The PBEEE (Merit Scholarship for Foreign Students) is Québec’s flagship program to attract outstanding international students and researchers to its universities and College Centres for the Transfer of Technologies (CCTT). Managed by the Fonds de recherche du Québec (FRQ) on behalf of Québec’s Ministère de l’Enseignement supérieur (MES), the program funds Master’s and Doctoral research, Postdoctoral work, and Short‑term research/professional development in Québec.
PBEEE is government‑funded, excellence‑based, and paired with key perks such as foreign‑tuition exemption and provincial medical insurance coverage. It is competitive, peer‑reviewed, and open to all disciplines with dedicated tracks for select partner countries.
Benefits of the PBEEE Canada Merit Scholarship
Funding amounts
- Master’s research (VM): $20,000/year (up to 2 years / 6 semesters, total up to $40,000).
- Doctoral research (V1 and specific tracks): $25,000/year for the first 9 semesters; potential extension of $12,000 for the last 3 semesters (maximum 12 semesters, total up to $87,000).
- Postdoctoral (V2 and specific tracks): $35,000 total (up to 12 months).
- Short‑term research / professional development (V3 and specific tracks): $3,000/month, up to 4 months (total up to $12,000).
Additional perks
- Exemption from differential (“foreign student”) tuition fees in Québec.
- Medical insurance coverage via the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ).
- Access to Québec’s world‑class labs, supervisors, and research ecosystems across all disciplines (health, HSS, arts & letters, natural sciences, engineering).
Eligibility Criteria for the PBEEE
Nationality & status
- Open to non‑Canadian citizens who are not permanent residents of Canada and have not applied for Canadian PR.
- Candidates must be preselected by a Québec university or the CCTT network (or by CSC for the China component).
Academic stage (by component)
- Master’s (VM): Entering or within the first 3 full‑time semesters of a thesis‑based Master’s by May 1, 2026.
- Doctorate (V1/1B/1C/1I/1IS/1W): Within the first 9 semesters of the PhD at funding start (all completed semesters count toward eligibility).
- Postdoc (V2/2B/2C/2I): PhD awarded ≤ 2 years before the deadline or dissertation submitted by Jan 15, 2026; postdoc host must be different from PhD‑granting institution; former PhD supervisors cannot supervise the postdoc.
- Short‑term (V3/3B/3C/3I/3IS/3W): University/technical students (option A) or PhD‑holders within ≤ 5 years (option B); host must be different from the home institution.
Language proficiency
- No specific IELTS/TOEFL requirement set by PBEEE itself. Language rules follow the host program/university.
Other considerations
- No prior PBEEE award.
- Certain country‑specific tracks exist (Brazil, China, India, Israel, Wallonia).
- Joint (cotutelle) degrees are ineligible. Physical presence in Québec is required during funding (academic breaks excepted).
Required Documents for the PBEEE Application
Important: PBEEE is a preselection‑only competition. You first secure institutional nomination; only then do you submit materials to FRQ via FRQnet.
Core (all components) — Mandatory
- Passport identification page (citizenship proof).
- Complete, chronological official transcripts for all post‑secondary studies (with grading scale if outside North America).
- (If applicable) Publishing proofs: editor notices for accepted papers; acknowledgments for submitted papers.
Master’s & Doctoral — Mandatory as applicable
- Registrar’s attestation for part‑time/unregistered terms (if any).
- Official proof of interrupted enrolment and, where relevant, supporting medical/family documents for eligibility extensions.
Postdoctoral — Mandatory
- PhD diploma/first‑reader attestation/doctoral transcript.
- Supervisor acceptance letter submitted directly by the supervisor via FRQnet (the applicant must invite the supervisor; self‑submission by the applicant is not allowed).
Short‑term (V3) — Mandatory
- Supervisor acceptance letter submitted directly by the supervisor via FRQnet.
Format tips
- Follow FRQnet file standards; submit legible PDFs; provide basic translations for non‑English/French documents. Files cannot be updated after submission.
Application Timeline for PBEEE 2026–2027
- University/CCTT preselection submissions to FRQ: October 23, 2025, 4:00 p.m. EST (internal campus deadlines occur earlier—check your target institution’s timeline).
- Candidate application deadline to FRQ (after preselection): December 2, 2025, 4:00 p.m. EST (≈ 2:00 a.m. PKT on Dec 3, 2025). Late applications are inadmissible.
- Results announcement: April 2026.
- Earliest/Latest start of funding: Between May 1, 2026 and January 15, 2027 (not retroactive; terms completed before Summer 2026 are not fundable).
Deadlines for the CSC (China) stream differ; some preselection transmissions occur up to March 31, 2026.
How to Apply for the PBEEE (Step‑by‑Step)
- Choose your host in Québec (university department or CCTT) and identify a supervisor aligned with your research.
- Apply to the program at the host institution (for Master’s/PhD) and secure a supervisor’s interest (all components).
- Seek institutional nomination (preselection): Follow your host’s internal competition and deadline to be preselected for PBEEE.
- Create your FRQnet account: If preselected, FRQ will invite you to complete the electronic application and upload required documents.
- Invite referees/supervisor (where applicable) via FRQnet so they can submit required letters themselves before the PBEEE deadline.
- Submit before the deadline: Review PDFs for clarity, ensure translations if needed, and submit early to avoid last‑minute issues.
Pro tips
- Start months in advance to align institutional and PBEEE timelines.
- Keep backup copies of all files; use consistent file naming.
- Confirm eligibility windows (semester counts) with your registrar.
- Discuss funding concurrency and part‑time work rules with your supervisor.
FAQs about the PBEEE
Is IELTS required?
Not by PBEEE itself. Language requirements depend on the host university/program. Many programs accept alternatives (Duolingo/TOEFL) or waivers for prior English/French study.
Can students from Africa/Asia apply?
Yes. The general components are open to all nationalities except Canadian citizens/PRs. There are also country‑specific tracks for Brazil, China, India, Israel, and Wallonia.
When are results released?
Typically April 2026 for this competition year.
Can I apply to multiple scholarships?
Yes, but note PBEEE cannot be held concurrently with Canadian/Québec government scholarships. Private/home‑country/university funding can often be combined—confirm with your host.
Do I need to live in Québec during funding?
Yes, physical presence in Québec is required during the funded period (academic breaks excepted).
Final Thoughts on the PBEEE
If you’re an ambitious researcher seeking top‑tier training with robust financial support, PBEEE is one of the best gateways into Québec’s research ecosystem. With generous stipends, foreign‑tuition exemption, RAMQ medical coverage, and access to elite supervisors, this is a high‑impact opportunity.
Apply before the deadline closes and take the next step toward studying in Québec, Canada.
Note: Do not wait for the PBEEE deadline to start. Institutional preselection closes earlier at your host campus (e.g., around October 23, 2025 for submissions to FRQ). Check local timelines.