Killam Trusts

THE KILLAM TRUSTS The Killam Trusts were established in 1965 after the death of Mrs. Dorothy J. Killam, the vivacious wife of Izaak Walton Killam, a legendary 20th Century Canadian business figure. Mr. Killam died in 1955, but before his death he and his wife discussed in extensive detail a scholarship plan, on which the Killam Trusts were founded.

The Killam benefactions went to five Canadian universities: University of British Columbia, University of Calgary, University of Alberta, Montreal Neurological Institute at McGill University and Dalhousie University. The Canada Council for the Arts also received Killam funds. The Council's Killam Research Fellowships are open to professors from all Canadian universities. The Council’s $100,000 Killam Prizes in Health Sciences, Natural Sciences, Engineering, Social Sciences and Humanities, recognize lifetime contributions and are among Canada's most prestigious awards in these fields.

In the words of Mrs. Killam's Will:

"My purpose in establishing the Killam Trusts is to help in the building of Canada's future by encouraging advanced study. Thereby I hope, in some measure, to increase the scientific and scholastic attainments of Canadians, to develop and expand the work of Canadian universities, and to promote sympathetic understanding between Canadians and the peoples of other countries."

The gifts from the Killam Trusts have helped numerous graduate and post graduate students in their studies in Canada. It is safe to say that the scholastic world owes a great deal to the Killam's legacy.