Northwestel’s Northern Futures Scholarship now comes with more than $4,000
For immediate release
Whitehorse, YT – May 7, 2026 – Northwestel announced today that its Northern Futures Scholarship, now in its 24th year, will formally connect recipients to the company’s Internship Program. In addition to the $4,000 scholarship, as of 2026, recipients will also receive priority access to paid internships, mentorship, and early-career opportunities at Northwestel, a commitment that the company is formalizing for the first time.
The 2026 Northern Futures Scholarship offers six awards of $4,000 each to post-secondary students residing in Northwestel’s operating area – the Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Northern British Columbia, and Northern Alberta. Eligible fields of study include Engineering, Telecommunications/Electrical, Computer Sciences, Commerce/Business, Marketing/Communications, Finance and Human Resources.
Since its inception in 2002, the program has awarded more than half a million dollars, supporting over 140 northern students in launching their post-secondary journey and careers. This year’s expansion reflects Northwestel’s strategic commitment to building a northern talent pipeline and deepening its relationship with the communities it serves.
“Northern students are talented, driven, and deeply connected to their communities. The Northern Futures Scholarship is our way of being part of their story. This year, we are going further, connecting the scholarship directly to our Internship Program so that recipients have a real door into a career in the North.” – Curtis Shaw, President, Northwestel
Each year, Northwestel aims to award at least half of its scholarships to Indigenous students, reflecting a sustained commitment to reconciliation and equity in education across Canada’s North.
Applications are currently open and close July 2, 2026. Information about past recipients, intern stories, and full eligibility and submission details are available at nwtel.ca/northern-futures. All applicants will be notified by the end of August.
###
About Northwestel
Northwestel is the largest telecommunications provider in Canada’s North, serving 97 communities across the Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut, as well as Northern British Columbia and Northern Alberta. Beginning in 2020, Northwestel’s Every Community Project significantly improved broadband services for northern residents, governments, and businesses using the latest fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) and Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite technologies. Now, over 95% of homes in Yukon and NWT have access to high-speed, unlimited fibre-powered internet, either FTTH or fibre-to-the-neighbourhood. Northwestel is proud to provide services on the traditional territories of Indigenous peoples across Canada’s North.
Contact
Northwestel Media Relations
media@nwtel.ca
(867) 455-4209
