- Four Canadians from Ottawa and Victoria will pursue fully-funded master’s degrees at leading UK universities.
- Chevening is the UK Government’s global scholarship programme. It supports study in the UK for postgraduate students with demonstrable potential to become future leaders, decision-makers and opinion formers.
- The Chevening programme is now accepting applications for the 2027-28 academic year.
The British High Commission in Ottawa is proud to recognise four outstanding Canadians as recipients of the 2026 Chevening Scholarship.
The UK Government’s esteemed global scholarship programme offers a transformative opportunity to individuals with extraordinary potential to become future leaders, decision-makers and opinion formers. These scholarships cover all necessary costs for scholars to pursue eligible master’s degrees at a UK university of their choice—including tuition, accommodation, travel and living expenses—while also granting access to exclusive academic, professional and cultural experiences, and an extensive alumni network of global leaders.
Canada’s 2026 Chevening cohort includes Amy Topshee, Eliza Yadov, Ana Maria Lleras and Dae De Jarisco, representing communities in Ottawa and Victoria. The scholars have distinguished themselves through their academic achievement, professional excellence and commitment to making a positive impact in Canada and beyond.
For the third consecutive year, one of Canada’s Chevening scholarships is funded by Calgary-based energy company ATCO, with Dae De Jarisco receiving the Chevening-ATCO Scholarship. The Chevening-Briggs Scholarship, funded by British entrepreneur and philanthropist David Briggs, will support Eliza Yadov in pursuing postgraduate study in the UK.
Rob Tinline, British High Commissioner to Canada, said:
“Congratulations to Ana Maria, Amy, Dea, and Eliza as they take up this year’s Chevening Scholarships for graduate study in the UK. With the support from ATCO and Briggs alongside the UK Government, their time at world-class universities in the United Kingdom will build their skills and global networks. They will join the global community of exceptional Chevening scholars who go on to lead and change their countries and communities.”
Nancy Southern, Chair & Chief Executive Officer, ATCO, said:
“At ATCO, we believe strong communities, resilient institutions and effective public policy are built by leaders who challenge convention and embrace innovation, while keeping people at the heart of what they do. That’s why we celebrate this year’s scholar, Dea De Jarisco. Through her work integrating technology, design and public service, Dea has already demonstrated a commitment to improving the systems people rely on every day. On behalf of everyone at ATCO, we congratulate Dea on this achievement and look forward to the positive impact she will continue to make in Canada and around the world.”
The British High Commission will bid this year’s scholars farewell at a reception this September, ahead of their departure.
Chevening Scholarships are awarded to individuals from diverse backgrounds who demonstrate the commitment and skills necessary to drive positive change in their respective fields. Since its establishment in 1983, the programme has empowered thousands of professionals around the world to develop their expertise at UK universities before returning home with the knowledge, networks and experience to benefit their communities.
Applications for the 2027-28 Chevening Scholarships are now open. Interested candidates can submit their applications through chevening.org/apply. The application window will remain open until 6 October 2026. Detailed information regarding eligibility criteria and scholarship specifications can be found at chevening.org/apply.
Scholar Biographies
Amy Topshee
As the eldest of four in a Canadian military family, Amy grew up crisscrossing North America, leaving roots in British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Colorado, and Rhode Island. Amy’s interest in security and defence was cultivated through her honours thesis on climate security and her involvement with the NATO Field School, earning her recognition as one of the “Top 20 in their Twenties” by Women in Defence and Security.
Her passion for politics led her to complete non-partisan internships, first in the BC Legislature and, most recently, the Canadian House of Commons, where she worked for MPs in both the governing and official opposition parties. These experiences thoroughly exposed her to the conviction and responsibility that drive those who serve their communities through elected office. As a Chevening Scholar, she will pursue an MA in international relations at King’s College London before returning to Canada to study law at McGill University.
Eliza Yadav
Eliza is a Canadian national security practitioner with five years of experience in the Government of Canada, including in the Privy Council Office. She currently specializes in strategic cyber threat assessment of state and non-state actors. Her work includes analysing cyber operations, assessing geopolitical and technological developments, and advising senior decision makers on emerging national security challenges.
Eliza holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Development from McGill University and studied Economics and Law during an exchange semester at Sciences Po, Paris.
This fall, Eliza will pursue a master of public policy at the University of Oxford’s Blavatnik School of Government, where she hopes to deepen her training in AI-enabled contemporary conflict, international security strategy, and technology competition. She also looks forward to developing her skills in behavioural science, public speaking, and negotiation, and applying these tools to advance Canada’s national security interests upon her return.
Dae De Jarisco
Dea is a senior product manager with the Government of British Columbia, based in Victoria, BC. A graduate of the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Arts, a major in Criminology and a minor in Philosophy, she has spent more than a decade in the BC public service working at the intersection of product leadership, human-centred design, and public sector innovation. She has led initiatives spanning digital talent, emergency management, and most recently Connected Services BC, where she integrates policy, design, and technology to modernize complex systems that people depend on.
As a Chevening Scholar, Dea will pursue an MSc in future governance at the University of Edinburgh. She looks forward to returning to Canada to continue her work in governance innovation and responsible AI deployment, contributing to the frameworks that make ethical AI possible, while remaining close enough to implementation to build the tools that make those frameworks real.
Ana Maria Lleras
Ana Maria is an economist and policy analyst focused on financial sector policy issues. She is passionate about the intersection of finance, technology and public policy, and believes that effective leaders in this rapidly evolving field must understand both financial markets and the public interest. She also promotes opportunities for women in the public service through her role as Co-Chair of Finance Canada’s Women’s Network.
As a Chevening Scholar, Ana Maria will pursue an MSc in finance, technology and policy at the University of Edinburgh. She hopes to return to Canada with a deeper understanding of how finance and technology can support competitive, innovative markets while advancing consumer protection and broader public policy objectives. She is also excited to strengthen connections between Canada and the UK and to bring her experience and perspective to future leadership roles at the intersection of policy, finance and technology.
About Chevening Scholarships
Chevening Scholarships, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), partner organizations, and partner universities, constitute the UK Government’s global scholarship program. These scholarships primarily support individuals pursuing one-year taught master’s degrees at UK universities, with a focus on nurturing future leaders, decision-makers, and opinion formers.
Since its inception in 1983, Chevening has evolved into a prestigious international awards scheme, attracting scholars from over 160 countries and territories worldwide. Since the programme started in 1983, over 60,000 professionals have advanced their careers through Chevening, demonstrating the UK’s commitment to developing the leaders of tomorrow. The name “Chevening” derives from Chevening House in Sevenoaks, Kent, which currently serves as the joint official residence of the UK’s Foreign Secretary.
The Chevening-ATCO Scholarship is open to scholars wishing to study a master’s course which can be clearly linked to: the advancement of the energy transition and sustainability; the development of prosperous communities, Indigenous relations and equitable partnerships; or affordable housing and community spaces.
The Chevening-Briggs Scholarship is open for applications and will give strong preference to high-quality candidates from Métis, Inuit and First Nation communities.
Visit chevening.org/scholarships for more detailed information on the wider eligibility criteria and scholarship specifications.
About the British High Commission:
The British High Commission in Ottawa is the UK government’s diplomatic mission in Canada. Along with Consulates-General in Montreal, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver, we work closely with the Canadian government and partners across the country to develop and maintain a wide range of substantive partnerships of real value to both countries. These partnerships cover business, defence, climate change, science and innovation, education, and culture.
For further inquiries, please contact: Cara Steele, Chevening Officer [email protected] and Megan Lalonde, Head of Communications at the British High Commission [email protected]
