The University of Alberta offers the prestigious Vanier Graduate Scholarship, sponsored by the Government of Canada, for international students pursuing doctoral studies. The scholarship provides $50,000 annually for three years, making it one of Canada’s most coveted graduate awards.
Scholarship Overview
The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS) program was launched in 2008 to attract and retain top-tier doctoral students from around the world. Vanier Scholars are selected based on their leadership skills and high academic achievements in the social sciences and humanities, natural sciences, engineering, or health fields.
Scholarship Summary
- Host Country: Canada
- Study Abroad: Yes, in Canada
- Category: Postgraduate Scholarships | PhD Scholarships
- Eligible Countries: All countries
- Reward: $50,000 per year for three years
- No IELTS Required
- Deadline: September 5, 2024
Scholarship Details
The Vanier CGS program is administered by the Vanier-Banting Secretariat on behalf of Canada’s three granting agencies:
- Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
- Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)
- Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the 2025 University of Alberta Vanier Scholarship, applicants must:
- Be enrolled full-time in a doctoral program by January 2026.
- Be nominated by only one Canadian institution.
- Be pursuing their first doctoral degree, including joint programs like MD/PhD, DVM/PhD, JD/PhD, or MBA/PhD, if it has a significant research component.
- Plan to pursue full-time doctoral studies or a joint graduate research program at the nominating institution in the academic year following the announcement of results.
- Have completed no more than 20 months of full-time study in the doctoral program by May 1, 2025.
- Have completed no more than 32 months of full-time study in the doctoral program if enrolled directly from a bachelor’s degree or in a joint graduate research program.
- Achieve a first-class average (GPA of at least 3.5 on the U of A grading scale) in each of the last two years of full-time study.
- Not hold or have held a doctoral-level scholarship or fellowship from CIHR, NSERC, or SSHRC.
- Indigenous applicants (First Nation, Inuit, and/or Métis) are strongly encouraged to apply.
Benefits of the 2025 University of Alberta Vanier Graduate Scholarship
The scholarship provides $50,000 per year for three years, supporting doctoral students in their academic and research endeavors at one of Canada’s leading institutions.
How to Apply for the 2025 University of Alberta Vanier Graduate Scholarship
To apply for the 2025 University of Alberta Vanier Graduate Scholarship:
- Visit the Scholarship Page: Click here to access the scholarship page.
- Apply Through ResearchNet: Submit your application via Vanier’s online portal, ResearchNet.
- Contact Your Department: After university adjudication, candidates selected for the federal competition will need a support letter from their department. Inform your proposed or admitting department of your intent to apply for the Vanier CGS program.
