Applications to the Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarship Program (QES) Now Open

Applications to the Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarship Program (QES) are now open!

The Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarship program (QES) develops the next generation of innovative leaders and community builders by providing enriched academic, professionals and cross-cultural experiences that have a measurable impact in communities around the world. Projects will support international study, research or internships for Canadian students and/or scholarships for incoming international graduate students to study or conduct research.

This call for proposals supports projects that focus on adaptation, response and resilience to a changing climate. In particular, QES 2025 will support projects that focus on the adaptation, response and resilience to a changing climate. This includes (but is not limited to) projects focused on biodiversity; agriculture; energy; climate and public health; economic impacts of climate change; air quality; community resilience; education; ecosystems; and water quality.

Approximately $6,000,000 CAD is available through this competition. Canadian universities, colleges, cégeps, polytechnics and institutes of technology are invited to submit multi-year project proposals seeking funding up to $300,000 CAD. Each Canadian postsecondary institution may submit one proposal to the competition. 

Projects will support international study, research or internships for outbound Canadian students and/or study and research scholarships for incoming international graduate students to study or conduct research. All QES funded activities must be for academic credit/recognition.

As institutions must submit its application through a central institutional account and each institution is to submit one application, the Office of International Affairs (OIA) will coordinate the McMaster submission in collaboration with the International Strategic Advisory Committee (ISAC).

Please note:

• Concept note submission deadline: Friday, 3 May, 2024 to Adelina Sylaj (sylaja@mcmaster.ca) (template can be found here)
• Adjudication and selection of one application: OIA, in collaboration with the International Strategic Advisory Committee (ISAC), will adjudicate concept notes. OIA will communicate results with applicants on Wednesday, 8 May 2024.
• Internal application submission deadline: Friday, 24 May, 2024 to Adelina Sylaj (sylaja@mcmaster.ca) (includes the application components, budget form, Grant Approval Application Form)
• External submission deadline: Friday, 7 June, 2024. Application will be submitted by the OIA in collaboration with the main applicant.

Key takeaways of QES:

• Postsecondary institutions that are members of Universities Canada or Colleges and Institutes Canada may submit a multi-year proposal to the QES program seeking funding up to $300,000 CAD.
• QES 2025 will support projects that focus on the adaptation, response, and resilience to a changing climate. Priority will be given to projects that focus on diversity and inclusion and result in a strengthened impact to local and global communities by young leaders.
• All funded activities must be completed by December 31, 2028.
• Canadian postsecondary institutions may partner on a joint proposal however each institution may be the lead applicant on only one submission.
• Projects will support international study, research, or internships for Canadian students and/or scholarships for incoming international graduate students to study or do research in Canada.
• All QES funded activities must be for academic credit/recognition.
• Applications must demonstrate a partnership between a Canadian postsecondary institution and a partner institution/organization in at least one of the eligible countries.
• The program will require all scholars to participate in leadership development, networking, and community engagement activities.

Kindly click here to download the guidelines, including the marking breakdown, funding allocation, sample activities, eligibility checklist, and additional information.

For any questions beyond the FAQs, please reach out to Adelina Sylaj in the Office of International Affairs (sylaja@mcmaster.ca).