Top 10 PhD Scholarships in Canada

Canada is an excellent option to consider for a PhD Degree. A PhD degree is a costly yet worthwhile investment. However, it is difficult for students to choose the right and affordable country to pursue a PhD. It is a well-known fact that Canada is among the most preferred study destinations in the world. PhD in Canada is a lot more affordable than in other countries like the US or the UK. To make it more affordable for international students who are excellent in their academics, the Canadian Government offers a lot of PhD scholarships. This blog includes everything you need to know about PhD Scholarships in Canada!

PhD Funding in Canada

Before discussing PhD scholarships in Canada, let’s take a look at the means of funding available to PhD students.

• Canada offers student loans, but these are mostly available to Canadian citizens or other students with a PR (Permanent Residence) in Canada only.

• You can expect some funding options to vary for different universities in different states. This variation is because Canada is divided into 10 provinces that are allowed to determine their own educational policies.

• Some universities in Canada impose funding for PhD students so that everyone pursuing a PhD program can be provided with a minimum amount of support either by their graduate school, department or research group.

PhD Scholarships in Canada for International Students

Mentioned below is a list of PhD Scholarships in Canada offered by the Canadian Government to international students:

Scholarship Name	Funding Amount	Eligibility	Details
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships	CAD 50,000 per year for 3 years	Open to Canadian and international PhD students	Awarded based on academic excellence, research potential, and leadership. Focused on attracting top-tier doctoral students to Canadian institutions.
University of British Columbia Four-Year Doctoral Fellowship	Minimum CAD 18,200/year + tuition coverage	Open to international and domestic PhD students	Offers a minimum funding guarantee of CAD 18,200 annually, with full tuition, for up to 4 years for exceptional PhD students.
Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships	CAD 70,000 per year for 2 years	Open to Canadian and international postdoctoral researchers	Designed to attract top postdoctoral talent to Canada. Emphasis on research that contributes to Canada’s social, economic, and research-based growth.
Ontario Trillium Scholarship	CAD 40,000 per year for up to 4 years	International PhD students studying in Ontario	Aimed at highly qualified international students, focusing on attracting them to Ontario’s universities. Renewable based on academic performance.
Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS)	CAD 5,000 per term (up to 2-3 terms/year)	International students studying at Ontario universities	Supports graduate studies at publicly funded Ontario institutions. Applicants need high academic standing and research potential.
University of Calgary Graduate Scholarships	Varies (up to CAD 36,000/year)	International and domestic graduate students	Wide range of scholarships for both PhD and Master’s students. The amounts vary based on the specific scholarship and field of study.
University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship	CAD 18,000/year for PhD students	International and domestic students enrolled in full-time PhD	Merit-based awards offered to students demonstrating high academic achievement. Available for up to four years.
IDRC Research Awards	Up to CAD 20,000	International students from developing countries	Supports research that addresses development issues in low or middle-income countries. Open to Master’s and PhD students.
The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarships	CAD 40,000/year + CAD 20,000 research allowance	International and domestic PhD students	Supports doctoral candidates focused on human rights, social justice, and public policy. Requires a commitment to community engagement.
University of Alberta Doctoral Recruitment Scholarship	Varies (up to CAD 36,000/year)	Top international PhD students	Designed to attract outstanding students into doctoral programs at the University of Alberta. Offers competitive financial support.

1. Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships are awarded to international and native students who are highly qualified in the following fields:

1. Social sciences 
2. Humanities
3. Natural sciences 
4. Engineering 
5. Health

This prestigious scholarship aims to attract and retain world-class doctoral students. It offers $50,000 per year for up to three years, supporting students in various fields of study. The deadline for applications is usually in November​.

2. The University of British Columbia Four-Year Doctoral Fellowship

The University of British Columbia (UBC) offers a highly regarded scholarship aimed at both international and domestic students pursuing a PhD.

This scholarship is fully funded and includes a yearly stipend of at least CAD 18,200 (approximately INR 10.88 Lacs). This financial support is designed to help students cover living expenses while they focus on their studies and research.

In addition to UBC’s specific offerings, the Canadian Graduate Scholarships (CGS) program, administered by the Tri-Council, provides substantial funding for graduate students across Canada.

While the program primarily targets Canadian citizens, there are pathways for permanent residents and select international students based on the specific institution’s criteria. These scholarships contribute significantly to a student’s educational journey, making advanced education more accessible​

Also Read: Cost of Living in Canada

3. Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships

This Scholarship is offered to Canadian as well as International students as the PhD scholars contribute to the fields of healthcare, natural science, social science, and economics through research.

Under this fellowship scheme, the Canadian university offers funding to 70 students worth CAD 70,000, the amount is taxable for two years.

Interested candidates must apply through an affiliated Canadian institution and submit a research proposal along with their application. The selection process is highly competitive, and successful applicants are typically those with exceptional track records in research and a clear vision for their proposed projects.

The application deadline for this PhD fellowship is in September every year, and the results are declared in mid-January or February.

4. Ontario Trillium Scholarship

The University of Waterloo offers the Ontario Trillium Scholarship to international students who hold a valid Canadian study permit and who have achieved a minimum of 80% in each of their last 2 years of full-time study.

The student must be registered in a full-time degree-granting program in any Faculty to be eligible for this PhD scholarship in Canada.

Award Grant: CAD 40,000 (INR 23.93 lacs)

5. The Ontario Graduate Scholarship

This scholarship is offered to international and home students in all disciplines who have attended any one of the following universities in Ontario:

1. Brock University
2. Carleton University
3. University of Guelph
4. Lakehead University
5. Laurentian University
6. McMaster University
7. Nipissing University
8. OCAD University
9. University of Ontario Institute of Technology
10. University of Ottawa
11. Queen’s University
12. Ryerson University
13. University of Toronto
14. Trent University
15. University of Waterloo
16. Western University
17. Wilfrid Laurier University
18. University of Windsor
19. York University

The OGS provides a minimum of CAD 5,000 per term, with students eligible to receive CAD 10,000 for two consecutive terms or CAD 15,000 for three consecutive terms (up to a maximum of three terms in total per year).

6. University of Calgary Graduate Scholarships

The University of Calgary offers the Doctoral Recruitment Scholarship to both international and domestic students who meet the university’s eligibility criteria. This scholarship provides funding support of up to CAD 12,000.

Students interested in this scholarship are required to submit their applications via the University of Calgary’s graduate studies website. Documentation and application deadlines vary depending on the specific graduate program the student is applying to.

Additionally, the university offers other financial support through its faculties and departments, which can provide further aid throughout the duration of a student’s PhD studies.

These funding opportunities help alleviate financial burdens, making the University of Calgary an attractive option for PhD candidates looking for robust support during their research journey.

7. The University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship

The University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship (UMGF) is a prestigious funding opportunity designed to support graduate students in their academic pursuits.

The UMGF provides funding of CAD 14,000 for Master’s students and CAD 18,000 for Doctoral students, awarded annually. This fellowship can be renewed for multiple years, depending on the student’s program and academic standing.

The fellowship is open to both Canadian citizens and international students who are enrolled in a graduate program at the University of Manitoba. To be eligible, students must demonstrate academic excellence, typically maintaining a minimum GPA of 3.0.

Also Read: Brock University Graduate Programs

8. IDRC Research Awards

The IDRC Research Awards are a significant funding opportunity aimed at supporting research in developing countries.

The IDRC offers awards of up to CAD 20,000 for research projects. This funding can be utilized for a variety of research-related expenses, including travel, equipment, and other direct costs associated with the project.

These awards are primarily aimed at international students pursuing a Master’s or PhD degree at a recognized university in Canada. Applicants must demonstrate a clear research proposal that aligns with IDRC’s mandate to promote sustainable and equitable development.

9. The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarships

The University of Waterloo offers the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarships to international students enrolled in a doctoral program at a Canadian institution. The student must be already enrolled in a 2-3 year doctoral program in the following subjects:

1. Humanities
2. Social Science

In order to apply for this PhD scholarship in Canada, the doctoral work done by the student must be related to the following:

1. Human Rights and Dignity
2. Responsible Citizenship
3. Canada and the World
4. People and their Natural Environment

Award Grant: The scholarship includes the following awarded for up to 3 years of study:

• CAD 40,000 per year to cover tuition and reasonable living expenses
• CAD 20,000 per year as a research and travel allowance

Also Read: Fully-funded PhD in Canada

10. University of Alberta Scholarship

The University of Alberta provide scholarships for graduate and PhD courses to all eligible students. Students are automatically considered for the scholarships as soon as they enrol for the course. Students can also seek external funding such as teaching assistantships and research assistantships.

Award Grant: CAD 21,000 for international students

Know the Admission Requirements

The eligibility requirements for obtaining a PhD Degree may vary for different courses and universities in Canada. Mentioned below are the general admission requirements for students who are considering Canada for their PhD studies:

• The students must have obtained a master’s degree in a related field. The degree must come with good grades and demonstrate the student’s research ability and potential.
• Proof of English Language Proficiency is a must. The student must take English Language Proficiency tests such as IELTS, PTE or TOEFL to prove their English proficiency.
• The student must obtain an excellent score in graduate admissions tests such as the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) or GRE ( Graduate Record Examination).

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Why Study PhD in Canada?

Apart from lucrative scholarships, Canada is well-famed for its superb academic environment. Let us find out far more reasons to study PhD in Canada:

• Top-Class Universities

Canada is home to many universities that rank among the top 100 universities in the world. It provides students from around the world with excellent academic and research facilities.

• Work Opportunities

PhD students are paid during their PhD studies. However, in Canada, students can work for up to 10 hours a week and stay for up to 3 years after completing their PhD studies in Canada using the post-graduation work permit.

• Affordable Option

PhD in top countries like the US or the UK is a bit expensive. While in Canada, tuition fees for pursuing a PhD are quite affordable, ranging from CAD 6,000 to 30,000 (INR 3.58 lacs -17.94 Lacs).

• Scholarships and Grants

Canada offers a variety of scholarships to highly qualified international students who want to pursue any doctoral degree in a Canadian University.

Also Read: Part-time Jobs in Canada

Related Reads:

PhD in Canada with Scholarship	University of Calgary
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships	University of British Columbia
York University International Student Scholarships	MBBS in Canada
Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship	NSERC Scholarships

FAQs

We hope that, this blog helped you explore PhD scholarships available in Canada for Indian students. If finding the right scholarship still confuses you, feel free to call our Leverage Edu experts. We are here to help you select the best scholarship and funding options available to finance your dream of pursuing a PhD abroad! Sign up for a free career counselling session with us today. Call us immediately at 1800 57 2000 for a free 30-minute counselling session.