Canadian government funding for international students runs through both federal research councils and individual provincial governments, which means the right program often depends as much on where a student plans to study as on their field.
The ten programs below cover the main federal and provincial routes available for 2027.
1. Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
Funded jointly by Canada’s three federal research councils, the [Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship](/vanier-canada-graduate-scholarship/) pays a substantial annual stipend for three years to outstanding PhD candidates, including international students.
2. Ontario Graduate Scholarship
Funded by the government of Ontario, this scholarship supports master’s and PhD students at participating Ontario universities, with each institution nominating its own candidates.
3. Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships
This federal program brings highly qualified international researchers to Canadian institutions just after their PhD, with a substantial annual stipend for up to two years of independent research.
4. Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarships
Funded through a partnership between the Canadian government, universities, and private donors, this program supports exchanges between Canada and partner Commonwealth or developing countries.
5. IDRC Doctoral Research Award
Offered through Canada’s International Development Research Centre, a federal crown corporation, this award supports doctoral candidates from developing countries conducting development-relevant research.
6. Global Affairs Canada Scholarships
Global Affairs Canada funds a range of scholarship initiatives connected to Canada’s foreign development priorities, often channeled through specific university or regional partnership programs.
7. Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development
This federally funded program supports students and early-career professionals from ASEAN member countries pursuing study or training opportunities connected to Canada.
8. Alberta Graduate Excellence Scholarship
Funded by the province of Alberta, this scholarship supports graduate students, including international PhD and master’s candidates, at Alberta’s major universities.
9. Ontario Trillium Scholarship
This Ontario-funded program supports international PhD students at participating universities, covering tuition and a living stipend for up to four years.
10. Manitoba Scholarship and Bursary Initiative
Funded by the government of Manitoba, this initiative supports international students at Manitoba universities and colleges through a mix of entrance scholarships and need-based bursaries.
Since federal and provincial programs often run on separate calendars, applicants should track both funding bodies’ deadlines rather than assuming all Canadian government funding follows a single national timeline.
Because Canada splits funding responsibility between federal agencies and individual provinces, an applicant.’s choice of university can directly affect which scholarships are even available, making it worth checking provincial eligibility before finalizing a shortlist of schools.
Several of these programs also expect a specific connection between the proposed research and the funder.’s development priorities, so tailoring a project description to match those stated priorities, rather than submitting a generic research plan, improves the odds of selection.
Keeping a running list of application deadlines across both federal and provincial programs in a single calendar helps avoid the common mistake of missing one scheme simply because its timeline runs independently of the others.
Letters of reference from academic supervisors who can speak directly to a candidate.’s research potential tend to matter more for these programs than general character references, so choosing referees with that specific research connection in mind is worthwhile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Vanier Canada’s main scholarship for PhD students?
Yes, it is widely considered Canada’s flagship federally funded doctoral scholarship, open to students at Canadian universities regardless of nationality.
Can international students receive provincial scholarships like Ontario’s?
Yes, provincial scholarships such as the Ontario Graduate Scholarship and Ontario Trillium Scholarship are open to international students enrolled at participating universities.
Does Global Affairs Canada fund undergraduate study?
Most Global Affairs Canada scholarship initiatives focus on graduate study or professional development rather than undergraduate degrees.
How is the IDRC different from other federal scholarships?
IDRC specifically funds research connected to international development outcomes, rather than open-ended academic research in any field.
Are regional scholarships like Canada-ASEAN limited to specific countries?
Yes, eligibility is restricted to nationals of the partner countries or regions the program is designed to support.
Do provincial scholarships only apply at public universities?
Most provincial funding targets public universities and colleges within that province, though specific eligible institution lists vary by program.
Is Banting considered a scholarship or a fellowship?
It is officially a postdoctoral fellowship rather than a student scholarship, supporting researchers in the period immediately following their PhD.