List of Top Scholarships to Study in Canada
As an international student in Canada, you can avail yourself of many scholarships to help pay your way through the course. The scholarships can be fully or partially funded, with some scholarships offering you a fixed amount per annum or per month, while others can cover all the expenses of your study in Canada, including tuition fees, accommodation, living expenses, books & materials as well as flight tickets.
The scholarships listed below are an up-to-date list of the top scholarships available to international students in Canada. However as many government and private organizations frequently announce new scholarships, this is subject to change. It is best, therefore, to get in touch with our Canadian education experts to know more about scholarship opportunities for you
Government Scholarships
The government of Canada offers many scholarships to students who study in Canada. Listed below are some of the most prestigious awards in this category
Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships
The Banting scholarships are postdoctoral grants, which are funded by the federal government of Canada to provide funds to international students, who have taken up postgraduate study in various fields of research.
Important Details for Banting Fellowships
- The number of awards is 70
- The awards are open to both International as well as Canadian students
- The awards are fully funded and cover all the educational, research, and living expenses abroad.
- The grants are worth 70,000 CAD per year
- The awards are granted for two years
- They are open to students researching in the following fields
- a. Health Research
- b. Natural Sciences
- c. Engineering
- d. Social Sciences
- e. Humanities
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Eligibility Conditions for Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship
- If you are an international student, you should be pursuing your post-doctoral course in an educational institute in Canada
- If you are a Canadian citizen, then you can hold your fellowship at any institution in and out of Canada
- You will need to have completed all the requirements for your Ph.D. or equivalent, before the start date of your award if selected
How to Apply for Banting Fellowship
You will need to complete the following steps to apply for the fellowship
- Go through the eligibility criteria given above and determine that your eligible
- Contact the host where you will be pursuing your PhD
- Register for your ResearchNet and Canadian Common CV (CCV) accounts and start your ResearchNet application
- Identify the areas of research, participants, and referees for your intended program
- Enter information about your degree
- Enter information about your proposal along with all supporting documents
- Preview all your application materials
- Provide your consent and apply to make sure that all your documents meet the required standards. You will need the following documents at the time of application
- a. Your Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- b. A copy of Passport
- c. Copies of all transcripts and academic records
- d. Proof of Research Proposals
- e. Proof of Publications
IDRC Research Awards
The IDRC provides research awards to research students engaged in development areas related to Food Systems that are Climate-Resilient, Education and Science, Democratic and Inclusive Governance, Global Health, Ethics in Development Research, Policy and Evaluation, and Sustainable Inclusive Economies.
Important Details about IDRC Research Awards
- The awards are granted for one year
- The stipend awarded would be between 42033 to 48659 CAD per annum
- The award is intended to help you research the subject of your choice
- The recipients of this award are considered to be full-time employees of IDRC and are eligible to get access to insurance, pension plans, and paid vacation time
- The grant also supports travel and research expenses up to a maximum amount of 15,000 CAD
Eligibility Criteria
- You will need to be a Canadian citizen, Canadian PR holder, or a citizen of a developing country and have a work permit visa, which is valid for full-time work
- You will need to be enrolled in a Canadian university to apply for this scholarship
- You should be enrolled in a Master’s program in a recognized university, and be in the last three years of your program or a Ph.D. program
- The research you intend to take up should be focused on developing countries listed under the OECD list of recipients for ODA
- The component of field research should not be for more than 3 months
- You should fulfill the criteria laid down under each research theme
How to Apply for IDRC Research Awards
The following steps outline the procedure for applying for the IDRC research awards
- Determine that you satisfy both the general criteria outlined above as well as the Specific eligibility criteria for your chosen research subject
- Complete your research proposal and submit the same along with your academic records as well as professional qualifications and a copy of your Canada Work Permit
- If you are short-listed you will also need to provide a letter of support from a research organization that is willing to assist you in your field of research
- Your application should state whether you have received any other scholarship from federal or provincial governments in Canada
- Your Research proposal will be evaluated based on the following criteria
- a.The relevance of your proposal to the mission of IDRC
- b.The quality of your research proposal
- c.The ethical considerations of your proposed research
- d.Your capacity for taking up the research and conducting the program, which includes your qualifications, experience, and ability to speak the local language
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships Program
The Vanier Canada graduate scholarships are awarded by the Government of Canada for students who are studying in their post-graduation or doctoral programs.
Important details about Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship
- The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship enables qualified doctoral students to pursue their postgraduate and research programs in more than 20 universities across Canada
- There are 166 scholarships granted annually under the Vanier Canada Graduate scholarship program
- The awards provide a scholarship amount of 50000 CAD each year and is renewable every three years
- The scholarships are granted based on both merit as well as the need of the applicant
Eligibility Criteria for Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship
- You will need to be either a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or full-time international student in Canada on a student visa
- You can be nominated by only one university in Canada, which is approved under the CGS quota
- The area of research should be in one of the following fields
- a.Natural sciences
- b.Engineering research
- c.Health care
- d.Social sciences or humanities
- You should be pursuing either a postgraduate or Doctoral research program in Canada
- You should have scored an average of first-class, in the last two years of your course
- You should not have been granted a doctoral fellowship or scholarship from either NSERC, SSHRC, or CIHR before
- If you are pursuing a combined degree, then
Note: Only the Ph.D. portion of a combined degree is eligible for funding under the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship.
[Read More: A Guide to Choose the Best College to Study in Canada]
Application Process for Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship
Applications for Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship can be initiated in two ways
- You should inform your university of your intention to apply for the program or the university will nominate you as a suitable candidate
- You will need to prepare your scholarship application and submit it to the nominating institution
- Create a Research Net registration and select the Vanier CGS application
- Complete all tasks under the Vanier CGS application instructions
- Preview your application package and save the PDF version
- Submit the electronic application by clicking on consent and submit
- You will need the following documents at the time of submission
- a.Your CV
- b.Details of your research contributions in a single page
- c.Research proposal of 2 pages max
- d.Personal leadership statement in two pages
- e.An outline of your achievements
- f.Project references up to 5 pages maximum
- g.Two leadership reference letters
Non-Governmental Scholarships to Study in Canada
The following are the various Non-Governmental Scholarships for international students who intend to study in Canada
Anne Vallee Ecological Fund
Anne Vallee Ecological Fund Scholarships are offered to students who are engaged in animal research, agriculture, and natural sciences at the postgraduate or doctoral level in Quebec University or British Columbia University
Important details about the Anne Vallee Ecological fund
- The Anne Vallee Ecological Fund provides two scholarships worth 1,500 CAD to students who research subjects related to animals, agriculture, and natural sciences
- The AVEF main focus is to support research on animal ecology, concerning the impact of human beings and their activities on ecology and animal life
Eligibility conditions for AVEF scholarship
- You should either be a citizen, permanent resident, or international student on a study visa
- You should be pursuing your masters or doctoral research on subjects relating to animals at either Quebec University or British Columbia University
How to Apply for the Anne Vallee Ecological Fund
You will need to send your completed application to the Anne Vallee Ecological Fund headquarters in Quebec. You can consult with our Canada education experts at Global Tree for more details regarding the application procedure
Trudeau Scholarships and Fellowships
The Trudeau Scholarships are provided by the Trudeau Foundation to doctoral and Mphil students who are found to be outstanding in their field of research
Important details about the Trudeau Scholarships
- 20 scholarships are provided annually by the Trudeau Foundation
- The Scholarships are intended for students pursuing research in social science
- The scholarship is offered to students who have a passion for social issues and have demonstrated leadership abilities
Eligibility Criteria for Trudeau Scholarship
- You should be studying in a full-time postgraduate graduate research course in humanities or social sciences
- Your doctoral thesis should cover at least one of the following four topics, namely
- a.Human rights and equality,
- b.Active citizenship
- c.Canada and the earth
- d.People and their natural environment
- You should be either a citizen, Permanent resident, or international student with a valid study permit and currently studying at a Canadian university
- You will need to demonstrate one or more of the following qualities to qualify
- a.A record of consistently high academic achievements
- b.Evidence that you are an innovative thinker, who is capable of engaging others in positive thinking and uplifting society
- c.Ability to interact with diverse groups of people from different backgrounds and core philosophies of life and communicate peacefully in conflicts
- d.Ability to take on leadership roles in communities.
How to Apply for the Trudeau Foundation
- Register on the application site for the foundation. The website changes each year and therefore you will need to register again each time you apply for a scholarship
- You will need to fill out the application form and provide the following details
- a.Demographic details about yourself
- b.Essay questions - There will be four essay questions that you will need to answer
- c.Doctoral themes - you will need to provide information about your doctoral thesis in 200 to 400 words
- d.You will need to provide information about your references including their names and email IDs
- e.You will need to provide detailed information about your academic records, language ability, your extracurricular accomplishments, which include previous grants and fellowships, as well as honors awarded, publications, and seminars attended
- Upload your transcripts and submit your application
York University International Student Scholarships
York University offers international candidates who have successfully applied to take undergraduate courses in the university with distinction.
Important details about the York University International Student Scholarships
- A scholarship of 80,000 CAD is provided Under the Global Leader of Tomorrow, grant for four years
- A scholarship of 140000 CAD is offered for 4 years under the International Entrance Scholarships
Eligibility Criteria for York University Scholarships
- You should be enrolled in York University and be residing in Canada on a study permit
- You should have scored at least an A grade in your previous academic records
Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship Program at University of Toronto
This Scholarship Program is intended for students, who are pursuing a course the at University of Toronto and have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and innovation, and leadership qualities
Important details about the Lester B Pearson scholarship
- There are 37 scholarships granted each year
Eligibility Criteria for Lester B Pearson Scholarship
- You should have a study permit to live and study in Canada
- You should be in the final year of your secondary education and should be intending to take up an undergraduate course at the University of Toronto
University of Calgary International Entrance Scholarship
The University of Calgary International Entrance Scholarship is open to international students from India and other countries across the world. It is considered to be amongst the most coveted scholarships in Canada and is awarded to students who have shown a consistently outstanding academic record as well as initiative and leadership in extracurricular activities
Important details about the University of Calgary International Entrance Scholarship
- The scholarship amount is worth 15,000 paid annually
- The scholarships are paid for 4 years
Eligibility Criteria for University of Calgary International Entrance Scholarship
- You will need to be registered in a full-time undergraduate program
- You should have scored a minimum GPA of 3.20 in your Secondary School
University of British Columbia Scholarships for International Students
The University of British Columbia has made a provision of granting more than 200 million CAD each year through various scholarships, honors, loans, and grants to provide recognition to the accomplishments and unique talents of its students.
Important details about UBC scholarships for international students
- The scholarship amount is worth 16000 CAD to 20,000 CAD
- The scholarship is renewable every three years
Eligibility Criteria for UBC scholarships
- You should have completed your secondary education
- You should be in Canada on a study permit
- You should be enrolled in a course at the University of British Columbia
Humber College International Entrance Scholarships
Humber College, situated in Canada provides both full and partial scholarships to international students who are newly beginning their classes in September and January every year. These scholarships are renewable with the caveat that the student can maintain an average grade of 80 percent
Important Details about the Humber College Scholarship
- The Scholarship Amount is 1500-4000 CAD
- The amount of scholarship will vary based on your GPA
Eligibility Criteria for Humber College Scholarship
- Students who are studying at Humber College as a Non-transfer students or are not enrolled in an EAP program are eligible
- The scholarships are automatically granted to high school students who apply to the college based on their high school scores as they fulfil the eligibility to Study in Canada.
Winnipeg President’s Scholarships for World Leaders
The President’s Scholarship is a scholarship intended for emerging World Leaders, which is provided to international students who are planning to enroll at the university for the first time.
Important Details about the University of Winnipeg President’s Scholarship for World Leaders
- The Scholarship Amount is 5,000 CAD and is paid annually
Eligibility Criteria for Winnipeg World leaders Scholarship
- You should be an international student in Canada on a study permit
- You should have scored at least 80 percent on your admission test
- You should be enrolled for the first year of the program and should be a new student
- You should be able to show a track record of exceptional leadership abilities
Carleton Prestige Scholarships
The Carleton Prestige Scholarships are a group of scholarships, which are open to incoming undergraduate students, who have demonstrated an excellent academic record and have scored an entrance average of 90 percent or more. These scholarships are,
- The Chancellor’s Scholarship,
- The Richard Lewar Entrance Scholarship,
- The Carleton University Scholarship of Excellence
- The Carleton University SHAD Scholarship
- Riordan Scholarship
- The Collins Prestige Scholarship is for 4 years.
- The University of Calgary International Entrance Scholarship
Important details about Carleton Prestige Scholarships
- The Scholarship Amount is around 20,000 to 30,000 CAD
Eligibility Criteria for Carleton Prestige Scholarship
- You will be eligible for the scholarships if you have enrolled at the Carleton University and have scored at least 80 percent on the admissions test
- You should be in Canada on a study permit
- You should have completed your secondary schooling
- The exact value of the scholarship will be decided based on your academic record at the time of admission
[Read More: Why Canada is the most chosen Study Abroad Destination?]
Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan
The Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship is a scholarship scheme, that aims to identify and reward internationals students, who hail from any of the Commonwealth countries and have demonstrated high intellect and achievement in their academic records at the time of applying to programs in Canadian universities for research at the postgraduate and doctoral level
Important details about the Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship plan
- The scholarship award covers the cost of travel expenses, living expenses as well as all mandatory tuition fees
- It also includes Graduate Students Exchanges (GSEP), which grants 10,000 CAD for a duration of five to six months for transportation, other expenses, while living in Canada
Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute Fellowships
The Shastri Indo Canadian scholarships, provide various grants to students enrolled at different levels of their study ranging from graduate students to post-doctoral students. The scholarship is open for both research as well as training fellows
Important details about the Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute Fellowship
- The scholarship amounts to 500 to 1000 CAD and can be used for paying any expenses that are not covered by the home institution of the applicant
- The scholarship amount can be used for making payment in any of the following categories
- subscription to online meeting software
- internet connection,
- Phone bills,
- Affiliation registration fee for library or lab
Eligibility for Shastri Indo -Canadian Fellowships
- You should have completed your high school
- You should be enrolled to study at a Canadian university
- You should be in Canada on a study permit
Top FAQs Asked by Students Travelling to Canada
Most of the scholarships are open all through the year, while specific scholarships will have an application deadline. Get in touch with our Canada education experts at Global Tree to know more about the scholarships that are available for you
No, you must provide a reference letter when you are required to do so
Learn more about Application Process