NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR
Provincial Government Now Accepting Applications for 2026 RISE Awards

Applications are now being accepted for the 2026 Research Inspired Student Enrichment (RISE) Awards. The RISE Awards will support up to 20 Level II high school students who demonstrate academic excellence in the STEM disciplines of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Students selected will receive stipends to cover tuition, accommodations and travel to attend one of the following three research-related enrichment programs:

• The Research Science Institute at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
• The Boston Leadership Institute in Wellesley, Massachusetts.
• The Da Vinci Engineering Enrichment Program (DEEP)/CREATE at the University of Toronto.

The selection process for the RISE Awards is competitive and includes an assessment of academic performance, as well as a written essay in which the applicant must highlight plans for future study, career and research interests and how those interests are relevant to Newfoundland and Labrador.

Award eligibility requirements are determined in consultation with the program's administrators. Overall, students must have a minimum average of 90 per cent in each Level II course and have completed a minimum number of courses in science and mathematics. Award recipients must apply, be accepted, and commit to the full duration of the program.

The application deadline is midnight on December 19, 2025, for eligible students completing Level II by June 2026. Details on the enrichment programs, awards structure and eligibility criteria are available online (www.gov.nl.ca/riseawards).

The RISE Awards were launched in 2011 and provide Newfoundland and Labrador high school students the opportunity to attend research-related enrichment programs focused on STEM. The three programs offered range in duration from three to six weeks over the summer. Since inception, the Provincial Government has invested $1.7 million for the RISE Awards, which has enabled 203 students in the province to participate in STEM enrichment programs within Canada and the United States.

Quotes

"The RISE Awards open doors for our province's brightest young minds to explore the frontiers of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. By investing in these exceptional students, we are supporting their academic growth while also developing the next generation of innovators who will help shape the future of Newfoundland and Labrador. I encourage all eligible students to apply and take advantage of this special opportunity."

Honourable Lin Paddock, Minister of Jobs, Growth and Rural Development

"This is a great chance for students to join programs that focus on research and learn from top experts in science, technology, engineering, and math. I encourage all students to apply for a RISE Award to build their knowledge and strengthen their education as they get ready for college and future careers."

Honourable Paul Dinn, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development