Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
Government of Canada · All India
| Scheme Name | Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships |
| Provided By | Government of Canada |
| Eligibility Summary | Class 11-12, Graduation, Engineering (< ₹8L Income) |
About the Program
Comprehensive guide for Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships. Get eligibility details, stipend amounts, and registration instructions here.
Benefits & Financial Support
$40,000 (approx. ₹24.0 Lakh+)
The scholarship is valued at $40,000 CAD per year for three years (non-renewable), totaling $120,000 CAD over the duration. This amount is intended to support tuition fees, living expenses, and research costs. Additional funding for research travel may be available through the Canada Research Training Awards Suite—Research Travel Supplement.
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Nationality:Open to Canadian citizens, permanent residents of Canada, protected persons under subsection 95(2) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada), and international students.
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International Students:Must be registered in a doctoral program of study at an eligible Canadian institution by the application deadline. Up to 15% of awards will be available to international applicants.
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Degree Level:Must be pursuing a first doctoral degree (PhD), including joint programs such as MD/PhD, DVM/PhD, JD/PhD, MA/PhD, or MSc/PhD, provided the program includes a significant autonomous research component.
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Months of Study:Must have completed no more than 36 months of full-time equivalent study in their doctoral program (or PhD portion of a joint program) by December 31 of the calendar year of application.
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Academic Standing:Must have achieved a first-class average (typically equivalent to an “A-” or “A” baseline, as defined by the specific host university) in each of their last two completed years of full-time study.
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Previous Awards:Cannot hold or have held a doctoral-level scholarship or fellowship from CIHR, NSERC, or SSHRC (including a Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship) to undertake or complete a doctoral degree.
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Application Limit:Can apply a maximum of three times to the Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral (CGRS D) program.
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Faculty Appointment:Cannot hold a faculty appointment concurrently with the CGRS D award unless they arrange for a leave of absence.
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Nomination:Applicants must generally be nominated by an eligible Canadian institution. Canadian citizens or permanent residents who completed a degree at a Canadian institution but are currently enrolled at a foreign university may apply directly to the federal agencies.
Eligibility Criteria & Income Limit
| Education Level | PhD |
| Course / Stream | PhD |
| Income Limit | No income bar |
| Category / Caste | General, OBC, SC, ST |
| Domicile State | All India |
Mandatory Documents Checklist
- ✓ResearchNet application form (or NSERC/SSHRC online system equivalent)
- ✓Canadian Common CV (CCV)
- ✓Official, up-to-date transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate studies (completed and ongoing), including a copy of the legend/key. Must show current Fall term registration if applicable.
- ✓CGRS D Timeline for Doctoral Studies Form (to be included with transcripts)
- ✓Research project summary / Research proposal
- ✓Research Contributions (maximum one page)
- ✓Two sponsor assessments / Letters of reference/appraisal
- ✓Proof of citizenship (mandatory for all applicants)
- ✓CGRS D Confirmation of Scientific Area form
- ✓Training Expectations (for CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC, typically 2 pages)
- ✓Special Circumstances (optional, maximum 1 page)
- ✓Self-Declaration of No Institutional Affiliation with a Quota (optional, for direct applicants)
- ✓CGRS D Indigenous Attestation Form (optional, for Indigenous applicants)
Selection Process
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Applications are evaluated based on two equally weighted selection criteria: Research Potential (50%) and Relevant Experience and Achievements obtained within and beyond academia (50%)
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The review process typically involves an initial internal review and ranking by the applicant's nominating university, followed by a national competition adjudicated by agency-specific selection committees (CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC).
Renewal Policy
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The scholarship is non-renewable and is awarded for a fixed term of three years (36 months)
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Award holders must remain enrolled full-time in their doctoral program and demonstrate continued satisfactory academic progress to maintain the award
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Post-award policies and regulations are governed by the Tri-Agency Research Training Award Holder's Guide.
How to Apply Online
Applications are submitted online via the official portal. Complete eKYC, upload scanned documents, and submit before the closing date.
- 1Identify a Nominating Institution
Research Canadian universities with a CGRS D quota and identify the institution where you intend to pursue your doctoral studies.
- 2Contact Graduate Faculty
Inform the faculty of graduate studies at your chosen university of your intent to apply for the CGRS D. Universities often have internal screening processes and deadlines (which are significantly earlier than the federal deadlines, typically in August or September).
- 3Complete Online Application
Access and complete the CGRS D application form through the relevant Tri-Agency portal: ResearchNet (for CIHR), NSERC Online System (for NSERC), or SSHRC Web-based Forms portal (for SSHRC).
- 4Prepare Documents
Gather and prepare all required application materials, including your Canadian Common CV (CCV), official transcripts, research proposal, and arrange for two sponsors to submit their assessments.
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Submit to Institution (or Directly to Agency): Submit your complete application package to your nominating institution by their internal deadline. If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who completed a Canadian degree but are studying abroad, you may be eligible to apply directly to the federal agencies (typically by mid-October).
- 6University Review and Nomination
The institution will review internal applications and forward selected nominations to the appropriate federal granting agency.
- 7Agency Review and Notification
The federal granting agencies will conduct a national review and evaluation of nominations. Anticipated notification of results is typically in April of the following year.
Common Questions (FAQs)
Is the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship still active?
No, the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships program has been discontinued and replaced by the harmonized Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral (CGRS D) program as part of the Canada Research Training Awards Suite (CRTAS). The last Vanier CGS competition concluded with results in April/May 2025.
What is the scholarship value and duration for the CGRS D program?
The Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral (CGRS D) is valued at $40,000 CAD per year for three years (36 months) and is non-renewable. This totals $120,000 CAD for the entire duration of the award.
Can international students apply for the CGRS D scholarship?
Yes, international students are eligible to apply for the CGRS D program. However, they must be registered in a doctoral program of study at an eligible Canadian institution by the application deadline. Up to 15% of the awards are allocated to international applicants.
How do I apply for the Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral (CGRS D)?
You typically apply through your chosen Canadian university, which must have a CGRS D quota. You need to contact the university's graduate faculty, complete the online application through the relevant Tri-Agency portal (ResearchNet for CIHR, NSERC Online System for NSERC, or SSHRC Web-based Forms for SSHRC), and submit all required documents by your institution's internal deadline. Canadian citizens or permanent residents studying abroad may, in some cases, apply directly to the agencies.
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IndiaScholarships.in attempts to provide accurate information manually curated from official sources. Scholarship details, timelines, and eligibility can change without notice as per the provider's discretion. Applying for a scholarship does not guarantee selection. Always verify all information on the official Government of Canada website before final submission.