Twenty Newfoundland and Labrador students who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement were recognized on April 17 for the 2026 Research Inspired Student Enrichment (RISE) Awards. The recipients were announced by the Honourable Lin Paddock, Minister of Jobs, Growth and Rural Development, at a ceremony in St. John's.
RISE Awards are presented to Level II high school students who demonstrate academic excellence in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The winners will attend an enrichment program offered at one of the following locations:
- Research Science Institute located at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- Boston Leadership Institute located in Wellesley, Massachusetts
- University of Toronto located in Toronto, Ontario.
Information on the award recipients and the summer programs is included in the backgrounder.
The Department of Jobs, Growth and Rural Development provides approximately $324,000 for tuition, accommodations and travel stipends for the students to participate in the enrichment programs. The selection process for RISE Award winners includes an assessment of academic achievement, as well as written essays in which applicants must highlight plans for future study, career and research interests and how those interests are relevant to Newfoundland and Labrador.
The RISE Awards support the early development of the talent needed for Newfoundland and Labrador's future workforce. By introducing students to advanced learning opportunities and real-world research environments, the program encourages youth to pursue post-secondary studies and careers in science and technology-related fields, while celebrating their academic excellence.
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"The RISE Awards recognize some of the brightest young minds in our province and provide them with opportunities to explore their interests at world-class institutions. By investing in these students today, we are helping build a skilled, innovative workforce that will contribute to Newfoundland and Labrador's economic growth and long-term prosperity."
Honourable Lin Paddock, Minister of Jobs, Growth and Rural Development
Backgrounder : Information on the award recipients and the summer programs
For more information
Prince Phillip Drive
St. John's Newfoundland
Canada A1B 4J6
www.gov.nl.ca
