UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
International Leader of Tomorrow (ILOT) Award
full · bachelors
- Need-based (to near-full)Funding type
- UBC (Canada)Host institution
- UndergraduateStudy level
- Merit + financial needBasis
- School nominationRequirement
- RenewableAcross the degree
At a glance
full
Funding
€70k
Max amount
Nov 15, 2026
Deadline
Any country (international students)
Country
University of British Columbia
Provider
The International Leader of Tomorrow (ILOT) Award is the University of British Columbia's flagship need-based award for international undergraduate students. UBC is one of Canada's top research universities, and the ILOT Award enables talented students who could not otherwise afford a UBC degree to study there. The award is calculated on financial need: it covers the gap between the total cost of attendance (tuition, fees, and living costs, which can total well over CAD 60,000 per year for international students) and what the student and their family can reasonably contribute. This means the award can range from a few thousand dollars up to a near-full award, and it is renewable for the duration of the degree subject to maintaining academic standing and continued need. Applicants must demonstrate strong academic achievement, leadership and involvement in school and community life, and genuine financial need. The award requires a school nomination, and students apply for UBC admission and the ILOT Award together, by the deadline (commonly in autumn/early winter).
What's covered
- Cost gap — The difference between the total cost of attendance and what the student/family can contribute.
- Tuition, fees & living — Can cover tuition, fees, and living costs (international cost of attendance often exceeds CAD 60,000/year).
- Renewable — Renewable for the standard length of the undergraduate degree, subject to academic standing and continued need.
How to apply
Secure a school nomination, apply for UBC undergraduate admission, and submit the ILOT Award application (including financial information) by the deadline.
- Get nominated — Obtain a nomination from your secondary school for the ILOT Award.
- Apply to UBC — Submit your UBC undergraduate admission application by the required date.
- Prepare financial & supporting info — Gather financial details, evidence of leadership/achievement, and supporting documents.
- Submit the ILOT application — Complete the ILOT Award application (with the financial assessment) by the deadline.
- Assessment — UBC assesses academic merit, leadership, and financial need.
- Award — Selected students receive a need-based award covering their cost gap, renewable across the degree.
Eligibility
StatusAn international student entering your first undergraduate degree at UBC (not a Canadian citizen/PR).
Academic meritOutstanding academic achievement.
LeadershipDemonstrated leadership and involvement in school and community life.
Financial needA genuine need for financial support to attend UBC.
NominationA nomination from your secondary school.
The award is strictly need-based — it covers what the student and family cannot. A school nomination is required, and you apply for UBC admission and the ILOT Award together by the deadline.
Eligible countries
Any country (international students)
Deadlines
2027 undergraduate entry2026-11-15
Selection
UBC selects ILOT Award recipients on a combination of outstanding academic achievement, demonstrated leadership and community involvement, and genuine financial need. Because the award is need-based and covers each student's cost gap, the value varies widely by recipient, and the pool is highly competitive.
Verified sources
- International Leader of Tomorrow Award — UBCyou.ubc.caofficial
About the provider
The University of British Columbia (UBC) is one of Canada's leading research universities, with campuses in Vancouver and the Okanagan. Its International Leader of Tomorrow Award reflects UBC's commitment to access, enabling talented international students with financial need to study at UBC and contribute as future leaders.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
What is the International Leader of Tomorrow Award?
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The University of British Columbia's flagship need-based award for international undergraduate students, covering the gap between the cost of attendance and what the student and family can contribute.
Who is eligible?
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International students entering their first undergraduate degree at UBC who show outstanding academic achievement, leadership, and genuine financial need, and who are nominated by their school.
How much is the award?
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It is need-based and varies widely — from a few thousand dollars up to a near-full award — depending on the student's cost gap (international cost of attendance often exceeds CAD 60,000/year).
Is it merit-based or need-based?
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Both — you must demonstrate strong academics and leadership to be considered, but the award amount is calculated on financial need.
Do I need a school nomination?
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Yes — a nomination from your secondary school is required as part of the ILOT Award application.
How do I apply?
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Secure a school nomination, apply for UBC undergraduate admission, and submit the ILOT Award application (with financial information) by the deadline.
When is the deadline?
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Commonly around ~mid-November, though dates vary by year and admission stream; confirm the current ILOT and admission deadlines on UBC's website.
Is it renewable?
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Yes — the award is renewable for the standard length of the undergraduate degree, subject to maintaining academic standing and continued financial need.
How competitive is it?
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Highly — UBC is among Canada's top universities and the ILOT Award is its premier international undergraduate award, with strong demand for limited funding.
What level does it cover?
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Undergraduate (first bachelor's degree) study at UBC. It is not for graduate study.
What financial information is needed?
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You provide details of your and your family's financial circumstances so UBC can assess need and calculate the cost gap the award would cover.
Can I study any programme?
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Yes — the award applies across UBC's undergraduate programmes, subject to admission to your chosen programme.