2026 MitoScholars Scholarship


MitoCanada
Location: Canada
Application Deadline: 06/30/2026
Link to posting
MitoCanada 2026 MitoScholars Scholarship

MitoScholars Program helps reduce the financial burden of post‑secondary education for students in the mitochondrial disease community.

MitoCanada will award three scholarships of $5,000 CAD to students enrolled at a publicly funded Canadian post‑secondary institution. Funds may be used for tuition, fees, required materials, and on‑site residency. The program offers two scholarship streams:

  • MitoScholars is awarded to Canadian students who have received a clinical diagnosis of mitochondrial disease and are pursuing post-secondary education.
  • MitoScholars+ recognizes students whose lives are also shaped by mitochondrial disease, awarding scholarships to Canadian students who have a parent and/or sibling with a clinical mitochondrial disease diagnosis.

Scholarship funds may be used toward eligible educational expenses, including:

  • Tuition
  • Student fees
  • Required educational materials
  • On-site residency

 

Key Dates:

  • Applications open: March 31, 2026
  • Application deadline: June 30, 2026

 

The Application Process

  • Scan and upload all the required supporting documents for your application using our application portal
  • You will NOT be able to save and return to your application to complete. Your full application must be completed at one time/single step
  • All fields marked with an * are required
  • Incomplete applications will not be accepted
  • Applications are reviewed in July by our selection committee (comprised of community leaders, health experts, and individuals living with mito)
  • All applicants will be notified in August

 

Application Checklist and Forms

Who Can Apply?

Applicants must meet all of the criteria listed below. Applicants:

  • Are a citizen or permanent resident of Canada
  • Have a clinical mitochondrial disease diagnosis or have a parent or sibling with a clinical mitochondrial disease diagnosis
  • Are pursuing a diploma, certificate, associate, undergraduate or graduate degree from a publicly-funded Canadian university, college or trade school
  • Have accepted an offer from a Canadian-based, publicly-funded, post-secondary educational institution for the 2026 fall semester

 

5 Application Components

You will need:

  1. One Proof of Diagnosis form
  2. One Applicant Consent form (must be signed by a parent/ legal guardian, if applicant is less than 18 years of age at the time of application submission)
  3. One copy of your program acceptance letter from the publicly funded trades or post-secondary school you will be attending in the Fall.
  4. One page essay (500 word max.), in either Word or PDF form, Calibri 11 point, single spaced.
  5. Two reference/recommendation letters: Letters speak to the applicants dedication, perseverance and/or resilience in pursing their academics, work and/or community contributions.

Reference/Recommendation Letters

References/recommendation letters should come from individuals who know the applicant in a non-family capacity, such as:

  • Teachers or professors
  • Coaches or mentors
  • Employers or supervisors
  • Community or volunteer leaders

What reference/recommendation letters should include: Those writing a reference/recommendation letter are encouraged to speak to the applicants:

  • Dedication and work ethic
  • Perseverance and/or resilience, particularly in the face of challenges
  • Character, leadership, and contributions in school, work or community settings
  • Readiness for post-secondary education

Letters should reflect a meaningful and direct relationship with the applicant and provide specific examples where possible.

Back to All Opportunities