University of Toronto Lester B Pearson Scholarship in Canada

The University of Toronto Scholarship (Lester B. Pearson Award) is awarded annually.

The Lester B Pearson Scholarships recognize outstanding students from around the world, including international students studying at Canadian high schools.

This is the University of Toronto’s most prestigious and competitive scholarship for international students.

The scholarship is tenable only at the University of Toronto for first-entry, undergraduate programs. Each year, approximately 37 students will be named Lester B. Pearson Scholars.

The University of Toronto Scholarship (Lester B. Pearson Award) requires you to receive a nomination from your secondary school to apply. Each Step of the application has its deadlines that must be followed.

• School nomination deadline: October 9, 2026

• Student OUAC admission application deadline: October 16, 2026

• Student scholarship application deadline and documentation submission deadline: November 6, 2026

To be eligible to apply to the Pearson International University of Toronto Scholarship, you must be:

• an international student (i.e. a non-Canadian requiring a study permit);

• enrolled in your final year of senior secondary school in 2026/2027 or have graduated no earlier than June 2026; and

• beginning your studies at the University of Toronto in September 2027.

Students who are already attending post-secondary studies or students who are starting their post-secondary studies in January 2027 at U of T or another post-secondary institution are not eligible for the Pearson International Scholarship.

• The scholarship program is intended to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement and creativity and who are recognized as leaders within their school.

• The University of Toronto Scholarship (Lester B. Pearson Award) will cover tuition, books, incidental fees, and full residence support for the four years or your entire undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto.

Interested students across the world can now submit their applications. To apply, here is a step-by-step process you will need to:

• 1

  Step 1: Receive a nomination from your school. High schools not already contacted/verified are asked to submit an application to participate in our program, available here in September.(external link) High schools who have participated in a previous year will receive their nomination access starting in early September.

• 2

  Step 2: Apply to study at the University of Toronto(external link) to begin your studies in September 2026 and complete your application for admission by the appropriate deadlines (external link).  Please be advised that you will be considered for the Pearson Scholarship for your first choice of program at U of T.

• 3

  Note: You may apply for several programs and may receive admission to them all; however, the Pearson Scholarship, if awarded to you, would be restricted to your first choice of program at U of T at the time our scholarship decisions are made.

• 4

  Step 3: Once the University of Toronto Scholarship body receives a nomination and you have applied to the university, you can complete the online Lester B. Pearson Scholarship application. You will receive a private link to the scholarship application when you are successfully nominated by your school.