Support for You

IBD Scholarship

AbbVie IBD Scholarship

Supporting students with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis

The AbbVie IBD Scholarship program helps students with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) achieve their academic goals while they make a lasting and meaningful difference in their communities. Crohn’s and Colitis Canada awards fifteen (15) aspiring students a one-time $5,000 CAD scholarship to support their education at a Canadian post-secondary institution. The program helps alleviate financial barriers, enabling students to focus on their studies, pursue their passions, and engage in meaningful community work. Learn more about eligibility and the application requirements below.

Please note that applications for the 2025 school year are now closed and recipients have been selected. View this year’s awardees. 

Clinton Shard Memorial Scholarship

The Clinton Shard Memorial Scholarship honours the legacy of Clinton Shard, a 2012 AbbVie IBD Scholarship recipient who made significant contributions to the IBD community. Each year, the Shard family selects one scholarship recipient to receive the award. Read more about Clinton Shard and his legacy.

Eligibility requirements

Applicants of any age are encouraged to apply and must be:

• A citizen or permanent resident of Canada

• Diagnosed with Crohn’s or colitis by a health care professional

• Enrolled in or awaiting acceptance from a Canadian university, college, or trade school seeking a diploma, associate, undergraduate, or graduate degree

• A student who demonstrates academic aspiration and strives to sustain an optimal level of wellness, balancing their personal health and academic goals

The AbbVie IBD Scholarship Program is a competitive process, and applying does not guarantee funding. Employees of AbbVie or Crohn’s and Colitis Canada and their immediate family members, and past AbbVie IBD Scholarship recipients are not eligible for this scholarship.

How to apply

1. A completed online application

2. Proof of Diagnosis Form, signed by your health care provider

3. A signed and dated Applicant Consent Form

4. Two (2) letters of personal recommendation from a teacher, guidance counsellor, school official, coach, mentor, health care provider, professional colleague or employer

5. A 500-word essay (1 page max.) outlining how you maintain wellness and strive to for academic success, and inspire others through your personal goals and community involvement
   
   Questions to address:

   • Why do you strive for academic success?

   • How do you maintain an optimal level of wellness?

   • What are your personal and academic goals?

   • How do you inspire others through community and school involvement?

   • How would you benefit from the scholarship financially and psychologically?

We recommend gathering all the necessary information before starting the application process, as you must submit your application in one sitting. You cannot save your progress or return later once you start.

Selection Process

Scholarship recipients are selected by an independent committee of leading gastroenterologists, community partners and patient representatives from across Canada. Selection is based on:

• Two (2) letters of personal recommendation 

• 500-word essay demonstrating how the applicant maintains wellness and inspires others. See a sample scoring sheet and criteria definitions

Supported by

We gratefully acknowledge the supporting organizations that make this scholarship possible: