Apply Now: Curling Canada’s Youth Scholarship Programs
If you are a young Canadian who loves curling, keeps your grades up, and gives back to your community, Curling Canada has a scholarship program that was built for you. Applications for Curling Canada’s 2026 Youth Scholarship Programs are now officially open, and this year’s program is the biggest and most well-funded it has ever been. Twenty student-athletes will share in $52,000 worth of scholarships across two distinct streams, and the deadline to apply is June 7, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
Whether you are a competitive curler who has dedicated years to honing your skills on the ice, a passionate builder who is working to grow the sport in your community, or someone who fits into both categories, there is a scholarship stream designed to recognize your specific contributions. This guide covers everything you need to know about the 2026 Curling Canada Youth Scholarship Programs, from the history and structure of the program to how to apply, what the selection panel looks for, and additional curling scholarships you should know about.
About Curling Canada’s Youth Scholarship Programs
Curling Canada’s Youth Scholarship Programs are one of the organization’s flagship philanthropic initiatives, designed to invest in the next generation of the sport. The program was first established in 2014 with the launch of the For the Love of Curling Scholarship, and it has grown steadily year after year. Since its inception in 2014, more than $333,600 has been invested in the program, supporting student-athletes from every corner of Canada who are balancing the demands of competitive curling with their academic and community commitments.
The program now includes two scholarship streams, which together award 20 scholarships per year to young curlers who demonstrate excellence in the sport, strong academic standing, and meaningful leadership in their communities. Recipients are announced each September, which gives applicants plenty of time from the June deadline to find out whether they have been selected before the academic year begins.
For 2026, the program is stronger than ever. Brodie Bazinet, Curling Canada’s Director of Philanthropy and Youth Impacts, captured the spirit of the program when he said that Curling Canada is honoured to invest in the next generation of passionate, skilled, and community-minded curlers. The continued support from the Canada-wide curling community, including increased contributions from the Governor General’s Curling Club membership and a significant new legacy gift from the Secord family, has expanded the program’s reach and ensures its impact will be felt for generations to come.
The Two Scholarship Streams Explained
The 2026 Curling Canada Youth Scholarship Programs include two distinct streams. While both reward academic achievement and community involvement, each stream has a different primary focus. Understanding the difference between the two is essential if you want to put together the strongest possible application.
1. The For the Love of Curling Scholarship
The For the Love of Curling Scholarship is the original stream of Curling Canada’s scholarship program, established in 2014. Now in its 12th year, this scholarship is intended for young Canadian curling student-athletes who excel on the ice and in the classroom while also contributing meaningfully to their communities through coaching, instructing, and volunteering.
Each year, ten scholarships from this stream are awarded to talented curling student-athletes to support the pursuit of their curling and academic dreams. For 2026, each of the ten For the Love of Curling Scholarships is valued at $2,500, making it a meaningful award that can help offset the costs of post-secondary tuition, books, and curling-related expenses.
The For the Love of Curling Scholarship is the right fit for you if your curling journey has been defined primarily by athletic achievement and competitive excellence, combined with a track record of giving back to your curling club and community. If you have coached younger curlers, instructed learn-to-curl programs, or volunteered extensively at your local curling club alongside competing at a high level, this is the stream that is built for your profile.
Past recipients of this scholarship have come from curling clubs and universities across Canada, from Nova Scotia to British Columbia, and have gone on to represent the values of the program in their academic pursuits and continued involvement in the sport. Stephanie Atherton, a recipient from East Chester, Nova Scotia, who attended Mount Saint Vincent University, reflected on her scholarship by saying that she had amazing role models who showed her what was possible in the sport, and without them she would not have thought it possible to dream as big as she has.
2. The Fran Todd All Heart Scholarship
The Fran Todd All Heart Scholarship is the newer of the two streams, officially established as a scholarship in 2025, though its roots go back further through the Fran Todd All Heart Award, which was launched to recognize young curlers who create new inclusive initiatives and programming at their curling facilities. As of 2025, the award transitioned fully into a scholarship to support the academic pursuits of curling’s next generation of community builders.
This scholarship is named in honour of Fran Todd, a former member of Curling Canada’s Board of Governors and a deeply respected curling leadership volunteer. The scholarship reflects her values and her belief in the power of curling to bring people together, create belonging, and drive positive change in communities across Canada. Thanks to the annual philanthropic contributions of Mrs. Todd and the broader curling community, ten Fran Todd All Heart Scholarships are awarded each year to compassionate junior curling student-athletes.
Each Fran Todd All Heart Scholarship is valued at $2,500. This stream is specifically intended for young Canadian curling student-athletes who embody the values of curling, place the highest priority on giving back to the sport, are passionate about sharing curling with their communities to create meaningful change, and maintain a high level of academic standing.
If your curling journey has been defined less by on-ice competition and more by the ways you have used the sport to build community, promote inclusion, and inspire others, the Fran Todd All Heart Scholarship is the stream that speaks to your contributions. Think about whether you have developed programming to welcome new curlers to the sport, worked to make curling more inclusive and accessible in your community, or used your platform as a curler to create change beyond the rink. That is the kind of story this scholarship wants to hear.
Past Fran Todd All Heart Scholarship recipient Neave Alderson put it beautifully when she described what curling gave her. She said that curling gave her something she never thought she could have again: a sport where she could be active, fully included, and genuinely welcomed. Before curling, she often felt like she was on the outside looking in, but the sport offered her a way to be part of something bigger than herself without limitations or barriers. That kind of story, deeply personal and rooted in what curling genuinely means to someone and to their community, is at the heart of the Fran Todd All Heart Scholarship.
Can You Apply for Both Scholarships?
Yes. This is one of the most important things to know about the 2026 program. Applicants use the same application to apply for both scholarship streams simultaneously. You do not need to submit separate applications for the For the Love of Curling Scholarship and the Fran Todd All Heart Scholarship. The selection panel reviews your single application and considers you for the stream, or streams, that best match your profile and achievements.
It is also important to note that students who have previously received one scholarship stream are still eligible to apply for the second stream in a subsequent year. So if you were a For the Love of Curling Scholarship recipient in a past year, you can still apply for the Fran Todd All Heart Scholarship in 2026, and vice versa.
The Governor General’s Curling Club Scholarships
Two of the 20 scholarships awarded through the 2026 program are funded and presented by the Governor General’s Curling Club, and these two scholarships carry a slightly higher value than the rest. While 18 of the 20 scholarships are valued at $2,500 each, the two Governor General’s Curling Club scholarships are each valued at $3,500, making them the most prestigious individual awards in the program.
The Governor General’s Curling Club is a historic honorary society that has operated under the patronage of the Governor General of Canada since 1874. It is one of the oldest and most distinguished organizations in Canadian curling, and its involvement in the youth scholarship program reflects the Club’s deep commitment to the future of the sport.
The two scholarships funded by the Governor General’s Curling Club are awarded based on the Club’s values alongside the standard criteria of achievements in curling, academic performance, community involvement, and leadership. Pat Reid of the Governor General’s Curling Club spoke to this in 2026, saying that the Club is proud to deepen its support of these scholarships. Young curlers who give back to their communities and to the sport, lead with integrity, and pursue excellence on the ice and in the classroom are exactly who this program is meant to recognize. The Club is honoured to play a role in the development of the next generation of leaders for the sport.
The Secord Legacy Gift: A New Chapter for the Program
One of the most meaningful developments in the 2026 edition of the scholarship program is the inclusion of a landmark legacy gift from the Estate of Maureen Secord, made in honour of her husband, James Bayne Secord. This generous gift will directly fund a portion of the scholarship program over the next five years, ensuring that the program’s reach and impact continue to grow well into the future.
James Bayne Secord and Maureen Secord were instrumental participants in the game of curling for more than 70 years, from grassroots involvement and volunteering to coaching and competitive play. Their dedication to the sport across multiple decades reflects exactly the kind of lifelong commitment to curling that the scholarship program is designed to honour and inspire in the next generation.
Laurie Secord, daughter of James Bayne and Maureen, explained the family’s intention behind the gift beautifully. She said it was her parents’ wish, upon their passing, to provide financial support to young students who are participating in the sport of curling. Through Curling Canada and the philanthropic program, that wish has become a reality. She noted that her parents left an indelible mark on the game through their decades of involvement, and that the family hopes the gift will help improve the financial burden of post-secondary education for young curlers while promoting continued participation in the sport.
This kind of legacy giving is what ensures that scholarship programs like this one can endure and grow long after any single funding cycle. It is a deeply personal gesture from a family that loved curling, and it is now woven permanently into the fabric of Curling Canada’s commitment to its young athletes and community builders.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
Before you start putting together your application for the 2026 Curling Canada Youth Scholarship Programs, it is important to make sure you meet the eligibility requirements. Here is what you need to know:
Age Requirement
Applicants must be 22 years old or younger as of December 31, 2026. This means that if you turn 23 in 2026, you are not eligible for this cycle of the program. The age cap is in place to ensure the scholarship reaches junior and early post-secondary curlers who are still in the early stages of their academic careers.
Nationality and Residency
The scholarship is open to Canadian curling student-athletes. You must be a Canadian citizen or a qualifying resident who is enrolled in or pursuing post-secondary education in Canada. The program is specifically designed to support curlers from communities across Canada, from urban centres to rural and remote regions of the country.
Curling Involvement
Applicants must be active participants in the sport of curling. For the For the Love of Curling Scholarship, this means demonstrating excellence in competitive curling. For the Fran Todd All Heart Scholarship, it means demonstrating meaningful engagement with and contribution to the curling community, even if that contribution is more focused on building the sport than on personal competitive achievement.
Academic Standing
Both scholarship streams require applicants to maintain a high level of academic standing. While specific GPA requirements are outlined in the full application details, you should be prepared to demonstrate that you are managing your academic responsibilities seriously alongside your curling and community commitments. Your academic record will be reviewed as part of the selection process.
Community Involvement
Both streams also require meaningful community involvement and volunteer leadership. This can take many forms: coaching younger curlers, organizing events at your curling club, running inclusive programming, advocating for the sport in your school or community, or any other form of engaged leadership that reflects a genuine commitment to giving back.
The Application Process and What It Requires
One of the most important components of the application is the personal essay. The application requires you to reflect on your personal curling journey, including how your support of the curling community has influenced the person you are today. You will also be asked to provide details about your curling and academic achievements and your volunteer and community involvement.
For the Fran Todd All Heart Scholarship stream, applicants are also asked to reflect on their vision for the future of curling in Canada and to articulate what influence they and their generation of curlers can have on the development of the sport and the broader community. This is your opportunity to show the selection panel not just what you have done, but what you dream of doing for the sport.
The same application covers both scholarship streams. You do not need to write separate essays for each stream. However, you should make sure that your essay addresses the criteria for both streams wherever your experience is relevant to both.
The application is submitted through the official Curling Canada scholarship portal. To access the 2026 application and begin the process, visit the Curling Canada Foundation Scholarship Application Portal. You can also visit the Curling Canada Youth Scholarships page for full program details and additional eligibility information.
Remember, the deadline is June 7, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Do not wait until the final hours to submit.
Who Reviews the Applications?
The 2026 scholarship selection panel is made up of experienced leaders and past recipients from across the Canadian curling community. The panel brings together a rich mix of perspectives, including current and former Board of Governors leadership, curling executives, club representatives, and former scholarship recipients who have lived the experience of what these awards mean to a student-athlete’s life and career.
The 2026 panel includes Teri Palynchuk, Chair of the Curling Canada Board of Governors; Jennifer Howard, a member of the Curling Canada Board of Governors; Nolan Thiessen, Curling Canada’s CEO; Fran Todd, the former Board of Governors member and curling leadership volunteer after whom the Fran Todd All Heart Scholarship is named; Darrell Ell, representing the Governor General’s Curling Club; Brodie Bazinet, Curling Canada’s Director of Philanthropy and Youth Impacts; and three former scholarship recipients: Jayden King, who received both the For the Love of Curling and the Fran Todd All Heart Scholarships; Emma Nagel, a For the Love of Curling Scholarship recipient; and Claire Dubinsky, also a For the Love of Curling Scholarship recipient.
The inclusion of former scholarship recipients on the selection panel is significant. These are young people who were recently in your shoes. They know what it takes to put together a strong application, and they understand the real-life impact these scholarships can have on a student-athlete’s ability to pursue their goals. Their presence on the panel ensures that the selection process remains grounded in the actual experience of being a young curler in Canada today.
Tips for Writing a Winning Application
The competition for the 2026 Curling Canada scholarships is real. Talented young curlers from across the country will be submitting applications, and the selection panel has limited spots to fill. Here are some genuine tips for putting together an application that stands out:
Be specific, not general. Avoid vague statements like “I love curling” or “I have always been committed to my community.” Instead, tell real stories. What specific moment shaped your love for the sport? What exact program or initiative did you lead or participate in at your curling club? Specificity is what makes an application memorable.
Show the connection between curling and who you are as a person. The personal essay is your chance to help the selection panel understand what curling has meant to your life and your development as a person. The best applications do not just list achievements. They reveal a genuine relationship between the applicant and the sport.
Be honest about your vision for the sport. For the Fran Todd All Heart Scholarship especially, the panel wants to know what you believe the future of curling in Canada looks like and what role you want to play in it. Do not write what you think they want to hear. Write what you actually believe and care about. Authenticity resonates.
Highlight both your curling and academic achievements. Both scholarship streams require strong academic standing. Make sure your essay and supporting materials clearly communicate your academic performance and any academic achievements, awards, or distinctions you have earned.
Be thoughtful about your volunteer and leadership experience. Quality matters more than quantity here. Do not simply list every volunteer activity you have ever done. Focus on the experiences that were most meaningful, that had the greatest impact, and that genuinely reflect your commitment to giving back to curling and to your community.
Submit early. Technical issues happen. Documents get lost. Give yourself a cushion of at least one week before the June 7 deadline to have everything submitted and confirmed.
Why This Program Matters for Canadian Curling
Curling is one of Canada’s most beloved sports, with a history stretching back to Scottish settlers who brought the game to Canadian shores in the early 19th century. Today, Canada is home to hundreds of thousands of registered curlers and some of the world’s most competitive national curling programs. But like any sport, curling’s future depends on the young people who choose to dedicate themselves to it, both as competitors and as the coaches, volunteers, administrators, and advocates who keep the sport alive at the grassroots level.
That is exactly what makes Curling Canada’s Youth Scholarship Programs so important. These scholarships are not just about helping individual students pay for university. They are about recognizing and investing in the young people who are going to shape the future of the sport. When a student-athlete receives a scholarship like this, the message they receive is not just financial. It is that the Canadian curling community sees them, values their contributions, and believes in their potential to be a leader in the sport and in life.
The numbers tell part of the story. Since 2014, more than $333,600 has been invested through Curling Canada’s philanthropic scholarship programs. Twenty scholarships per year. Dozens of young lives changed. And a sport made stronger by every dollar invested in the next generation. In 2026, that investment grows to $52,000, the largest single-year scholarship commitment in the program’s history, reflecting the growing generosity of Canada’s curling community and the expanding vision of Curling Canada’s leadership.
Other Curling Scholarships in Canada You Should Know About
The Curling Canada Youth Scholarship Programs are the most prominent national scholarship opportunity for young Canadian curlers, but they are far from the only one. If you are a curler pursuing post-secondary education, it is worth exploring every available funding option. Here are some other notable programs to look into:
The Spirit of Sandra Scholarship (Sandra Schmirler Foundation)
The Sandra Schmirler Foundation offers annual Spirit of Sandra Scholarships to young Canadian curlers enrolled in post-secondary education. In 2026, the foundation is awarding seven scholarships as part of a special milestone year, including six Spirit of Sandra Scholarships valued at $5,000 each and one NICU Graduate Scholarship worth $2,500. These scholarships equally fund education and curling expenses, and recipients are mentored throughout the curling season by Olympians and World Champions. Visit the Sandra Schmirler Foundation Scholarships page for full details and application requirements.
The Hec Gervais Academic and Curling Scholarship Foundation (Curling Alberta)
Since 1999, the Hec Gervais Academic and Curling Scholarship Foundation has been helping young athletes in Alberta pursue post-secondary education while continuing their curling careers. The fund was established to honour the legacy of Hec Gervais, known as “The Friendly Giant,” and reflects his strong beliefs in education, competitiveness, and leadership. To date, more than $170,000 in scholarship funds have been distributed. If you are an Alberta-based curler, visit the Curling Alberta Scholarships page to learn more.
Provincial and Territorial Curling Association Scholarships
Many provincial and territorial curling associations across Canada offer their own scholarship programs for young curlers in their regions. Whether you are in Quebec, Ontario, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, or any other province or territory, it is worth checking with your local curling association to find out what scholarship opportunities exist specifically for curlers in your area. Curling Quebec, for example, launched youth scholarship programs in 2025 in partnership with SportsPay, with its own application timeline and criteria.
Final Thoughts: Do Not Miss the June 7 Deadline
Curling Canada’s 2026 Youth Scholarship Programs represent the organization’s most significant annual investment in the next generation of the sport. With $52,000 available across 20 scholarships, two distinct streams recognizing both competitive excellence and community building, a historic legacy gift from the Secord family, and the enduring support of the Governor General’s Curling Club, this program has never been better positioned to make a real difference in the lives of young Canadian curlers.
Whether you are a fiercely competitive player who has given everything to the game on the ice, or a passionate builder who has worked tirelessly to make curling more welcoming and inclusive in your community, there is a scholarship stream in this program that was built with you in mind. The application is the same for both streams, and you can be considered for both with a single submission.
The June 7, 2026 deadline at 11:59 p.m. ET is firm. Start your application now, give yourself time to write a personal essay that genuinely reflects who you are and what curling means to you, and do not sell yourself short. The selection panel, which includes former scholarship recipients who have been exactly where you are right now, is looking for real stories, real passion, and real commitment.
To start your application and access full program details, visit the Curling Canada Foundation Scholarship Application Portal today. You can also learn more about the program and celebrate the community of supporters who make it possible by visiting the official Curling Canada Youth Scholarships page.
Good luck. Canada’s curling community is rooting for you.
