Students of Chinese Descent: Explore the Jean Lumb Awards Now

The Jean Lumb Foundation aims to advance education for students of Chinese heritage. Check out the many scholarships that are open right now.

If you're a student of Chinese heritage, the Jean Lumb Foundation scholarships are for you!

Named for entrepreneur and community leader Jean Lumb, the first Chinese Canadian woman to receive the Order of Canada, the Jean Lumb Foundation offers annual scholarships to students of Chinese descent to make education more accessible.

Most of these scholarships are intended for high school students who plan to attend college or university, but 2025 brings two new awards, thanks to an anonymous donor, for current undergraduates!

There is one award available for each category. Students can apply for more than one Jean Lumb Award, too! You'll need to submit a complete application for each award, and you can only receive one scholarship. Check out the eligibility requirements, and award descriptions, below.

Eligibility

To apply for a Jean Lumb award, you must be:

• Enrolled full-time in any grade in a high school or secondary school in Canada (with exceptions for Athletics (College or University level) and for Family Medicine; see below)
• Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• Of Chinese heritage

Here are the awards that are up for grabs this year. Be sure to apply before the May 20, 2025 deadline!

Academics Award

For high school students!

The successful candidate must demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and exceptional promise for future academic distinction. Factors to be considered are:

• outstanding scholastic achievement
• achievements acknowledged by scholastic bodies
• breaking new ground in a field of study or knowledge, or showing promise of making a significant contribution in a specific field

Arts Award

For high school students!

The successful candidate must demonstrate outstanding achievement in Creative Arts and/or exceptional promise of future artistic achievement. Factors to be considered are:

• outstanding scholar or practitioner of drama, music, art and/or dance
• recognition accorded for artistic performance (top prize winner in a music festival, recipient of dance scholarship, etc.)
• achievements which gained individual honour and distinction (performances, exhibitions, etc.)

Athletics Award

For high school students!

The successful candidate must demonstrate outstanding achievement in sports and exceptional promise of future athletic distinction. Factors to be considered are:

• outstanding athletic achievement through consistent performance of a sport or sports
• achievements which gained individual honour and distinction to the athlete, the school and/or other athletic endeavour
• commitment to fairness and integrity in competition

Athletics (College or University level) Award

For college or university students!

The successful candidate must be a post-secondary student-athlete who is enrolled in any university or college undergraduate program. Factors to be considered are:

• outstanding athletic achievement through consistent performance of a sport or sports
• achievements which gained individual honour and distinction to the athlete, the university/college and/or other athletic endeavour that can include high performance sport, university/college team, national team
• leadership, discipline, initiative, dedication, and teamwork

Community Service Award

For high school students!

The successful candidate must have a record of significant service and involvement. Factors to be considered are:

• significantly enriching the lives of groups or individuals over an extended period of time
• exceptional service through charitable organization(s) or community group(s)
• exemplary commitment to volunteerism

Defence of the Environment Award

For high school students!

The successful candidate must have a record of significant service and involvement in the defence of the environment. Factors to be considered are:

• significant roles in environmental protection
• encouragement of others to reduce their impact on the environment
• fostering of innovation in the protection of the environment

Dignity of Life Award

For high school students!

The successful candidate must have a record of significant service and involvement in building hope in communities and promoting respect for the dignity of life, including those of young, adult, elderly, and/or individuals with disabilities toward inclusion into society. Factors to be considered are:

• significant roles in enriching the lives of groups or individuals over an extended period of time
• exceptional service through charitable organization(s) or community group(s)
• exemplary commitment to volunteerism

Excellence Award (BC students only!)

For high school students from BC!

The successful candidate is an extraordinary applicant from British Columbia who is tops in his/her chosen field, e.g., academics; sports; community services; the arts, etc. Factors to be considered are:

• top standing in his/her chosen field
• ambition to succeed
• dedication and commitment
• achievement in relation to challenging circumstances or obstacles overcome

Family Medicine (College, University, or Residency level) Award

For undergraduate medical students / Family Medicine residents!

The successful candidate must be a Family Medicine resident, or a 4th year medical student who has been accepted as a resident in Family Medicine. Factors to be considered are:

• commitment and contributions to the health and wellbeing of individuals families, and communities
• academic and/or research achievements related to family medicine
• unique achievements or exceptional activities in medical school or residency

Innovation Award

For high school students!

The successful candidate must show originality of the innovation. Factors to be considered are:

• uniqueness or novelty of innovation of a process, service, or product that has expanded and/or added value to its area
• lasting impact and/or benefit of the innovation that is commensurate with the overall need or magnitude of the area being addressed
• degree of achievement or quality of ingenious and/or entrepreneurial thinking to discover, create or conceive the innovation
• achievement in relation to challenging circumstances or obstacles overcome

Innovation in Technology Award

For high school students!

The successful candidate must demonstrate originality for an innovation in technology. Factors to be considered are:

• a game-changing process, service, or product for a creative solution to a technological problem
• an outstanding outcome that successfully leverages a lasting impact
• a benefit that is commensurate with the overall need or magnitude of the area being addressed

Journalism & Communications Award

For high school students!

The successful candidate must must have a portfolio that can include a combination of writing, editing, photography, video or audio production in a medium or media, such as, traditional media (newspapers, magazines, TV, radio), other instruments of communication (newsletters and yearbooks), and modern platforms (social media, websites, streaming). Factors to be considered are:

• excellence in journalism that informs, educates, engages, and inspires
• body of work demonstrating skills that are making a difference in the school
• community and/or in the community at large over an extended period of time

Leadership Award

For high school students!

The successful candidate must demonstrate outstanding leadership qualities and future potential. Factors to be considered are:

• leadership role in student and community service at local, city, provincial, national and/or international levels
• recognized achievement and impact in areas that contribute to the long-term advancement and well-being of community, e.g., education, sports, health
• achievements in inspiring, engaging, and leading others

Overcoming Adversity Award

For high school students!

The successful candidate must have a record of overcoming obstacles through personal perseverance and/or community advocacy and involvement in the face of adversity. Factors to be considered are:

• significant service and involvement in building hope and inspiration with resilience, strength and spirit to make a difference in communities
• facing hardships and persevering to make a difference in their endeavours
• turning adversity into advantage to achieve success

Don't miss your chance to apply for a Jean Lumb Award (or two, or three)! You have until May 20, 2025 to submit your application, but why wait? Get started today!

Have questions about the awards or the application process? Reach us any time at [email protected] for help.