Scholarship Program
Creating Opportunities in STEM: Telesat’s 2022 Scholarship Program
Today, women are under-represented in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) and that needs to change. The 2022 Telesat Scholarship Program is aimed at closing this gender gap and inspiring the next-generation of female innovators and leaders. This annual program will provide eight (8) students a scholarship of $5,000 CAD each.


Eligibility
Eligible applicants must:
- identify as female;
- be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident;
- be entering or already enrolled in full-time studies of an undergraduate degree in the 2022 academic year;
- be enrolled in a STEM program;
- have a minimum cumulative average of 75% (or equivalent) over the last three terms of available marks;
- be enrolled in an accredited Canadian university
Diversity
Applicants can view the full program details and apply online. The application and supporting document deadline is 1:00 pm ET, March 15, 2022.
2021 Women in STEM Scholarship Winners
Clare Benson
Lauren Healy
Mélanie Cadelis
Mélanie Cadelis is a third-year undergraduate student, majoring in computer science and management at Laval University in Quebec City, Canada.
Mélanie believes computer science is a tool that can help the fight against social injustices.
She wishes to inspire future generations and empower women in the STEM field, by showing them that their contribution is essential to create and design solutions that will meet the diverse needs of each. She co-funded Femin-IT, an organization to encourage women in the tech field, is the delegate of her university program, and actively participates in events to promote careers in the IT industry.
Beyond her community engagements, Mélanie also maintains excellent academic standards, receiving the highest academic achievement and involvement awards of her program.
Alana Lopes
Alana Lopes is entering her third year of her Physics degree program at McMaster University. She has always been interested in STEM, particularly in science, but also enjoys working with her hands. As such, she became very interested in Physics and engineering in high school which helped guide her path into this course of study. She is a passionate advocate for equality and inclusivity in all aspects of life, including STEM. Alana noted that it wasn’t easy getting into physics because the vast majority of the students are male, most of whom thought that she couldn’t possibly succeed because the science is too hard, or the math is too complicated. Alana works hard advancements in STEM and serve as a positive role model for younger generations who are interested in STEM and are a part of a minority. Alana believes that creating an environment that is inclusive, supportive, and equal is one of her main goals.
Megha Desai
Megha Desai is a third-year student at the University of British Columbia, pursuing mechanical engineering with the biomedical option. She moved to Canada approximately eleven years ago and calls Fort McMurray, Alberta her home.
She always loved math and sciences, but what drew her to engineering is how impactful it can be in solving real-world problems. For example, inventing carbon capture technology or creating bioprosthetic heart valves! Engineering is also constantly evolving, and she really wanted to pursue a career in a field where she can always be learning something new.
Megha enjoys taking part in club activities and meeting new people at engineering competitions and conferences. She is currently part of the Women in Engineering (WiE) executive team at her university, where she regularly plans events that connect female students with industry professionals. These events also aim to create awareness around the 30 by 30 initiative. Outside of school, she enjoys traveling and working on her bowling skills.
Alana McKee
Natasha Dmytryk
Natasha Dmytryk is a fourth-year science student at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario where she is pursuing a Life Sciences Specialization degree. This year, Natasha is undertaking a pathology-centered research project, through which she hopes to expand her appreciation for scientific research and its ability to be applied in a clinical setting to help diagnose and treat a wide range of disorders.
Over the past three years, Natasha has engaged in a wide range of volunteer and extracurricular opportunities to complement her education. She’s held several positions aimed at helping others, both in her local community and globally. Last year, her involvement with an international NGO enabled her Queen’s team to raise over $20,000 to help impoverished families in Peru who were disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. She currently holds an executive role on this organization’s committee at Queen’s University as well as with the Queen’s Dance Club, one of Canada’s largest student-led clubs. Natasha strives to be a role model for young women in STEM and currently volunteers as a science tutor for local high school students and mentors first-year science students by providing academic advice and easing their transition into university life.
As a Telesat Women in STEM Scholarship recipient in 2021, Natasha now hopes to have the financial support to pursue a M.Sc. following her undergraduate degree in 2022.