For students with a passion for history, leadership, and international connection, few opportunities compare to the Beaverbrook Vimy Prize. Applications open now, deadline is March 17, 2026.
What Is the Beaverbrook Vimy Prize?
The Beaverbrook Vimy Prize (BVP) is a prestigious 10-day experiential scholarship program offered by the Vimy Foundation, bringing together youth aged 15 to 17 from Canada, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany for an immersive journey through Belgium and France. Funded by the Beaverbrook Canadian Foundation, the program gives recipients the rare opportunity to walk the ground where history was made.
Through visits to key historic sites, former battlefields, museums, cemeteries, and memorials, participants study the interwoven history of the First and Second World Wars, exploring not just the battles themselves, but the lasting environmental and human impact these conflicts left on the landscape and communities of Europe. It’s history education at its most powerful: experienced in person, alongside peers from the very nations that were once on opposing sides.
More Than a Trip: A Transformative Experience
What sets the BVP apart is its focus on connection and perspective. Participants don’t just observe history; they engage with it through research, group projects, and meaningful dialogue with fellow youth from across the world. As one BVP alumna put it, the program “changed my outlook on the way we perceive and discuss historical events,” and that kind of impact stays with a student long after they’ve returned home.
BVP alumni go on to become ambassadors for the Vimy Foundation, sharing what they’ve learned with their schools and communities, and continuing to engage with their peers through the Vimy Foundation Alumni Council. The experience doesn’t end when the plane lands; it’s a lifelong community.
Ellison Travel & Tours: Proud to Be Part of the Journey
Ellison Travel & Tours Ltd. has been a long-time partner of the Vimy Foundation, providing travel and booking support for their overseas education programs. Supporting initiatives like the Beaverbrook Vimy Prize aligns deeply with our mission at Ellison Tours. When young Canadians have the chance to connect with their history on such a personal level, we’re honoured to help get them there.
How to Apply
The 2026 program runs from July 31 to August 10, 2026, and applications are accepted until March 17, 2026. The application process includes an essay component, a letter of reference, a resume, and for shortlisted candidates, a virtual interview. Recipients are fully supported throughout the program, from preparation to participation.
To learn more or to apply, visit the Vimy Foundation’s website at vimyfoundation.ca/programs/beaverbrook-vimy-prize.
