fully funded phd scholarships in canada 2023

Ph.D scholarships in Canada for International students 2024-2025

Find Ph.D scholarships for international students to study in Canada 2024-2025.

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship (Vanier CGS) Program for Doctoral Study in Canada 2025

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship (Vanier CGS) Program. The Government of Canada launched the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS) program in 2008 to strengthen Canada’s ability to attract and retain world-class doctoral students and establish Canada as a global centre of exc

Published: 27 Jun 2024 Type: PhD Study in: Canada Value: $50,000 Deadline: 30 Oct 2024

Arthritis Society Canada Training Graduate PhD Salary Award (TGP) 2024

Salary awards are offered to graduate students who are undertaking full-time research training in an area of clear relevance to arthritis and Arthritis Society Canada's Strategic Plan 2020-2025: Accelerating Impact - Research Strategy which aims to identify research avenues that f

Published: 18 Mar 2024 Type: PhD Study in: Canada Value: $105,000 Deadline: 16 Apr 2024

University of British Columbia Gustave O. Arlt Scholarship Award in Humanities 2024

This award is named in the honor of Gustave O. Arlt (1895-1986) who was the first president of the Council of Graduate Schools, former faculty member and Dean of the Graduate School at UCLA, and a scholar of German language and literature. Since 1972, this award is made annually to recognize a young

Published: 15 Mar 2024 Type: PhD Study in: Canada Deadline: 12 Apr 2024

Canadian Government NSERC Postgraduate Scholarships for PGS-Doctoral Students 2024

The Canada Graduate Scholarships — Doctoral (CGS D) program is a federal program of scholarships administered by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (S

Published: 27 Feb 2024 Type: PhD Study in: Canada Value: $105,000 Deadline: 17 Oct 2024

Canadian Government Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships 2024

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships was named after Major-General Georges P. Vanier, the first francophone Governor General of Canada, the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS) program helps Canadian institutions attract highly qualified doctoral students. The Government of C

Published: 30 Oct 2023 Type: PhD Study in: Canada Deadline: 01 Nov 2023

USask Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship (Vanier CGS) for Canadian citizens, Permanent residents of Canada and Foreign citizens 2024

The Government of Canada launched the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS) program in 2008 to strengthen Canada's ability to attract and retain world-class doctoral students and establish Canada as a global centre of excellence in research and higher learning. Vanier Scholars demonst

Published: 26 Oct 2023 Type: PhD Study in: Canada Deadline: 01 Nov 2023

University of Saskatchewan Dean's Doctoral Scholarship for International Students Winter term 2023-2024

University of Saskatchewan Dean's Doctoral Scholarship for International Students awards are open to both domestic and international students who have outstanding academic records, show research promise and are entering or continuing their doctoral studies at USask. Domestic stude

Published: 26 Oct 2023 Type: PhD Study in: Canada Deadline: Not Specified

University Of Alberta 2023 Doctoral Recruitment Scholarships (Canada)

The FGSR Recruitment Scholarships attract the best and brightest students to the University of Alberta. The purpose of this scholarship is to recruit superior students at the doctoral level who have the potential to contribute to the University of Alberta’s community and research.

Published: 06 Jul 2023 Type: PhD Study in: Canada Deadline: 11 Jul 2023

University Of Montreal 2023-2024 Exemption Scholarship Program for International Students, Canada

To support talents from all around the world, The UdeM exemption scholarship program is designed to support international candidates in their university studies. Starting in the fall of 2020, they could benefit from an exemption from the tuition fees normally charged to international students. 

Published: 06 Jul 2023 Type: PhD Study in: Canada Deadline: 01 Feb 2024

UBC 2023 Killam Doctoral Scholarships (Canada)

The Killam Scholarship and Prize Programmes were established in memory of Izaak Walton Killam through the Will of his wife, Dorothy J. Killam, and through gifts made during her lifetime. Their primary purpose is to support advanced education and research at five Canadian universities and the Canada

Published: 30 Jun 2023 Type: PhD Study in: Canada Deadline: 01 Sep 2023

Canadian Government 2023 Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships, Canada

Published: 27 Jun 2023 Type: PhD Study in: Canada Deadline: 01 Nov 2023

Universities Canada 2023 Weston Family Awards in Northern Research

Since 2007, the Weston Family Awards in Northern Research have provided unparalleled support to early-career scientists in Canada pursuing research in Canada’s North. Funded by the Weston Family Foundation, these annual awards are some of the most prestigious in the country for students pursui

Published: 15 Dec 2022 Type: PhD Study in: Canada Deadline: 24 Jan 2023

University of Waterloo 2023=2024 Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS)/Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship in Science and Technology (QEII-GSST)

The Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) and the Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship in Science and Technology (QEII-GSST) programs encourage excellence in graduate studies at publicly-assisted universities in Ontario. Both programs are jointly funded by the Ontario government

Published: 15 Apr 2024 Type: PhD Study in: Canada Deadline: 30 Sep 2022

UBC 2022 Killam Doctoral Scholarship for International Students

Killam Doctoral Scholarships are the most prestigious awards available to graduate students at UBC. The Killam Scholarship and Prize Programmes were established in memory of Izaak Walton Killam through the Will of his wife, Dorothy Johnston Killam, and through gifts made during her lifetime. Th

Published: 22 Aug 2022 Type: PhD Study in: Canada Deadline: 13 Sep 2022

University of British Columbia Canada 2022 Killam Doctoral Scholarship

Published: 15 Jul 2022 Type: PhD Study in: Canada Deadline: 01 Sep 2022

University of Laval, Canada for PhD 2022 Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Students

The Ministry of Higher Education (MES) offers these scholarships in order to support the internationalization of research activities in higher education institutions in Quebec, to attract the best foreign students and, finally, to promote the influence of Quebec universities. . For the french ver

Published: 15 Jun 2022 Type: PhD Study in: Canada Deadline: 21 Jun 2022

Fully Funded University of Western Ontario 2022Trillium Scholarship

The Ontario Trillium Scholarships (OTS) program is an important initiative to attract top international students to Ontario for PhD studies. Students interested in the Ontario Trillium Scholarships are encouraged to express their interest in the competition to the graduate program chair wh

Published: 06 Jan 2022 Type: PhD Study in: Canada Deadline: Not Specified

University of British Columbia Canada 2021 President's Academic Excellence Initiative PhD Award

President's Academic Excellence Initiative PhD Award 2021 is offered for PhD degree in the field of Courses offered by the university. The deadline for the sending your application is Always Open. This scholarship is provided by University of British Columbia and the value of this scholarship is

Published: 23 Sep 2021 Type: PhD Study in: Canada Deadline: Not Specified

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10 PhD scholarships in Canada for international students in 2023

Canada is well-known for being a safe, stable, open and welcoming country. According to US News, the country is ranked the  seventh best study-abroad destination  in the world. 

That, however, is not all the Great White North is known for. 

Canada offers many beneficial opportunities for international students — from top universities to scholarships. 

If you’re looking for PhD scholarships in Canada, you’re in luck! There are  many scholarships  for both domestic and international students to further their education. 

There is no denying that studying abroad can be expensive. Combine your tuition fees with the cost of living, and it can all be too much to handle. 

After all, scholarships are a great way to help you pay for your education and reduce that burden. 

Thankfully, in Canada, there are over 800 scholarships available for international students for the term 2023 to 2024. 

With these many scholarships available, there may even be scholarships that you are eligible for that you didn’t know existed. 

So, don’t worry — we have listed down the top 10 PhD scholarships in Canada for international students for you. 

Here is a list of PhD scholarships in Canada every international student should know about: 

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by University of Alberta (@ualberta)

1. University of Alberta Scholarships

The University of Alberta is a  comprehensive academic and research university  established in 1908. 

The university consistently ranks as one of Canada’s top destinations for international students due to the many funding opportunities available. 

Among the scholarships offered is the  Graduate Entrance Scholarship , available to all students enrolled in a master’s or doctoral programme. 

Recipients of the scholarship pursuing a PhD will receive a stipend of CA$21,000, and an additional CA$10,000 will be given to international students to help cover the cost of their fees. 

What’s more, the university has removed the IELTS requirement for applicants from many countries beginning this year. 

The deadline for the scholarship varies throughout the year, depending on your admission period.

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2. University of Waterloo Scholarships

The University of Waterloo is a public research university in Canada and is ranked eighth  as the Best Global Universities in Canada, according to US News . 

The university offers scholarships for all international students in undergraduate, master’s, and PhD programmes. The University of Waterloo Graduate Scholarship is fully funded and valued at up to  $10,000 .

The scholarship recipients will enjoy benefits such as the International Master’s Award of Excellence valued at $2,500 per term for a maximum of 6 terms.

The deadline to apply for the scholarship differs based on the programme you are enrolled in. Click  here  to view the deadline based on your programme. 

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3. University of Saskatchewan 

The University of Saskatchewan is renowned for its highly collaborative research environment and is ranked number one in Canada for water research. 

The  University of Saskatchewan Graduate Scholarship  is offered to all international students enrolled in a master’s or PhD programme. 

The best part? This fully funded scholarship provides up to CA$20,000 for PhD students over 36 months. 

Once enrolled at the university, you will automatically be considered for the scholarship based on your academic achievement and financial needs. 

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4. McGill University Scholarships in Canada

McGill University is one of the leading universities worldwide, ranking #31 according to the  QS World University Rankings 2023 . 

The university aims to make the programmes more accessible to students facing financial difficulties. 

As such, it offers scholarships for international students pursuing an  undergraduate, masters and PhD programme . 

For those pursuing a PhD a modest amount of bursaries is given to help them financially. The deadline for scholarships at McGill is based on your admission.

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5. Montreal University Fully Funded Scholarship

When it comes to the number of students, the University of Montreal is the second-largest university in Canada, with  36,000 students enrolled .

UdeM exemption scholarship programme was designed to ensure students from all over the world can attend one of the top research universities in Canada. 

This scholarship programme is available to all international students pursuing their undergraduate, master’s or PhD at the university. 

Montreal Univeristy Scholarships will provide up to  CA$21,593.35 per year .

For more information on other scholarships, you may check out the  Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies  page.

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6. University of Toronto Scholarships

The University of Toronto is a public research university in Ontario, Canada.

The university offers a wide range of scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students. These scholarships are available to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and international students.

It has a large number of scholarships that are awarded based on merit, leadership, financial need and many other factors.

All PhD students will receive a base funding package for up to five years of their study period. If selected, international recipients will receive  CA$27,811, including a UHIP of CA$756.00 .

Applicants would need to maintain their academic performance in their programme to remain eligible for the funding throughout the five years.

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7. University of Ottawa Scholarships

The University of Ottawa offers an International Doctoral Scholarship to all international students who are enrolled in a PhD programme.

This scholarship is offered to full-time international students. The scholarship is valued at CA$45,000 over five years.

The scholarships are available to all undergraduate, master’s and PhD students.

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8. The University of Lethbridge

The University of Lethbridge is one of Canada’s top three research universities and is ranked among the 6% of world universities for research performance.

The Graduate Research Award aims to provide financial support to all graduate students at the university.

This financial support is provided to all students except those within the Faculty of Education.

Applicants will be considered upon admission and can receive up to CA$21,000.

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9. Concordia University Canada Scholarships

Concordia University is one of the  top public universities  in Montreal, Canada. 

The university offers awards and scholarships to all students pursuing a PhD programme.

However, students need not apply, as they will be automatically considered for all entrance scholarships once admitted.

For more information on the scholarship, visit the  School of Graduate Studies Entrance Awards  page.

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10. University of British Columbia

The  University of British Columbia  is one of the top universities in the world, ranked #40 by the Times Higher Education rankings in 2023.

The  Four Year Doctoral Fellowship  (4YF) is an outstanding choice for students wanting to pursue a PhD at this university. This programme ensures that students who have achieved academic excellence will receive financial support of at least CA$18,200 annually.

This scholarship is available to all international students and is ongoing based on admission.

Aside from universities, the government offers several PhD scholarships in Canada. Source: Drew Angerer/Getty Images North America/Getty Images/AFP

PhD scholarships in Canada offered by the government

Aside from universities, the Canadian government offers scholarships that are available for international PhD students.

Here is a list of two PhD scholarships in Canada offered by the government:  

1.Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships 

The Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship is offered to international students undertaking postgraduate programmes within the field of health research, natural sciences or engineering and social sciences and humanities. 

Apply by the end of April to stand the chance to receive this scholarship of up to CA$70,000 per year.

2. Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships 

The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship is one of the most prominent scholarship offered by the Canadian government. This fully funded scholarship is open to all international PhD students.

Applicants will be selected based on academic excellence, research potential and leadership abilities. This scholarship is valued at $50,000 per year for three years.

The application window for the 2023 to 2024 term will close on May 1.

Many PhD scholarships in Canada aim to provide financial assistance to international students. Source: Drew Angerer/ Getty Images North America/Getty Images/AFP

Frequently asked questions when applying for PhD scholarships in Canada

The scholarship application process in Canada can be a little daunting, especially for first-time applicants. Not to worry. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions to guide you through the process: 

1. How to apply for a scholarship in Canada for international students?

In Canada, the scholarship application process begins with first receiving an acceptance letter into a Canadian university.

Once you have that sorted, shortlist the scholarships that you are eligible for and best fit your needs. Contact your university’s financial aid representative or head over to the website for more details on deadlines and requirements before submitting your application.

2. Is it hard to get a scholarship in Canada for international students?

Your chances of receiving a scholarship depend on the scholarship’s nature and eligibility. Most scholarships are awarded based on academic achievements.

However, you have a higher chance of receiving a scholarship if you have work or volunteer experience.

3. What are the requirements for PhD scholarships in Canada?

The requirement for a PhD scholarship in Canada differs for each. However, the basic requirement is first to be accepted into a PhD programme. To do so, you must have a  GPA of 3.0 or higher . 

4. How can I get a fully funded scholarship in Canada?

Start applying early to stand a chance at scoring a scholarship. By starting early, you will have more time and opportunities available to you.

The second tip would be to apply for as many scholarships as possible. The more you apply, the higher your chances of winning a scholarship.

5. Can a PhD student work full-time in Canada?

As a PhD student in Canada, you will be eligible to work on and off campus as long as you have a valid study permit. However, while the semester is running, you will only be able to  work part-time for up to 20 hours per week . During semester breaks, students can work full-time. 

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Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships 2023-2024 now open for Canadian and international students

June 22, 2023 – The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship’s 2023-2024 competition is open to both Canadian and international students. This scholarship is awarded to highly motivated and competitive students who are pursuing a doctoral degree at a Canadian institution.

• Program name: Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
• Funding organization(s): Government of Canada
• Target audience(s): Canadian citizens, permanent residents of Canada and foreign citizens
• Duration: 3 years (non-renewable)
• Value: 50,000 CAD per year
• Deadline: November 1, 2023 (20:00 EDT)

For more information, visit: Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

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Canada Graduate Scholarships — Doctoral program

Description

Agency-specific doctoral awards, eligibility, program of study, application procedures, application deadlines, selection process, indigenous student researchers, black student researchers, selection criteria, san francisco declaration on research assessment, notification of results, conditions of the award, official languages, related opportunities.

The objective of the Canada Graduate Scholarships — Doctoral (CGS D) program is to promote continued excellence in Canadian research by rewarding and retaining high-calibre doctoral students at Canadian institutions. By providing support for a high-quality research training experience to awardees, the CGS D program strives to foster impacts within and beyond the research environment.

The Canada Graduate Scholarships — Doctoral (CGS D) program is a federal program of scholarships administered by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). Scholarships are awarded through national competitions by these three granting agencies.

The CGS D program supports and promotes research excellence in a wide variety of disciplines and broad fields of natural sciences and engineering, health and social sciences and humanities, including interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research. This support allows scholars to concentrate on their doctoral studies more fully, to seek out the best research mentors in their chosen fields and to contribute to the Canadian research ecosystem during and beyond the tenure of their awards.

In addition to the CGS D, each agency has its own doctoral awards.

For all three agencies, only one application must be completed and submitted to be considered for both a CGS D award and either an agency-specific doctoral award (for NSERC/SSHRC applications) or any available doctoral Priority Announcements (for CIHR applications). CGS D awards are then offered for the top-ranked eligible applications in each agency’s competition.

Some eligibility requirements for CGS D differ from those of the agency-specific doctoral awards. Refer to the appropriate literature for NSERC , CIHR and SSHRC for further details as well as information on doctoral awards tenable at foreign institutions.

To be eligible to apply, you must

• be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada or a Protected Person under subsection 95(2) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada), as of the application deadline
• have completed no more than 24 months of full-time study in your doctoral program or the PhD portion of your joint professional undergraduate/PhD program (such as MD/PhD, JD/PhD, DVM/PhD) by December 31 of the calendar year of application if previously enrolled in a graduate program
• direct-entry applicants must be enrolled in their doctoral program at the time of application
• if you have not previously completed or enrolled in another graduate program, you must be enrolled in your joint MD/PhD program at the time of application
• if you fall into this category, you have access to the 36-month window whether or not you were previously enrolled in a master’s program

Note: If you are eligible to apply to the Canada Graduate Scholarships – Master’s (CGS M) program, you may be able to maximize your potential period of funding by applying to the CGS M program for your first year of doctoral funding instead of the CGS D program. You are responsible for choosing the type of award for which you apply. See Other restrictions below for more information.

Number of months

Eligibility for CGS D is based on the number of months of full-time study, including summer months, toward the degree for which you are requesting funding by December 31 of the calendar year of application . Two terms of part-time study count as one term of full-time study.

Note: The agencies count all studies toward the doctoral degree for which funding is requested, whether or not they were completed at the degree-granting institution.

Fast-track and joint programs

Fast-track: If you were registered in a master’s program and subsequently transferred to a doctoral program (fast-track), the months of study completed are calculated starting from the date on which you transferred into the doctoral program.

Joint programs: If you are registered in a joint program and a master’s degree is obtained as part of the program (for example, MA/PhD, MSc/PhD), the months of study are calculated starting from the date on which you are officially registered in the joint program (including the master’s portion of the program).

If you are registered in a joint professional undergraduate/PhD program (such as MD/PhD, JD/PhD, DVM/PhD), only the months of study in the PhD portion will be counted.

Other restrictions

• You can submit a maximum of one scholarship or fellowship application per academic year to either NSERC, CIHR or SSHRC. Should more than one application be submitted, the eligible application submitted first chronologically will be retained. Nominations to the Vanier CGS program and applications to the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships program do not count toward this limit (other exceptions may apply to CIHR internships)
• You cannot have already received a doctoral-level scholarship from NSERC, CIHR or SSHRC (does not apply to CIHR Fellowships)
• You cannot hold a tenure or tenure-track appointment concurrently with your CGS D award

An eligible doctoral program must include a significant research component that leads to the completion of a thesis, major research project, dissertation, scholarly publication, performance, recital and/or exhibit that is merit/expert-reviewed at the institutional level as a requirement for completion of the program.

Joint programs with a professional degree (for example, MD/PhD, DVM/PhD, JD/PhD, MBA/PhD) as well as clinically oriented programs of study , including clinical psychology, are eligible if they have a significant autonomous research component as described above.

Selecting the appropriate agency

You should complete the agency application that is best aligned with your research subject matter to ensure that it is reviewed by experts in disciplines closest to your field(s) of study. For more information refer to Selecting the appropriate federal granting agency .

To complete the application process, refer to the appropriate agency’s application website and instructions.

NSERC: Online system and instructions CIHR: ResearchNET and instructions SSHRC: Online system and instructions

Incomplete applications may be rejected from the competition.

Where to submit an application

You must apply either through a Canadian institution or directly to the appropriate agency depending on your registration status at the application deadline date and/or your registration status in the calendar year of application. Failure to submit an application through the correct channel will result in your application being rejected .

To determine the correct channel, you must

• determine if an institution has a quota for your selected agency
• refer to the chart and supporting information in the Where should I submit my application? flowchart

If you are unsure of your registration status in the calendar year of application, contact your faculty of graduate studies (or its equivalent).

The term “quota” refers to the maximum number of applications an institution can forward to each agency’s national competition. Institutions receive separate quotas from each agency ( NSERC , CIHR and SSHRC ).

Institution deadlines

If you are applying through an institution, you must submit your application by the deadline set by the institution, which may be well in advance of the agency deadline.

For more information about institutional deadlines, you should contact your faculty of graduate studies (or its equivalent).

Agency deadlines

If you are eligible to apply directly to one of the agencies (consult the Where should I submit my application? flowchart), you must submit your application using the appropriate agency application portal before 8:00 p.m. (ET) on October 17. If the deadline falls on a weekend, applications can be submitted the following business day before 8:00 p.m. (ET). Incomplete applications may be rejected.

Institutional review

The faculty of graduate studies (or its equivalent) at each Canadian institution is responsible for coordinating the institutional evaluation of CGS D applications. Institutions then submit applications according to their quotas for consideration to each agency.

Agency review

Agency selection committees review applications (whether sent directly to the agencies or via the institutions).

Institutions may recommend applications from self-identified Indigenous student researchers to the doctoral awards competition beyond their application quota. Self-identified Indigenous student researchers must agree to their personal information being used for this purpose by making the appropriate selection in the application form.

The Government of Canada has deployed additional funds to increase direct support for Black student researchers . CGS D applicants who self-identify as Black and provide consent to be considered for funds targeted towards specific groups may be selected to receive this funding. Each agency has a limited number of additional CGS D awards reserved for this initiative.

For more information, consult the Frequently asked questions about the new Black scholars funding .

The evaluation of CGS D applications, whether by institutions or the agencies, is based on the following criteria:

In 2019, NSERC, CIHR and SSHRC, along with other Canadian research funding agencies, signed the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA) . The agencies are committed to meaningful assessment of excellence in research funding and to ensuring that a wide range of research results and outcomes are considered and valued as part of the assessment process. They will continue work to ensure that their strategies, policies and guidance align with DORA.

Applicants whose applications were submitted to the agencies, whether directly or via their institution, will be notified of results by April 30.

The agencies will publish the names (and other basic award information) of scholarship recipients on their respective websites.

For more information, see the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act .

Applicants and award holders must comply with the policies and guidelines set out in the Tri-agency research training award holder’s guide and in any other documents related to scholarship applications and awards.

The agencies reserve the right to interpret and enforce the policies and guidelines for their funding opportunities set out in their published materials.

Award holders may be eligible to hold their awards part time. Refer to the Tri-agency research training award holder’s guide for further information.

Applicants may submit their application in the official language of their choice. Institutions must have mechanisms in place to review both English and French applications.

CGS D holders may be eligible for:

• Canada Graduate Scholarships—Michael Smith Foreign Study supplements
• Canada Graduate Scholarships to Honour Nelson Mandela
• SSHRC supplements and related initiatives
• NSERC supplements
• CIHR related initiatives

For further information, contact the appropriate agency:

NSERC [email protected]

CIHR contact centre [email protected]

SSHRC [email protected]

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Home Page - Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

Please note that the Vanier Canada Graduate scholarships website will be unavailable from 08:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 10 to 9:00 a.m. ET on Friday, December 11 due to scheduled maintenance.

ResearchNet Scheduled Maintenance

Please note that ResearchNet will be unavailable from 10:00 a.m. to approximately 10:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, October 13, 2018, due to scheduled maintenance. The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships website and the CCV application will remain available during that time.

At a glance

Named after Major-General Georges P. Vanier, the first francophone Governor General of Canada, the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS) program helps Canadian institutions attract highly qualified doctoral students.

• Valued at $50,000 per year for three years during doctoral studies
• Considers three equally weighted selection criteria : Academic Excellence , Research Potential , and Leadership (potential and demonstrated ability)

More details

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• Tab 1: Vanier Scholars 2022

Vanier Scholars 2024

Next important date

Anticipated 2024-2025 competition launch: mid-June 2024

For students: Consult nominating institution for submission deadline.

For nominating institutions: Deadline: October 30, 2024 (20:00 EDT).

Nomination process

Candidates must be nominated by a Canadian institution with a quota * to host Vanier scholars. Candidates should only seek a nomination from the institution at which they want to study.

*The term “quota” refers to the maximum number of nominations an institution can forward to the national competition.

How to be nominated

Eligibility

Citizenship:

• Canadian citizens
• Permanent residents of Canada
• Foreign citizens

Areas of research:

• Health research
• Natural sciences and/or engineering
• Social sciences and humanities

View all eligibility details

Jointly administered by:

• PhD Funding in Canada – A Guide for 2023

PhD Funding in Canada

Written by Mark Bennett

A low cost of living and an emphasis on the importance of support for research students makes Canada a surprisingly affordable place to complete a PhD . The country's excellent research opportunities and international outlook only add to the appeal.

Canadian PhD funding can take the form of government fellowships, independent research scholarships or graduate assistantships offered by universities themselves. We've covered all of the main options on this page and explained how best to find support for your doctorate.

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• How Canadian PhD funding works

The cost of a PhD in Canada

• Government funding
• Student loans

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University grants and assistantships, canadian phd funding – what you need to know first.

Canada is a big place: strictly speaking, it's the world's second-largest country by land mass. Or, if that's not enough to impress you, Canada's largest lake is bigger than several countries, including Denmark, Scotland and Switzerland.

What does this have to do with PhD study? Well, Canada's size – and the fact that it's split into several substantial provinces and territories – makes it tricky to generalise about funding. Here are a few things to bear in mind before you do:

• Canada does offer student loans but these are usually only available to Canadian citizens or other students with the right to permanent residence in Canada.
• Canada is divided into 10 separate provinces (there are also three territories, but these don't host research universities) and each has the freedom to determine its own educational policy. This means that some funding options can vary between universities in different states,
• Doctoral fees are usually higher for international students but this isn't always the case. Some universities make a point of charging the same fee to all candidates.
• Some Canadian universities actually impose a baseline funding standard for their PhD students. This means that everyone who is admitted to a do a PhD has to be provided with a minimum amount of support by their department, research group or graduate school.

It may be helpful to take a look at our overall guide to PhD study in Canada , if you haven't already done so.

Canada is a fairly affordable destination for international PhD students and is generally cheaper than other popular countries like the UK and USA . That said, the cost of studying a PhD in Canada does vary (we've mentioned that it's a big country, right?).

Canadian PhD fees aren't regulated by the central government, or by individual federal governments. This means that universities can charge what they wish for their doctoral programmes. Some also charge extra for international students, but this isn't always the case.

As a rough estimate, you can expect to pay between CAD $2,500 and CAD $17,000 (USD $1,830-12,425) per year for your PhD fees.

It's worth checking whether or not you'll actually need to pay these fees. Some Canadian universities automatically waive PhD tuition as part of a baseline funding arrangement. In practice this is the same as them giving all doctoral students a scholarship or fellowship (and usually means applications will be more competitive).

Living costs

The Canadian Government expects international students to have around CAD $10,000 (USD $7,310) available to support themselves for each year of study (this is one of the requirements for a Canadian study permit). In practice you should probably aim to have a little bit more available, with around CAD $1,000 (USD $730) per month for accommodation and maintenance.

See our guide to living in Canada during a PhD for more advice.

Other expenses

Whether or not you'll need health insurance to study a PhD in Canada depends on which province your university is located in. It's best to speak to them directly; some institutions even provide their own health insurance via their student union.

Most international students will also need a study permit to live in Canada during a PhD. This is effectively a Canadian student visa and normally costs CAD $150 (USD $110).

Canadian Government PhD funding

The Canadian Government recognises the contribution of international PhD students (like you!) to the country's ongoing status as a centre for world-leading research and education. There are a range of international PhD scholarships in Canada, whilst several of its national research centres also provide funding for doctoral training.

PhD scholarships in Canada

Queen elizabeth scholarships.

Named for Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, who is also Canada's head of state, this scheme supports international students from a range of countries (not just the UK).

The most recent call for applicants was intended for students from West African countries and was awarded through individual Canadian universities, with generous funding available for successful applicants.

Deadlines for Queen Elizabeth doctoral scholarship applications are usually set in October. Keep an eye on the QES website , or ask your prospective university if it expects this funding to be available to you.

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS)

The Vanier scholarships provide up to CAD $50,000 (USD $36,585) per year for doctoral study in Canada. Over 150 scholarships are available each year, specifically for international students.

To apply, you will need to be nominated by your institution and demonstrate excellence in research and leadership potential.

There's more information on the Vanier CGS website .

National Research Councils

The Canadian Government awards funding for research and doctoral training in different fields through a group of federal research and development bodies. These include:

• The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)
• The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)
• The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
• The Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR)

Most of the doctoral funding offered by these councils, such as their flagship Canada Graduate Scholarships isn't normally available to applicants who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

However, particular awards or funding programmes may be made available to international students in some years.

International Development Research Centre (IRDC)

Canada's IRDC distributes government funding to assist with research into global development challenges.

Opportunities are available for Canadian and international students to apply for support with a PhD through the IRDC Doctoral Research Awards. These typically offer a maximum salary of CAD $48,659 (USD $35,600) for 12 months of PhD research in relevant fields.

See the IRDC website for more details.

Other opportunities

The Government of Canada website features an interactive database of funding opportunities for international students.

Student loans for international students in Canada

Even though federal and provincial loans from the Canadian government are reserved for domestic students, international students are free to take a loan with a commercial banks ot other third-party organisations. These loans have a specific interest rate and you'll have to adhere to a strict repayment schedule.

Sometimes banks offer student-friendly interest rates, however, you must think carefully about how you'll manage repayments so you don't accummulate debt.

Canada is a large country (as we may have mentioned) with a huge number of independent organisations pursuing and funding research at PhD level. Some of these are trusts and foundations with charitable goals. Others are commercial companies with an interest in producing new products and intellectual property.

It's in the nature of these opportunities to be quite changeable and the best way to spot them is often to chat with a prospective supervisor (they'll usually know who does and doesn't fund research in your field). There are a couple of larger organisations you should be aware of though:

Mitacs Accelerate

Mitacs works to connect Canadian universities with business and industry in order to support the country's knowledge-based economy and research and development goals.

Their Mitacs Accelerate Fellowships provide funding for doctoral students to complete a PhD through collaboration between their university and an external partner. Fellowships provide funding for up to four years of doctoral work, including several internships that develop the candidate's wider skills and employability.

See the Mitacs Accelerate website for more information.

Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation

Formed in honour of Canada's former prime minister, Pierre Trudeau, the PETF provides scholarships for doctoral research in Humanities and Social Sciences at Canadian universities.

International students are eligible to apply provided their research aligns with the goals of the foundation (to focus on human rights, responsible citizenship, connections between Canada and other countries, and relationships between people and the environment.

You will need to be recommended for a scholarship by a Canadian university which has already accepted you for your PhD. The competition normally opens in September, with a December deadline. Scholarships are selected in March ready to commence in the autumn.

See the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation website for more information.

Canadian universities have a strong commitment to supporting their PhD students.

Some departments and graduate schools actually stipulated a minimum funding amount that must be provided to all their doctoral students. This means that you are guaranteed some funding if you are offered a place on the relevant PhD programme.

It isn't possible to search for this funding across all universities, but you should keep an eye out for it when exploring Canadian PhD projects and programmes. Keep an eye out for terms like baseline funding or minimum funding packages .

Graduate assistantships

It's common for Canadian universities to offer some form of funding in return for doctoral students completing work within their department. Sometimes this is additional paid work, treated like a salary. Other times it may be a condition of a baseline funding package, or PhD fellowship.

There are three common types of assistantship:

• Teaching assistantships pay PhD students to assist with the delivery of undergraduate (and sometimes Masters) programmes in their subject. You may be asked to teach classes, demonstrate techniques, supervise projects and mark assessments. In return you'll normally receive a salary in line with public sector pay standards. This may count as taxable income, rather than direct funding.
• Research assistantships are like grants provided by supervisors / principle investigators to support PhD students within their work groups. This money is usually paid as a stipend or scholarship and doesn't always come with additional responsibilities (as your PhD is already a contribution to the group's research).
• Academic assistantships provide funding in return for additional work that is separate from your PhD, but isn't exclusively related to teaching. This might include carrying out separate data collection and analysis, or simply taking on further administrative and upkeep responsibilities within your lab or department.

The best way to find graduate assistantships for PhD study in Canada is to check with individual universities and departments.

Find out more

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