Scholarships and Funding for Women in STEM in Canada

Women remain significantly underrepresented in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) in Canada. Despite steady progress over the past two decades, women still make up fewer than one in four engineering undergraduates and are underrepresented in computer science, physics, and many technology-sector roles. The gap is even wider for women who are Indigenous, Black, disabled, or from other equity-deserving groups.

The good news is that this underrepresentation has produced a substantial landscape of scholarships, bursaries, grants, and programs designed specifically to support women pursuing STEM education in Canada. From Canada's largest undergraduate STEM scholarship to industry-funded programs from Google, Shopify, and Microsoft, there are more opportunities for women in STEM than most students realize.

The challenge is that these opportunities are scattered across dozens of organizations, institutions, and companies. Many students never hear about them, and those who do often do not apply because they underestimate their own eligibility.

This guide catalogs every major scholarship, bursary, and funding program available to women in STEM in Canada. Whether you are a high school student choosing a university program, an undergraduate looking for financial support, or a graduate student pursuing research, this guide will help you find every opportunity available to you.

Schulich Leader Scholarships

The Schulich Leader Scholarships are the largest and most prestigious STEM scholarships in Canada, awarded annually to 100 high school graduates entering STEM programs at 20 partner universities across the country.

Award Values

• $120,000 for students entering engineering programs (paid over four years)
• $100,000 for students entering science, technology, or mathematics programs (paid over four years)

These are among the highest-value undergraduate scholarships in the country, and they cover tuition, living expenses, and more.

How It Works

The Schulich Leader Scholarships use a nomination-based system:

1. Each eligible high school in Canada can nominate one graduating student per year
2. Nominees must be entering their first year of an undergraduate STEM program at one of 20 partner universities
3. Nominees complete an online application (for the 2026/27 cycle, the deadline was February 18, 2026)
4. A selection committee reviews applications and selects 100 winners

Why This Matters for Women in STEM

While the Schulich Leader Scholarships are not exclusively for women, they are explicitly designed to support entrepreneurial-minded students entering STEM. The selection criteria emphasize leadership, community engagement, and academic excellence -- not just grades. Women who are active in extracurriculars, community service, or entrepreneurial projects should absolutely pursue a nomination.

Partner Universities (2026)

The 20 partner universities include major institutions across Canada such as the University of British Columbia, University of Toronto, McGill University, University of Waterloo, McMaster University, Queen's University, Western University, University of Calgary, Dalhousie University, and Memorial University of Newfoundland, among others.

How to Get Nominated

Talk to your high school guidance counsellor or principal about the Schulich Leader nomination process. Schools can only nominate one student, so express your interest early. Nominations for the 2027/28 cycle will open in the fall of 2026.

Google Scholarships for Women in STEM

Google operates several scholarship programs that support women pursuing computer science and technology degrees, including programs available to Canadian students.

Generation Google Scholarship (Canada and US)

The Generation Google Scholarship supports students from groups historically underrepresented in technology, with a focus on women and other underrepresented groups in computing.

Key Details:

• Award amount: $5,000 CAD for students studying in Canada
• Eligibility: Students enrolled in or accepted to a computer science, computer engineering, or closely related program at a Canadian university
• Selection criteria: Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion; demonstrated leadership; academic performance
• Includes: Invitation to attend the Annual Google Scholars Retreat in Mountain View, California, providing networking and professional development opportunities

Google Women Techmakers Scholars Program

The Women Techmakers Scholars Program provides financial support specifically for women pursuing degrees in computer science, gaming, or related technical fields.

Key Details:

• Award: Academic scholarship (amount varies by year and region)
• Eligibility: Women enrolled in undergraduate or graduate computer science or technology programs at accredited institutions, including Canadian universities
• Additional benefits: Access to the Women Techmakers community, mentorship, retreat invitation, and connections to a global network of women in tech
• Contact: WTMScholars@google.com for current application details

How to Apply

Visit buildyourfuture.withgoogle.com/scholarships for current application information, deadlines, and eligibility criteria. Applications typically open in the fall for the following academic year.

Shopify Dev Degree Program

Shopify's Dev Degree program is not a traditional scholarship, but it represents one of the most financially generous opportunities for students pursuing computer science in Canada, with particular relevance for women interested in technology careers.

Program Overview

Dev Degree is a work-integrated learning program that combines a Computer Science degree at a partner university with hands-on work experience at Shopify. The program effectively eliminates the financial barrier to a CS degree.

Key Details:

• Financial value: Up to $160,000 covering tuition plus a competitive salary and paid vacation
• Duration: 3 to 4 years to complete a full Computer Science degree
• Work experience: Over 3,800 hours of hands-on engineering experience at Shopify
• Academic credits: Students receive academic credits for their work at Shopify
• Partner universities: Carleton University and York University

Application Timeline

Applications for the 2026 cohort opened December 1, 2025, and closed February 13, 2026. You must also apply to and be accepted by Carleton University or York University for Fall 2026.

Why This Matters for Women

While the Dev Degree program is open to all qualified applicants, Shopify has made significant commitments to diversity in technology. The program's combination of financial support, mentorship, and professional experience addresses many of the barriers that disproportionately affect women entering the tech industry.

Microsoft Women at Microsoft Scholarship

The Women at Microsoft (WAM) Scholarship is designed to support the next generation of women and non-binary individuals pursuing technology careers.

Award Details

• Amount: $5,000 USD (one-time award)
• Number of awards: 26 scholarships awarded annually
• Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors who identify as women or non-binary individuals and are pursuing undergraduate degrees in technology-related fields
• Additional benefits: Access to Microsoft mentorship programs with experienced professionals, and networking opportunities within the Microsoft community

What "Technology-Related Fields" Includes

The scholarship covers a broad range of STEM disciplines including computer science, computer engineering, software engineering, data science, information technology, and related technical fields.

How to Apply

Visit microsoft.com/en-us/diversity/women-at-microsoft-scholarship for the current application portal, deadlines, and requirements. Applications typically open in the spring for the following academic year.

Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Scholarships

The Society of Women Engineers offers one of the largest scholarship programs in North America for women in engineering and technology, with many awards open to Canadian students.

Program Overview

SWE awards hundreds of scholarships each year through a single application. Students submit one application and are automatically considered for every scholarship they qualify for.

Key Details:

• Award amounts: Range from $1,000 to $15,000+, with some multi-year awards
• Number of awards: SWE awards over $1 million in scholarships annually across hundreds of individual awards
• Eligibility: Women enrolled in or accepted to ABET-accredited or equivalent engineering, computer science, or technology programs; many awards are open to students at Canadian institutions that offer accredited engineering programs
• Application cycle: One application per year, typically opening in the fall

Types of SWE Scholarships

• Freshman scholarships: For students entering their first year of engineering
• Sophomore, junior, and senior scholarships: For continuing students
• Graduate scholarships: For women pursuing master's or doctoral degrees in engineering
• Re-entry scholarships: For women returning to engineering after a career break

The re-entry scholarships are particularly notable -- they recognize that women's career paths in engineering are often non-linear and that returning to the field after time away is a strength, not a weakness.

How to Apply

Visit swe.org/scholarships for the current application. The single application automatically matches you to every scholarship you qualify for.

NSERC Programs for Women in Science and Engineering

The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) operates several programs specifically designed to increase the participation of women in science and engineering.

Chairs for Women in Science and Engineering (CWSE)

The CWSE program funds five regional Chair positions across Canada -- one each for the Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario, Prairie, and British Columbia regions. Each Chair works to:

• Increase the participation of women in science and engineering
• Provide role models for women considering STEM careers
• Develop programs and initiatives that support women at all stages of the STEM pipeline

While the CWSE Chairs do not directly fund individual students, the programs and networks they build create opportunities for mentorship, networking, and career development that benefit women in STEM.

NSERC and L'Oreal-UNESCO For Women in Science Supplement

This program provides a $10,000 supplement ($5,000 from NSERC and $5,000 from L'Oreal Canada) to one successful female recipient of a Canadian Postdoctoral Research Award (CPRA) each year. While limited in scope, this award recognizes excellence in scientific research by women.

NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA)

While not exclusively for women, NSERC USRAs provide $7,500 for a 16-week research experience for undergraduate students in the natural sciences and engineering. These awards are an excellent entry point for undergraduate women interested in research careers.

WISEST Recognition

Women in Scholarship, Engineering, Science, and Technology (WISEST) at the University of Alberta received the NSERC Award for Science Promotion, along with $25,000, recognizing its work in engaging and empowering women in STEM. WISEST programs serve as a model for similar initiatives across Canada.

Actua: National Girls Program

Actua is Canada's largest STEM outreach organization, reaching over 350,000 young people annually through a national network of member organizations at universities and colleges across the country.

The National Girls Program

Actua's National Girls Program is one of the longest-running STEM equity programs in Canada, now over twenty years old:

• 25,000 girls participate in all-girls programs each year
• 225,000 participate in other Actua programs
• Programs include science clubs, day camps, overnight camps, conferences, career fairs, and special events
• Led by instructors who serve as role models and mentors for girls in STEM
• Programs welcome gender-diverse youth, including cis girls, trans girls, non-binary youth, and gender non-conforming youth

How Actua Connects to Funding

While Actua does not directly provide scholarships, participation in Actua programs:

• Builds the STEM skills and confidence that strengthen scholarship applications
• Connects students to mentors and networks in STEM fields
• Provides experiences and achievements that can be highlighted in scholarship applications
• Creates awareness of STEM career paths and the funding available to pursue them

Getting Involved

Visit actua.ca to find programs in your community. Actua's 2026 outreach team is currently being recruited, with positions available for undergraduate students in STEM fields.

Canadian Women in STEM Scholarship (FIRST Robotics Canada)

FIRST Canada and the Murai family offer the Canadian Women in STEM Award, a scholarship designed to encourage and support high school girls pursuing post-secondary STEM education.

Award Details

• Amount: $10,000
• Eligibility: High school students who have participated in a FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) or FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) team in Canada
• Purpose: Supporting the transition from STEM extracurricular involvement to post-secondary STEM studies

Why This Matters

If you are involved in robotics competitions through FIRST, this scholarship directly rewards that involvement. Students who participate in FRC and FTC teams develop hands-on engineering, programming, and teamwork skills that are exactly what scholarship committees look for.

Alberta Women in STEM Scholarship

The Government of Alberta offers a dedicated Women in STEM Scholarship for women pursuing post-secondary education in STEM fields in Alberta.

Key Details

• Administered by the Alberta government through Alberta.ca
• Designed to support women entering or continuing STEM programs at Alberta post-secondary institutions
• The intake for the 2025-26 academic year is now closed; scholarships are expected to reopen in September 2026 for the 2026-27 academic year

How to Apply

Visit alberta.ca/women-in-stem-scholarship when the next intake opens. Alberta residents pursuing STEM programs at Alberta institutions should watch for the September 2026 application window.

University-Specific Women in STEM Awards

Beyond national programs, virtually every Canadian university with a STEM faculty offers scholarships and bursaries specifically for women in engineering, science, technology, and mathematics. These institutional awards are often among the least competitive scholarships available because many eligible students do not apply.

Major University Programs

University of Waterloo Waterloo's Faculty of Engineering offers numerous awards for women, including entrance scholarships and in-course awards. The university's co-op program also provides significant earning potential that offsets education costs.

University of Toronto U of T Engineering offers dedicated awards for women in engineering, including entrance scholarships, in-course bursaries, and research awards. The Department of Computer Science also offers women-specific funding.

University of British Columbia UBC Engineering and Science offer multiple awards targeting women, including the Leah Macfadyen Award and various faculty-specific bursaries.

McGill University McGill Engineering offers entrance scholarships and in-course awards for women, with additional support through the McGill Engineering Undergraduate Society's equity initiatives.

McMaster University McMaster's Faculty of Engineering offers several women-specific awards, including the Lillian Chicken Memorial Award and various department-specific scholarships.

Queen's University Queen's Engineering has a strong women-in-engineering program with associated scholarship funding.

Carleton University Carleton's Department of Systems and Computer Engineering and other STEM departments offer awards specifically for women.

Ontario Tech University The Women for STEM Fund provides financial support for women in STEM programs at Ontario Tech.

How to Find University-Specific Awards

1. Check your institution's financial aid or awards database -- most have searchable databases where you can filter by gender and program
2. Visit the women in engineering or women in science office at your institution
3. Ask your department or faculty office about awards you may not see in the general database
4. Browse the FundMyCourse scholarship database for women-in-STEM awards at your institution

Industry-Funded Programs and Internships

Beyond direct scholarships, many technology and engineering companies in Canada offer funded programs, internships, and initiatives that support women in STEM.

De Beers Group Women in STEM Scholarship

De Beers Group offers renewable scholarships to women entering their first year of a STEM-related program at recognized Canadian post-secondary institutions. The scholarship is renewable, providing multi-year support.

Engineering and Technology Company Programs

Many companies offer paid internship programs, mentorship initiatives, and professional development opportunities specifically for women in STEM:

• Major banks (RBC, TD, Scotiabank) offer technology internship programs with diversity commitments
• Telecommunications companies (Bell, Telus, Rogers) offer engineering and technology programs
• Mining and resource companies often offer scholarships and internships for women in engineering
• Consulting firms (Deloitte, Accenture, McKinsey) offer technology and engineering programs with gender diversity goals

Professional Engineering Organizations

Provincial engineering associations and related organizations often offer scholarships for women:

• Engineers Canada promotes diversity in the profession and connects to funding opportunities
• Provincial professional engineering associations (PEO, APEGA, EGBC, etc.) often have scholarship programs
• Advancing Women in Engineering and Technology (womeninengtech.ca) maintains a comprehensive list of STEM scholarships and bursaries for women

Graduate Funding for Women in STEM

Women pursuing graduate degrees in STEM have access to additional funding sources beyond those available to undergraduates.

NSERC Graduate Scholarships

NSERC offers several graduate scholarships that, while not exclusively for women, are designed to support the best graduate students in the natural sciences and engineering:

• Canada Graduate Scholarships - Master's (CGS-M): $17,500 for one year
• Canada Graduate Scholarships - Doctoral (CGS-D): $35,000 per year for three years
• NSERC Postgraduate Scholarships: $21,000 (master's) or $21,000 (doctoral) per year

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

The Vanier CGS is one of Canada's most prestigious graduate awards, providing $50,000 per year for three years to doctoral students. While not exclusively for women, the Vanier explicitly values diversity and inclusion in its selection criteria.

University-Specific Graduate Awards

Most universities offer additional graduate awards for women in STEM, including:

• Departmental scholarships for women in specific STEM disciplines
• Research assistantships with faculty members working on gender equity in STEM
• Teaching assistantships with STEM outreach programs

Provincial and Federal Government Funding

In addition to NSERC programs, other government funding sources support women in STEM.

Provincial Student Aid

All provincial student aid programs (OSAP, StudentAid BC, Alberta Student Aid, etc.) are available to women in STEM on the same basis as all other students. For detailed information about your province's student aid program, see our provincial guides:

• Ontario Student Funding Guide
• BC Student Funding Guide
• Alberta Student Funding Guide
• Quebec Student Funding Guide

Use the FundMyCourse Funding Calculator to estimate your total student aid package.

Canada Student Grants

The Canada Student Grants program provides non-repayable grants based on financial need, family income, and disability status. These grants are administered through provincial student aid programs and are available to women in STEM on the same basis as other students.

Step-by-Step Scholarship Strategy for Women in STEM

Here is a practical strategy to maximize your scholarship funding as a woman in STEM:

Step 1: Start in Grade 11 (18+ Months Before University)

• Talk to your guidance counsellor about the Schulich Leader nomination
• Get involved in STEM extracurriculars (robotics, science fairs, coding clubs, Actua programs)
• Build a profile of leadership and community involvement that scholarship committees look for

Step 2: Apply to National Scholarships (Grade 12 Fall and Winter)

• Complete the Schulich Leader application if nominated
• Apply for the Generation Google Scholarship and Women Techmakers Scholars Program
• Apply for the Microsoft Women at Microsoft Scholarship
• Submit one application for all SWE scholarships
• Apply for the Canadian Women in STEM Scholarship (if involved in FIRST Robotics)
• Apply for the Alberta Women in STEM Scholarship (if studying in Alberta)

Step 3: Apply for University-Specific Awards (After Acceptance)

• Search your institution's awards database for women-in-STEM scholarships
• Visit the women in engineering/science office at your school
• Apply for every award you qualify for -- many are under-applied

Step 4: Apply for Provincial Student Aid

• Apply to OSAP or your province's equivalent to access loans and grants
• Use the FundMyCourse Funding Calculator to estimate your aid

Step 5: Search for Additional Opportunities

• Browse the FundMyCourse scholarship database with women-in-STEM filters
• Check professional associations in your field for additional awards
• Look into industry internship programs with diversity mandates
• Check for company-specific scholarships from employers in your field

Step 6: For Graduate Students

• Apply for NSERC graduate scholarships (CGS-M, CGS-D)
• Apply for the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship if pursuing a doctoral degree
• Check your department for women-specific graduate awards

Key Deadlines and Resources

Final Thoughts

The landscape of scholarships and funding for women in STEM in Canada is broader and deeper than most students realize. Between national awards like the Schulich Leaders, industry programs from Google, Shopify, and Microsoft, professional organization scholarships from SWE, government programs through NSERC, and hundreds of university-specific awards, there is a significant amount of money available for women who pursue these opportunities.

The students who receive the most funding are the ones who apply broadly, start early, and do not self-select out of competitions. If you meet the basic eligibility criteria for a scholarship, apply. The worst that can happen is you do not receive it. The best that can happen is a scholarship that changes the trajectory of your education and career.

Start your search today with the FundMyCourse scholarship database and use our Funding Calculator to build your personalized funding plan.