The University of Windsor Outstanding Scholars program is among Canada’s leading undergraduate honours research experiences. Through an interdisciplinary pathway that combines academic challenge, paid research placements, and leadership development, students achieve competitive admission to graduate and professional schools throughout North America and beyond. Outstanding Scholars also compete to combine top scholarships at the University of Windsor.
Program structure
A two-stage pathway that starts in the first year and builds toward paid, high-impact research roles and student leadership opportunities.
Stage 1: Outstanding Scholars Candidates (Year 1)
Candidates develop the habits and research foundations that support strong academic performance and competitive placement success. Students build community, explore opportunities, and prepare a competitive application to the full program.
Stage 2: Full Outstanding Scholars (Years 2–4)
Full Outstanding Scholars complete six paid research placements while supporting world-class research programming across campus. Students work alongside faculty leaders, including Canada Research Chairs, and graduate with a strong portfolio of applied experience.
Explore the student experience through student reflections on YouTube.
Discover how students describe their learning strategies, collaborators, and research content on YouTube.
Opportunities and experiences
Outstanding Scholars can build a standout undergraduate experience through research, leadership, and global options.
- Travel through a University of Windsor Exchange while completing a paid Outstanding Scholars research placement.
- Help lead the nationally recognized UWill Discover initiative, including the journal, conference, workshops, and podcast.
- Add paid co-op placements through any UWindsor undergraduate co-op program.
- Access nationally competitive entrance scholarships, bursaries, and major award programs.
- Develop leadership capacity through presentations, events, workshops, and simulations via the Lancer Leadership Series.
- Learn through an evidence-informed peer mentorship program.
- Live within a vibrant residence community, including the newly built Rodzik Hall.
- Build conference-ready skills and a public-facing portfolio. See student highlights in UWindsor Campus News.