CANADIAN INSTITUTES OF HEALTH RESEARCH (CIHR), NATURAL SCIENCES AND ENGINEERING RESEARCH COUNCIL (NSERC), SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES RESEARCH COUNCIL (SSHRC)
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
full · phd
- CAD $50,000/yrAward value
- 3 yearsDuration
- ~166 / yearAwards
- Doctoral (PhD)Study level
- Canadian & internationalEligibility
- Nomination-basedApplication route
At a glance
full
Funding
€34k
Max amount
Nov 4, 2026
Deadline
Any country (international and Canadian students both eligible)
Country
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)
Provider
The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS) help Canadian universities attract and retain top doctoral students, supporting Canada's research capacity. The program is funded by the Government of Canada through its three federal granting agencies — CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC. Each Vanier Scholarship is worth CAD $50,000 per year for three years during doctoral studies. Around 166 scholarships are awarded annually, open to both Canadian and international students, with selection based on three equally weighted criteria: academic excellence, research potential, and leadership. Candidates do not apply directly — they must be nominated by a Canadian university, which manages a limited quota of nominations. With only ~166 awards made each year from those nominations, the Vanier is among the most recognized doctoral awards in Canada.
What's covered
- Annual stipend — CAD $50,000 per year (~€34,000) for up to three years of doctoral study.
- Living & research support — The award is a contribution toward living costs and research during the PhD; it is not tied to specific expense categories.
- Tuition — Tuition is not separately covered — the stipend is intended to support the scholar; many universities add top-ups or cover fees.
How to apply
Vanier is nomination-based: you work with a Canadian university that agrees to nominate you, then submit a nomination application through the Vanier-Banting online system by the institution's internal deadline.
- Secure institutional support — Contact the graduate faculty at your target Canadian university about Vanier nomination well in advance.
- Confirm eligibility & quota — Verify you meet the program-stage rules and that the university has a nomination slot.
- Prepare your application — Draft research contributions, leadership statements, and a research proposal; gather transcripts and references.
- Submit for nomination — Complete the Vanier-Banting online application by the university's internal deadline.
- University nomination — The institution forwards selected nominations to the national competition by the federal deadline (~early November).
- National selection — A multi-agency committee evaluates nominations; results are announced in the spring.
Eligibility
DegreePursuing (or about to start) a doctoral degree — PhD, or combined MA/PhD, or MD/PhD — at a Canadian institution.
NationalityOpen to both Canadian citizens/permanent residents and international students.
NominationMust be nominated by the Canadian university (each institution has a limited quota).
Program stageWithin defined limits on months of doctoral study already completed at nomination.
Three criteriaDemonstrated academic excellence, research potential, and leadership (weighted equally).
You cannot apply directly to Vanier — contact the graduate faculty at your chosen Canadian university about being nominated. Each university sets an internal deadline before the national deadline.
Eligible countries
Any country (international and Canadian students both eligible)
Deadlines
2027 doctoral cohort2026-11-04
Selection
Nominations are judged on three equally weighted criteria — academic excellence (grades, awards, distinctions), research potential (research history, proposal quality, fit), and leadership (demonstrated and potential). A national committee under the three granting agencies reviews university nominations and allocates the ~166 awards across disciplines.
Verified sources
- Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarshipsvanier.gc.caofficial
About the provider
The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships are funded by the Government of Canada and administered jointly by its three federal research-granting agencies: the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). The program aims to attract and retain world-class doctoral students and position Canada as a global leader in research.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
What is the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship?
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A prestigious Canadian doctoral scholarship worth CAD $50,000/year for three years, funded by Canada's three federal granting agencies (CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC). ~166 awards are made each year to top PhD students.
Who is eligible?
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Doctoral students — Canadian or international — pursuing a PhD (or combined MA/PhD, MD/PhD) at a Canadian university, who are nominated by the institution and meet program-stage limits.
How much is the award?
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CAD $50,000 per year (~€34,000) for up to three years of doctoral study — one of the most generous doctoral awards in Canada.
Can international students apply?
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Yes — the Vanier is open to both Canadian and international students, which is unusual among national doctoral awards and a key reason for its prestige.
How do I apply?
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You cannot apply directly. You must be nominated by a Canadian university — contact its graduate faculty early, then submit a nomination application through the Vanier-Banting online system by the internal deadline.
When is the deadline?
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The national nomination deadline is ~early November, but universities set earlier internal deadlines (~September–October). Plan to approach institutions months ahead.
What are the selection criteria?
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Three equally weighted criteria: academic excellence, research potential, and leadership (both demonstrated and potential). All three matter — strong grades alone are not enough.
Does it cover tuition?
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The CAD $50,000 stipend supports the scholar and is not separately allocated to tuition; many universities add top-ups or fee coverage. Check your institution's policy.
How competitive is the Vanier?
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Highly — universities can only nominate a limited number, and the national competition selects ~166 from those nominations across all disciplines.
What is the difference between Vanier and Banting?
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Vanier funds doctoral (PhD) students; the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships fund postdoctoral researchers. Both are administered through the same Government of Canada system.
How long does the funding last?
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Up to three years during your doctoral studies. It does not extend to a fourth year, so it is typically held during the core years of the PhD.
Which agency reviews my application?
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The agency matching your field — CIHR (health), NSERC (natural sciences & engineering), or SSHRC (social sciences & humanities) — within the joint Vanier selection process.