Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS) program attracts and retains world-class doctoral students at Canadian universities. Worth $50,000 per year for three years, it is one of the most prestigious and generous doctoral awards globally. The scholarship is open to both Canadian and international students across three federal granting agencies: CIHR (health), NSERC (natural sciences and engineering), and SSHRC (social sciences and humanities).

Canadian and international students nominated by a Canadian university. Must be pursuing first doctoral degree. Maximum of 3 years since first registration in doctoral program.

• $50,000 CAD per year for three years — one of the most generous doctoral scholarships globally
• No tuition offset — the entire amount is for personal and research expenses
• Prestigious recognition that enhances academic and career profile
• Access to the Vanier-Banting Secretariat events and leadership development opportunities
• Networking with Canada's top doctoral researchers across all disciplines
• Flexibility to pursue research at any eligible Canadian university
• Possibility of combining with other awards (subject to university policy)

• Valid passport (min 6 months validity)
• Bachelor's and Master's degree certificates and transcripts
• Research proposal (2-5 pages)
• Two academic reference letters
• English language proficiency (IELTS 6.5+ or TOEFL 90+)
• Updated CV/Resume
• Statement of purpose / Motivation letter
• Publications list (if any)

• Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or international student pursuing your first doctoral degree (PhD or the PhD portion of a joint program such as MD/PhD) with a first-class average and demonstrated academic excellence, research potential, and leadership, who has not completed more than about 20 months of doctoral study and does not hold a prior CIHR/NSERC/SSHRC doctoral award
• You cannot apply directly: you must be nominated by a single Canadian institution that holds a Vanier quota. Contact the institution's faculty of graduate studies to declare your intent, secure faculty support, and prepare your application (research proposal, transcripts, leadership and reference materials) in ResearchNet by the institution's internal deadline
• The institution then forwards selected nominations. The award is valued at CAD 50,000 per year for up to three years