FAQ

ATIO Foundation

What is the Foundation of the Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario?

The Foundation, also known as "FondATIO", is our way of supporting the next generation of language professionals in Ontario.

Since 2001, the Foundation, under the guidance of a volunteer board of directors made up of members of ATIO and the general public, has been awarding scholarships, achievement awards and research grants to students completing a university program in translation or interpretation in Ontario at the University of Ottawa, York University’s Glendon College or Hearst University. Awards were also made to students at Laurentian University in Sudbury until its translation program was dropped in 2003. The Foundation has awarded approximately $80,000 to date to students in the language professions in Ontario.

The ATIO Foundation’s primary role is to help with succession planning for the professions that fall within ATIO’s areas of jurisdiction: translation, conference interpretation, court interpretation and terminology. The annual $1000 scholarships and $500 achievement awards are generated mainly from donations by ATIO members. The scholarships are given out in the fall to deserving students in the above-mentioned disciplines, and the achievement awards, timed to coincide with spring graduation, provide an extra boost to some of the best graduating students in translation and interpretation. Recipients are recommended by the appropriate university authorities and approved, following review, by the ATIO Foundation’s awards committee.

Members also contribute to the Creighton Douglas Scholarship, established in tribute to the memory of Creighton Douglas, a long-time active member of ATIO who served as the Association’s Treasurer for many years. This endowed scholarship, which now stands at $8,200, is awarded each year to a student in translation, interpretation or terminology at the University of Ottawa.

Your contribution to the ATIO Foundation will help provide financial assistance to a student who wants to become a language professional. A gift to the Foundation is the best way to help students make their aspirations a reality.



Pascal Sabourin, C. Tran. (Canada)
President
ATIO Foundation