4-H Canada McDonald's Agriculture Scholarships

What you will need

• ✓ Online application at apply.4-h-canada.ca with every question answered
• ✓ A letter of offer or acceptance to a full-time program at an accredited Canadian college or university or a provincially recognized trade school
• ✓ A summary of your 4-H and community involvement and your plans for post-secondary studies
• ✓ A 500-word essay: what is the biggest barrier to climate action and sustainability in the agriculture industry, and how would you like to use your education to change this?
• ✓ Consent for McDonald's Canada and 4-H Canada to use your name, photo, province, school and area of study to promote the scholarship (the form is in the application)
• ✓ If you win: a headshot photo, proof of acceptance and your social insurance number before funds are released, and attendance at a scholarship presentation

About this award

You can receive a scholarship valued at $3,000. There are 15 scholarships available in total. As a scholarship, this money is yours to keep — there is nothing to repay. This is for you if you are a senior 4-H member pursuing an education in a program that is agricultural-based, or one that directly supports food security, the food system, or the value chain. The 2026 round opened April 1 and closed June 1, 2026 (11:59 p.m. ET), and winners were told in July. 4-H Canada offers these scholarships every year, so check its scholarships page in the spring for the next round's dates. A selection committee judges your essay, your 4-H involvement (years, positions held and projects completed), your community involvement, your post-secondary plans, career goals that show an interest in supporting or advancing sustainability in agriculture, your good standing in a Canadian 4-H club, and how well you follow instructions and meet deadlines. Before the money is released, winners must send a headshot photo, proof of acceptance and their social insurance number, and must be available for a scholarship presentation with a McDonald's Canada representative. Ask 4-H Canada how the money will reach you so you can plan your cash flow. Renewal conditions aren't listed — if you're counting on this for multiple years, confirm with 4-H Canada and McDonald's Canada whether it's one-time or renewable and what you need to maintain.

Who qualifies

You must be a senior 4-H member in good standing and a Canadian resident, pursuing a degree, certificate or trade-based program that is agricultural-based or directly supports food security, the food system or the value chain, with the aim of a career that supports or advances sustainability in agriculture. In the 2026 round you had to be at least 16 by January 1, 2026, and be in your final year of high school or CEGEP, or a post-secondary student, planning to attend a full-time program at an accredited Canadian college or university or a provincially recognized trade school in September 2026.

This is what the award's official page said when we last checked. Rules change, so confirm on the award's official page before you apply.

• ✓ Open to high school students
• ✓ Studying agricultural based, food security, food system or value chain

How to apply

1. 1

   Read the award's official page

   Check you meet every requirement, and note each document they ask for.

2. 2

   Ask for reference letters2 weeks

   Give your referees at least two weeks' notice, and send them your résumé.

3. 3

   Write your essay

   Be specific about what you did and what changed because of it. Proofread it twice.

4. 4

   This round closed on June 1, 2026

   Check the award's official page for the next round before you prepare anything.

Tips for applying

• Program FocusAvoid writing a general essay about farming. Instead, explain exactly how your specific program supports food security or the food system. Connect your coursework to the broader food value chain.
• SummaryAvoid a thin list of clubs. Instead, make your summary of 4-H and community involvement show your years in 4-H, positions held and projects completed, since the committee judges on these.
• StrategyAvoid waiting until the deadline to check the portal. Instead, check the 4-H Canada scholarships page regularly, since these awards are offered every year. Set a calendar reminder for late March — the 2026 round opened April 1 and closed June 1.
• RealismAvoid assuming you will win based on membership alone. Instead, remember that only 15 scholarships are awarded. Focus your application on your unique contribution to the future of agriculture.

Questions students ask

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