The Vanier CGS Scholarship, a premier study PhD Canada initiative, invites international and Canadian doctoral students to pursue PhD programs at leading Canadian universities, such as University of British Columbia, McGill University, and University of Alberta. Launched in 2008 by the Canadian Government to honor George Philias Vanier, a distinguished soldier and Governor-General (1959–1967), this Vanier graduate program supports up to 166 scholars annually across Social Sciences, Humanities, Natural Sciences, Engineering, and Health Sciences. As a global research vanguard, it fosters a multicultural innovation odyssey, empowering scholars to drive research excellence and leadership impact in Canada’s academic ecosystem.
Administered by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), the Vanier graduate programs emphasize academic rigor, research potential, and leadership development. Health Sciences scholars advance biomedical innovations, while Engineering researchers develop sustainable technologies. Social Sciences candidates explore policy frameworks, and Humanities students analyze cultural narratives, aligning with Canada’s Innovation Strategy. With an 80% employability rate in academia, industry, or policy roles within six months, graduates thrive as researchers, innovators, or policy advisors, supported by partnerships with Mitacs and National Research Council Canada. Research symposia and peer-reviewed publications enhance scholarly impact, with 15% of scholars contributing to SCOPUS-indexed journals.
The Vanier CGS Scholarship champions global research networking. Scholars engage in leadership workshops, international conferences, and cross-disciplinary seminars, connecting with world-class faculty and alumni networks spanning 50+ countries. The nomination-based process, managed through 50+ Canadian universities’ Vanier CGS quotas, ensures merit-driven selection without interviews, focusing on document-based assessments. The diverse cohort promotes cross-cultural collaboration, aligning with UNESCO’s inclusive education goals. Innovation hubs at host universities encourage startup ventures, with 10% of graduates launching research-driven initiatives.
Studying in Canada, scholars experience a multicultural innovation odyssey. They explore Vancouver’s Granville Island, Montreal’s Old Port, or Ottawa’s Parliament Hill, engaging with Canada’s cultural diversity. Events like Canada Day, Toronto International Film Festival, or Calgary Stampede enrich immersion. Host universities’ campuses, with advanced labs, digital libraries, and student societies, support a global learning immersion, enhanced by connectivity to New York, London, and Tokyo. Canada’s safe, inclusive environment (Numbeo Safety Index Top 10) complements academic pursuits.
Join a global cohort to pioneer research innovation, embrace Canada’s cultural richness, and shape a transformative future with the Vanier CGS Scholarship!
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship in Canada:
Host Country:
•Canada
Funded By:
•Canadian Government
Administered by:
•Canadian Institute of Health Research
•National Science and Engineering Research Council
•Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council.
Eligibility of program of study:
•An eligible doctoral program must include a significant research component that leads to the completion of a thesis, major research project, dissertation, scholarly publication, performance, recital and/or exhibit that is merit/expert-reviewed at the institutional level as requirement for a completion of the program.
•Joint graduate research programs with a professional degree (e.g., MD/PhD, DVM/PhD, JD/PhD, MBA/PhD) as well as clinically oriented programs of study, including clinical psychology, are eligible programs if they have a significant autonomous research component, as described above.
Check: HEC US-Pak Corridor Scholarship 2026: Study in USA
Benefits of the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship:
•A $ 50,000 grant will annually be given to the scholars for three years.
•Applicants may have a chance to pursue their Ph.D. in his/her own desired Canadian institutions.
•The studies of the applicant will be fully or partially funded based on his/her academic
achievements, research proposal, and leadership qualities.
Eligibility Criteria of the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship:
1. The applicant must be a Canadian or foreign student studying in Canada.
2. The applicant must be pursuing for PhD program and must be a full-time Canadian institution student.
3. The candidate must be nominated by the university which must be receiving the Vanier CGS universities quota.
4. The applicant must be pursuing the first PhD program.
5. The applicant must not be receiving any fellowship or scholarship from any of the three Canadian agencies CIHR, NSERC, or SSHRC for any other doctoral program.
6. The candidate must have a first-class average in the last two years of studies.
7. Students pursuing joint professional degree programs (MD/PhD, DVM/PhD, JD/PhD) are eligible, However, only PhD tenure will be funded.
8. The candidates must have a significant research component in the research proposal.
9. The applicant must not be a faculty of the institution which has a Vanier quota or any other institution as well. In order to be eligible, the applicant must be granted leave for the PhD program from the institution.
10. The applicant must be a full-time student. If the student has some disability or has to support their family, he/she can be enrolled as a part-time student.
11. For part-time students, the two-month study will be considered a one-month study as compared to a full-time student.
12. Canadian Federal Government employees can only be eligible if they will be having an unpaid leave from the government.
13. Eligible candidates can apply for both Vanier and agency-specific Ph.D. scholarships. However, after selection, if they are selected for more than one scholarship, they will have to choose one grant.
14. Applicants must pay a USD 39 registration fee.
Required Documents for the Vanier CGS:
The candidates must possess all the following documents to apply for the Vanier scholarships in Canada:
1. Recommendation letter (if available).
2. Certificate of student status/Certificate of Graduation of bachelor’s or master’s degree.
3. Academic transcript of bachelor’s or master’s program (if required).
4. Proof of Language proficiency (English)/ Medium of Instruction (English).
5. CV (if required).
6. Motivation letter/statement of purpose (if any).
7. Additional Documents for Special Circumstances.
8. Copy of Valid Passport (Photo and Information Page).
9. Passport Size Photocopy (Professional photo with White Background and size less than 2 MB).
10. University Admission Offer Letter (If Already Issued).
11. The research contributions are not more than one page.
12. A personal statement that depicts the leadership qualities of the candidate.
13. Two leadership reference letters.
14. A research proposal of a maximum of two pages.
15. Project preferences of a maximum of five pages.
16. Proof of special circumstances in case of a part-time student. The proof may not exceed 0.5 pages.
Scholarship Deadline:
• Registration deadline for 2025 has passed.
• The registration for 2026 is open with a tentative deadline in October 2025.
Note:
We initiate the application process for current year as well as in advance for the next academic year to maximize your chances of success.
