The Responsible Gambling Council opens applications for its annual $5,000 bursary supporting next-generation harm prevention researchers.
The Responsible Gambling Council has opened applications for its $5,000 Tibor Barsony Bursary, marking another year of investment in Canada's emerging gambling harm prevention researchers. The January 15, 2026 announcement establishes clear eligibility criteria and and application requirements for students pursuing research that could shape the industry's approach to player protection.
The bursary commemorates Tibor Barsony, RGC's founder who transformed gambling harm prevention from a marginalized concern into an industry-wide responsibility. Drawing on personal experience with gambling's destructive potential, Barsony established Canada's first organization specifically targeting gambling-related harm and built coalitions spanning government regulators, operators, treatment providers, and social services.
"Tibor Barsony founded Canada's first organization dedicated to addressing gambling harm, breaking the silence around problem gambling and bringing all stakeholders to the table."
— Sarah McCarthy, Chief Executive Officer of RGC
His advocacy established the regulatory frameworks and research methodologies that continue informing responsible gambling standards across North America.
"This bursary continues his legacy of advocacy and awareness by investing in students who will advance prevention research and protect future generations from gambling-related harm."
— Sarah McCarthy, Chief Executive Officer of RGC
The $5,000 CDN award targets Canadian citizens and permanent residents enrolled on a full-time basis at recognized universities and colleges. Applicants must maintain a minimum "B" average and demonstrate current or intended involvement in gambling harm prevention research.
RGC particularly encourages applications from students in mental health, addictions, public health, and health promotion disciplines, reflecting the organization's commitment to multidisciplinary prevention approaches.
Applications require five core elements:
The January 30, 2026 deadline provides students limited time to compile comprehensive applications demonstrating both academic merit and research potential in harm prevention.
| Component | Word Limit | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Research Proposal | 600 words | Maximum length for research proposal |
| Research Interests Summary | 300 words | Summary of gambling research interests |
| Academic Declaration | 200 words | Academic background declaration |
| CV and Transcripts | No limit | Complete curriculum vitae and academic transcripts |
| Reference Letters | No limit | Two academic reference letters required |
$5,000 CDN
Bursary Award Amount
600 words
Maximum Research Proposal Length
300 words
Research Interests Summary Length
200 words
Academic Declaration Length
16 weeks
Award Duration Period
The selected recipient will receive recognition at Discovery 2026, RGC's premier conference connecting researchers, practitioners, and industry leaders in Toronto from April 14-16. The 16-week award duration spans Fall 2026, allowing recipients to apply funding toward research activities during the academic term.
Jennifer Reynolds, PhD, Associate Director of Research and Knowledge Mobilization, serves as the primary contact for application inquiries and can be reached at [email protected].
Key Dates & Contact
Applications are due January 30, 2026, with the winner announced at Discovery 2026 conference in Toronto (April 14-16). For application inquiries, contact Jennifer Reynolds, PhD, Associate Director of Research and Knowledge Mobilization at [email protected].
The bursary announcement coincides with RGC's expanding influence in Canadian gambling regulation. On February 20, 2026, the Alberta iGaming Corporation announced a partnership making RG Check accreditation mandatory for all internet gaming sites entering Alberta's regulated market, demonstrating the growing integration of RGC's standards into provincial oversight frameworks.
Additionally, with Super Bowl LX approaching on February 9, RGC launched comprehensive resources on February 5, 2026 addressing underage gambling risks, funded through the provincial government's Responsible Internet Gambling Fund. These initiatives reflect the organization's evolution from Barsony's foundational work into a comprehensive prevention authority.
The organization's approach aligns with broader industry trends toward evidence-based harm prevention. Similar concerns about gambling addiction and social stigma have been documented in European markets, where Dutch gambling stigma hinders help-seeking for addiction according to recent research by the Kansspelautoriteit.
The Tibor Barsony Bursary represents more than academic funding – it signals RGC's long-term strategy for developing evidence-based prevention expertise within Canadian institutions. As regulatory frameworks become increasingly sophisticated, operators and policymakers will require research-backed approaches to harm reduction.
The emphasis on multidisciplinary applications suggests recognition that effective prevention requires expertise beyond traditional gambling studies. Students from public health, psychology, and social work backgrounds may bring fresh perspectives to prevention methodologies that have relied heavily on industry-generated data.
For operators, this investment in academic research capacity indicates continued evolution in compliance expectations. As RGC-trained researchers enter regulatory bodies, treatment facilities, and consulting roles, their evidence-based approaches will likely influence future policy development and industry standards across multiple jurisdictions.
Industry Development Insight
RGC's investment in multidisciplinary academic research signals evolving compliance expectations for operators. As RGC-trained researchers enter regulatory bodies and consulting roles, their evidence-based approaches will likely influence future policy development across multiple jurisdictions, moving beyond traditional industry-generated data.
Canadian citizens and permanent residents enrolled full-time at recognized universities and colleges with a minimum 'B' average. Applicants must demonstrate current or intended involvement in gambling harm prevention research.
RGC especially encourages applications from students in mental health, addictions, public health, and health promotion disciplines. This reflects the organization's commitment to multidisciplinary prevention approaches beyond traditional gambling studies.
The selected recipient will receive recognition at Discovery 2026, RGC's premier conference connecting researchers, practitioners, and industry leaders in Toronto from April 14-16. The award spans Fall 2026 for research activities during the academic term.
According to Responsible Gambling Council.
Written by
Maryna ShevchukContent Partnership Manager
Maryna has been part of the We–Right™ Factory team since 2018, working directly with operators, affiliates, and agencies on content planning and delivery. Her background in copywriting gives her a hands-on understanding of iGaming briefs, regulatory nuances, and market-specific requirements. On the blog, Maryna covers client-side content operations and B2B collaboration patterns in the iGaming industry.
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