Queen Elizabeth Scholars program receives $20 million in honour of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

September 19, 2022

News

OTTAWA – The Government of Canada announced today it will donate $20 million to the Queen Elizabeth Scholars (QES) program as a legacy to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

“The Queen’s legacy of service and steadfast leadership will live on in the countless lives that she touched and as an inspiration to us all. Her example inspired many young Canadians to dedicate their lives to service, give back to their communities, and become the leaders of today and tomorrow,” said The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada. “I join Canadians in thanking Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for over 70 years of selfless service and honouring her extraordinary life marked by grace, dignity, and an unwavering sense of duty.”

The QES program is led by the Rideau Hall Foundation (RHF) in collaboration with Universities Canada and with founding support from Community Foundations of Canada (CFC).

“On behalf of the RHF, the QES program, its scholars, our partners and our many supporters, we are deeply grateful to receive this gift in honour of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II,” said Teresa Marques, President and CEO of the RHF. “This gift will ensure that generations of youth have the opportunity to develop a global outlook, empathy, and understanding – all of which are essential for navigating the complexities of today’s world.”

Established in 2012 in celebration of the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty’s accession to the throne, this scholarship has been awarded to more than 2,200 scholars from Canada and across the globe. In Her Majesty’s name, these scholars preserve and promote the enduring importance of cultural exchange, leadership and civic engagement. To date, 106 projects have been funded at 46 universities in 72 countries around the world.

This gift will allow many more young Canadians the opportunity to participate in international experiences to advance their studies and research. This funding will provide the Rideau Hall Foundation with the seed support for a new legacy campaign to make the QES program permanent. The RHF will seek to build on this very generous gift through additional public and private donations to ensure QES remains a permanent legacy to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

“The QES program has transformed the lives of thousands of young people since its launch in 2012,” said Universities Canada President Paul Davidson. “What a wonderful tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by providing opportunity and support for students so they can pursue global learning experiences.”

To learn more about the program visit: queenelizabethscholars.ca

About Universities Canada
Universities Canada is the voice of Canada’s universities at home and abroad, advancing higher education, research and innovation for the benefit of all Canadians.

Media contact:

Lisa Wallace
Assistant Director, Communications
Universities Canada
communications@archives.univcan.ca

Tagged:  Global connections and development, Programs and scholarships