You’ve always dreamed of studying science in Canada. And being cognizant that schooling in Canada can be expensive, you spend a considerable portion of your time researching scholarships, grants, and bursaries for international science students in Canada. Right?
But it seems you’re not making any headway with your research. And now, you’re probably feeling frustrated, overwhelmed, and even hopeless.
Sound familiar?
We get it. We know how hard it is to find reliable and up-to-date information on scholarships for international science students in Canada.
There are so many websites, programs, and criteria to sift through. And sometimes, it feels like you don’t qualify for any of them. How unfair is that?
But don’t give up just yet. We have some good news for you.
There are actually 13 prestigious scholarships that you can apply for right now.
These scholarships are for international students like you who want to study science in Canada.
They cover various fields, levels, and durations of study. And they offer generous financial support, academic recognition, and professional opportunities.
Sounds too good to be true. Right? Well, it’s not. These scholarships are real and attainable.
And we’ll show you what they are, how to apply for them, and what to expect from them.
READ ALSO: 9 Amazing Things to Expect as an International Student in Canada
Are you ready to discover the 13 prestigious scholarships for international science students in Canada?
Then let’s begin!
13 Prestigious Scholarships for International Science Students in Canada
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Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship
The Vanier CGS program is a prestigious scholarship that awards up to $50,000 per year for three years to outstanding doctoral students in health, natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, and humanities.
The program aims to attract and retain world-class doctoral students who demonstrate both academic excellence and a high standard of scholarly achievement in research.
To be eligible for the Vanier CGS, you must:
- Be nominated by one Canadian institution that has received a Vanier CGS quota
- Be pursuing your first doctoral degree (or combined MA/PhD or MD/PhD)
- Intend to pursue, in the summer semester or the academic year following the announcement of results, full-time doctoral studies and research at the nominating institution
- Have completed no more than 20 months of doctoral studies as of May 1, 2023
- Have achieved a first-class average in each of the last two years of full-time study or equivalent
- Not have already received a doctoral-level scholarship or fellowship from CIHR, NSERC, or SSHRC to undertake or complete a doctoral degree
The application deadline for the 2023-2024 competition is November 2, 2022. For more information on how to apply, visit the Vanier CGS website.
The Vanier CGS is a splendid opportunity for aspiring scholars who want to make a difference in their fields and society. If you think you have what it takes to be a Vanier Scholar, don’t hesitate to apply today.
READ ALSO: How to Utilize Your Study Experience in Canada as an International Student
2. Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships
The Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships are prestigious awards that support outstanding researchers in Canada and abroad.
They are designed to attract and retain top-tier talent and enhance Canada’s research excellence.
To be eligible for a Banting Fellowship, you must have completed your PhD or equivalent degree within the last three years, or be expected to do so by September 2023.
You must also have a strong research record and demonstrate leadership potential in your field.
The application deadline for the 2023-2024 competition is October 1, 2023. The award amount is $70,000 per year for two years, plus research and travel allowances.
You can apply to any Canadian institution or foreign institution that has a formal agreement with the Banting program.
3. Canada Graduate Scholarships – Master’s Program.
This is also one of the prestigious scholarships for international science students in Canada.
The program provides non-renewable scholarships of $17,500 for 12 months to support students who demonstrate academic excellence and research potential.
To be eligible, you must have completed no more than 12 months of full-time study in your current program by December 31 of the year you apply, and have achieved a first-class average in the last two completed years of study.
You must also apply for admission to a master’s program at an eligible Canadian institution that has received a CGS M allocation.
The application deadline is December 1 of each year, and you can apply online through the Research Portal. For more information, visit the CGS M website or contact your prospective institution.
4. Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarships Program.
Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarships Program offers up to $35,000 per year for master’s students and up to $50,000 per year for doctoral students who demonstrate academic excellence, research potential, and leadership skills.
To apply, you need to submit an online application through the portal of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), or the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC), depending on your discipline.
The application deadlines vary by agency, but they are usually in October or November.
The Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarships Program is a great opportunity to fund your studies and advance your research career.
5. International Development Research Centre Awards
If you are a student from a developing country and want to pursue a master’s or doctoral degree in Canada, you might be interested in the International Development Research Centre Awards.
The Canadian government funds these awards and aims to support research on development issues that are relevant to their home country. It’s up to $20,000 per year for four years.
To be eligible, you must have a research proposal that aligns with one of the IDRC’s thematic priorities, such as climate resilience, gender equality, or inclusive governance.
You must also have an academic supervisor and an institutional affiliation in Canada.
The application deadline is usually in September each year, and the award amount varies depending on the duration and scope of your research.
You can find more details on the IDRC website.
6. International Business Scholarships
This program offers scholarships to international students who want to study in Canada, and to Canadian students who wish to study in another country.
The scholarships vary in amount and duration, depending on the level and field of study, the destination country, and the partner institution.
To be eligible, you need to meet the academic and language requirements of the host institution, have a valid study permit or visa, and demonstrate financial need.
The application deadlines are different for each scholarship, so make sure you check the website for more details.
Don’t miss this opportunity to expand your horizons and gain valuable intercultural skills!
READ ALSO: 10 Exciting Immigration Opportunities for International Students in Canada
7. Queen’s University International Scholarships
If you are an international student who wants to study at Queen’s University in Canada, you might be eligible for one of their scholarships.
Queen’s University International Scholarships are designed to reward academic excellence and support students who demonstrate financial need.
The scholarships range from $9,000 to $16,000 per year, depending on your program and level of study.
To apply, you need to have a minimum admission average of 88% or equivalent and submit a personal statement and a reference letter by March 15.
You can find more information on the Queen’s University website.
8. Natural sciences and engineering awards
If you are a student who loves natural sciences and engineering, you might be interested in applying for the Natural Sciences and Engineering Awards.
These awards are given to outstanding undergraduate and graduate students who demonstrate academic excellence, research potential, and leadership skills in these fields.
The awards range from $5,000 to $50,000 per year, depending on the level of study and the duration of the program.
To be eligible, you must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, enrolled or planning to enroll in a full-time natural sciences or engineering program at an accredited Canadian university and have a minimum GPA of 3.5 out of 4.0.
The application deadline for the 2023-2024 academic year is October 1, 2023. You can find more information and apply online here.
9. University of Alberta International Scholarships
If you are an international student who wants to study at the University of Alberta, you might be eligible for one of their scholarships.
The University of Alberta International Scholarships are designed to attract and support high-achieving students from around the world.
There are different types of scholarships available, depending on your academic performance, financial need, and program of study. Some of the scholarships are:
- International Entrance Scholarship: $5,000 for first-year undergraduate students with an admission average of 90% or higher.
- International Student Scholarship: Up to $9,000 per year for undergraduate students with a minimum GPA of 3.5.
- International Country Scholarship: Up to $5,000 per year for undergraduate students from selected countries.
- International Graduate Student Scholarship: Up to $40,000 per year for masters or doctoral students with a minimum GPA of 3.5.
To apply for these scholarships, you need to submit an online application form by the following deadlines:
- March 1 for September admission
- October 1 for January admission
- February 1 for May admission
- May 1 for July admission
For more information, visit the University of Alberta website or contact the International Student Services office.
10. UBC International Leader of Tomorrow Award
The UBC International Leader of Tomorrow Award is a prestigious scholarship for outstanding international students who want to pursue their undergraduate studies at the University of British Columbia.
The award covers the full cost of tuition, fees, and living expenses, based on the student’s financial need.
To be eligible, you must have an excellent academic record, demonstrate leadership skills, and be involved in extracurricular activities.
You must also apply for admission to UBC by December 1st and submit your award application by January 5th. The award is renewable for up to four years, as long as you maintain your academic and leadership performance.
If you are looking for a life-changing opportunity to study at one of the top universities in Canada, don’t miss this chance to apply for the UBC International Leader of Tomorrow Award!
11. Lester B. Pearson International Scholarships
If you’re looking for a way to fund your studies abroad, you might want to check out the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarships.
These scholarships are awarded to outstanding international students who want to pursue an undergraduate degree at the University of Toronto in Canada.
The scholarship covers tuition, books, incidental fees, and full residence support for four years.
To be eligible, you need to be an international student who has been nominated by your school, have applied to study at the University of Toronto, and demonstrate exceptional academic achievement and creativity.
You also need to show leadership skills and a commitment to making a positive impact in the world.
The application deadline for the 2023-2024 academic year is November 30, 2023.
The scholarship is very competitive, so make sure you prepare your application well in advance.
You can find more information and apply online here.
12. Global Affairs Canada Scholarships
If you are a Canadian student who wants to study abroad or an international student who wants to study in Canada, you might be interested in the Global Affairs Canada Scholarships.
These are awards that support academic mobility and cultural exchange between Canada and other countries.
They cover tuition fees, living expenses, travel costs, and more.
To be eligible for these scholarships, you need to meet certain criteria depending on the program you apply for. Some of the common requirements are, you must:
- be enrolled in a post-secondary institution that is eligible for the scholarship program.
- have a minimum GPA of 3.0 or equivalent.
- possess a valid passport and visa (if applicable) for the duration of your study period.
- demonstrate academic excellence, leadership skills, and interest in global issues.
The application deadlines and award amounts vary depending on the scholarship program. You can find more information about the different programs and how to apply on the Global Affairs Canada website. Don’t miss this opportunity to expand your horizons and gain valuable international experience!
READ ALSO: How to Choose the Right Canadian University as an International Student.
13. Ontario Graduate Scholarships
If you are a graduate student in Ontario, you might be interested in applying for the Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) program.
This program provides financial support to students pursuing master’s or doctoral studies at eligible Ontario universities.
The OGS is awarded based on academic excellence, research potential, and other criteria. The value of the OGS is $5,000 per term, up to a maximum of $15,000 per academic year.
The application deadlines vary by university, but most of them are in the fall or winter term.
To be eligible for the OGS, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or protected person
- Be enrolled or plan to enroll in a full-time graduate program at an eligible Ontario university
- Have a minimum of 80% average in each of the last two completed years of study
- Not have exceeded the lifetime maximum of government-funded awards
- Demonstrate financial need, as determined by your university
For more information on the OGS program, visit the official website.
Conclusion
Here you are, at the very end of this article-13 prestigious scholarships for international science students in Canada.
We know how you feel.
You’re excited about the opportunity to study science in Canada, but you’re also nervous about the application process.
You wonder if you have what it takes to win one of these prestigious scholarships.
You worry about the competition, the deadlines, the essays, and the interviews.
Don’t let those doubts stop you from pursuing your dream. You have worked hard to get this far and have a passion for science that sets you apart from others.
Again, you have a unique perspective and a valuable contribution to make to the scientific community.
You deserve to be recognized and rewarded for your achievements.
That’s why we wrote this article for you.
We wanted to show you 13 great scholarships that can help you fund your education and advance your career in science.
These scholarships are not impossible to get, but they do require some preparation and planning.
We hope this article has inspired you and motivated you to take action.
Don’t let this opportunity pass you by. Apply for as many scholarships as you can, and don’t give up until you get the results you want.
Remember, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.