Indigenous student perseverance
Our commitment
Hydro‑Québec wants to help students in Québec’s First Nations and Inuit communities stay in school.
That’s why Hydro‑Québec wants to join individual and community efforts by creating a fund dedicated to helping students stay in school in order to support First Nations and Inuit community members with their educational pursuits and aspirations.
Components of the Student Perseverance Fund
Scholarship program
Hydro Québec is committed to supporting existing and emerging initiatives, in close collaboration with communities, organizations and partners in the education and employability sectors, which aim to ensure academic perseverance.
Scholarships supporting students who wish to go back to school
These scholarships are designed to offer financial support to students who want to pursue or resume an educational or training program.
Student perseverance scholarships
These scholarships are designed to help students stay in school by reducing financial pressures.
Project support fund
In close collaboration with communities, organizations and educational partners, Hydro‑Québec commits to support existing and emerging initiatives designed to foster student perseverance.
Objectives
- To finance forward‑looking projects led by or for Indigenous communities.
- To support concrete actions designed to help students stay in school.
- To encourage mentorship, tutoring and educational guidance.
- To promote culture and expand students’ professional horizons.
How to apply
Choose the form that best fits your situation.
Deadline for submitting your projects
- September 1, 2026
- October 1, 2026
- November 1, 2026
How are applications reviewed?
Requests are analyzed using a comprehensive and inclusive approach, taking into account the realities of Indigenous people and communities as well as the priorities of the 2035 action plan towards a decarbonized and prosperous Quebec.
1. Contribution to student perseverance
Supports educational paths by strengthening motivation, well-being, guidance or engagement.
2. Diversity of paths and inclusion
Recognizes a wide range of contexts and pathways, including youth, adults, return to school and professional training.
3.Connection to culture and territory
Takes into account the cultural, community and urban realities of First Nations and Inuit communities.
4. Alignment and feasibility
Aligns with the fund’s objectives and demonstrates a realistic, well-structured approach.
5. Concrete and measurable impact
Positive and tangible benefits for the targeted Indigenous people or communities
Applications typically not selected
- Projects with no clear link to student perseverance
- Existing activities with no demonstrated added value
- Indirect impact or impact that is difficult to demonstrate
- Infrastructure projects with no clear connection to the people they are meant to support
- Requests for donations or sponsorships
Each application is reviewed as a whole, with its context and potential in mind.
Analysis of applications and governance of the Fund
To ensure a fair, transparent process tailored to the realities of the communities, applications are analyzed in three stages.
1. Verification and Support for Applicants
A team assists organizations and/or applicants in preparing their applications and ensures that they meet the Fund's objectives and contain all the required information.
2. Application analysis
The selection committee evaluates projects based on the Fund's criteria to ensure that all applications are treated fairly.
3. Advice and Recommendations
The advisory committee shares its expertise and makes recommendations to support decision-making.
Fund Governance
The Fund is guided by a collaborative governance structure that includes representatives from First Nations and Inuit communities, as well as representatives from Hydro-Québec with relevant expertise.