The Canadian Rare Disease Network (CRDN) is proud to announce the inaugural 2026 RAREvolution Scholars, a cohort of 15 students living with rare diseases who are pursuing post-secondary education across Canada.
Launched in spring 2026 with support from Alexion Canada, the RAREvolution Scholarship Program was created to help address some of the financial and other barriers that students living with rare disease can experience in pursuing post-secondary education, while also creating opportunities for connection, community, and engagement.
The response to the program’s first year demonstrated the need for this kind of support. CRDN received 67 completed applications from students across 8 provinces, representing a wide range of educational pathways, lived experiences, and aspirations.
Following an independent review process, 15 students were selected as the inaugural RAREvolution Scholars.
A community as diverse as their ambitions
The 2026 Scholars come from across Canada and are pursuing studies in fields spanning from medicine and biological sciences to public health, education, social work, forensic science, history, sociology, and more.
Some are beginning their post-secondary journeys, while others are continuing undergraduate or graduate degrees. Together, they bring diverse experiences, interests, and ambitions to the first RAREvolution Scholars community.
What connects them is not a single rare disease experience, but the ways their experiences, interests, and ambitions are shaping the futures they are working toward.
“Young people living with rare disease bring tremendous knowledge, perspectives, and potential to their studies, their communities, and the future of healthcare and research in Canada”, says Dr. Francois Bernier, chair of CRDN and professor of Medical Genetics and Pediatrics, University of Calgary. “RAREvolution is about supporting their educational goals while creating opportunities to connect, contribute, and be recognized for what they bring to the rare disease community. We are incredibly proud to welcome our first cohort of RAREvolution Scholars.”
For Abbie, a Biological Sciences student from Ontario and member of the inaugural cohort, that sense of community is particularly meaningful: “I am especially honoured to become part of the RAREvolution Scholars community because it connects me with others who are transforming their experiences into advocacy, education, research, and meaningful change.”
More than financial support
RAREvolution was designed to provide financial support, but its vision extends beyond the award itself.
Alongside financial support, CRDN is building a national Scholars community where participants can connect with one another and explore learning, mentorship, leadership, and engagement opportunities based on their individual interests.
The program also hopes to create opportunities for scholars who want to contribute their perspectives and expertise to the broader rare disease community. This may include speaking engagements, advisory opportunities, research, mentorship, consultations, and other community initiatives.
Organizations, researchers, patient groups, healthcare teams, and others with an opportunity that may be a good fit are invited to connect with CRDN. Participation is always optional and based on each scholar’s interests, availability, and comfort level.
Looking ahead
The inaugural cohort marks an important milestone for RAREvolution and the beginning of a growing community that CRDN hopes will continue to support and connect students living with rare disease across Canada. To meet the 2026 RAREvolution Scholars, visit: https://canadianrdn.ca/rarevolution-2026-scholars/
You can also follow CRDN on LinkedIn as we introduce the 2026 scholars throughout the fall.