Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS) were established to draw and retain top-notch doctoral students while promoting Canada as a premier global hub for research and advanced education. The scholarships are designated for pursuing a doctoral degree (or a combined MA/PhD or MD/PhD).
Study Level: PhD, or a combined MA/PhD or MD/PhD
Area of Study: PhD programs (or integrated MA/PhD or MD/PhD) in health, natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, and humanities.
General Instructions:
- An eligible doctoral program must involve a significant research element leading to a thesis, major research project, dissertation, scholarly publication, performance, recital, or exhibition that is subject to expert review at the institution as a graduation requirement.
- Joint graduate research programs involving a professional degree (e.g., MD/PhD, DVM/PhD, JD/PhD) as well as clinically-focused programs, such as clinical psychology, qualify if they contain a considerable independent research component, as defined above.
Funding: The scholarship provides $50,000 annually for three years.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Must be nominated by a single Canadian institution that has a Vanier CGS quota.
- Must be working towards their first doctoral degree (including joint undergraduate/graduate research programs such as MD/PhD, DVM/PhD, JD/PhD – provided there is a notable research component).
- Only the PhD segment of a combined degree is eligible for funding.
- Must plan to engage in full-time doctoral (or a joint graduate program such as MD/PhD, DVM/PhD, JD/PhD) studies and research at the nominating institution starting in the summer semester or academic year following the results announcement.
- Only the PhD part of a combined program can receive funding;
- Should not have surpassed 20 months of doctoral studies by 1 May 2025.
- Should not have exceeded 32 months of full-time study in their doctoral program by 1 May 2025 if;
- Enrolled in a joint graduate research program, such as MD/PhD, MA/PhD, or DVM/PhD. Applicants in this category benefit from the 32-month window irrespective of prior enrollment in a Master’s program; or
- Have transitioned directly from a Bachelor’s to a PhD (without attending a Master’s program); or
- Have moved from a Master’s degree into a Doctoral program without receiving the Master’s degree.
- Must have attained a first-class average, as defined by their institution, during each of the last two years of full-time study or its equivalent. Candidates are encouraged to consult their institution for its specific criteria for a first-class average; and
- Must not hold or have previously held a doctoral-level scholarship from CIHR, NSERC, or SSHRC to undertake or complete a doctoral degree.
Apply Timely for Canada Scholarships: For additional details and to submit your application, please visit the official website of CGS International Scholarships.
