Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships: Scholarships available for Canadians and international students
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships overview
The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships is available for Canadians and international students. The Government of Canada launched the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS) program in 2008 to strengthen Canada’s ability to attract and retain world-class doctoral students and establish Canada as a global centre of excellence in research and higher learning. Vanier Scholars demonstrate leadership skills and a high standard of scholarly achievement in graduate studies in the social sciences and humanities, natural sciences and/or engineering and health.
Scope
Up to 166 scholarships are awarded annually
A total of up to 500 scholarships are active at any time.
Value
$50,000 per year
Duration
3 years (non-renewable)
Scholarships are distributed equally between the three federal granting agencies:
- Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
- Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)
- Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)
Selection Criteria
Timelines
| July – November 2022 | Applicants seek a nominating institution, prepare and submit application package. |
| Internal Deadline (varies) | Deadline to submit application to the nominating institution. Contact nominating institution for specific date. |
| November 1, 2022 (20:00 EDT) | Deadline for institutions to submit nominations to the Vanier CGS program. |
| November 2022 – March 2023 | Review and evaluation of nominations. |
| Early April 2023 | Anticipated notification of results. Nominees will be notified by email when the results are available on ResearchNet. |
| May 1, 2023, September 1, 2023 or January 1, 2024 | Payments begin. |
Features
The Vanier CGS program aims to attract and retain world-class doctoral students by supporting students who demonstrate both leadership skills and a high standard of scholarly achievement in graduate studies in the social sciences and humanities, natural sciences and/or engineering and health.
FAQs
1. What is the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship?
The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship (Vanier CGS) is a prestigious Canadian government-funded award designed to attract highly qualified doctoral students to Canadian universities. It supports students who demonstrate strong academic excellence, leadership skills, and research potential in fields such as health, natural sciences, engineering, and social sciences.
2. Who is eligible to apply for the Vanier Scholarship?
Both Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and international students are eligible for nomination. However, applicants must be nominated by a Canadian university with a designated quota and must be pursuing their first doctoral degree (PhD or equivalent research-based program) in Canada.
3. How much is the Vanier Scholarship worth and how long does it last?
The Vanier CGS provides $50,000 per year for up to three years during doctoral studies. It is a non-renewable award, and it is intended to fully support students while they complete their PhD research in Canada.
4. What are the main selection criteria for the Vanier Scholarship?
Applicants are assessed based on three equally weighted criteria:
- Academic excellence
- Research potential
- Leadership ability (both demonstrated and potential)
These criteria ensure that recipients are not only strong researchers but also future leaders in their academic or professional fields.
RECOMMEND: Fully Funded Scholarships in United States for international students – 2022/2023
