Queen’s Graduate Award 2027 in Canada | Fully Funded — Queen's University
Running a specific initiative to support doctoral candidates whose original American PhD plans were disrupted, regardless of whether they are American, Canadian, or from elsewhere, gives Queen’s University a distinctive and timely recruitment program most peer institutions don’t maintain.
About the Fellowship
The Queen’s Graduate Award, commonly known as QGA, is valued at $15,000 CAD annually and is open to exceptional incoming PhD students across all disciplines. Students are automatically considered for this award upon admission to a PhD program, with no separate competitive application required.
Queen’s University also runs a Special U.S. Doctoral Recruitment Initiative, designed to support 20 outstanding PhD candidates for the current academic year, specifically intended for students whose original U.S. PhD plans were disrupted, regardless of whether they are American, Canadian, or from another part of the world. This distinctive, timely program reflects a specific institutional response to disruptions in American doctoral funding and planning.
Eligible international students can separately compete for the Ontario Graduate Scholarship, worth $15,000 CAD, while full-time PhD students more broadly can access multi-year funding packages combining scholarships, fellowships, teaching assistantships, and research funding, giving Queen’s PhD students several potential funding sources beyond the automatic QGA alone.
As a historic public research university located in Kingston, Ontario, Queen’s University offers international PhD students strong programs in engineering, policy studies, and the sciences, within a close-knit academic community combined with a particularly strong school spirit tradition.
Fellowship Benefits
- A $15,000 CAD Queen’s Graduate Award, automatically applied upon PhD admission
- A Special U.S. Doctoral Recruitment Initiative supporting 20 outstanding candidates whose original American PhD plans were disrupted
- Separate access to the $15,000 CAD Ontario Graduate Scholarship for eligible international students
- Multi-year funding packages combining scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships more broadly
Eligibility Criteria
- You must be admitted to a PhD program in any discipline at Queen’s University for QGA consideration
- You must have had your original U.S. PhD plans disrupted for Special U.S. Doctoral Recruitment Initiative consideration specifically
- You may separately compete for the Ontario Graduate Scholarship if eligible as an international student
- You must meet Queen’s University’s standard doctoral admission requirements for your program
Fields of Study Covered
The Queen’s Graduate Award applies across all disciplines at Queen’s University, with the Special U.S. Doctoral Recruitment Initiative open to candidates from any field whose American PhD plans were affected.
Required Documents
- A completed Queen’s University PhD program application
- Academic transcripts
- Letters of recommendation
- A statement of purpose or research interests, as required by your specific program
- Documentation of your prior U.S. PhD plans, if applying specifically to the Special U.S. Doctoral Recruitment Initiative
How to Apply (Step-by-Step)
- Apply for admission to your chosen PhD program at Queen’s University
- Submit all required application materials, including transcripts, recommendation letters, and your statement of purpose
- Indicate your interest in the Special U.S. Doctoral Recruitment Initiative specifically if your original American PhD plans were disrupted
- Complete your application by your program’s specific PhD application deadline
- Review your QGA and any additional funding details once you receive an admission offer
Selection Process
Queen’s University automatically applies the Queen’s Graduate Award to exceptional incoming PhD students across all disciplines, while the Special U.S. Doctoral Recruitment Initiative separately evaluates candidates whose American doctoral plans were specifically disrupted.
Tips to Improve Your Chances
- Submit a strong statement of purpose that clearly aligns with specific faculty research interests in your target department
- Clearly document your prior American PhD plans and how they were disrupted if targeting the Special U.S. Doctoral Recruitment Initiative
- Research separate Ontario Graduate Scholarship eligibility as an additional funding source
- Compare this against other Ontario university graduate funding like the Ontario Trillium Scholarship when evaluating multiple program offers
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a separate application for QGA?
No, exceptional incoming PhD students are automatically considered upon admission.
What is the QGA amount?
$15,000 CAD annually.
What is the Special U.S. Doctoral Recruitment Initiative?
A program supporting 20 outstanding PhD candidates whose original American PhD plans were disrupted, open to applicants of any nationality.
Can I also apply for the Ontario Graduate Scholarship?
Yes, eligible international students can separately compete for this additional $15,000 CAD award.
What is Queen’s University known for academically?
Strong programs in engineering, policy studies, and the sciences.
Where is Queen’s University located?
Kingston, Ontario.
Is QGA renewable for multiple years?
Confirm Queen’s University’s current guidance directly regarding specific renewal requirements and academic standing conditions.
Can I combine QGA with external scholarship sources?
Check Queen’s University’s current policy on combining institutional award funding with external scholarship sources.