phd scholarships canada for international students

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.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by University of Waterloo (@uofwaterloo)

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. 

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by University of Saskatchewan (@usask)

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. 

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by McGill University (@mcgillu)

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.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Université de Montréal (@umontreal)

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.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by University of Toronto (@uoft)

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.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by University of Ottawa (@uottawa)

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.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by The University of Lethbridge (@ulethbridge)

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.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Concordia University (@concordiauniversity)

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.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by University of British Columbia (@universityofbc)

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. 

Popular stories

Best culinary art schools for aspiring david changs, rene redzepis.

The deep downsides of having the weakest passports in the world — and the reason why

Brew-tiful bargains: The top 10 countries with the cheapest coffee

The Muslim academic breaking the glass ceiling and image stereotypes of women in finance

Best part-time jobs for international students in Canada

4 best cheap universities in Canada for international students

How to pay less for a PhD in Canada

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

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

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

University of Toronto Canada 2021 Connaught International Scholarship

Connaught International Scholarship 2021 is offered for PhD degree in the field of Courses offered by the university. The deadline for the sending your application is Deadline varies. This scholarship is provided by University of Toronto and the value of this scholarship is Partial Funding, $10,000

Published: 09 Sep 2021 Type: PhD Study in: Canada Deadline: Not Specified

• Best Scholarships
• Bond University Vice Chancellor's Elite Scholarship 2024
• University of Pretoria Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Program 2024
• University of Greenwich International Scholarships Award 2024 (Up to £5,000)
• University of Pretoria Intra Africa Mobility for TAFSA Scholarship 2024 in SA (Fully-funded)
• University of Birmingham Ramsay MSc Bursary for Postgraduate Student 2024
• University of Pretoria Department of Agriculture Land Reform and Rural Development Bursary Funds 2025 (Fully Funded)
• Apply Now for the METI Government of Japan 2024 Internship Program for Developing Countries
• University of Greenwich AI and Data Science Postgraduate Scholarship 2024-2025 (Up to £10,000)

Scholarship Tips

• 30 Best Medical Universities In The US 2024
• Tips To Find And Apply For Scholarships Online
• 30 Best Study Techniques To Try This 2024
• 26 Best Country To Teach English 2024
• 26 Best Free AI Chatbot 2024
• 20 Best Countries To Relocate 2024
• 30 Best Countries For Tourism - Top Tourist Countries
• Canada Work Visa Application Process

Scholarships by Country to Study

• United Kingdom
• United States
• South Africa
• Netherlands
• New Zealand

Scholarships by Category

• Postgraduate
• Undergraduate
• College School
• Entrepreneurs
• Bachelors Degree
• Women Scholarships
• Fully Funded

Scholarships by Country of Origin

• African Students
• Developing Countries

Scholarships by Institution / Company

• Flinders University
• German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
• University of Edinburgh
• The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS)

Scholarships by School

• University of Melbourne
• University Of Queensland, Australia
• University of East Anglia
• University of Kent
• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use

Scholarships

• Undergraduate Scholarships
• Masters Scholarships
• MBA Scholarships
• Ph.D Scholarships
• Fellowship Scholarships
• Fully Funded Scholarships
• F1 Visa Interview Questions And Answers
• Scholarship Application Letter
• Letter Of Intent For Scholarship
• Personal Statement For Masters
• Motivation Letter For Scholarship
• Scholarship Acceptance Letter

Other Locations

• Scholarships in UK
• Scholarships in Canada
• Scholarships for Nigerian Students
• Scholarships for African Students
• Study Abroad Community

Bureau des bourses et de l'aide financière (BBAF)

Doctoral program funding

Admission Scholarships

Scholarships for students, research scholarships, other sources of funding, other international programs.

• Sample student budget

Supplemental tuition fee exemption scholarships

Citizens of the world scholarships.

Scholarship Directory

Search engine for finding scholarships that match your profile.

FGPS Student Success Scholarships

The FGPS Success Scholarships support students at every stage of their graduate studies.

Find out about your award plan

Merit Scholarship

The Government of Québec awards merit scholarships to international students for doctoral studies and postdoctoral fellowships.

Funding from your research supervisor

In many fields, research supervisors provide funding to students who work on their research projects. For information, contact your faculty program director.

On-campus jobs

Allows students to obtain subsidized employment on campus.

Available to undergraduate and graduate students

Jobs helping teaching staff or research teams with course- or research-related tasks. Learn more

Government of Canada International scholarships

China Scholarship Council (CSC) scholarship program

Université Laval (UL) and the China Scholarship Council (CSC) have signed an agreement to offer a joint grant program allowing Chinese students who are eligible for UL programs to pursue higher education in research. The grants cover tuition fees, living expenses, and health insurance for up to 48 months, as well as a round-trip flight to Québec City (by the least expensive route) and visa application fees.

Scholarship programs resulting from agreements with the CALDO consortium

Agreements signed between the CALDO consortium, of which Université Laval is a member, and the governments of certain Latin American countries with a view to providing scholarships to resident students so they can pursue their studies and develop their expertise in their field at our university. The signatory countries at this time are Brazil , Chile , Colombia , Costa Rica ,  Ecuador , Mexico , Panama , Paraguay , Peru and Uruguay .

For more information, please email us at: [email protected] .

Consult the CALDO consortium website for more details .

Sample student budget – Person from abroad

Nora’s budget for a year of her doctoral program at université laval.

Moroccan Doctoral’s degree, Faculty of Social Sciences

Last updated on February 16 th , 2024.

Amounts are in Canadian dollars. This budget reflects a modest lifestyle and is only meant to serve as a guide. It may vary depending on the economic context and the student’s situation.

**Université Laval has a Supplemental Tuition Fee Exemption Scholarship Program for doctoral students so that all international students enrolled in a full-time regular PhD program are eligible. Find out more about the terms and conditions .

• Skip to main content
• Skip to "About this site"
• Departments

Language selection

• Search and menus

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]

Language selection

• Search and menus

International Scholarships

Are you an international student looking to study in Canada or a Canadian scholar searching for funding to support your studies or research abroad? Look no further!

Global Affairs Canada is responsible for the Government of Canada's participation in major international scholarship programs. We feature international scholarships offered by Canadian governments, foreign governments, non-governmental organizations and international organizations.

Scholarships for Canadians

Discover available scholarship opportunities to study, do research or professional development abroad.

Scholarships for non-Canadians

Discover available scholarship opportunities to study, do research or professional development in Canada.

Apply for scholarships

Apply for a scholarship through our portal. Canadians can apply directly. Canadian institutions must apply on behalf of international students.

Testimonials

Find out what Global Affairs Canada scholarship recipients say about their experiences in Canada.

Search for scholarships

Use our search tool to find out what scholarships you may be eligible for.

Stay on top of the latest news about scholarship opportunities in Canada and abroad.

Featured news

Deadline approaching: Flight PS752 Commemorative Scholarship Program

May 24, 2024 – Global Affairs Canada’s Flight PS752 Commemorative Scholarship is accepting applications for the 2024-2025 academic year. The deadline to apply is May 31, 2024.

Beca Colombia: Educational opportunities for Canadians in Colombia

May 16, 2024 – Apply for Beca Colombia by June 9 for an opportunity to learn Spanish or do graduate studies in Colombia!

Scholarships in Japan for Canadian students

April 23, 2024 – Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) is offering scholarships to Canadian students for studies in Japan.

Featured scholarships

Study in Canada Scholarship

The Study in Canada Scholarships provide international students from a wide range of countries and territories with short-term exchange opportunities for study or research at Canadian post-secondary institutions.

Canada-China Scholars' Exchange Program

The Canada-China Scholars' Exchange Program offers scholarships to Canadians wishing to pursue short-term study, research or Chinese language training at participating institutions in China.

Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program

The Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program provides students from Latin America and the Caribbean with short-term exchange opportunities for study or research at Canadian post-secondary institutions.