“Shad’s focus on accessibility has rewarded some of my students with the opportunity to attend Shad that otherwise would only have been a dream. Shad offered them a chance to network and expand horizons and see themselves in a new light.”
Nan Devitt-Tremblay, Educator, Senator O’Connor College School
Shad is purposefully diverse and committed to maintaining a culturally diverse program. Shad offers full bursaries through student-centred partners that support traditionally underserved communities such as Indigenous, rural and remote and economically diverse.
Pathways to Education
Pathways has 20 community locations across 9 provinces. They work with youth from low-income areas to break the cycle of poverty through education.
Shad awards bursaries to Pathways students selected to attend Shad based on financial need.
Minerva
Runs an annual Learning to Lead weekend program for grade 11 girls to discover self, develop confidence and explore their leadership potential.
Shad awards a full bursary to an Indigenous student from the Minerva Learning to Lead program.
Verna J. Kirkness Science and Engineering Education Program
Is committed to increasing the number of First Nations, Métis and Inuit students graduating from science and engineering programs in Canada.
Shad awards a full bursary for an Indigenous student from the V.J. Kirkness program to attend Shad.
YMCAs of Cambridge and Kitchener-Waterloo
YMCAs of Cambridge & Kitchener-Waterloo work directly with newcomer and immigrant youth, many of whom come from low-income families.
The YMCA offers a full bursary for a student from the YMCA newcomer youth program.
YELL Canada
YELL Canada is a charity that partners with schools to support entrepreneurial learning. Students receive credits towards their high school graduation, and gain experiences that are invaluable for broad-based university applications and admissions.
Shad awards a bursary for a student from the YELL program.
Forum for Young Canadians
Participants interact with parliamentarians and take part in interactive simulations, debates and discussions in a week-long program that leads to a greater understanding of how democratic change occurs.
Shad awards a full bursary for a Forum for Young Canadians alum to attend Shad.
Canada-Wide Science Fair
500 young scientists from across Canada showcase their real-world solutions at Canada-Wide Science Fair.
Shad awards two $1,000 bursaries to Canada-Wide Science Fair participants each year, with a preference for students from rural and remote areas.
FIRST Robotics Canada
Shad awards two full bursaries to FIRST Robotics competitors, including one exclusively for an Indigenous student.
Canadian Student Leadership Association and Horizons Leadership Conferences
Horizons are regional conferences that provide inspiration and professional development for student leaders and leadership advisors. Shad is involved at each of the Horizon’s Conferences, encouraging student leaders, particularly those from smaller towns and rural areas, to continue their leadership journey by applying to Shad’s program.
UpstartED Inc.
UpstartED is a Canadian non-profit that equips students between the ages of 12 to 18 with the technological, social and emotional, and 21st century skills required to succeed in a complex future.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award
The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is an internationally recognized program for young people ages 14-24, building their skills to equip them for life and work. The Award challenges young Canadians to develop skills and tools to improve themselves and their communities by encouraging them to go beyond their comfort zone. By creating opportunities for young people to develop skills, get physically active, give service and experience adventure, the Award can play a critical role in their development.
Participation in Shad can count for the Duke of Ed Gold Project.
VEX Robotics & The Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation:
The REC Foundation’s mission is to increase student interest and involvement in STEM by engaging students in hands-on, affordable, and sustainable robotics engineering program. VEX Robotics as designed to encourage creativity in problem solving and harness the excitement of building robots to immerse learners in STEM.
Shad awards a bursary for a VEX Robotics competitor.
RisingYouth and TakingITGlobal
Rising Youth Community Service Grants empowers young people, ages 15-30 to imagine ideas that can support their local community and helps put those ideas into action through grants of $250, $750, or $1500.
This initiative is administered by TakingITGlobal and funded by the government of Canada through its Canada Service Corps initiative
A dedicated team is available nationwide to answer questions related to the application process and provide ongoing project support to make sure youth projects are thriving and successful.
Friends of Shad
Students on Ice
Students on Ice provides award-winning educational expeditions to the Polar Regions. Over 2500 students and staff have participated to date. SOI is dedicated to accessibility – more than 80% of students attend on full scholarship and over 30% of participants live in the Arctic.
