RCAF Foundation Scholarship Logo

2023

The RCAF Foundation Student Scholarship is offered to Canada’s next generation of aviation and aerospace leaders. These scholarships are designed to assist post-secondary students in S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) areas of study who are planning future careers in the fields of either Aviation or Aerospace.

We expect these student scholarships to help encourage more young people to consider careers in these fields as the demand for skilled people grows in both the private and defence sectors.

Thanks to the support of many donors, 49 $1,000 scholarships were available this year. The Chris Allan RCAF Foundation scholarship, valued at $2500, is awarded to one student selected in partnership with the Chris Allan Legacy Fund. Chris Allan served his country at home and abroad as a Captain in the Royal Canadian Air Force, piloting the CF-18 Hornet, until he tragically lost his life at the young age of 31 while salmon fishing in British Columbia.

In addition to our 50 scholarship recipients, we are proud to announce the 10 recipients of the inaugural VIA Rail RCAF Foundation Awards. These awards will provide recipients with $500 of travel on VIA Rail trains over the coming year.

We are very proud to share for the first time the 50 recipients of the 2023 RCAF Foundation Student Scholarship. Thank you to our jury (listed below) who had a challenging (but enjoyable!) task reviewing the applications.

The RCAF Foundation is dedicating this year’s scholarships to the memory of Captain David Domagala and Captain Marc Larouche. We remember their service and sacrifice. 

Thanks to the scholarship, my financial burden had been slightly alleviated, which allowed me to focus more on my engineering studies. I was also honoured to receive validation for my career goals in aerospace.

Annie Wang, Repentigny, QC

Receiving the RCAF Foundation Scholarship made me feel supported, heard and seen. I felt even more motivated to continue to pursue my dreams of becoming a pilot. The Scholarship has provided me with more than just financial support, I have gained confidence as well.

Neghat Hidari, Toronto, ON

Receiving this scholarship made me gain a lot of perspective on the future. Before applying, I had a vague idea of what I wanted to do in the future, but nothing concrete. However, in writing the application for this, I had to think of my position in a future world, and it made me realize exactly what I wanted to do. Winning the scholarship helped even more, because it showed me that what I want to do in the future is not crazy, and that I would have people rooting for me and supporting me.

Callum French, Greely, ON
This scholarship has helped me gain more confidence and put in even more effort towards achieving my goals. It made me believe that I am not alone on this journey, there are resources and people who want to support people like me who are passionate about aviation.
Veerhakeekat Kaur, Toronto, ON

As a recipient of the RCAF Foundation Student Scholarship, I can confidently say that it has been a life-changing experience. This scholarship goes beyond the financial assistance; it represents a community that believes in your potential and invests in your dreams.

Armaandeep Dhanoa, Winnipeg, MB

This scholarship reminded me that the world of aviation needs well-educated and bright students to contribute to its present and future. Opportunities like this scholarship bring me back to my true goal of becoming a fighter pilot and how my studies may enhance and complement – not take away – from my future in aviation.

Joon Choi, Toronto, ON

Being selected for the RCAF Foundation Student Scholarship shows to me that I can stand out from the crowd and begin working towards my dreams. Even more so, it makes said “dreams” or goals that much more real – I feel supported in my efforts to obtain a commercial license.

Brandon Dreger, Winnipeg, MB

Congratulations to these outstanding students!

Meet our recipients:

Air Canada RCAF Foundation Scholarship

Sophie Boudreau

Gatineau, QC

Polytechnique Montréal

Aerospace Engineer

Alivia Chanyi

Tillsonburg, ON

Conestoga College

Pilot

Nabiha Tasnuv

Sackville, NB

Mount Allison University

Commercial Pilot

Viviana Verhaar

Beeton, ON

Western University

Commercial Pilot

Joelle Weir

Ajax, ON

Sheridan College

Chemical/Environmental Engineer

Chris Allan RCAF Foundation Scholarship

Joon Choi

Toronto, ON

Royal Military College of Canada

Fighter Pilot

BAPN RCAF Foundation Scholarship

Ethan McCalla

Etobicoke, ON

University of Waterloo

Airline Pilot

W/C William G. Barker, VC RCAF Foundation Scholarship

Declan McCloskey

Ottawa, ON

Carleton University

Astronaut

J.P. Bickell RCAF Foundation Scholarship

Lucas Doucette

Cochrane, ON

Canadore College

Pilot/Engineer

BMO RCAF Foundation Scholarship

Julianne Deva

Toronto, ON

University of Toronto - St. George

Aerospace/Astronautical Engineer

Guillaume Martineau

Montréal, QC

Polytechnique Montréal

Space Engineer

Graham Burton RCAF Foundation Scholarship

Quinlan Kalheim

Vancouver, BC

University of British Columbia

Mechanical/Aerospace Engineer

Noah Letourneau

Calgary, AB

University of Victoria

Aerospace Engineer

Canada Company RCAF Foundation Scholarship

Craig Fairfull

Edmonton, AB

Mount Royal University

Pilot

Shawn Turcotte

Moose Jaw, SK

University of Regina

Medical Researcher for Aerospace

BGen Michael Dabros OMM, CD2 RCAF Foundation Scholarship

Joshua Ptack

Montréal, QC

McGill University

Aerospace Engineer

Hamilton International Airport RCAF Foundation Scholarship

Sky Bjel

Toronto, ON

McMaster University

Aerospace Engineer/Astronaut

Megan Chang

Mississauga, ON

University of Waterloo

Aerospace Mechatronics Engineer/Pilot

Brandon Hutcheson

Toronto, ON

Toronto Metropolitan University

RCAF Pilot

Shaldon Jennings

Cambridge, ON

University of Waterloo

Professional Pilot

Preksha Shah

North York, ON

University of Waterloo

Pilot

MLSE RCAF Foundation Scholarship

Rubaina Farin

Toronto, ON

University of Toronto

Biomedical Engineer

Noa Prosser

Thornhill, ON

University of Toronto

Aerospace Engineer

John (Jack) Franklin Riley RCAF Foundation Scholarship

Diana Urbanczyk

Burnaby, BC

University of British Columbia

Aerospace Engineer

Brandon Dreger

Winnipeg, MB

University of Manitoba

Pilot / Mechanical Engineer

Alfred and Barbara Smith RCAF Foundation Scholarship

Diba Alam

Markham, ON

University of Toronto

Aerospace Engineer

Roland Aldea

Victoria, BC

University of Victoria

Aerospace/Defence

Haley Bedford

Innisfail, AB

University of Calgary

Robotics and AI or software development in aerospace

Yi Qiao (Cindy) Chen

Toronto, ON

University of Toronto

Aerospace engineering professor/researcher

Rimoon Koryal

Calgary, AB

University of Calgary

Mechanical Engineer / Aerospace Engineer

Chris Ng

Richmond, BC

Langara College

Physicist

Melanie Phillips

Calgary, AB

Queen's University

Aerospace Engineer

Nehsy Poinen

Milton, ON

Carleton University

Astronaut

Gleb Sharikov

Victoria, BC

University of Victoria

Mechanical Engineer

Julian Tan

Calgary, AB

University of Calgary

Aerospace/Aviation

Spirits of CRGS RCAF Foundation Scholarship

Madeline Baldasaro

Port Perry, ON

Queen's University

Aerospace Engineer

Winnipeg Jets RCAF Foundation Scholarship

Armaandeep Dhanoa

Winnipeg, MB

University of Toronto

Aerospace Engineer

Kelechi Benjamin Ihebuzor

Winnipeg, MB

Red River College

Aircraft Maintenance Engineer

John Wright RCAF Foundation Scholarship

Sophia Hersey

London, ON

Royal Military College of Canada

Aerospace Engineering Officer

RCAF Foundation Scholarship

Juan Alvarez Ramirez

Calgary, AB

University of Calgary

Mechanical Engineering

Kyle Cheung

Vancouver, BC

University of British Columbia

Medical Aviation

Oihan Cordelier

Verdun, QC

École Polytechnique de Montréal

Mechanical Engineer

Matthew Isshac

Hubley, NS

Dalhousie University

Aeronautical Engineer

Farhan Jarif

Toronto, ON

University of Waterloo

Mechatronics Engineering/Aerospace Engineering

Veerhakeekat Kaur

Toronto, ON

Toronto Metropolitan University

Aerospace Researcher

Sarah Keats

Edmonton, AB

University of Alberta

Aerospace Engineer

Adam Van Bostelen

St. Albert, AB

Prairie College

Commercial Pilot

Lucas Spak-Walsworth

Victoria, BC

University of Victoria

Aerospace engineering / Aerodynamicist

Mason Wastell

Toronto, ON

George Brown College

Air Weapons Systems Technician

Alex Zeng

Edmonton, AB

University of Alberta

Computer Engineer

Meet our recipients of the inaugural VIA Rail RCAF Foundation Awards:

VIA Rail RCAF Foundation Award

Olivia Chamberland

Moncton, NB

Carleton University

Aerospace Engineer

David Ézéckyel Dupont

Montréal, QC

École Nationale d’Aérotechnique

Field Technician

Ryan Evans

Red Deer, AB

University of Calgary

Commercial Pilot

Andrew Keleny

Île-Perrot, QC

Concordia University

Aerospace Engineer

Jackson Masterson

Anola, MB

University of Manitoba

Aeronautical Engineer

Aleksander (Alek) Pach

Crediton, ON

Royal Military College of Canada

Structural Aerospace Component Engineering and Testing

Vanik Park

Pitt Meadows, BC

University of Toronto or University of British Columbia

Aerospace Engineer

Azan Chad Phillips

Kitchener, ON

Sault College

Pilot

Jerico Sadia

Saskatoon, SK

University of Saskatchewan

Flight Nursing

Rory Sinden

Shawnigan Lake, BC

University of Waterloo

Commercial Pilot

2023 SELECTION JURY

The recipients are chosen through a competitive application and selection process. The time and thoughtful review put forth by these jurors reflects their dedication to aviation and aerospace and commitment to supporting the next generation of leaders.

Meet our 2023 jury

Dean Black

Executive Director

RCAF Association of Canada

Maya Cantin

2022 Scholarship Recipient

Mina Farinacci

Managing Partner, BDO Canada

Air Canada

Kristin Long

Pilot

WestJet Airlines

Sophia Wells

Community Engagement and Mentorship

Elevate Aviation

John Wright

Executive Vice President

Maru Public Opinion

Interested in past recipients?

Click here for the 2023 RCAF Foundation Student Scholarship recipients
Click here for the 2022 RCAF Foundation Student Scholarship recipients
Click here for the 2021 RCAF Foundation Student Scholarship recipients

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