Lester B. Pearson Scholarship applications have opened for 2026.
- The award is for international students applying to U of T
- It covers tuition, books, fees and residence for four years
- About 37 students will be named Pearson Scholars each year
- School nomination closes on 9 October 2026
- The scholarship application closes on 6 November 2026
Read on for eligibility, award value, deadlines and application links.
The Lester B. Pearson International Student Scholarships 2026 have opened for international students seeking first-entry undergraduate study at the University of Toronto, Canada.
The scholarship is one of the University of Toronto’s most prestigious awards for international students and it is meant for students with strong academic achievement, creativity and leadership potential.
What Is the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship?
The Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship is an undergraduate scholarship for international students at the University of Toronto.
The award recognises students with strong academic records and leadership promise and successful students will join a global community of exceptional changemakers.
What Does the Pearson Scholarship Cover?
The Pearson International Student Scholarship covers tuition, books, incidental fees and full residence support for four years.
The scholarship will be used only at the University of Toronto and it applies to first-entry undergraduate programmes.
How Many Students Will Receive the Scholarship?
About 37 students will be named Pearson Scholars each year.
The award is among the largest scholarship programmes for international students in Canada, as stated in the scholarship notice.
Who Is Eligible for the Lester B. Pearson Scholarship?
Applicants must meet the stated eligibility conditions before applying for the Pearson International Scholarship.
An eligible applicant must be:
- An international student, meaning a non-Canadian who requires a study permit
- Enrolled in the final year of senior secondary school in 2026/2027 or have graduated no earlier than June 2026
- Starting studies at the University of Toronto in September 2027
Applicants should check these points before starting the admission and scholarship process, since the scholarship is tied to first-entry undergraduate study at the University of Toronto.
Who Is Not Eligible for the Pearson Scholarship?
Students who are already attending post-secondary studies are not eligible for the Pearson International Scholarship.
Students who will start post-secondary studies in January 2027 at the University of Toronto or another post-secondary body are also not eligible.
What Are the Application Deadlines?
The application process has separate dates for school nomination, admission application and scholarship documentation.
The deadlines are:
- School nomination deadline: 9 October 2026
- Student OUAC admission application deadline: 16 October 2026
- Student scholarship application and documentation submission deadline: 6 November 2026
Applicants should note each date, since the process includes both admission and scholarship steps.
How Can Students Apply?
Applicants are expected to apply through the University of Toronto admission process and follow the scholarship steps within the stated deadlines.
The admission application process is available through the University of Toronto undergraduate application page.
More details about the scholarship are available on the Lester B. Pearson International Student Scholarships page.
What Should Applicants Check Before Applying?
Applicants should confirm that they are international students who require a study permit, that their secondary school status fits the scholarship year and that they will begin undergraduate study at the University of Toronto in September 2027.
They should also keep the school nomination deadline, OUAC admission application deadline and scholarship documentation deadline separate, because each date relates to a different part of the process.
Pearson Scholarship Notice for 2026
Applications are open for the Lester B. Pearson International Student Scholarships 2026.
The scholarship covers tuition, books, incidental fees and full residence support for four years and it will be held only at the University of Toronto for first-entry undergraduate programmes.
Eligible students must be international students who require a study permit, must be in the final year of senior secondary school in 2026/2027 or have graduated no earlier than June 2026 and must begin studies at the University of Toronto in September 2027.
Students already attending post-secondary studies or students starting post-secondary studies in January 2027 at the University of Toronto or another post-secondary body, are not eligible.