The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships aim to attract top talent to Canadian doctoral programs. The goal is to establish Canada as a global leader in research and higher education. The scholarships support world-class students pursuing PhD or combined MA/PhD and MD/PhD degrees. Funding helps both recruit and retain exceptional scholars.
Through the Vanier program, Canada signals its commitment to excellence at the graduate level. The scholarships enable brilliant minds to advance their studies in Canada. Graduates will go on to conduct pioneering research and empower the next generation.
By investing in its PhD students, Canada secures its reputation as an international hub of innovation. The Vanier Scholarships create a vibrant community of future leaders and change-makers. They ensure Canada’s place at the forefront of research and discovery.
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS)
Host Institutions:
The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (CGS) are exclusively available at Canadian universities with allocated Vanier CGS slots. Each scholarship is specific to the nominating Canadian institution and cannot be transferred.
Level/Fields of Study:
Vanier CGS supports Ph.D. programs, including combined MA/Ph.D. or MD/Ph.D. programs, in health research, natural sciences/engineering research, and social sciences/humanities research. Eligible doctoral programs must have a significant research component leading to a thesis, dissertation, scholarly publication, or similar project that undergoes rigorous merit and expert review at the institutional level.
Joint graduate research programs with professional degrees (e.g., MD/Ph.D., DVM/Ph.D., JD/Ph.D.) and clinically-oriented programs such as clinical psychology are eligible if they incorporate a substantial independent research component as outlined above.
Number of Scholarships:
Annually, up to 166 scholarships are granted.
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS) Eligible Candidates:
The Vanier CGS is open to Canadian citizens, permanent residents of Canada, and foreign citizens who can be nominated for this prestigious award.
Scholarship Value/Duration:
Each scholarship is valued at $50,000 per year and is granted for a period of three years.
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships Eligibility Criteria:
To be eligible for consideration for a Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship (CGS), applicants must fulfill the following requirements:
- Nomination: You must be nominated by a single Canadian institution that has been granted a Vanier CGS quota.
- First Doctoral Degree: Applicants should be pursuing their initial doctoral degree, including joint undergraduate/graduate research programs such as MD/PhD, DVM/PhD, JD/PhD (only the PhD part of the joint degree qualifies for funding).
- Intent to Pursue Full-time Studies: You must intend to engage in full-time doctoral studies and research at the nominating institution during the summer semester or the academic year immediately following the announcement of results. (Note: Funding is applicable only to the PhD portion of a combined degree.)
- Duration of Study: As of May 1, 2024, you should not have completed more than 20 months of doctoral studies. If enrolled in a joint graduate research program (e.g., MD/PhD, MA/PhD, DVM/PhD), applicants are eligible for the 32-month window, regardless of prior enrollment in a Master’s program. This also applies if you transitioned directly from a Bachelor’s to a PhD program or accelerated from a Master’s degree to a Doctoral program without obtaining the Master’s degree.
- Academic Excellence: Candidates must have maintained a first-class average, as defined by the respective institution, in the last two years of full-time study or its equivalent. Institutions may provide specific definitions for a first-class average, so applicants are encouraged to consult their institution for clarification.
- Scholarship/Fellowship Restrictions: You should not have received, or be receiving, a doctoral-level scholarship or fellowship from CIHR, NSERC, or SSHRC to undertake or complete a doctoral degree.
How to Apply:
To apply for the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship (CGS), candidates must follow a nomination process through a Canadian Institution with an allocated quota for their desired study program. Direct applications to the Vanier CGS program are not accepted.
The application process can begin in two ways. Firstly, students can express their intention to apply for the Vanier CGS program to the faculty of graduate studies at their chosen institution. Alternatively, institutions can initiate the nomination process by reaching out to the prospective candidates.
Applicants are responsible for preparing their applications, which should be submitted to the nominating institution by the internal deadline using the ResearchNet application system. The nominating institution then reviews the applications and forwards recommended nominations to the Vanier-Banting Secretariat (the Secretariat) by November 1, 2023.
For detailed information on accessing the application form and comprehensive application guidelines, please visit the official website provided below.
Website:
Official Scholarship Website: Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships