Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Learning Disabilities Association of Canada (LDAC)

The Learning Disabilities Association of Canada (LDAC) is a national non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children, youth and adults with learning disabilities and associated challenges across Canada. From its base in Ottawa, LDAC works with provincial and territorial associations, educators, families and policymakers to promote inclusive practices, evidence-based support, and equitable access to education and services.

In addition to advocacy and knowledge dissemination, LDAC plays a modest but important role as a funding provider. The organization administers scholarships that offer direct financial assistance to students with learning disabilities who are pursuing post-secondary and graduate studies. These awards help reduce financial barriers and encourage academic and professional pathways that contribute back to the field of learning disabilities.

LDAC’s primary funding mechanism described on the site is the Doreen Kronick Scholarship. This $1,000 scholarship is available to Canadian citizens or permanent residents with learning disabilities who are enrolled in full-time or part-time post-secondary study. The award is intended for individuals whose graduate or further study will assist students with learning disabilities.

Applications are evaluated using several general criteria: the relevance of the applicant’s future educational program to supporting people with learning disabilities, the strength of their academic record, and evidence of contributions to community and campus life. The scholarship has a fixed annual deadline (June 30) and requires applicants to submit materials directly to LDAC’s national office, where applications are reviewed and recipients selected.

Beyond direct financial awards, LDAC supports the learning disabilities community through initiatives such as the LDAC Research Hub. This curated hub brings together summaries of more than a decade of Canadian peer-reviewed research on learning disabilities and related ADHD topics. By organizing bibliographic and contact information for studies, LDAC helps researchers, educators, families and students access reliable evidence and apply it in practice.

LDAC also organizes national events such as virtual conferences and collaborates with provincial and territorial partners to promote best practices in assessment, intervention, accommodations and mental health for individuals with learning disabilities. While these activities are not grants in the formal sense, they complement LDAC’s scholarship funding by building capacity across the education and support systems that serve people with learning disabilities.

The organization primarily serves Canadians with learning disabilities, their families and caregivers, as well as professionals such as teachers, psychologists and administrators. LDAC acknowledges its work across the traditional territories of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples and expresses a commitment to honouring diverse cultures, languages and experiences. The association’s work is supported by donors, sponsors and government partners, allowing it to sustain its scholarship program and educational initiatives over time.