This page covers who can apply for the Terry Fox Humanitarian Award, when it closes, a timeline to work back from, and tips for applying. For the full official details + apply link, see the Terry Fox Humanitarian Award detail page.
Quick facts
- Award: $28,000
- Offered by: Terry Fox Humanitarian Award Program
- Deadline (2026 cycle): Dec 1
- Renewable: Yes — up to 4 years
- Scope: Across Canada
- Level: CEGEP, Certificate, High school, Undergraduate
Eligibility checklist
- Education level: CEGEP, certificate, high school and undergraduate
- 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.
Application timeline (work backwards from deadline)
- 8 weeks before deadline: Read the award's official page from top to bottom. Write down the exact eligibility wording and every document they ask for.
- 6 weeks before: Gather the documents the application asks for. Our listing of this award names no reference letter, so check the award's official page for exactly what it wants this year.
- 4 weeks before: Draft your personal statement. Tailor it to what this award says it looks for, not generic "I am passionate about learning".
- 2 weeks before: First full review. Cross-check every requirement is met. Get a teacher / mentor read.
- 7 days before published deadline: Submit. Treat the published date as a hard 7-day buffer — documents arrive late, portals lag.
A specific tip for the Terry Fox Humanitarian Award
- 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.
Common mistakes that cost applicants the Terry Fox Humanitarian Award
- Applying without reading the award's official page word for word.
- Writing a generic personal statement reused from another application.
- Missing the application deadline by treating it as a soft target instead of a hard cutoff.
- Treating the eligibility minimum as the competitive bar — it's the entry floor.
Frequently asked questions
Who is eligible for the Terry Fox Humanitarian Award?
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. Terry Fox Humanitarian Award Program can change the rules from one year to the next, so check their page before you apply.
When is the Terry Fox Humanitarian Award application deadline for 2026?
Dec 1. Aim to have everything in a week early: transcripts and other documents often take longer to arrive than expected.
How much is the Terry Fox Humanitarian Award worth?
Up to $28,000 over four years. Check this year's amount on the award's official page before you count on it.
What mistakes should I avoid when applying for the Terry Fox Humanitarian Award?
Applying without reading the award's official page word for word. Also avoid writing a generic personal statement reused from another application.
Is the Terry Fox Humanitarian Award renewable?
Yes, for up to 4 years. Terry Fox Humanitarian Award Program sets the conditions for keeping it each year, so check them before you accept.
Ready to apply? View the full Terry Fox Humanitarian Award detail page for the official eligibility text, application URL, and recurring deadlines. Browse all 500+ Canadian scholarships, grants & loans to layer this award with other funding.