Canada is renowned for being a secure, open, friendly, and safe nation. From reasonably priced universities to post-study employment options, Canada provides a wealth of advantageous opportunities for international students.
You’re in luck if you’re trying to find a PhD scholarship in Canada! For the 2024-2025 academic year, more than 800 scholarships are offered to international students.ย
Get Up to $100,000 Student Loan for Your Master in US or Canada - Apply before 31 January 2025 to get as low as 9.99% interest rate
Because there are so many scholarships available, you might not even be aware that you qualify for some of them.
We have compiled a list of the top 10 PhD scholarships available to international students in Canada, so don’t worry.
Table of Contents
A list of Canadian PhD scholarships that all international students should be aware of:
#1. University of Alberta Scholarships
Founded in 1908, the University of Alberta is a comprehensive academic and research institution.
Because of the numerous financial options, the university is frequently ranked as one of Canada’s best places for overseas students.
The Graduate Entrance Scholarship is one of the grants given to all students pursuing a master’s or doctorate degree.
A stipend of 21,000 Canadian dollars (US$15,317) will be awarded to PhD scholarship recipients, and an extra 10,000 CAD (US$7,294) will be provided to overseas students to assist with tuition costs.
Depending on your admission period, the scholarship deadline changes throughout the year.
#2. University of Waterloo Scholarships
According to US News & World Report, the University of Waterloo, a public research university in Ontario, Canada, is ranked eighth among Canada’s Best Global Universities.
All international students enrolled in undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs are eligible for scholarships from the university. For a maximum of three terms, the University of Waterloo Graduate Scholarship grants 1,000 CAD (US$730) every term. Students must be within the time constraints of their graduate degree and have a minimum first-class (80%) cumulative GPA in their current program or during the previous two full-time academic years.
Note that since graduate departments will automatically nominate qualified students based on their funding allocation, no application is necessary.
#3. University of Saskatchewan Scholarship
The University of Saskatchewan is the top water research university in Canada and is well known for its extremely collaborative research environment.
The amount of the Dean’s Doctoral Scholarship for International Students is 24,000 CAD (US$17,505) annually for two years, for a total of 48,000 CAD (US$35,010) scholarships.
In order to apply, candidates must be enrolled full-time international students in the university’s PhD program, have completed no more than 24 months of coursework at the time of application, and have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 80.00%.
Every year during the winter term, a call for applications for this award is issued.
#4. McGill University Scholarships
According to the QS World University Rankings 2025, McGill University is a top university, ranked second in Canada and 29th worldwide. The best news? All PhDs are eligible for funding packages, and 95% of PhD students receive full tuition reimbursement.
Better yet, money is provided to all international PhD students to offset the tuition gap between international and Quebec resident students. The majority of PhDs will also get financial aid to help with living expenses, health insurance, and other university fees.
#5. University of Montrรฉal exemption scholarship
The University of Montrรฉal (UdeM) is the place to go if you speak French well or want to fully experience the distinctive culture of Montrรฉal, Quรฉbec.a. Keep in mind that you must prove your proficiency in French satisfies the requirements for your study program in order to be eligible for a graduate program.e.
This is the UdeM exemption scholarship program, which was created to guarantee that students from around the globe might enroll at one of Canada’s best research universities.
The additional tuition expenses often assessed to international students are completely waived for PhD students, enabling you to take advantage of the same tuition costs as graduate students in Quebec.
The cost of a 45-credit full-time program is 22,909 CAD (US$16,709), and the amount of the scholarship is deducted from the tuition fees.
#6. University of Toronto Scholarship
The University of Toronto, based in Ontario, is ranked as Canada’s top university by the QS World University Rankings 2025.
For a maximum of five years during your study term, you will receive a base financial package as a PhD student. International grantees who are chosen will get 30,858 CAD (US$22,507), which includes 756 CAD (US$551) for a University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP).
To continue to be eligible for the financing throughout the course of the five years, applicants would need to retain their academic standing in their program.
#7. University of Ottawa Scholarships
All international students enrolling in a PhD program at the University of Ottawa are eligible to apply for an International Doctoral Scholarship.
For 15 consecutive terms, students will receive 45,000 CAD (US$32,821) over five years, with a maximum of 3,000 CAD (US$2,188) per term, deposited to their student account.
You won’t need to apply for the university’s Special Merit Scholarship; you will be automatically considered for it at the time of admission, and if selected, you will receive an offer for the scholarship in addition to your admission offer.
The scholarship’s term and amount change based on the program you enroll in.
#8. The University of Lethbridge Graduate Research Award
Among terms of research performance, the University of Lethbridge is placed among the top three research universities in Canada and in the top 6% of universities worldwide.
The goal of the Graduate Research Award is to give all university graduate students financial assistance. All students, with the exception of those in the Faculty of Education, are eligible for this financial aid.
Candidates may receive up to 21,000 CAD (US$15,317) after being admitted.
#9. Concordia University Canada Scholarships
One of the best public universities in Montreal, Canada, is Concordia University.
All PhD students are eligible for the university’s honors and scholarships, including those that remove out-of-province costs and reduce them to the Quebec rate or significantly lower them.
For instance, international students seeking a PhD can receive a tuition reduction of almost 44,893 CAD (US$32,743) through the International Tuition Award of Excellence. The Doctoral Graduate Fellowship, on the other hand, offers outstanding doctoral candidates a highly coveted admission reward worth 14,000 CAD (US$ 10,211) annually for four years.
#10. University of British Columbia
The QS World University Rankings 2025 place the University of British Columbia at number 38, making it one of the best universities in the world.
One excellent option for students wishing to pursue a PhD at this university is the four-year doctoral fellowship. In addition to full tuition coverage, this program guarantees that students who have attained academic distinction will get financial assistance of at least 18,200 CAD (US$13,274) per year.ย
All overseas students are eligible for this grant, which is awarded depending on admission.
Read Also: University of British Columbia Scholarships
FAQs when applying for PhD scholarships in Canada
For first-time applicants in particular, the Canadian scholarship application procedure can be a little intimidating. Don’t worry. To help you navigate the process, here are a few of the most commonly asked questions:
1. How can international students apply for a scholarship in Canada?
The first step in applying for a scholarship in Canada is getting accepted into a Canadian university.
After you’ve taken care of that, make a selection of the scholarships that best suit your needs and for which you qualify. Before completing your application, find out more about the requirements and deadlines by visiting the website or speaking with a financial aid representative at your university.
2. Is it difficult for international students to obtain a scholarship in Canada?
The type of scholarship and your qualifications determine your chances of winning one. The majority of scholarships are given out under academic performance.
However, if you have volunteer or employment experience, your chances of getting a scholarship are higher.
3. What are the prerequisites for Canadian PhD scholarships?
Each has different requirements for a PhD fellowship in Canada. However, getting accepted into a PhD program is the first prerequisite. You need to have a GPA of 3.0 or above to accomplish this.
4. How can I apply for a Canadian scholarship that is completely funded?
Apply as soon as possible to increase your chances of receiving a scholarship. Getting started early will provide you with more time and chances.
The second piece of advice is to submit as many scholarship applications as you can. Your chances of receiving a scholarship increase with the number of applications you submit.
5. Can a PhD student work full-time in Canada?
As a PhD student in Canada, you will be permitted to work on and off campus as long as you have valid study permission. You will only be permitted to work up to 20 hours per week part-time during the academic year. Students can work full-time during the breaks between semesters.ย
Read Also: How to get loans to study in the USA and Canada
