Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS) program is a federal initiative aimed at attracting top-tier doctoral students from Canada and around the world to Canadian universities. Launched in 2008 as part of Canada’s broader science and technology strategy, the program seeks to boost the nation’s supply of highly qualified research personnel and position Canada as a global leader in research and innovation.

Vanier Scholars contribute to dynamic academic environments and are expected to become future leaders who advance Canada’s economic, social, and environmental well-being. The program is part of a broader talent development pipeline that includes the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships, Canada Research Chairs, and Canada Excellence Research Chairs, all designed to support researchers throughout their careers.

Supported by Canada’s three major federal granting agencies, CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC, the Vanier CGS enables exceptional students to achieve their potential and drive innovation, ultimately enhancing Canada’s global research reputation and national prosperity.

Each year, approximately 166 students are selected through a rigorous process, making this one of the most prestigious doctoral scholarships in the world.

Key Benefits of the Vanier Canada Scholarship

Here’s what recipients receive:

• CAD $50,000 per year for up to three years during doctoral studies
• Coverage of tuition, living expenses, and research costs
• Access to Canada’s leading research institutions and networks
• Enhanced career opportunities due to the prestige of the award

This level of funding gives scholars the freedom to focus on their research and academic development without financial stress.

Eligibility Criteria for the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

Citizenship Eligibility 

Canadian citizens, permanent residents of Canada, and international students are all eligible to be nominated for a Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship (Vanier CGS).

General Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the Vanier CGS, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Institutional Nomination

You must be nominated by only one Canadian institution that has been allocated a Vanier CGS quota.

Doctoral Program:

You must be pursuing your first doctoral degree. This includes joint programs such as MD/PhD, DVM/PhD, JD/PhD, or MBA/PhD, provided they include a substantial and well-defined research component.

Program Start Date

You must intend to begin full-time doctoral studies (or a joint graduate research program) at the nominating institution during either the summer term or the academic year following the official release of results.

Note: For joint programs, only the PhD portion is eligible for Vanier CGS funding.

Academic Progress Requirements

You must meet one of the following academic progress conditions:

• Standard Doctoral Route (following a Master’s degree):

You must have completed no more than 20 months of full-time doctoral study, calculated from the date of initial doctoral enrollment.

• Extended Eligibility Routes (maximum 32 months of full-time study):

You may have completed up to 32 months of full-time doctoral-level study if you fall under one of the following categories:

Joint Graduate Research Program (e.g., MD/PhD, MA/PhD, MS/PhD, DVM/PhD):

Eligibility is based on registration in the joint program (e.g., from the master’s registration date for MA/PhD or MS/PhD).

Direct-entry PhD from a Bachelor’s degree:

Study duration is counted from the date of doctoral enrollment.

Transferred from a Master’s program without completing the degree:

In this case, eligibility is determined based on the original master’s program enrollment date.

See also:

Top 10 Fully Funded Scholarships in Canada 2024/2025

Top 7 Fully Funded Masters Scholarships in Germany

Academic Excellence

You must have achieved a first-class average (as defined by your institution) in each of the last two years of full-time study or equivalent.

Applicants should verify the specific definition of a first-class average with their prospective host institution.

Note: Institutions may choose to accept applications from candidates who have not achieved a first-class average at their discretion.

You must not have previously received a doctoral-level scholarship or fellowship from CIHR, NSERC, or SSHRC for your current or proposed doctoral program.

Eligible Programs of Study

Doctoral programs must include a substantial research component leading to a thesis, major project, dissertation, scholarly publication, or equivalent, evaluated by experts at the institutional level.

Eligible programs include:

• Traditional PhD programs with a research thesis.
• Joint professional/research degrees (e.g., MD/PhD, DVM/PhD, JD/PhD, MBA/PhD).
• Clinically oriented research programs such as clinical psychology, provided they include an independent and significant research component.

Counting Months of Doctoral Study

All previous doctoral-level studies (in Canada or abroad) are counted toward the eligibility limit.

Study periods are assumed to be continuous, full-time, and uninterrupted—including summer months—unless officially stated otherwise by the institution.

Two months of part-time study are considered equivalent to one month of full-time study.

Applicants with part-time doctoral studies must:

Clearly outline part-time study periods in the “Other Application Materials” attachment.

Ensure this information is reflected in their transcripts.

Application Process

Applying for the Vanier Scholarship involves several steps, and early preparation is key. Here’s how to go about it:

• Research and select a university
  Choose a Canadian institution which must have received a Vanier CGS quota
• Secure a nomination
  Contact the institution for their internal selection process. They will assess your application and decide whether to nominate you.
• Prepare the required documents
  These usually include:

1. Academic transcripts
2. A personal leadership statement
3. A research proposal
4. Referee letters
5. Canadian Common CV (CCV)

Each institution may have its own internal deadline, so start early to stay on track.

Important Dates and Deadlines

While exact dates may vary each year, here’s a general timeline:

July–August: Contact institutions for nomination

September–October: Institutional deadlines for internal selection

Early November: National submission deadline through ResearchNet

Be sure to check both the institutional and national deadlines to avoid missing out.

Tips to Strengthen Your Application

Given the competitive nature of the scholarship, applicants must demonstrate excellence in all three areas of the evaluation criteria:

• Academic Excellence
  Maintain a strong GPA and highlight your academic achievements.
• Research Potential
  Present a clear, compelling, and feasible research proposal that aligns with Canadian research goals.
• Leadership Qualities
  Showcase evidence of leadership through community involvement, teaching, publications, or entrepreneurial ventures.

Seek feedback from mentors and advisors, and tailor your documents to reflect your strengths in these areas.

Don’t miss your chance to apply. Begin your journey today by visiting the official application portal.