Who is eligible for the UCBeyond Scholarship Program?
Applicants of any age are welcome to apply if they are:
- A legal and permanent resident of Canada
- Diagnosed with a chronic inflammatory disease by a physician
- Seeking an associate’s, undergraduate, or graduate degree from a Canadian university; seeking a diploma or certificate from a Canadian college; or enrolled in a Canadian trade school educational program
- Enrolled in or awaiting acceptance from a Canadian-based institution of higher education for the fall/winter semester of 2025/2026
- Demonstrating academic ambition and embracing a way of life that goes above and beyond the boundaries of living with inflammatory arthritis!
Students who have previously won, employees of UCB Canada Inc. and their immediate family members are not eligible for this scholarship.
How will winners be selected?
The following must be submitted with your application to be considered:
- A one-page essay, describing:
- How you are living above and beyond the boundaries of chronic inflammatory disease and demonstrating academic ambition and personal achievement
- How you would benefit from the scholarship
TIP: Past essays have shown the applicant’s desire for academic achievement, their need for the financial support and how they will use the funds, described how they persevered while living with inflammatory arthritis, and demonstrated school and community involvement.
- Two (2) one-page letters of recommendation from a teacher, school official, professional colleague or employer describing your unique qualities and how you embrace a way of life that overcomes the boundaries of living with inflammatory arthritis.
- An official academic transcript from your most recent year of education.
- A confirmation of diagnosis from your treating physician.
The selection of recipients will be at the sole discretion of the independent judges chosen by UCB Canada Inc. A panel of medical professionals and patient representatives from across the country will select the scholarship recipients.
How will I know if I have won?
Winners receive a personal telephone call and a confirmation email in October 2025.
If I win, how do I receive my scholarship cheque?
Once a winner’s educational enrolment has been verified for the fall/winter semester of 2025/2026, the scholarship cheque will be made payable to and directly deposited to the recipient's account.
If I have won in the past, may I reapply this year?
No, the UCBeyond scholarship will be awarded only once per applicant.
What can I use the scholarship money for?
Scholarship winners are awarded up to $5,000 CDN. This money can be put towards covering tuition and/or educational materials and expenses.
Congratulations to…
Jean O’Hanley
2023 Recipient
I’m a first-year student at Sudbury’s Laurentian University, in the Interdisciplinary Science program
My name is Jean O’Hanley. I’m a first-year student at Sudbury’s Laurentian University, in the Interdisciplinary Science program. I hope to have a career in medicine. I am enormously grateful for the 2024 UCBeyond scholarship that I was so fortunate to receive. It was a little overwhelming to learn that perfect strangers care enough about me and other JIA patients not only to recognize our particular challenges, but to spend their time and energy raising funds to help us deal with the daunting expense of post-secondary education. Speaking of such challenges, and the constant need to rise to them, here’s the last line of the personal essay that I submitted for the UCBeyond Scholarship: “JIA may have won a few early battles, but I’m winning the war!”