Program Handbook 2026
Official Guidelines | Document Ref: SF-2026-HB

Table of Contents

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A fully funded academic fellowship designed to remove financial pressure and enable complete focus on scholarship and leadership.

01

Preamble

The Stoyanova Fellowship is a binding agreement effectively buying the time of high-potential undergraduates to free them from the necessity of labor. This document outlines the statutes governing the 2026-2027 academic cycle.

Acceptance of the award constitutes a legal and moral agreement to adhere to these standards. The Foundation operates as a private trust; its decisions regarding Fellowship status are final and not subject to external appeal.

02

Financial Provisions

2.1 The Stipend

The Fellowship provides a total annual grant of $50,012.04 CAD. This is disbursed in monthly installments of $4,167.67.

2.2 Disbursement Schedule

Funds are released via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) on the 28th day of each month. Verification of full-time enrollment is required prior to the September and January releases.

2.3 Taxation

The grant is classified as “Other Income” by the CRA. The Foundation issues T4A slips annually. Fellows are advised to reserve approximately 15% of the total grant for tax liabilities.

Note on Distinguished Scholars: The Distinguished Scholar Award is a one-time grant of $10,000, disbursed in ten monthly installments of $1,000.00.

03

Code of Ethics

The Stoyanova Fellow is held to a standard of conduct exceeding that of the average student.

  • Integrity: Any proven instance of academic dishonesty (plagiarism, fabrication) results in immediate dismissal.
  • Public Representation: Fellows represent the Trust. Public behavior deemed to bring the Trust into disrepute (including criminal activity, hate speech, or gross negligence) is grounds for termination.
  • anonymity: While Fellows are public figures, the privacy of the Founders is paramount. Fellows agree not to pursue or publish personal details regarding the Trust’s benefactors.

04

The Employment Covenant

The core tenet of the Fellowship is the liberation of time. Consequently, Fellows are contractually prohibited from holding paid employment during the academic term (September 1 – April 30).

4.1 Definitions of Prohibited Work

“Employment” includes part-time jobs, internships, freelance consulting, or paid board positions exceeding 5 hours/week.

4.2 Exemptions

Academic Teaching Assistantships (TAs) and Research Assistantships (RAs) directly related to the Fellow’s field of study are permitted, provided they do not exceed 10 hours/week.

Rationale: We are purchasing your focus. Your “job” is to excel in your studies and your service project. Diluting this focus violates the spirit of the investment.

05

Retreat & Obligations

Attendance at the Annual Leadership Summit in Kananaskis (August) is mandatory for all incoming and current Fellows.

Expense coverage includes:

  • Round-trip economy airfare from major Canadian hubs.
  • Accommodations for 3 nights.
  • All meals and programming materials.

06

Attestation

The Trust reserves the right to terminate funding with 30 days’ notice if a Fellow:

  • Fails to maintain full-time academic status.
  • Violates the ‘No-Employment’ Covenant.
  • Is convicted of a criminal offense.
  • Breaches the Confidentiality Agreement regarding the Founders.

07

Termination Clause

This digital document serves as the effective handbook for the current cycle. Upon selection, Fellows sign a physical counterpart to this agreement.

The Board of Trustees
The Stoyanova Foundation
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