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Terry Fox Humanitarian Award

$28,000 over four years for 20 students a year, judged on volunteer service and overcoming adversity rather than grades.

Reviewed by G Paul · verified September 23, 2026

$28,000

Total value

Dec 1, 2026

Deadline

What you will need

Online application (deadline December 1)
Documentation of voluntary community humanitarian service
Statement on overcoming adversity
Proof of secondary school completion (or in-progress) and university/CEGEP intent
Proof of Canadian citizenship or landed immigrant status

About this award

The Terry Fox Humanitarian Award is an annual national award established in 1982 in honour of Terry Fox. Twenty recipients are typically selected each year from over 600 applicants. Recipients receive up to $28,000 over four years — disbursed as two annual $3,500 stipends to the educational institution (one in September, one in January) for students charged tuition. Eligibility focuses on humanitarian service completed voluntarily and overcoming adversity, not academic ranking. Recipients are paired with award alumni as mentors throughout their studies. Headquartered in Burnaby, British Columbia.

Who qualifies

Open to Canadian citizens or landed immigrants who have completed community humanitarian service voluntarily and without compensation, and who display 'courage and determination by overcoming adversity'. Must be in good academic standing and graduating from (or have graduated from) a secondary school, or completing their first year of CEGEP. Must be pursuing their first university degree or diploma, or continuing into second year of CEGEP. A student who has already graduated with a degree or diploma is not eligible.

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

Canadian citizen or permanent resident
Open to CEGEP, certificate, high school or undergraduate students

How to apply

Read the award's own page
Check you meet every requirement, and note each document they ask for.
Write your essay
Be specific about what you did and what changed because of it. Proofread it twice.
Submit your application
Save a copy, and submit at least a day before the deadline shown above.

More details

Submit by December 1 each year for awards starting the following September.

The award is humanitarian-first — your community service must be voluntary (no payment, no school requirement).

Concrete documentation of service work is more valuable than abstract claims.

The 'overcoming adversity' criterion matters; if it's relevant to your story, integrate it.

Note

if you receive other scholarships totalling over $15,000, the Terry Fox award will be reduced by the excess.

Recipients get an alumnus mentor for their studies.

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