Shad 2026: Application deadline: Dec 1, 2025 – APPLY NOW!
Who can apply?
Shad brings together extraordinary grade 10 and 11 students from across the country in a month long STEAM and entrepreneurship program. Our selection process brings together participants who are curious, driven, and creative thinkers that are ready to make their mark in fields like technology, medicine, education, and clean energy.
Shad’s immersive 27 day program and our 20 day digital program are in partnership with 26 post-secondary campuses. By the end of the program, participants leave with new perspectives, lifelong friendships, and the confidence to take on real-world challenges.
for 2025
Virtual
Full Cost
$6,335
Subsidy *
$2,505
You will pay between
$0 – $3,830
Live-in | A-Plus | Unplugged
Full Cost
$9,970
Subsidy *
$2,710
You will pay between
$0 – $7,260
* Thanks to generous donors, the maximum fee to attend the live-in Shad program is $7,260 (which is a subsidized amount below the $9,970 cost to Shad to run the program). Donor support also allows Shad to offer further fee reductions through bursaries and scholarships which may lower (or eliminate) the fee for families with financial need. Participants are encouraged to apply for financial support via the application to further lower their fee.
Note: International fees will be applied to any participant, living domestically or abroad, who does not have a Canadian citizenship, or Permanent Resident Status in Canada, or Refugee Status in Canada. Participants paying the international fee are not eligible for the sliding scale fee.
Fees include:
What Does Shad Cost?
Shad is committed to making our program financially accessible to all students.
Who Can Get Financial Aid?
Every year, Shad awards over $2 million in bursaries and scholarships to a diverse range of deserving students. If you’re not eligible for a scholarship, you may still qualify for a needs-based bursary to help cover the program cost.
1 in 3 participants get some form of financial aid to attend the program.
All applicants are given the opportunity to request a bursary as part of their application. It is recommended that students apply for ALL the financial supports they are eligible for.
Hear from students who benefited from Shad’s financial support:
$2 million
Financial aid
Apply for
Funding
during app process
1-in-3
Shads receive funding
Shad is a global community. International students are welcome!
International Fees
Live-in Program
$11,500
International Fees
Digital Program
$6,500
International fees will be applied to any participant, living domestically or abroad, who does not have a Canadian citizenship, or Permanent Resident Status in Canada, or Refugee Status in Canada. Participants paying the international fee are not eligible for the sliding scale fee.
The Shad network includes:
Pathways to post-secondary
International fees will be applied to any participant, living domestically or abroad, who does not have a Canadian citizenship, or Permanent Resident Status in Canada, or Refugee Status in Canada. Participants paying the international fee are not eligible for the sliding scale fee.
Frequently asked questions
Below are various common questions that come up about Shad and our programs:
Program / General
Shad2025 has two program experiences: ShadOnCampus (live-in) and ShadAnywhere (digital).
The ShadOnCampus (live-in) program also has Shad Unplugged and Shad A-Plus program options.
ShadOnCampus: June 29 – July 25, 2025 (24 hrs/day, 7 days a week).
ShadAnywhere: June 30 – July 25, 2025 (Monday – Friday only, 11 am – 5 pm ET)
ShadOnCampus is hosted at our carefully selected post-secondary campuses and ShadAnywhere is powered by Athabasca University.
Learn more about Shad Live-in and Shad Digital and our two program options – Shad Unplugged and Shad A-Plus.
The number and locations of Shad campuses offering Shad A-Plus and Shad Unplugged will be determined by the demand from accepted applicants.
While we take into consideration your preferred campus options, Shad ultimately chooses your campus in order to promote a pan-Canadian experience for all participants.
Well-qualified team members work hard to ensure that all aspects of the experience – academic, logistical and social – meet or exceed expectations.
Many of these dedicated team members are top-rated university professors. Volunteers from all areas of the university and business community also add to the mix to create a dynamic experience. All team members and volunteers subscribe to the highest code of conduct as defined and maintained by Shad Canada.
No. Shad participants must commit to attending the entire duration of the program.
Students who require accommodations related to disabilities, cultural/religious practices, or any other human rights protected ground should contact Shad Canada as early as possible to discuss their accommodation needs and to ensure Shad Canada can meet their needs. Careful consideration should be made prior to accepting the offer to participate.
Requests can be sent to info@shad.ca
Shad can be used as an elective credit for participants from Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan. The Shad experience can also qualify for the creativity aspect of the International Baccalaureate credit and ShadAnywhere participants have the opportunity to earn micro credits.
Fees
Learn more about Shad’s program fee, financial assistance, scholarships and more.
Yes! Shad offers financial support to cover full and partial program fees. Every year we provide over $1.5 Million in financial assistance for families. Every application includes a parent contact section so they can consider financial assistance opportunities.
Visit our scholarship page for additional opportunities as well.
No. When an offer is made, applicants submit a $750 deposit to secure their spot in the program. The remaining balance is made in two separate instalments.
The Shad program fee is NOT tax deductible.
Applications
High School students currently completing Grade 10, 11 (Secondaire IV, V in Quebec).
We are looking for students who are community-minded, creative, engaged, curious and want to make an impact in Canada and the world.
The deadline is December 1, 2024 at 11:59 PM Eastern time.
Students complete an online application.
Note: Admission into the Shad program is competitive, therefore applicants need to put their best effort forward when completing the application.
To request application accommodations such as needing application material in an alternate format for students with disabilities or students in remote areas please contact Michelle@shad.ca
Applicants complete a profile, answer questions, upload their most recent report card, and provide a reference contact.
For more application details, click here.
For more reference details, click here.
Applicants are assessed on several factors highlighting their unique talents and contributions. Factors such as overall excellence, extracurricular involvement (i.e. volunteerism, part-time work, family care responsibilities), creativity, reflection and commitment in making the world a better place.
Applicants should demonstrate academic excellence but there is no “cut-off’ average for applying.
No, we do not require a school nomination for a student to be eligible to apply.
All applicants will be informed of their status (accepted, declined) in February 2025. Decisions around financial assistance will be communicated at the same time.
For questions not covered here, please contact info@shad.ca for your request.
419-A Phillip Street
Waterloo, ON N2L 3X2, Canada
t: 519-884-8844 | f: 519-884-0665 | e: info@shad.ca
© Copyright 2025 Shad Canada. All Rights Reserved
Shad Canada’s office is situated on the land traditionally cared for by the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe and Neutral Peoples.
We acknowledge the enduring presence and deep traditional knowledge and philosophies of the Indigenous People with whom we share this land today.
