Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Queen Elizabeth Scholars Program (QES)

The Queen Elizabeth Scholars (QES) program is a national Canadian funding initiative that supports scholarships and international mobility for students and early career professionals. Hosted by Universities Canada and delivered in partnership with the Rideau Hall Foundation, Community Foundations of Canada and several private and community foundations, QES channels financial resources to Canadian universities so they can create and manage international learning opportunities.

Through competitive calls for proposals, Canadian universities apply for grants that cover scholarships, research placements, internships and leadership development activities. Successful institutions receive funding to support outbound mobility for Canadian participants and inbound opportunities for international students coming to Canada. The program emphasizes reciprocal exchanges, global citizenship, and community engagement in both Canada and partner countries.

QES primarily funds projects in which students and emerging researchers gain international experience related to their academic or professional fields. Universities may design projects that focus on areas such as sustainable development, health, social innovation, governance, or other disciplines aligned with institutional strengths and global priorities. Funding typically supports living costs, travel, and other direct expenses linked to participation in these mobility and leadership activities.

The primary beneficiaries are undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and early career professionals enrolled at Canadian universities that hold QES awards, as well as international students hosted by these institutions. Rather than funding individuals directly, the program allocates grants to universities, which then select and support scholars according to the approved project framework.

The QES program is made possible through a broad partnership network that includes the Government of Canada, the Rideau Hall Foundation, Community Foundations of Canada and numerous local philanthropic partners. Among these are organizations such as The WindsorEssex Community Foundation, The Manitoba Community Foundation, The Hamilton Community Foundation and The Mel Hoppenheim Family Foundation, which contribute financial resources to expand the scope and impact of scholarships and programming.

Through this collaborative model, QES strengthens Canada’s role in international education, connects universities with communities around the world and helps cultivate a generation of leaders with strong intercultural skills and a commitment to public service.