Queen Elizabeth Scholarship (QES) Program

Established in 2012, the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Program has been awarded to more than 2,600 scholars from Canada and around the world. The Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarships (QES) is managed through a unique partnership of Universities Canada, the Rideau Hall Foundation, and Canadian postsecondary institutions. QES is made possible with the financial contributions from the Rideau Hall Foundation. It is Canada’s premier academic program for global leadership, collaboration and multidisciplinary learning.

Vancouver Community College (VCC) has been selected as a recipient of the prestigious Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarships Program for the project entitled, Addressing Climate Change in Asia and the Pacific – Leveraging University Mobility in Asia and the Pacific (UMAP) for Action.

VCC recently hosted the UMAP International Secretariat, a student mobility consortium with 500+ member institutions across Asia and the Pacific, and this project is framed as a legacy initiative to continue the development of strong partnerships developed between UMAP Canada member institutions and the UMAP network during our tenure in this role.

Current Opportunities

2026-27 Queen Elizabeth Scholarship (QES) Program

Available programs

Eligible Programs or study abroad terms must be registered in the UMAP Student Connection Online (USCO) system. The available programs for Fall 2026 are hosted by the following UMAP member institutions. Eligible students must apply and be nominated in the USCO system before January 30, 2026.

Colombia

Indonesia

Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember

Mexico

University of Colima (For Vancouver Community College students only)

Thailand

Burapha University

Vietnam

Phenikaa University

Program Details

Canadian and Permanent Residents students enrolled at eligible UMAP Canada member institutions will apply to participate in a one-semester exchange in program focused on adaptation and resilience to a changing climate. In addition to taking courses, students will complete a community engagement project and/or research internship with support from the host institution.

Selected UMAP member institutions in eligible countries will serve as the host institutions for this project. Programs will be offered on the UMAP USCO platform. Students will apply for and be nominated by their home institution in the USCO platform. Student applications will be vetted by the UMAP host institution based on the host institution's admissions requirements. In addition to the one-semester exchange experience, selected students will participate in activities like virtual check-ins, mentorship, on-the-ground facilitators, and a variety of professional training and networking.

Timeline for Fall 2026 Placements:

Student Application and Nomination Period: December 12, 2025-Janaury 30, 2026
Student Selection Period: February 21, 2026
Student Acceptance and Confirmation of Award: February 21-March13, 2026
VCC-led pre-departure: April-May 2026
Placements begin Fall 2026* dates dependent on the host institution (July-August 2026)

Details and Eligibility

To be eligible for the 2026 QES program scholarship:

Students must be Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents, be 35 years of age or younger at the time of application, and studying at an eligible UMAP Canada member institution
Students must receive academic and/or co-curricular credit from their home institution upon completion of experience
Students must remain enrolled at home institution throughout duration of exchange experience (90-120 days)
Students attending an eligible UMAP Canada college, CEGEP, polytechnic or institute of technology must be enrolled in the second, third, or fourth year of their program or enrolled in a graduate program
Students attending an eligible UMAP Canada university must be enrolled in the third or fourth year of their undergraduate program or enrolled in a graduate program
Students previously awarded QES funding are not eligible

Available Funding

Successful applicants will receive an award ranging between $5,000 and $9,000 CAD.

The scholarship value will be based on the type and length of the program developed by the host institution, as well as the geographical location of their institution.

The award amount is determined based on estimates for eligible expenses in the placement context. Eligible expenses include:

Travel expenses – international airfare, the most direct and economical route, visas, medical insurance, immunization, ground transportation
Living allowance – including accommodation, local transportation, food, communications, and all other personal expenses

Physical Mobility

One academic term (3-4 months)

How to Apply

Students must apply to the UMAP USCO system. If accepted, eligible students will be contacted directly for onboarding instructions. Contact VCC’s International Education office for more information.

Information Session

UMAP QES 2026-27 Programs for Fall 2026 - Check out all the program details on these recordings!

UMAP QES Fall 2026 Programs in Colombia Info Session (Nov 13, 2025)
UMAP QES Fall 2026 Programs in Indonesia, Thailand, & Vietnam Info Session (Nov 14, 2025)

Please contact umap@vcc.ca for more information about the UMAP-VCC-QES Programs.