International scholars can look forward to several scholarship opportunities that open up in Canada for bachelor’s, postgraduate and doctoral programmes. There are both government-sponsored and private scholarships available, as well as university-specific ones.
Sr No. |
Name of Scholarship |
Country eligibility |
Type of Scholarship |
1 |
Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships |
Canadian and international students |
Government |
2 |
Vanier Canada Graduate
Scholarships |
Canadian and international students |
Government |
3 |
Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for
Development (SEED) – for students |
Students from ASEAN member countries |
Government |
4 |
Study in Canada Scholarship |
Students from Bangladesh, Nepal, Taiwan, TĂĽrkiye, Ukraine, Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania and Uganda |
Government |
5 |
Canada-China Scholars’
Exchange Programme |
Students from China |
Government |
6 |
Canada-CARICOM Skills Training for the Green Economy Scholarships |
Students from CARICOM countries |
Government |
7 |
Emerging Leaders in the
Americas Programme |
Students from Caribbean, Central America, North America or South America. |
Government |
8 |
The Anne Vallée Ecological Fund |
Canadian and international students |
Institutional |
9 |
Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarships |
Canadian and international students |
Institutional |
10 |
CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholarship |
Canadian and international students |
Institutional |
11 |
Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship Programme at the University of Toronto |
International students |
University-specific |
12 |
University of Winnipeg President’s Scholarship for World Leaders |
International students |
University-specific |
Government Scholarships
The government of Canada offers several short-term scholarships and exchange programmes for international undergraduate and graduate students and professionals. These programmes aim to create cultural and professional experiences that foster the exchange of ideas and knowledge. Some of the popular Canadian scholarships include:
Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships.
The Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships programme awards those PhD students with the highest potential – from the home country and beyond Canada’s borders – to contribute to the economic, social, and research growth of the country. Students typically receive a bursary and full tuition fee for their PhD program.
The eligibility criteria are:
- Can be a Canadian resident or an international student
- Must be pursuing research on health, natural sciences, engineering, social sciences or humanities
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship (Vanier CGS) programme offers extraordinary support to doctoral students from around the world who demonstrate both scholarly excellence and leadership abilities.
Through this programme, exceptional scholars are rewarded for their commitment to celebrating innovation, creativity and research in graduate studies.
The eligibility criteria are:
- Can be a Canadian resident or an international student
- Must be pursuing research on health, natural sciences, engineering, social sciences or humanities
- To be eligible for the Vanier Scholarship, candidates must be nominated by a Canadian institution that has been granted an assigned quota.
Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development (SEED)
The Government of Canada has recently developed the Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development (SEED) programme to offer students from ASEAN member states an incredible opportunity: a chance to pursue short-term study or research at top Canadian post-secondary institutions in fields that make great strides towards achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This is a fully funded scholarship.
The eligibility criteria are:
- The student must be a member of and enrolled full-time at a post-secondary institution in an ASEAN member state
- To be eligible for the exchange programme, students must have paid their tuition fees to the institution and maintain that payment throughout their time abroad.
Study in Canada Scholarships
The Study in Canada Scholarships under the Global Affairs Canada’s International Scholarships Programme offer ambitious undergraduates and graduates the chance to study or pursue research at Canadian universities, colleges, and post-secondary institutions.
These short-term exchange opportunities are ideal for students who wish to expand their knowledge of a subject or gain valuable hands-on experience with an international institution.
The eligibility criteria are:
- The student must be a citizen of an eligible country/territory which includes Bangladesh, Nepal, Taiwan, TĂĽrkiye, Ukraine, Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania and Uganda
- For this programme, the student must be enrolled full-time in an accredited post-secondary institution located within one of the eligible countries or territories.
- Paying tuition fees to the institution you’re applying for and upholding that payment for your entire exchange experience.
Canada-China Scholars’ Exchange Programme
In 1973, the Canada-China Scholars Exchange Programme (CCSEP) was created with a joint effort from Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai and Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau.
This programme serves as an official conduit between both countries, providing opportunities for Chinese scholars and professionals to study and collaborate with counterparts in Canada.
The eligibility criteria are as follows:
- Canada generously awards full-time, permanent teaching and research staff; masters’ degree or doctoral level scholars; as well as non-academic senior professionals (such as judges, broadcasters and economists) in China to study in Canada for 12 months.
- All scholarship recipients are visiting scholars and are not required to formally enrol in a university.
Canada-CARICOM Skills Training for the Green Economy Scholarships
CARICOM students have the unique chance to experience and learn in Canada through the CCSTGE Scholarships programme. This scholarship offers short-term exchange opportunities at publicly funded Canadian colleges, giving participants a rewarding opportunity to build their skills for the green economy.
The eligibility criteria are as follows:
- The applicant must be a citizen of a CARICOM member state
- Must be a student enrolled with full-time status at an eligible college or institute located in an eligible country/territory and paying tuition fees to that same institution throughout the duration of the exchange programme.
Emerging Leaders in the Americas Programme
The Emerging Leaders in the Americas Programme (ELAP) has designed an impressive scholarship programme to give post-secondary students from Latin America and the Caribbean a chance to study or research at college, undergraduate, and graduate levels within Canada.
With this incredible opportunity, these ambitious scholars will be able to gain invaluable knowledge through a short-term exchange experience.
The eligibility criteria are as follows:
- The applicant must be a citizen of an eligible country/territory in the Caribbean, Central America, North America or South America.
- To be qualified, you must currently be a full-time student enrolled in an accredited post-secondary educational institution located within one of our eligible countries/territories.
- Must ensure the tuition fees for your home institution have been paid during the application period and throughout your exchange programme in Canada.
Institutional Scholarships
Several Canadian universities and colleges offer scholarships specifically for international students including those hailing from India. This financial aid is designed to help students cover the cost of tuition, housing and other expenses associated with studying in Canada at top universities.
The eligibility criteria for these typically vary by institution and can range from academic achievements to extracurricular activities, English language proficiency such as IELTS scores or even financial needs.
The Anne Vallée Ecological Fund
The AVEF is a merit-based scholarship committed to helping masters and PhD students enrolled in animal research at universities in Québec or British Columbia. To that end, their main focus is on assisting with field studies examining the effects of human activities such as forestry, agriculture, fishing, and industry on wild animal ecology.
The eligibility criteria are as follows:
- The scholarship is open to both Canadian citizens and international students
- The applicant must be interested in pursuing a Master’s or Doctoral studies in Quebec or British Columbia.
Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarships
The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarships in Canada are designed to cultivate a vibrant group of international youth leaders, allowing them to expand their knowledge and skills on an intercultural level through educational activities, exploration and research, as well as professional development opportunities.
The QES programme is an innovative scholarship project that provides a platform for Canadian universities to submit proposals offering both inbound and outbound scholarship opportunities across different fields.
Universities with successful projects are responsible for attracting scholars, including those from Canada or abroad, based on their research niche as well as partnering organizations and countries.
Note: The eligibility criteria for each scholarship are set by the respective universities.
CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholarship
CIFAR is proud to welcome outstanding early-career researchers from a range of scientific, biomedical and social science backgrounds as well as the humanities to join one of its interdisciplinary research programmes that aim to answer the most pressing questions humanity faces.
The eligibility criteria are:
- Candidates from any nation are welcome to apply, so long as they have earned a PhD (or equivalent)
- The applicant must apply within the first five years of starting their research role at an institution for higher learning or conducting investigations.
- Scholars should be selected to join the CIFAR research programme based on how their research interests align with its themes and goals.
University Scholarships
Canadian universities offer a range of scholarships and awards to eligible international students. These provide assistance with tuition, living expenses, research costs, and other academic costs.
Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship Programme at the University of Toronto
At the University of Toronto, the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship Programme celebrates and rewards exceptional students from around the globe who stand out academically, creatively, and as leaders in their respective schools. It is a four-year opportunity for 37 undergraduate students to have their tuition, books, incidental fees, and full living expenses covered.
The eligibility criteria are:
- The applicant must be an international student requiring a study permit.
- Must be in the final year of high school
- Must begin studies at the University of Toronto in September.
 University of Winnipeg President’s Scholarship for World Leaders
The University of Winnipeg extends its President’s Scholarship for World Leaders to those international students who demonstrate exceptional academic success and a commitment to global citizenship.
The eligibility criteria are:
- The applicant must be an international student and have a minimum entrance average of 80% or above.
- Exhibit exemplary leadership skills.
If you are wondering how to get scholarship in Canada besides the ones mentioned above, you should also look into other undergraduate scholarships, master’s programs and doctoral program scholarships offered by various universities and organizations across Canada.
These include the Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award at the University of British Columbia, the York University International Student Scholarship, the Ontario Graduate Scholarship, the University of Calgary International Entrance Scholarship, the University of Alberta, the Queen’s University, the University of Waterloo, and Dalhousie University among others.