Ph.D. Scholarships in Canada: Programs, Application and Fees

International students can avail a number of PhD scholarships in Canada in various fields of study. Both renewable and non-renewable Ph.D scholarships in Canada 2022 are available for international students that covers some of the major expenses and also fully or partially covers the cost of doctoral studies.

Generally, a Ph.D. degree is the highest level of study, the students can achieve after completing their postgraduate studies. Most of the PhD courses in Canada require a duration of 3 years in full-time study and research. In this program, the students are taught research methodology, practical skills, presentation, and teaching skills.

Canadian Universities offer excellent facilities with highly qualified researchers and faculties who have real-world experience. Pursuing your Ph.D. at a Canadian university would provide a great boost to your career and help you network with top researchers in different fields of study.

Ph.D. Scholarships for International Students in Canada

International students can find below a complete list of PhD scholarships in Canada 2022:

1. Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
2. The University of Waterloo Master's and Doctoral Awards
3. Ontario Trillium Scholarship
4. The Ontario Graduate Scholarship
5. University of Calgary Graduate Scholarships
6. The University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship
7. The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarships
8. The Graduate Global Leadership Fellowship
9. Banting Post Doctoral Fellowship
10. NSERC Post Graduate Scholarships

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship (VCGS) program was named after the first Francophone Governor General of Canada, Major-General Georges P. Vanier. The scholarship grants CAD 50,000 per year for doctoral programs, for 3 years. The selection criteria for the scholarship is done on the basis of academic excellence, research potential and leadership qualities.

The scholarship is open to Canadian citizens, permanent residents of Canada, and international students. The areas of research for the doctoral scholarship are Health Research, Natural Sciences and/or Engineering Sciences, and Social Sciences and Humanities Research.

The University of Waterloo Master's and Doctoral Awards

The University of Waterloo Master's and Doctoral Awards is awarded to graduate students registered in the Master's and Doctoral programs at the University of Waterloo. The scholarship grants CAD 1,000 per term for up to three terms, to students who have a minimum cumulative average of first class (80%) in their current program or over the previous two full-time academic years, within the limits of their graduate program.

For the Master's and Doctoral Awards at the University of Waterloo, no applications are required. Instead, the respective graduate departments will nominate eligible students based on the funds allocated to them.

Ontario Trillium Scholarship

The Ontario Trillium Scholarship is another scholarship awarded by the University of Waterloo. The scholarship is valued at CAD 40,000 to international doctoral students who have a valid study permit, and are registered on a full-time basis in any faculty's degree-granting program.

Out of the CAD 40,000, CAD 26,666 is covered by the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development while CAD 13,333 is covered by the university. To be eligible for the scholarship, a candidate must have achieved a cumulative aggregate of first class or A-/ 80% in each of the each of the previous two years of full-time study.

The Ontario Graduate Scholarship

The Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) has been merit-based scholarships to the best graduate students in Ontario since 1975. The scholarship is jointly-funded by the Province of Ontario and the University of Toronto. The value of the OGS is CAD 5,000 per annum.; for two years it will be CAD 10,000 and for three years it will be CAD 15,000.

In each case, the awarding unit will contribute to 1/3rd of the total award cost received by students. Candidates must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents of Canada or international students with a cumulative average of A- or 80% (as per Ontario's standards).

University of Calgary Graduate Scholarships

The university of Calgary has a host of PhD scholarships across various faculties, for numerous programs. The scholarships provided will differ for students based on their residence-status in Canada, the faculty to which the student belongs to, and the type of course the student is studying. The scholarships below are provided to international students at the University of Calgary:

• Alberta Innovates Graduate Student Scholarships program
• Alberta Graduate Excellence Scholarship (AGES)
• Delta Kappa Gama
• Entrance Awards
• Graduate Award Competition
• International Graduate Tuition Award
• Mackenzie King
• Mitacs
• Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (CGS)

The University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship

The University of Manitoba awards scholarships for its Master's and Doctoral programs. The Master's program scholarship is valued at CAD 28,000 per annum, while the Doctoral program scholarship is valued at CAD 18,000 per annum.

The Master's program scholarships are are provided for a period of between 12 and 24 months, while the Doctoral program scholarships are provided for a period of between 12 and 48 months. The maximum support for any student is for a period of 5 years or 60 months. Students who have a minimum GPA 3.0 will be considered for the University of Manitoba Fellowship.

The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarships

Every year, 16 doctoral scholars are selected to receive funding for their studies and leadership training through the Pierre Elliot Trudeau Foundation. The PETF scholarship provides up to CAD 40,000 per annum for three years to cover tuition and living expenses.

The scholarships also awards CAD 20,000 per annum for three years as funds for research, networking and a travel allowance (the funding may also be used to learn a new language). The scholarship also provides membership in a vibrant community of scholars, fellows and mentors, all of whom are experts in their respective fields. 

The Graduate Global Leadership Fellowship

The Graduate Global Leadership Fellowship or GGLF is provided to international students from developing nations looking to pursue their doctoral studies, who show exceptional leadership in humanitarian and development work in their countries. The eligibility criteria for the GGLF scholarships are as follows:

• Candidates must be from a developing country
• Candidates must have a valid study permit
• Candidates must have an exceptional academic background
• Candidates must show a history of outstanding leadership in humanitarian and social work, in their home-country

Students will be considered on the basis of academic excellence, research ability and leadership in civil and sustainable development in the home-country.

Banting Post Doctoral Fellowship

The Banting Post Doctoral Fellowship grants CAD 70,000 per annum for two years, to students meritorious students who have potential to contribute to Canada's economic, social and research-based growth. The program is open to Canadian citizens, permanent residents of Canada and international students.

The areas of research are Healthcare, Natural Sciences of Engineering, and Humanities and Social Sciences. The fellowships are granted by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).

NSERC Post Graduate Scholarships

The NSERC Post Graduate Scholarships are awarded to meritorious scholars engaged in the doctoral program in Natural Science and Engineering. The scholarship is valued at CAD 20,000 for a period of 3 years. The scholarship is open to permanent residents of Canada and Canadian citizens.

Some other Ph.D. Scholarships in Canada 2022

The following are the names of some other PhD scholarships that potential doctoral scholars can look at:

• McGill University Scholarships and Student Aid
• Carleton University Awards for International Students
• Queen's University International Scholarships
• Dalhousie University Scholarship
• Fairleigh Dickinson Scholarships for International Students

Application Criteria of Canada Ph.D. Scholarships

There are many universities and institutes that offer scholarships in Canada and awards so the students can get financial help and achieve their educational goals. First, you have to research for universities/ colleges that provide scholarships for international students in Ph.D. programs. You should apply for several PhD scholarships because this step can higher your chances. To be eligible for the scholarship, you may be required to have academic scores and other skills. Below are some criteria for international students: 

• Academic Excellence
• Extra-Curricular Activities
• Research Potential
• Leadership Skills
• Program Duration 

How Can I Get a Ph.D. Scholarship in Canada?

Several PhD scholarships in Canada 2022 are available for international students which are awarded based on academic merit. The Canadian government runs a website that helps international students find scholarships based on their country of origin. The official websites of the respective Canadian universities also have valid information regarding a Ph.D. scholarship in Canada for Indian students.

The Canadian universities guarantee a funding level for all students depending on their chosen course. This could either be a partial-funding or full-funding and could include a tuition fee waiver,  stipend top-up, internship opportunities, research assistant, and teaching assistant opportunities.

Ph.D. Programs in Canada with Scholarship

A Ph.D. program in Canada is for a duration of three to six years and is offered in various study areas like engineering, natural sciences, humanities, and more. It can cost around $4,000 per annum which is much affordable than a doctoral degree in other top countries like the USA and the UK. However, international students may require financial assistance to be able to pursue a PhD program in Canada. Some of the top PhD programs in Canada with scholarship are tabulated below:

• Medicine & Health
• Natural Sciences & Mathematics
• Business & Management
• Computer Science & IT
• Humanities
• Agriculture & Forestry
• Social Sciences
• Applied Sciences
• Engineering & Technology
• Environment and Earth Sciences

Canadian Ph.D. Fees

Ph.D. tuition costs may vary depending on programs and academic years in Canadian Universities. Average tuition fees for a Canadian Ph.D. program are approximately CAD $ 10,000 - $ 20,000 per year. Here are some new changes in few universities in Canada : 

• The University of Toronto has started offering the same tuition fees to domestic and international Ph.D. students from 2018. 
• Now Brock University offers fully covering international Ph.D. fees through its fellowships