Begin your academic journey in Canada with exciting news — the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship (Vanier CGS) Program is now open. In this article, we provide complete details about the Vanier Scholarship, its benefits, and the step-by-step application process.

The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship 2025-2026 is a fully funded award for international students pursuing PhD studies. Each scholarship is valued at $50,000 per year for three years of doctoral research.

The Vanier CGS Program is open to highly talented international candidates who wish to pursue doctoral degrees at leading Canadian universities. Valued at $50,000 annually for three years, it aims to attract and retain world-class researchers with proven leadership skills and exceptional academic records in fields such as natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, humanities, and health.

Launched in 2008 by the Government of Canada, the Vanier Scholarships strengthen the country’s ability to host top doctoral researchers while positioning Canada as a global hub for advanced research and higher education. Vanier Scholars exemplify leadership and excellence in graduate studies, and the award supports doctoral, combined MA/PhD, or MD/PhD programs.

Scholarship Summary

• Level of Study: PhD (Doctoral)

• Institution(s): Canadian institution with a quota to host Vanier scholars

• Study in: Canada

• Program Period: 3 years

• Courses Offered:

  • Natural sciences and/or engineering research

  • Health research

  • Social sciences and humanities research

• Deadline: Before November 2025 (Anticipated 2025-2026 competition launch: mid-June 2025)

Scholarship Coverage

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship is valued at $50,000 per year for three years during doctoral studies.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship, the following are the criteria:

• Required Language: English 

• Eligible Countries: Permanent residents of Canada, Canadian citizens and Foreign citizens

• You should be pursuing your first doctoral degree (including a joint undergraduate/graduate research program such as MD/PhD, DVM/PhD, or JD/PhD – if it has a demonstrated and significant research component). Note that only the PhD portion of a combined degree is eligible for funding;

• You should not have completed more than 20 months of doctoral studies as of May 1, 2024

• You should be nominated by only one Canadian institution, which must have received a Vanier CGS quota

• You should intend to pursue, in the summer semester or the academic year following the announcement of results, full-time doctoral (or a joint graduate program such as MD/PhD, DVM/PhD, JD/PhD) studies and research at the nominating institution; Note that only the PhD portion of a combined degree is eligible for funding;

• You must not hold or have held, a doctoral-level scholarship or fellowship from CIHR, NSERC or SSHRC to undertake or complete a doctoral degree.

• You should have achieved a first-class average, as determined by your institution, in each of the last two years of full-time study or equivalent. Candidates are encouraged to contact the institution for its definition of a first-class average.

How to Apply for Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS)?

You should visit the official website, the link given at the end. However here are important application instructions to win Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships:

Step 1: Begin your application by researching Canadian institutions through the Universities Canada website. We recommend browsing each university’s respective website and thoroughly researching the program of interest in which you would like to complete your doctorate, as well as supervisors for your proposed research.

Step 2: Consult the Vanier CGS quota page to ensure that your institution of interest has a quota for the year in which you are applying.

• Complete Application Steps:

  • Applications are initiated in one of two ways. Either: the student informs the faculty of graduate studies at the selected institution of their intent to apply to the Vanier CGS program; or

  • The institution initiates the nomination process by contacting the desired candidate.

  • Applications are prepared by the student and submitted to the nominating institution by their internal deadline (set in ResearchNet by the nominating institution) using the ResearchNet application system.

  • The nominating institution performs the internal candidate selection process.

  • The nominating institution forwards recommended nominations to the Vanier-Banting Secretariat (the Secretariat) by November 1, 2024 (20:00 Eastern Time).

  • The Secretariat coordinates the review process.

  • The Secretariat presents the recommendations to the Tri-Agency Programs (TAP) Steering Committee.

  • The TAP Steering Committee endorses and approves final decisions for the Vanier CGS program.

  • Nominated candidates will be notified of the competition results in April 2025.

• Candidates must be nominated by the institution at which they want to study. Candidates cannot apply directly to the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS) program.

• Candidates should verify institutional internal deadlines with the administrator at the nominating institution.

• Candidates should read the Selection Committee Guide prior to commencing their application. This guide lists the three evaluation criteria and has useful information on how the criteria are evaluated.

• The Secretariat has curated a list of resources to help applicants, institutions, referees, and evaluators consider equity, diversity, and inclusion in their applications. Applicants are encouraged to review the resources before they begin writing their application.

Important Documents Required:

• A ResearchNet application form (includes two letters of reference, each with three sections)

• A CCV (limited entries; please see Completing the Common CV (CCV) for complete information)

• Research Contributions (maximum one page)

• A Personal Leadership Statement (maximum 2 pages)

• Special Circumstances (max 0.5 pages, optional)

• Two Leadership letters of reference (maximum 2 pages)

• A Research Proposal (maximum 2 pages)

• Project References (maximum 5 pages)

• Transcripts

Important notes regarding the Vanier Application:

• A student who has completed the Vanier CGS electronic application through ResearchNet must apply online to the Canadian institution that will be putting forward their nomination. Applications cannot be submitted directly to the Vanier CGS program.

• Students wishing to apply for a Vanier CGS should verify that the institution to which they are applying for doctoral studies has a Vanier CGS quota. They must then inform the institution that they wish to be considered for a Vanier CGS.

• The institution is responsible for notifying candidates if their application is not selected for nomination to the Secretariat. The timing for this notification may vary by institution.

• Based on its quota, the institution will forward its nominations to the Secretariat.

• Each student can only be nominated once. If more than one institution is interested in nominating an individual student for a Vanier CGS, the student must choose one institution to submit their nomination. Multiple nominations will not be accepted.

• Students are responsible for contacting the institution for more information about selecting the appropriate federal granting agency, finding the appropriate contact person within a department/faculty, and for advice or questions related to content and how best to present the information in their application.

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship results will be announced in Early April 2025.

Website

To learn more about Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship (Vanier CGS), please visit the official website:

Official Website