The Gordon Henderson Fund

The PTIEF administers the Gordon Henderson Fund. Its mission is to promote diversity and inclusion by helping remove barriers to access and offer financial support to deserving individuals from under-represented groups who wish to pursue educational opportunities in the field of IP.

In 2023, IPIC partnered with Indspire an Indigenous national charity that invests in the education of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people for the long-term benefit of these individuals, their families and communities, and Canada.  The Gordon Henderson Fund is funding a bursary for indigenous students.

This award is to be distributed to Indigenous students enrolled any Canadian post-secondary institution across Canada [i.e. College, University, technical college or apprenticeship program] pursuing studies in STEM, Industrial Design, Business and AI. A demonstrated financial need will be the primary consideration however, other factors may also be considered such as interest in the field of intellectual property, involvement in and contribution to the community as a whole; and demonstrated academic merit and performance.

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Peter McBurney Fund

The Peter W. McBurney Fund was founded in 2023.  Peter W. McBurney was a member of the IPIC for 62 years and Past President of IPIC from 1985-1986. In 2015, he became one of the founders of Aird & McBurney, a leading Canadian intellectual property boutique and sister firm to Aird & Berlis LLP where he remained a valued and active colleague until his passing. In addition to his multi-year involvement in the Professional Engineers Ontario and AIPPI, Peter served on the IPIC Board of Directors, for over 7 years.

The goal for the fund is to contribute annually to an IP Charity or University research project with a focus on IP.  The PTIEF trustees will decide each year which research project or charity to make the donation to, based on input from IPIC staff, the Peter McBurney Award of Excellence Winner, or donors who would have input for consideration by the trustees.