Canada-Africa Exchange Scholarship 2025/2026 For African & Canadian Students: Apply Now!

About the Canada-Africa Exchange Scholarship 2025/2026 for African & Canadian Students.

The Canada-Africa Exchange Scholarship and Margaret & Henry Imbleau Family Scholarship Fund is a unique and impactful financial aid initiative that was officially created in 2014. It arose from the combination of two distinct scholarship programs: the Canada-Africa Exchange Scholarships Fund, established in 2003 by Dr Donald Kilby, and the Margaret & Henry Imbleau and Family Scholarship Fund, which was founded in 2003 by Dr. Henry R. Imbleau, a professor of English at the University of Ottawa.

The two original funds were established to foster educational exchange and experiential learning for Canadian students in medicine and health sciences. By merging the two programs, this newly created fund aims to provide even broader support for students, enabling them to gain clinical experience in developing countries. The fund was further strengthened through generous contributions from the University of Ottawa and the Government of Ontario, both of whom provided substantial matching funds to help ensure the program’s sustainability and success.

The Canada-Africa Exchange Scholarships and Margaret & Henry Imbleau and Family Scholarship Fund is designed to offer financial support to Canadian students studying in the fields of medicine and health sciences. The specific focus of the fund is to enable students to participate in clinical internships in developing countries, providing them with hands-on, real-world experience in global healthcare settings. This is an invaluable opportunity for students who are interested in addressing health issues in underprivileged regions, and it fosters a deeper understanding of healthcare challenges in sub-Saharan Africa and other developing nations.

The fund aims to:

Encourage students to expand their academic and professional horizons by working in international settings.

Provide practical exposure to global health challenges, particularly in resource-limited environments.
Foster cross-cultural understanding and global collaboration in the healthcare sector.
Help build the capacity of future healthcare professionals to contribute meaningfully to global health initiatives.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the Canada-Africa Exchange Scholarships and Margaret & Henry Imbleau and Family Scholarship Fund, applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:

Citizenship/Residency: The applicant must be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, or have protected/refugee status in Canada.
Enrollment: Applicants must be enrolled as full-time students in a program at either the Faculty of Medicine or the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Ottawa.

Ontario Residency: Applicants must meet the Ontario residency requirement as defined by Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) regulations. This typically means that the student has lived in Ontario for at least 12 months consecutively, excluding time spent as a full-time student at a post-secondary institution.
Financial Need: Applicants must demonstrate financial need, which will be assessed by the Financial Aid and Awards Service at the University of Ottawa. This ensures that the scholarship is awarded to students who would otherwise face financial barriers in pursuing international internship opportunities.
Participation in Clinical Work: Applicants must be participating in clinical work for the Canada-Africa Community Health Alliance. This work must be credited by the Faculty of Medicine or the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Ottawa. The Canada-Africa Community Health Alliance is an organization that works to improve healthcare outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa by providing medical support, promoting public health initiatives, and fostering community health education.

Benefits of the Canada-Africa Exchange Scholarships

The Canada-Africa Exchange Scholarships and Margaret & Henry Imbleau Family Scholarship Fund provide a wide range of benefits to successful applicants, designed to support both their academic development and their international experiences. The primary financial benefits of the award include:

Monetary Award: Successful applicants will receive a minimum scholarship of $1,500. This financial support is intended to cover the costs associated with the student’s participation in a clinical internship in a developing country, helping to alleviate the burden of travel, accommodation, and other expenses.
Practical Experience: Beyond the financial support, the scholarship provides students with the opportunity to gain on-the-ground clinical experience in developing countries. Working with the Canada-Africa Community Health Alliance, students will be directly involved in providing healthcare services, conducting health assessments, and engaging in public health initiatives in communities where access to medical care is limited.

Cultural and Professional Development: Students will have the opportunity to engage in cultural exchange and professional development while working in diverse healthcare settings. This international exposure will enhance their understanding of global health disparities and enable them to apply their knowledge and skills in a real-world context.
Career Advancement: By participating in this program, students will be able to demonstrate leadership and commitment to global health, which will strengthen their resumes and enhance their career prospects. The experience of working in international and resource-constrained environments is highly regarded by employers in the healthcare field.

Application Process and Requirements

Applicants who wish to apply for the Canada-Africa Exchange Scholarships and Margaret & Henry Imbleau and Family Scholarship Fund must follow the application process through the University of Ottawa’s Online Scholarships and Bursaries Portal. The application must include the following components:

Financial Questionnaire: Applicants must complete a financial questionnaire as part of the application process. This questionnaire is used to assess the applicant’s financial need and determine whether they meet the criteria for financial assistance.
Faculty Confirmation Letter: Applicants must submit a letter from their faculty (either the Faculty of Medicine or the Faculty of Health Sciences) confirming their participation in a clinical project with the Canada-Africa Community Health Alliance. This letter serves as verification of the student’s involvement in a project that aligns with the objectives of the scholarship.

Applicants need to ensure that all required documents are submitted by the specified deadline to be considered for the award.

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