AYA Scholarships

We offer scholarships to support young adults aged 18-39 impacted by cancer in pursuing their post-secondary education. These awards recognize resilience, personal achievement, and the strength it takes to continue academic goals while navigating a cancer experience. The scholarship supports students who are between the ages of 18 – 39 who have or have had cancer. The Scholarship will support post-secondary academic endeavors and will take into account the personal achievements and triumphs of students.

We currently offer two scholarships:

• Michael Kamin Hart Scholarship
• Cal Smith Sarcoma Scholarship

Please read below for more information.

Michael Kamin Hart Scholarship

The $1,000 Michael Kamin Hart Scholarship is a one-time award for 10 full-time students in a college or university program in Canada. Students may be in any year of their studies provided that they are enrolled for school for the upcoming Fall semester. This scholarship runs yearly.

Nominations for the Michael Karmin Hart Scholarship are now closed.

About Michael Kamin Hart

This scholarship was created to honor the memory of Michael Kamin Hart, who was a vibrant, intelligent and compassionate young man who was completing his Masters degree in Biochemistry at the Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research at McMaster University. In his memory, the Michael Kamin Hart Scholarship recognizes other young people who are pursuing their studies while dealing with the effects of cancer.

Eligibility
The Michael Kamin Hart Scholarship ($1,000 each) is open to students who:

• Have been diagnosed with cancer at age 18 or older
• Be a resident of Ontario
• Be enrolled in a post-secondary institution during the 2026 to 2027 academic year
• Provide documentation from a member of your healthcare team confirming cancer diagnosis
• Submit a letter of intent, maximum 500 words, introducing themselves and outlining their academic goals

About Michael Kamin Hart

Nominations for the Michael Kamin Hart Scholarship are now closed.
All applicants will be notified by email of the status of their application at the end of the summer in the year they apply for the award. Scholarship cheques will be issued to the college or university once the AYA team has received confirmation of full-time enrolment in your post-secondary program.

Cal Smith Sarcoma Scholarship

The $1,000 Cal Smith Sarcoma Scholarship is a one-time award for 5 full-time students in a college or university program in Canada. Students may be in any year of their studies provided that they are enrolled for school for the upcoming Fall semester. This scholarship runs yearly.

About Cal Smith
This scholarship was created to honour the memory of Cal, a devoted and caring husband, son, brother, and friend whose warmth, positivity, and infectious laughter left a lasting impact on everyone around him. Known for his big heart and unwavering passion for life, Cal approached everything he did, from sports and health and wellness to his career in Medical Devices, with dedication and purpose. Cal was diagnosed with Myxoid Liposarcoma in the fall of 2020, and after his cancer progressed in August 2022, he faced his journey with remarkable courage and resilience until his passing in February 2025.

This scholarship is specifically dedicated to individuals between the ages of 18 - 39 who have been diagnosed with sarcoma and are pursuing post-secondary education. It aims to honour not only academic achievement, but also the personal resilience, perseverance, and spirit that Cal embodied every day.

Eligibility

The Cal Smith Sarcoma Scholarship ($1,000 each) is open to students who:

• Have been diagnosed with sarcoma at age 18 or older
• Be a resident of Ontario
• Be enrolled in a post-secondary institution during the 2026 to 2027 academic year
• Provide documentation from a member of your healthcare team confirming cancer diagnosis
• Submit a letter of intent, maximum 500 words, introducing themselves and outlining their academic goals

How to Apply

Deadline to submit: June 12th 2026
Nominations for the Cal Smith Sarcoma Scholarship are now open!

All applicants will be notified by email of the status of their application at the end of the summer in the year they apply for the award. Scholarship cheques will be issued to the college or university once the AYA team has received confirmation of full-time enrolment in your post-secondary program.