21 Three students received the bursary
- 2019-20 One student received the bursary
- 2018-19 One student received the bursary
- 2017-18 Two students received the bursary
- 2016-17 Three students received the bursary
- 2015-16 Three students received the bursary
- 2014-2015: Three Science students received the bursary
- 2013-2014: One actuarial Asper student and two actuarial science students
- 2012-2013: Three actuarial science students received the bursary
- 2011-2012: One actuarial Asper student and two Science students
- 2010-2011: Three actuarial students
- 2009-2010: Three actuarial students
- 2008-2009: Three actuarial students
- 2006-2007: Six actuarial students
Girl Guides of Canada (GGC) Scholarships
The Girl Guides of Canada’s National Scholarship program has been supporting its members for more than 30 years as they pursue their educational goals and rewarding career opportunities. The AFC is proud to contribute to three scholarships for graduating female students pursuing post-secondary education in a mathematics-related program.
To be eligible for the AFC scholarship, applicants must:
- Be a member of GGC,
- Be continuing their GGC membership in the upcoming year and remain an active participant,
- Be enrolled or enrolling in a recognized post-secondary institution which includes university, college or vocational school,
- Not be a past GGC National Scholarship,
- Be pursuing a post-secondary degree in actuarial science, mathematics, statistics or computer science.