The Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship at the University of Toronto is a prestigious and highly competitive award designed to attract exceptional international students from around the globe. This scholarship offers a unique opportunity to study at one of the world’s top-ranked universities, located in the heart of one of the most diverse and inclusive cities—Toronto, Canada.
The program seeks to recognize students who have demonstrated outstanding academic performance, exceptional creativity, and leadership potential. Special consideration is given to the student’s impact on their school and community, as well as their potential to contribute positively to global society in the future.
Each year, approximately 37 students worldwide are selected as Lester B. Pearson Scholars. The scholarship is only tenable at the University of Toronto and applies to first-entry undergraduate programs.
The Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship covers:
Full tuition fees for four years
Books and academic materials
Incidental fees
Full residence support throughout the duration of the program
Country: Canada
Institution: University of Toronto
Level: Undergraduate (first-entry only)
Funding: Fully Funded
Sponsor: University of Toronto
Application Deadline: October 10, 2025 (Nomination); November 7, 2025 (Final Application)
To be eligible for the 2026 Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship, applicants must meet the following conditions:
Be an international student, i.e., a non-Canadian who requires a study permit.
Be in the final year of high school (graduating no earlier than June 2025) or have already graduated and not commenced post-secondary studies.
Begin undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto in September 2026.
Note: Students already attending post-secondary education or planning to start post-secondary studies before September 2026 (including January 2026) are not eligible.
| Step | Deadline |
|---|---|
| School nomination | October 10, 2025 |
| Apply to U of T | October 17, 2025 |
| Submit Pearson Scholarship application | November 7, 2025 |
Follow these steps to apply for the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship:
Get Nominated by Your School
Your high school must nominate you for the scholarship.
Schools not yet verified by U of T must apply to become eligible to nominate students.
Verified schools will receive nomination access starting July 1, 2025.
Apply to the University of Toronto
Submit your application for undergraduate study at University of Toronto by October 17, 2025.
You may apply for multiple programs, but the scholarship will be tied to your first-choice program at the time scholarship decisions are finalized.
Complete the Scholarship Application
Once nominated and your application to U of T is submitted, you’ll receive a personalized link to complete the online Lester B. Pearson Scholarship application.
Submit your completed application and all required documents by November 7, 2025.