Verna J. Kirkness Education Foundation Program 

The VJKF Program offers Indigenous (First Nation, Métis, and Inuit) high school students* an opportunity to spend one week conducting research in the fields of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. As one of our Kirkness Scholars, you’ll work with university professors and graduate students from one of our partner universities researching a specific topic of interests. All our students are given an opportunity to let us know which areas of STEM research interests them the most!

*Students in grade 11 will receive priority acceptance to the Program. Returning students and students in grade 12 who apply will be placed on a waitlist. VJKF hopes to give students who have not yet considered applying to a post-secondary institution an opportunity to experience the VJKF Program and be able to apply for post-secondary the following fall. Students in grade 10 will be asked to apply again the following academic year.

Program Details

• APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN, CLICK HERE TO APPLY NOW!
• DEADLINE TO APPLY DECEMBER 20, 2024.
• All expenses are paid if a student is accepted into the VJKF Program.
• Accepted students will be assigned to a university and week, and provided with the list of research opportunities at that university.
• Students will be able to select their top 5 choices that interest them most. We will do our best to match students with their #1 choice, but we can't guarantee that will be possible in all cases.

2025 In-Person Program Dates:

OPTION ONE: May 11th – 16th

OPTION TWO: May 19th – 23rd

OPTION THREE: June 1st – 6th

OPTION FOUR: July 6th – 11th

OPTION FIVE: July 20th – 25th

• All students participate in our Certification Celebration on the Thursday night of the Program.
• On the final afternoon of the Program, each group will make a presentation about their learnings from the lab and their experiences throughout the week. There will be plenty of time to build a successful presentation!

Eligibility and Application Requirements

• Applicant self-Identifies as a First Nations, Métis, or Inuit student currently in grades 11 or 12.
• Completed application (online or mailed in).
• Signed guardian consent form.
• Reference letter from teacher or guidance counsellor.
• Essay written by the student indicating why they are interested in attending the VJKF Program (100–400 words).
• OR, Video submission from student indicating why they are interested in attending the VJKF Program (1-3 minutes)
• Confirmed availability for at least one of the Program weeks.
• Student must agree to provide a short update regarding ongoing education activities when requested by VJKF staff.
• DEADLINE TO APPLY: DECEMBER 20, 2024