About Forces AVENIR

Have you demonstrated ingenuity, determination and leadership? Have you become involved in your community? Have you participated in a project that has had a significant impact in your community or specific field of activity? You are an ideal candidate!

Forces AVENIR aims to recognize, honour and promote the commitment of students in projects that contribute to the development of socially conscious, active and responsible citizens who are both dedicated to their community and open to the world.

Finalists share prestigious grants totaling $114,000 each year!

Eligibility

Eligibility for Individuals

• Be registered as a full-time student听for at least one semester during the period of eligibility,听from April 1st 2023 to March 31st 2024
• Be enrolled in an undergraduate (Bachelor's) or graduate (Master's/PhD) degree
• Be no more than 35 years of age on March 31, 2024
• Not be former recipients of a Forces AVENIR university award in the Personality AVENIR category

Eligibility for Projects

• The project must not be carried out as part of a university undergraduate program worth more than three credits
• The project must not take place in the context of a course or a research program which is part of the requirements for obtaining a graduate degree
• At least 80% of the students involved in the project must meet the criteria for individuals
• The project must be initiated, made operational or be carried out during the period of eligibility (1 April 2023听to 31 March 2024)
• The project must not have already received a Forces AVENIR university award in the Project AVENIR category

Eligibility for Committed Staff Member

• A current member of staff (academic or admin) at McGill University

Application Deadline

Applications for 2024 are.听

You will be unable to create an application after March 31st; however, applications will be editable until April 14th.

Students have until Sunday April 14th 2023听to edit their听application and submit reference letters (our office will begin reviewing applications the morning of April 15th).听

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**When opening an application, for the "University ID/Matricule Universitaire" section, please enter your personal student ID number

Categories

Students may apply under the听Personality听category (undergraduate, graduate or perseverant) or under one of the eight (8) Project categories.

Arts, Literature, and Culture

• Project听pertaining to the performing arts, visual arts, arts and crafts, literature, architecture, design or heritage

Mutual Aid, Peace and Justice

• Projects aimed at promoting community service, humanitarian cooperation, the respect for human rights or the establishment and promotion of a just society

Entrepreneurship, Business and Social Economy

• Project relating to economic growth or to creation, expansion or recovery of a business venture

Environment

• Project concerned with the environment, whether it promotes environmental protection, recycling, reuse, recuperation, sustainable development, natural resources or environmental education

Health and Healthy Living

• Project connected with health awareness and prevention, research or improving public health in areas such as nursing, diet, physical fitness, mental health and medicine

Science and Technology

• Project of a scientific or technological nature, which involves research, experimentation or popularization in the field of science and technology

Society, Communications and Education

• Project of a social nature linked with communications, education or political action and which addresses social issues or public concerns

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Personality - Undergraduates

• Undergraduate awards will be presented to undergraduate students who have distinguished听themselves through a balance of academic, personal and social achievements, as well as by their leadership, the concrete impact of their engagement and consistency in all the specific criteria throughout their studies

Personality - Graduates

• Graduate awards will be presented to a graduate student who has achieved distinction through a balance of academic, personal and social achievements, as well as by their leadership, the concrete impact of their engagement and consistency in all the specified criteria throughout their studies.

Personality - Perseverant听

• The Perseverant Personality category recognizes a student who has made efforts and developed strategies throughout their entire life in order to overcome challenges, nourish their motivation, experience successes, get into university, and succeed in their academic studies.

Committed Staff Member

• The committed Staff Member category recognized a member of staff who, outside the context of a course of research program, is involved with students who are engaged in community actions, here or elsewhere in the world. Or, the category recognized a member of staff whose engagement has had an impact on the educational听institution's mission and the development of a more socially-conscious, responsible, active and persevering citizens. While resolutely fulfilling their professional responsibilities and maintaining a good life-work balance, the recipient has distinguished themselves by their ability to around the desire to get involved, among both students and community members.

Selection Process

University-level:

• McGill will make a first selection and will submit a maximum of two applications per category to Forces AVENIR.
• Please note that if a category has less than two applicants, that does not mean they will automatically be submitted - the McGill Selection Committee will hold these projects to the same standards as all other applicants.

Specialist Juries:

• For each category, Forces AVENIR will set up a jury of three people recognized in their field. These juries will select the recipients of the grants and AVENIR trophies.
• Virtual interviews with finalists will take place in Mid-May 2024听(exact dates to be determined).听
• Winners will be announced at the annual Gala, taking place in Quebec City in Fall 2024.

The Grand Jury:

• Finally, a Grand Jury made up of a number of key figures in society representing different fields will determine the recipients of the AVENIR Par Excellence grants and trophies.
• Winners will be announced at the annual Gala, taking place in Quebec City in Fall 2024.

Resources

All interested applicants should consult the:

2024 FA Information_English

2024 FA Information_French

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Frequently Asked Questions

Everything on the website is in French - can I submit in English?

YES, they will accept both English & French applications

Can my "action" photos include other people in them?

Yes, but to broadcast (on website, at Gala, etc) the photos, FA must have the consent of all the people in the photos. This is particularly important for photos including minors!

Do I also need to include my CEGEP transcript?

No, only transcripts from your university studies are required.

I transferred to McGill from another University - do I need to submit those transcripts as well?

Yes, please submit all transcripts from your university studies.

Can someone from McGill look over my application and make suggestions?

Due to the high number of applicants, McGill cannot provide any personalized feedback on applications

Can my reference upload my letter of recommendation directly to my application portal?

Unfortunately, they cannot upload documents to your application file on your behalf. They must send you the letters, and you will upload them. If your references have concerns with this, please have them contact our office.听