$2,000 scholarship opportunity!
The Leaside Garden Society Founders’ Scholarship will award $2,000 to a student in a horticulture-related program.
Our Mission
To establish a friendly meeting place to share, encourage, award and educate on the fundamental values and principles of gardening, concerns about the environment and to create a horticultural legacy within the community.
The Scholarship
In 2026, the Leaside Garden Society (LGS) is offering one $2,000 (CDN) scholarship to a full time post-secondary student planning to enroll in the second or subsequent year of a horticulture-related program at a recognized Canadian institution.
Objective
To provide financial support to a student who will advance the knowledge of horticulture within the community in line with our Mission.
Eligibility Criteria
The candidate must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and be enrolled full-time in a post-secondary program in horticulture or a related field of study such as botany, plant science, ecology, forestry, landscape architecture or environmental science at a recognized Canadian institution. The one-year scholarship will be granted for the upcoming academic year. The successful candidate may reapply for the scholarship in subsequent years.
Candidates who are current or previous residents of Leaside (a community within Toronto) or have a relative living in Leaside, or have connections to the Leaside community, will receive extra consideration. For the purpose of this scholarship, Leaside includes North and South Leaside, Bennington Heights, Thorncliffe Park and Kilgour Estate.
Other Conditions
The scholarship will be awarded to the successful candidate prior to September 30. The recipient will be invited to give a short presentation at a meeting of LGS or submit a 5-10 minute video describing an interesting horticulture project, assignment, or volunteer experience that they have undertaken.
The scholarship will be funded by the proceeds of various LGS initiatives and will be promoted in LGS materials and other appropriate horticultural and community sites.
The scholarship may not be awarded in any given year if the LGS Board of Directors decides there are no suitable candidates or for any unforeseen circumstance.
Application Process
Candidates must submit the following before June 30, 2026:
- A completed LGS Scholarship Application Form,
- An unofficial transcript from the present year of their program,
- An essay (250-500 words) describing why they should receive the scholarship,
- A description of any links with the Leaside community, if applicable,
- The name and contact information of two references relevant to their course of study. (References will be contacted in July or August).
The application package should be TYPED and submitted by e-mail to leaside@gardenontario.org or by mail to:
c/o 464 Broadway Avenue
Toronto ON M4G 2R5
Selection Process
The Board of Directors identifies a Scholarship Selection Committee.
Selection will be based on points awarded in the following areas: Academic focus and performance, Involvement in Horticulture/Ecological Activities, Community engagement, Connection to Leaside, References and the Essay.
The successful candidate will receive notification via a phone call and formal written notice by email. The successful candidate must then submit evidence of enrolment for the upcoming academic year. Once the successful candidate has confirmed acceptance of the Scholarship, all other candidates will be notified.
All decisions for granting the Scholarship by the LGS Board of Directors are final.
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