High school nomination process

Your high school appoints a representative to spearhead the nomination process and submit a nominee online.

Contact us if you are not already on our electronic mailing list and we will email you the link

Nomination deadline is January 28, 2026

To access promotional posters to display at your school, click on the following links:

English French

To access a PowerPoint file to display on hallway monitors, click on the following links:

English French

Nomination deadline is January 28, 2026

Every high school in Canada can nominate one graduating student per academic year.  Cégeps can nominate four. If your school had a 2025 Schulich Leader, you can nominate two students.

Student eligibility criteria:
• Graduate high school or cégep in Canada in the 2025/2026 academic year
• Canadian citizen
• Plan to enroll in an eligible STEM program at one of our partner universities
• Meet the following criteria:
1. Entrepreneurial-minded (Exhibiting leadership, charisma, and creativity)
2. Strong consideration will be given to students with financial need
3. intend to pursue a career in one or more of the following focus areas:
a) Technology;
b) Engineering;
c) Entrepreneurship and business enterprise;
d) Applied scientific research.

We are NOT considering students who:
• Focus on activism (environmental/political/social)
• Intend to become a practicing physician and/or medical researcher (e.g. Doctor, Dentist, Nurse, Psychologist, Pharmacist, Optometrist, etc.)
• Intend to pursue a career in academia or conduct theoretical research

The nomination form requires:
• Name and contact information of your school
• Name and contact information of your school’s nominee

All nominations are verified by the Schulich Leader Scholarships office. Once a nomination is verified, the student is emailed a link to the scholarship application.

Have your school contact us if they have not received the link to the nomination form.

Nomination deadline is January 28, 2026

The online application includes:
• Contact information for two Referees who will upload reference letters in support of the nomination
Note: Referees will receive an email to an online reference request form after the nominee submits their completed scholarship application. All letters of reference and scholarship applications must be completed and received by the February 18, 2026 deadline.
Reference letter guidelines: Letters should be no longer than one page in length and addressed to the “Schulich Leader Scholarships Selection Committee”
• The universities they wish to attend
• Their top three achievements (academic or other) – 50 words maximum per achievement
• Short answer to convey their career aspirations 10 years from now – 50 words maximum
• Essay highlighting what they’re passionate about – 250 words maximum
• Essay highlighting how they demonstrate an entrepreneurial-mindset (including leadership, charisma and creativity) – 250 words maximum
• Essay highlighting what makes them an ideal candidate for this award – 250 words maximum
• Optional essay to outline extenuating circumstances – 250 words maximum
• One-minute video upload
• Copy of up-to-date transcript, credit counsel summary or detailed academic report
• Headshot profile image for publicity

Scholarship application deadline, including reference letters, is February 18, 2026

Universities select their Schulich Leader Scholarship recipients using their own rubric and adjudication committee.

Winners confirmed: March 7 – June 15, 2026