Apply for the 2026 Renaissance Award — Up to $25,000

The Renaissance Award at McMaster University offers students up to $25,000 to design and lead a self-directed 4–12 month project outside their academic program. The award encourages creativity, leadership, and exploration across all faculties and disciplines, supporting projects that foster personal and intellectual growth. Students may apply individually or in teams of two, with guidance from a faculty advisor and a student success coach.

Summary

1. Application Deadline: January 12, 2026
2. Value: Up to $25,000 for a self-directed project (4–12 months)
3. Study Level: Undergraduate, Graduate, Professional
4. Sponsor: McMaster University
5. Eligible Countries: All countries

Eligibility Criteria for Apply for the 2026 Renaissance Award — Up to $25,000

1. Must have completed the first year of study
2. Be a full-time undergraduate, graduate, or medical student
3. Minimum cumulative GPA of 10 or higher
4. Must propose a 4–12 month independent enrichment project outside your program

Benefits of Apply for the 2026 Renaissance Award — Up to $25,000

The Renaissance Award will fully fund your project up to a maximum of $25,000.

How to Apply

The application for the Renaissance Award includes multiple steps, which can be found on AwardSpring. When you initially apply in AwardSpring, you should have a strong idea of the outline and purpose of your project.

The first step is to find and apply for the Renaissance Award in AwardSpring.

1. Access AwardSpring through the tile on your Mosaic homepage and complete the common application.
2. Find the Renaissance Award under the “Follow-Up” tab on your Dashboard.

For more details, visit McMaster University Renaissance Award webpage

Application Deadline

January 12, 2026

Application Link(s)

• Apply for Apply for the 2026 Renaissance Award — Up to $25,000