Newfoundland and Labrador honours 20 students with 2026 RISE Awards

Twenty high school students from across Newfoundland and Labrador were recognized Friday as recipients of the 2026 Research Inspired Student Enrichment (RISE) Awards.

The awards were presented at a ceremony in St. John’s by Jobs, Growth and Rural Development Minister Lin Paddock.

The RISE Awards are given to Level II students who demonstrate strong academic achievement in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Recipients are selected through a competitive process that evaluates grades as well as written essays outlining their future academic and career goals, and how those plans relate to the province.

Winners will take part in summer enrichment programs at leading institutions, including the Research Science Institute at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the Boston Leadership Institute in Wellesley, Mass., and the University of Toronto.

The provincial government is providing about $324,000 to cover tuition, accommodations and travel costs for the students.

Officials say the program is designed to support the development of skilled workers by exposing students to advanced learning environments and research opportunities early in their education.

In a statement, Paddock said the awards highlight “some of the brightest young minds” in the province and help prepare them to contribute to Newfoundland and Labrador’s long-term economic growth.