Scholarships, Bursaries and Awards

This award celebrates the power of student leadership by offering up to $1,000 in funding for student-led initiatives that promote inclusion, well-being, and positive change in our schools.

Each year, one elementary (Grades 5–8) and one secondary (Grades 9–12) project will be selected. Students can apply individually for leadership development opportunities or as a team to launch a new initiative within their school community.

Eligible projects may include:

• Attending a leadership camp or conference
• Launching a mental health or wellness campaign
• Promoting diversity and inclusion initiatives
• Creating a service-based or creative initiative that benefits the school or local community.

Students will work with a Teacher Advisor to develop their proposal and submit a creative application (video, essay, graphic organizer, etc.)

To apply, complete the submission form and submit by 4:00 p.m. on October 31, 2025.

Award recipients will be announced in January 2026 and celebrated at the final Student Senate meeting in June 2026.

This award was established in partnership with Barb and Karen Kettle and their families and the Leadership Department and in support of student leadership and the DDSB’s commitment to learning, connection, and well-being. 

Let’s empower the next generation of changemakers! 

The Learning Disabilities Association of Durham Region and the Durham District School Board have partnered to provide a $1000.00 Abilities Scholarship Award.  This scholarship recognizes a DDSB high school student who has a diagnosed Learning Disability and who is continuing studies (Apprenticeship, College or University) in the upcoming academic year. Candidates must be full time high school students during the current school year and be entering first year of apprenticeship, college or university in the fall.

Apply

All applicants are to provide:

• A completed Abilities Scholarship Award Applicant Information Form; and
• A submission (format of applicant’s selection- please see below) which conveys what it was like to have a learning disability at school:
• How did it feel?                           
• Who & what helped?
• If you could go back in time, what advice would you give yourself in grade 9? 

Provide content in a format that is most applicable for applicant, but accessible to all.  Submission may be in the following formats:

• Essay (150 word max)
• Video (2 minutes)
• Song
• Poem / Spoken Word (150 max)
• Dance
• Drawing, Painting, Sculpture with optional word description

* Only one submission per student

Complete all sections of the application form, provide supporting documentation and submit it to your school principal by the posted deadline, April 4, 2025.

The Chair's Scholarship is awarded annually to a Grade 12 graduating student.

Eligibility

The Chair’s Scholarship is awarded to one Durham District School Board student who: 

• is graduating (secondary);  
• exemplifies excellent leadership and citizenship;  
• represents student issues to others;  
• is not a DDSB Student Trustee;
• has a diverse set of accomplishments and leadership endeavours;
• is representative of the diverse student population of the DDSB
• has been nominated by their secondary school principal.

Apply

Secondary school principals must complete the electronic application form which will be submitted to Gillian Venning, Trustee Services Coordinator on behalf of the Chair of the Board by Friday, May 15, 2026.

The following student information is to be included in each nomination:

• The extent to which they meet the eligibility criteria as outlined above.
• A summary of their contributions to school life.
• A summary of their initiative in seeking the award.

If the principal is not sufficiently acquainted with the nominee, can submit the completed application using information provided by a staff member who is more familiar with the student.

Chair's Scholarship Nomination Form

Selection

A Selection Committee consisting of the Chair of the Board of Trustees and up to 4 other Trustees will make the final selection. The award will be presented to the student at the June 15, 2026 Board meeting. The successful candidate will be notified by June 3, 2026.

The $1,000 scholarships are awarded to Grade 12 graduating students who self-identify as a member of the Black Diaspora, living in Ajax or Pickering. More information about eligibility and the application process is available on the Congress of Black Women of Canada, Ajax/Pickering Chapter's Scholarships webpage.

The Cultural Expressions Art Gallery Inc. offers a scholarship award in support of Black students in Durham Region. To be eligible, students must be in Grade 12 and attending a Durham Region high school with concrete plans to pursue post-secondary studies in the arts at an eligible Canadian institution. When it comes to which art forms are eligible, the range is broad—from the performing arts to museum studies; literary, visual and media arts; to arts administration and curatorial practice.

Three individual awards of $1,000 are available to high school students in the Region of Durham (Ontario) who will be attending eligible full-time Canadian post-secondary degree or diploma programs.

Successful applicants will be selected after a competitive adjudication process.

Learn more about eligibility, guidelines and the application process. 

This awards directory lists all DBEN Cultivating Possibilities Awards available in 2025 according to eligibility criteria. Click the award name to directly access the corresponding application forms.

NOTE: students are only allowed to apply for a maximum of three DBEN Cultivating Possibilities Awards

Grades 7 - 12

These awards are open to any self-identified Black students in Grades 7 to 12 in the Durham District School Board (DDSB). See the forms below for more details on specific eligibility criteria and application requirements.

Community Service (Grades 7-12)

• DBEN Community Leadership Awards for Elementary Students (Gr 7-8)
• Queen Rising Award - Elementary (identify as female)
• DBEN Community Leadership Awards for Secondary Students (Gr 9-12) 

Grade 12

These awards are open to any graduating Grade 12 students in the DDSB who self-identify as Black. See the forms below for more details on specific eligibility criteria and application requirements.

Leadership

• DBEN Community Leadership Awards for Secondary Students (Gr 9-12)

Change Maker Awards

• The Power in Me Award  (first-generation graduating student)
• Syfox Stepping Up Award (identify as male)
• Kiburi Pride  Award (identify as Black and 2SLGBTQIA+)

Arts

• Arts on Fire Passion Award
• Dwayne Morgan Award for Literary & Performing Arts

Community Service

• Planning for Evolution Award
• Queen Rising Award - Secondary (identify as female)

Leadership and Resiliency

• Ifarada Resilience and Leadership Award
• TAIBU Community Health Centre Resiliency Award
• Lisa McGregor Academic and Sports Leadership Award
• Crowd-Funded Leadership and Resiliency Sponsored Award

Criminology

• Durham Regional Police Service Board

Education

• Mark Joel Trailblazer Award
• Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario (ETFO) Student Success Award

French Language and/or Mathematics Studies

• Education Perfect Award

Health Care Industry

• The Olive Branch of Hope Cancer Support Service Award

STEM

• Evelyn and Elisha Steele Award

Trades

• The Ontario Principals' Council Trades Award

Writers Award

• Leland Harper’s Young Writer Award

Application deadline for all awards is April 21, 2025.  Questions can be directed to Eleanor McIntosh, co-chair of the DBEN Cultivating Possibilities Awards at durhamblackeducators@gmail.com. 

An initiative of the Town of Ajax Office of the Mayor, on behalf of Ajax Council, the Ajax Shining Star Bursary program supports the academic futures of underrepresented youth by providing an opportunity to access post-secondary education and achieve success in higher education.

The $10,000 program will provide two students from each of the Town’s five high schools with a $1,000 bursary to pursue higher education at the college or university level or an accredited trades/apprenticeship. A total of 10 bursaries will be awarded annually to eligible Ajax youth.

Learn more about eligibility, guidelines and the application process at ajax.ca/ASSB.

The Black Business and Professional Association (BBPA) offers multiple scholarships to Black individuals seeking post-secondary education and works to support and promote the achievement of academic excellence by Black Canadian youth. The goal of the scholarship is to maximize outreach and have these awards and grants readily available. 

You can learn more about these scholarships by visiting the BBPA website.

THE BFCN scholarships offer a way to break down the financial barriers that exist for many people trying to access post-secondary education.

The David Branch Leadership Scholarship will present four different $5,000 scholarships per year to aspiring university and college Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools students who have demonstrated commitment, leadership, teamwork and community involvement. The new scholarship honours the legacy of former long-time OHL Commissioner David Branch, who served in the role over a span of 45 years from 1979-2024. Mr. Branch was a champion of the cause of Special Olympics Ontario, and is remembered for his leadership, vision and the instrumental role he played in the evolution of junior hockey in Ontario, across Canada and throughout the world.

Those interested in applying for the David Branch Scholarship can do so by July 25, 2025 at specialolympicsontario.com by filling out the application form located at the bottom of the web page.  The inaugural round of four scholarship recipients will be announced this fall.

Easter Seals Ontario is committed to improving access to education, so that more students can achieve their dreams and reach their full potential. Scholarships offered through Easter Seals Ontario Scholarship Program provide youth with physical disabilities with the much-deserved opportunity to earn an education and carve their path in the world. 

Please note that, to be considered eligible, applicants must have a physical disability that impacts their mobility.

Learn more about the eligibility requirements and application process.

Loran Awards will be offered to university-bound students from across Canada who demonstrate strength of character, a deep commitment to service, and intrinsic leadership potential.

The only scholarship of its kind in Canada, the Loran Award offers a four-year leadership-enrichment program, financial support for undergrad, diverse opportunities for experiential learning, and a long-term supportive community of peers and mentors, renewable over four years of university undergraduate studies.

In addition to naming the 36 Loran Scholars, we will grant more than $400,000 in additional one-time awards to 54 Loran finalists and 70 Loran provincial and territorial recipients. Because there are so many opportunities for young people to succeed in our selection process, applying is always worth the effort!

Learn more about the eligibility requirements and application process.

Meridian gives out the Sean Jackson Scholarship each year to 1 high school graduate who demonstrates both academic excellence and an outstanding commitment to their community. Learn more about the eligibility requirements and application process.

The Healthy Democracy Student Leadership Award, a partnership between the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) and the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA), is being awarded in the amount of $1,000 to one graduating English public school student in each of OPSBA’s five regions. Scholarship recipients are students with strong leadership skills and potential, who care deeply about their communities and furthering their own learning.

Learn more about the eligibility requirements and application process.

* Durham District School Board is located in OPSBA's Central East region.

Explore the financial aid programs available through OSAP.

The Scholarship Report is a one-stop digital resource for Ontario high schools, students, and families.  It contains information on national and provincial scholarships, bursary, and award listings, as well as direct links, practical tips on locating and applying for scholarships, and much more. Contact your Guidance Department for the password to access the site.

This Scholarship is awarded in the amount of $1,000 to one recipient in each of the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association’s (OPSBA) five regions.

Scholarship recipients are students of strong character, leadership skills and potential, who care deeply about their communities and furthering their own learning.

More information, with contact information and application guidelines, is posted on the OPSBA website.

Scholarships Canada provides a collection of scholarships and awards from across the country. Read their directory and find funding opportunities available to you.

Storwell is offering an annual bursary of $2,000 in support of foster children to help them attend
post-secondary schools and to offer a hand up as they make their way forward in life.

Storwell Bursary

TD Canada Trust gives out scholarships each year to students across Canada who demonstrate community leadership. Learn about the eligibility requirements and application process to see if you qualify.