U of T and RBC launch scholarships recognizing diversity and innovation in technology for third-year students
New scholarships from U of T and RBC will support Women and members of other equity-deserving groups, including Black and Indigenous students who are interested in a career at the intersection of technology and financial services.
The University of Toronto and RBC have launched a new scholarship fund to support students from equity-deserving groups, including Women, Black and Indigenous students, interested in emerging technology. Part of a three-year gift from RBC, the RBC Scholarships for Diversity and Innovation in Technology will support up to six $15,000 scholarships annually.
RBC was an early champion of the innovation ecosystem at the University of Toronto and these awards are another example of how industry and academia can work together to create a culture of inclusive excellence.
Leah Cowen, Vice President, Research and Innovation, and Strategic Initiatives, University of Toronto.
The scholarships will support Women and members of other equity-deserving groups, including Black and Indigenous students who are interested in a career at the intersection of technology and financial services.
At RBC, we believe that diversity and inclusion is an engine for innovation and are committed to removing biases and barriers. This renewed partnership with the University of Toronto will help support diverse talent and help create a more equitable future for the next generation of technologists.
Martin Wildberger, Executive Vice President, Technology & Operations, RBC
This scholarship is the latest addition to a growing infrastructure of resources available to under-represented or racialized U of T students, along with the Black Research Network, Indigenous Research Network, and the recently launched Black Founders Network.
RBC and U of T have a long-standing relationship which started in 2016 with the launch of ONRamp, a collaborative workspace for students, entrepreneurs and startups to support them in developing commercial ideas. In addition to seeding ONRamp, this initial $3 million contribution from RBC was used to create fellowships, prizes and a speaker series to enhance the university’s entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Applications to the RBC Scholarships for Diversity and Innovation in Technology are open from June 7 to July 27, 2022. The scholarships will initially be awarded to third-year undergraduate students enrolled full-time at the university as of September 1. Eligible applicants who apply by June 8 will receive a free student ticket to Collision – the world’s fastest-growing tech conference.