Empowering scholars, expanding horizons: QES annual report 2025-26

Since launching 10 years ago, the Queen Elizabeth Scholars program has enabled 2,876 scholars to participate in remarkable academic and cultural experiences. By emphasizing the value of inter-cultural collaboration in our rising young leaders, the program empowers them to navigate complex, shared challenges such as global health, climate change and sustainability. Through experiential learning, research and internship opportunities abroad, participants have the ability to learn across borders. By sharing ideas and forging relationships beyond their own communities, QE Scholars strengthen their own personal and professional paths — along with Canada’s connection to the world.

In this report, individual QE Scholars, Canadian post-secondary institutions and partner organizations share their successes and insights from the past year. In honour of our tenth anniversary, we’re also showcasing the journeys of some of the first QE Scholars, from where they started to the incredible contributions they’re making today. As we consider the significant impact of the QES program, it’s never been clearer that investing in youth translates into stronger leaders — who can lead us into a brighter, shared future.