rewarding success when it matters most


At the By Merit Foundation, we believe that recognizing and supporting achievement at the right moment can change the course of a student’s future. Beginning in 2026, we will be awarding merit-based scholarships each academic term to exceptional students in engineering, education, and other high-impact programs. Our mission is simple: to reward those who are excelling when it matters most. By investing in the success of today’s students, we’re helping shape the leaders, innovators, and educators of tomorrow.

Our mission

Recognizing students who lead, and giving others the chance to stand behind them.

scholarships

Thousands in scholarships for Alberta’s top university students.

Get Involved

As a private non-profit, we can’t accept public donations—but that doesn’t mean you can’t help.

OUR MISSION


We believe excellence deserves recognition—no matter a student’s background.
While many scholarships are designed to increase access and support for underrepresented or financially disadvantaged groups, there are fewer opportunities that focus purely on rewarding exceptional achievement. We aim to complement the existing landscape by celebrating students who are excelling at the highest level, regardless of their personal circumstances.
Our mission is also about connection.
We’re creating meaningful pathways between high-performing students and individuals who want to give back with intention. Through a private membership model, we offer a transparent and more personal approach to philanthropy—where supporters have the opportunity to review exceptional applicants and directly select where their contribution goes.
This is more than a scholarship. It’s a celebration of merit, a commitment to transparency, and an invitation to invest in the next generation with purpose.

Scholarships


Coming 2026

We award $1,000 scholarships to high-achieving students in their 2nd to 4th year of study. Applications are open each academic term and are currently focused on students in Engineering and Education at the University of Calgary—with plans to expand to other faculties in the future.Applicants are asked to submit a recent transcript along with a 50-word response to a short prompt. From there, a select group of top candidates will be forwarded to the individual beneficiary of that scholarship—who will choose the recipient based on academic excellence and personal alignment.In some cases, students may be invited to a short coffee chat with the scholarship sponsor. This is a chance to share your story, build your professional network, and potentially form a meaningful mentorship beyond the award.Our goal is to recognize students who are already excelling—and connect them with individuals who want to support the next generation with intention and purpose.

Get Involved


We are a private non-profit registered in Alberta, which means we operate a little differently than many charitable organizations. Under Alberta’s regulations, private non-profits are not permitted to accept public donations or solicit funds from the general public. Instead, we rely on a small group of committed members to fund and support our mission.This structure allows us to maintain a high level of transparency and direct engagement between those offering support and the students receiving it. Every scholarship we award is thoughtfully matched, and in some cases, reviewed personally by the member funding it—fostering relationships that can extend beyond a one-time award.While we can’t accept general donations, we are actively exploring ways to amplify the impact of our scholarship program. We’re happy to forward standout applications from runner-up candidates to other organizations, and we’re eager to get our scholarships listed on broader platforms that reach more students.We’re also open to collaborating with other institutions—whether that’s universities, faculties, or philanthropic groups—who share our commitment to recognizing excellence during the most formative years of a student’s life. Our founder is available to meet with individuals or organizations who are looking to launch their own initiatives, and is glad to offer insight, support, or partnership along the way.Above all, our goal is simple: to celebrate success when it matters most. If that’s a mission you connect with, we’d love to hear from you.