Canada has a well-deserved status as one of the world’s top study destinations. With an educational structure developed on cross-disciplinary study and excellent facilities, Canada is becoming a growing attraction for international students.

For their distinctive courses and affordable tuition prices, Canadian universities are widely praised. To assist eligible international students in funding their education, Canadian universities and colleges provide a variety of scholarships. Aside from that, the Canadian government, as well as public and private institutions, provide several scholarships, grants and bursaries.

Check the eligibility and requirements, as well as the deadline, before applying for any of the scholarships. This draws a large number of Indian students who wish to pursue higher education and a better quality of life in Canada. 

Types of Scholarships in Canada for Indian/International students.

1. Canadian Government Scholarships: These are government-sponsored awards that inspire students to study in Canada.

2. Non-Government Scholarships: Various trusts, charities, and associations offer scholarships to students following a particular course stream.

3. Institutional Scholarships: Universities and colleges in Canada offer scholarships to students who are enrolled in their education.

Government scholarships to study in Canada for Indian students

Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship

Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships are given to the finest postdoctoral researchers in Canada and throughout the world who will make a significant contribution to the country’s economic, social, and research-based progress. The Postdoctoral Fellows Office handles the internal Banting selection procedure. Visit the Banting website for official information, regulations and procedures. (https://banting.fellowships-bourses.gc.ca/)

Eligibility criteria 

Every year, a total of 70 Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships are awarded. Each year, a taxable fellowship stipend of 70,000 CAD is provided. Applicant’s should be in the area of Health research, Natural sciences and/or engineering, or Social sciences and/or humanities.

The Banting Postgraduate Fellowships are awarded for a period of two years, therefore there are a maximum of 140 active fellowships in any one year, unless an awardee chooses to opt out.

International Development Research Centre (IDRC) Research Awards

Students from developing countries who have been accepted to a recognised university or institute in Canada are eligible for IDRC Research Awards. The university or institute to which the student has been admitted provides the scholarship.

Eligibility criteria 

• The student must be from another country.
• The student must be admitted into a master’s or doctorate research programme at a recognised Canadian institution or university.
• The student must be a resident of a country that participates in the IDRC Research Awards, such as India. 

The application form for scholarship can be applied in the IDRC Research Award website

Vanier Graduate Scholarships

The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship (Vanier CGS) provides financial assistance to qualified doctoral candidates pursuing postgraduate and research programmes. The scholarship programme is open to students from more than 20 Canadian universities. 

Each year, around 166 Vanier CGS scholarships are offered to deserving students. Annually, recipients get a 50,000 CAD Vanier Graduate Scholarship. The scholarship i|s for three years and can be renewed.

Eligibility Criteria

• International students (present in Canada on the student visa) 
• Only ONE Canadian university, such as UofT or UCalgary, can nominate you under the Vanier CGS quota.
• Applicant’s should be in the area of Natural sciences and/or engineering research, health research and social sciences and humanities research
• Pursuing a first Canadian doctorate degree which may include a combination UG/PG research programme such as MD/Ph.D., DVM/Ph.D or JD/Ph.D.
• Must have achieved a first-class average, in each of the last two years of full-time study or its equivalent.

Ontario Trillium Scholarship

Several Ontario universities choose candidates and give scholarships based on programme criteria and the candidates’ merit, allowing them to continue their studies and intellectual advancement in the Canadian province.

Every year, the Ontario government offers 75 Ontario Trillium Scholarships (OTS). Annually total of 40,000 CAD is offered to the finest doctorate students from throughout the world. It’s possible to renew it for up to four years. Provides partial financing for scholars to pursue a Ph.D. in any subject at one of Ontario’s leading institutions.

Eligibility Criteria

• New/incoming doctorate students who are applying for admission for the forthcoming Spring, Fall, or Winter terms are eligible to apply.
• Applicant must be an international student with a valid Canadian student visa.
• Applicants must aim to undertake full-time graduate study in a degree-granting programme at the PhD level.
• Prior to receiving the OTS, recipients must have earned a first-class average (A-/80 % Ontario equivalent) in each of the two years of full-time study.

Before applying for admission to the Ph.D. programme under OTS, you must not have obtained a UG or PG degree at any university or institution in Ontario.

Ontario Graduate Scholarships

The Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) Program offers merit-based scholarships to graduate students pursuing master’s and doctorate degrees. The Ontario Graduate Scholarship is worth USD 3,775 each term.

The Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) provides 22 merit-based scholarships to students from diverse academic areas. The province distributes OGS awards to Canadian universities and specifies the amount of awards that will be granted each year. The scholarship is for a minimum of two terms and a maximum of three temrs.

The government of Ontario contributes two-thirds of the total scholarship sum of 15000 CAD every year, with the institution providing the remaining one-third. 

Eligibility Criteria

• An international student studying in an Ontario university with a valid Canadian study visa.
• Be registered full-time in a graduate degree program; students who can only register part-time because of permanent disabilities may still be eligible
• Have achieved a first-class average, minimum of 80%, in each of the last two full-time academic years
• Applicant must mention relevant volunteer, leadership and academic work experience

Canada-ASEAN SEED

The Canada ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development programme offers short-term exchange opportunities for students from Association of Southeast Asia Nations member countries to study or do research in Canadian post-secondary institutions at the college, undergraduate and graduate levels. 

Graduate students (Master’s and PhD) will receive CAD 10,700 for a minimum of four months or one academic term of study or research. For a period of five to six months of study or research, graduate students (Master’s and PhD) will receive CAD 13,200.

Also read: List of Scholarships for Indian Students to Study Abroad

Eligibility Criteria

• Candidates must be citizens of an ASEAN member state
• Graduate students (Master’s and PhD) who fulfill the eligibility conditions for the award. On a case-by-case bas is, undergraduate students are considered.
• merit of the research to be undertaken in Canada;
• benefit to the home institution and peers;
• benefit to the Canadian institution, supervisor and peers;
• strength of the linkages to be created through the proposed exchange; and
• rankings submitted by the Canadian institution.

Quebec Provincial Government Scholarship

It’s a merit-based award provided to master’s and PhD students at Quebec universities. This fellowship for Indian students is given out once a year to those who are studying master’s or doctorate programs.

Eligibility Criteria

• Financial assistance to students at master’s level or above
• Value and duration are determined as per the level of study:
• Doctoral program: $25,000 a year and duration is up to 3 years with a possible extension to it of 12 months
• Postdoctoral scholarships: $35,000 for one year and can’t be renewed
• Short-term research or professional development scholarship: $3,000 each month for 4 months
• Partnership Grants by Social Science and Humanities Research Council in Canada

Non-Governmental scholarships to study in Canada for Indian students

Anne Vallee Ecological Fund

The Anne Vallee ecological fund fellowship is provided to students pursuing a master’s or PhD degree in animal research at the University of Quebec or the University of British Columbia. The money will be used to support field study in animal ecology and the influence of human activities on the environment, such as agriculture, forestry, industry and fishing. A net amount of INR 90,985.46 is offered as an award for the scholarship. 

Eligibility Criteria

• Students doing animal science at the doctoral level at universities in British Columbia or Quebec are eligible to apply.
• This fund offers two $1,500 scholarship

Trudeau Scholarships and Fellowships

This scholarship and fellowship are available to international doctoral students at certain Canadian universities. Doctoral candidates undertaking research in one or more of the Foundation’s Four Themes: Human Rights and Dignity, People and their Natural Environment, Responsible Citizenship, and Canada and the World are eligible for this scholarship.

Eligibility criteria

• These are offered to international students at doctorate level for some specific Canadian institutions 
• The amount is $40,000 each year for three years; and $20,000 each year for three years, as research and travel allowance
• Deadline: Mid Fall Session, your IDP counsellor can help you with the application process

Canada Memorial Scholarship

It is one of the few fully financed scholarships available to Indian students studying at Canadian institutions. Students applying for multi-year courses may be asked to provide declarations that they have additional funding sources that will allow them to complete the course.

This scholarship is open to applicants from the United Kingdom who wish to attend a post-graduate studies programme in Canada. The scholarship offers a net value of INR 10,32,157.00.

Eligibility criteria

• Hold, or expect to hold, a first or upper second-class Honours degree
• Be able to show convincing reasons why they wish to study in Canada.
• Be able to demonstrate leadership and ambassadorial qualities as well as strong academic credentials.
• The scholarship includes tuition, airfare, and lodging costs.