Queen Elizabeth Scholars annual report 2023-2024

The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarships (QES) program enables the next generation of leaders to tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges, such as gender equality, food security, health and wellness issues and climate change. Through experiential learning and advanced research opportunities with local partners and Canadian universities, the QES program provides scholars with a conduit to develop their professional and research skills, and equips them for success in a rapidly changing global knowledge economy.

While the QES program’s focus is on developing global leaders, the international partners—post-secondary institutions, governmental and nongovernmental organizations—also benefit through shared knowledge and perspectives, enhanced capacity and strengthened connections. The QES program is managed through a unique partnership of the Rideau Hall Foundation, Universities Canada and Canadian post-secondary institutions.

Since 2015 2,579 scholars have been funded through 112 projects with participants coming from/going to 82 countries. Projects have been designed and led by 47 Canadian post-secondary institutions. In narrative reports submitted at the end of their QES experience, QEScholars described improvements in their knowledge and skills, particularly their communication, technical and leadership skills. They also reported an increase in their awareness of the issues facing local and global communities.

This report showcases the achievements by the QES program in 2023-24 in developing a global community of scholars through leadership, networking, work-integrated learning, study and research opportunities. In the following pages, you will hear from QEScholars, Canadian universities and partner organizations as they share what they have learned together as well as highlights from the past year.