Government of Canada Scholarships for International Students

Generally, The Government of Canada does not offer direct scholarship for international students to study. Danielle from Quora believes that taxpayers will protest if the Government starts offering scholarships to international students.

Because The government of Canada does not offer International students scholarship, they are usually expected to arrive with proof of sufficient funds in their bank account that can cover their educational costs. Also, they are entitled to up to 20hours of work per week to earn something to cover their living expenses. This can be too burdensome to international students just getting used to the environment.

However, there are some collaborations between The Government of Canada and some private organizations to offer several scholarship programs to international students who wish to conduct research in Canada on a short-term basis. These scholarships are usually region-based, but they offer substantial financial aid to students who apply for these scholarship that can cover their tuition fee and some other expenses.

These scholarships are mostly for postgraduate studies, students applying for Masters and Doctoral programs can apply for any of these scholarships.

Government of Canada Scholarships for International Students

Some Government-sponsored scholarships in collaboration with other organizations include:

Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program (ELAP)

The Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program (ELAP) is part of Global Affairs Canada’s International Scholarships Program. It caters to students who want to embark on graduate studies in Canada. This scholarship is open to students from North America, South America, and the Caribbean regions.

The ELAP program is supported by the Government of Canada towards improving human capital development as well as the raising the next generation of leaders in the Americas and strengthen the linkages between institutions in Canada and the Americas. The ELAP scholarships provide interested students from these regions a short-term exchange opportunities for study or research in prestigious Canadian institutions.

To be eligible for the ELAP scholarship, you must fulfill these requirements:

• Must be a citizen of regions in America, these regions include:
  • Caribbean: Cuba, Trinidad and Tobago, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Turks and Caicos
  • Central America: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama
  • North America: Mexico
  • South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela
• Must be an enrolled student in full-time studies or research as defined by the chosen Canadian institution.
• You must have paid your tuition fees to that institution at the time of application and for the full duration of your exchange.

Students who are not eligible for this Program include:

• Students with pending application for Canadian citizenship or permanent residency
• Students already participating in any other scholarship program funded by the Government of Canada
• Students already enrolled in a degree, diploma, or certificate program at a Canadian tertiary institution

Canadian universities interested in hosting students for this Scholarship must be a Designated Learning Institution (DLI).

Scholarship Value

The scholarship award value for undergraduate studies is $8,200 for four months or one academic term.  For the Graduate program, $8,200 is awarded for a four-month or one academic term of Study or research, while a five—to six-month graduate program will get $11,100 for research.

These scholarship funds go for the following expenses:

•  Study and work permit fees.
•  Airfare via an economical route.
• Living expenses, such as accommodation, utilities and food.
• Health insurance.
• Transportation, including a public transportation pass.
• Books and supplies required for the duration of study or research, (Computers and other equipment are not included in this provision). 

The host Canadian institutions will receive $500 per student to aid with administrative costs once the student arrives in Canada. Plus reimbursement of additional employer compliance fees paid to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada in some cases. 

These Canadian institutions will receive this funding through a non-negotiable contribution agreement from Global Affairs Canada through its legal name, the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD). These funds will be disbursed to successful students according to its internal processes. If a student fails to take up the scholarship, Canadian institutions must return all funds, including the administrative fee, to DFATD.

Host institutions are responsible for submitting the applications on behalf of eligible students before the deadline. Therefore the onus is on them to publicize this scholarship to the faculty, and staff member including eligible partner institutions before the application deadline.

Non-Canadian institutions interested in sending students to Canada should:

• Review eligibility requirements and identify students who meet the eligibility and admission requirements for the Canadian partner institution.
• Explore student exchange agreements with Canadian institutions.
• And promote this scholarship to students.

Interested applicants should also review the eligibility requirements on their own end. Make inquiries to know if their international office has an exchange agreement with Canadian post-secondary institution, as well as learn more about the application process and any admission requirements for the Canadian institution.

Application instructions:

Canadian institutions applying on behalf of eligible students will: 

• Assign a program coordinator to complete applications.
• Register with EduCanada, and log in. Then click on the Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program and click “Apply.”
• Follow the instructions on the application form. Enter your data in the required fields. 
• Click “Validate and save” as you progress through the application form.
• Upload all the relevant documents. Each document must be smaller than 5 MB and in .jpg, .gif, .png, .pdf, .doc, .docx, .txt or .xlsx format.
• Review all components of your application for accuracy and completeness.
• Verify the data before submission.
• Please read and accept the conditions of the “Declaration and permission” statement. Then click “Submit.” You will receive a confirmation message and a reference number for the submitted applications.
• Save or print a copy of your completed application form using the “Download” function.

Applications will be evaluated based on:

• Merit of the research or study to be undertaken in Canada
• Benefit of the research to the home institution and peers
• Benefit of the research to the Canadian institution, supervisor, and peers
• The strength of the linkages to be created through the proposed exchange
• The rankings submitted by the Canadian institution
• Students who have yet to receive a scholarship under a Global Affairs Canada Short-term Exchange Program will be given special consideration.

Submit all applications before the deadline. Canadian institutions can establish an earlier deadline with students and their home institutions to ensure documents are submitted on time.  The scholarship administrator will communicate successful results to Canadian institutions in the spring. The Institutions will now be responsible for notifying students of successful results. Unsuccessful candidates might not receive any feedback.

Please ensure you meet these conditions to avoid the cancellation of the scholarship.

Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development (SEED) 

The Government of Canada, through the Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development (SEED), provides opportunities for students from ASEAN member states to conduct short-term study or research in Canadian higher institutions in areas that contribute to the implementation of sustainable development. 

The Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development Program is open to students from ASEAN member states: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Myanmar, The Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, or Vietnam. Students can apply for the Canada-ASEAN scholarship to undertake graduate studies in Canada. 

To be eligible, you must be:

• A citizen of an ASEAN member state.
• A student enrolled full-time at an institution in an ASEAN member state.
• A student paying tuition fees to that institution at the time of application and for the whole duration of exchange.
• A student who still needs to submit a pending application for Canadian citizenship or permanent residency should not apply. 
• A student must not participate in a scholarship program funded by the Government of Canada.
• Must not be enrolled in a degree, diploma, or certificate program at a Canadian institution.
• Must not have previously received a scholarship under the Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development Program.

Only designated Learning Institution higher institutions are required to admit students.

The scholarship award varies and depends on the course of study and the duration. For an 8-month graduate program, students can get up to CAD 15,900 to cover some necessary expenses.

Application instructions:

Canadian institutions applying on behalf of eligible students will: 

• Assign a program coordinator to complete applications.
• Register with EduCanada and log in. Then click on the Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development (SEED) and click on “Apply.”
• Follow the instructions on the application form. Enter your data in the required fields. 
• Click “Validate and save” as you progress through the application form.
• Upload all the relevant documents. Each document must be smaller than 5 MB and in .jpg, .gif, .png, .pdf, .doc, .docx, .txt or .xlsx format.
• Review all components of your application for accuracy and completeness.
• Verify the data prior to submission.
• Read and accept the conditions of the “Declaration and permission” statement. 
• Click “Submit”. You will receive a confirmation message and a reference number for submitted applications.
• Save or print a copy of your completed application form using the “Download” function.

Applications will be evaluated based on:

• Merit of the research or study to be undertaken in Canada
• Benefit of the research to the home institution and peers
• Benefit of the research to the Canadian institution, supervisor and peers
• The strength of the linkages to be created through the proposed exchange
• The rankings submitted by the Canadian institution
• Students who have yet to receive a scholarship under a Global Affairs Canada Short-term Exchange Program will be given special consideration.

Submit all applications before the deadline. Canadian institutions can establish an earlier deadline with students and their home institutions to ensure documents are submitted on time. 

The scholarship administrator will communicate successful results to Canadian institutions in the spring. The Institutions will now be responsible for notifying students of successful results. Unsuccessful candidates might not receive any feedback. Selected recipients are required to return home to their home country after completing their studies.

Study in Canada Scholarships

The Study in Canada scholarship aims to sponsor international students who are interested in studying in Canadian institutions on short-term exchanges for study or research. institutions that benefit from this program will be opportune to strengthen and diversify their international linkages and promote their academic and research excellence globally.

Also, to implement the Government of Canada trade diversification efforts, this scholarship program offered by the government will bring in new connections and diversify Canada’s education engagement.

To be eligible for this program, applicants must fulfill the following:

• Applicants must be citizens of an eligible country. Citizens of any of these countries are eligible to apply:
  • Asia: Bangladesh, Nepal, Taiwan
  • Europe: Türkiye, Ukraine
  • Middle East and North Africa: Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia
  • Sub-Saharan Africa: Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda

• Applicant must be a student enrolled full-time in a Canadian institution for a short term research program.
• Must be paying tuition fees to that institution at the time of application and for the full duration of your exchange
• Must not have any pending application for Canadian citizenship or permanent residency.
• Must not already be participating in a scholarship program funded by the Government of Canada.
• Must not be enrolled in a degree, diploma or certificate program at a Canadian post-secondary institution

Only designated learning institutions in Canada can host students.

The Study in Canada scholarship program awards graduate recipients $10,200 for four months or one academic term Study or research for Masters and PhD. $12,700 is also offered for a five to six months research program.

The scholarship funds will cater for: 

• Study and work permit fees
•  Airfare via the most direct route
• Living expenses, such as accommodation, utilities and food
• Health insurance
• Transportation, including a public transportation pass.
• Books and supplies required for the duration of study or research. Not including computers and other equipment. 

Interested applicants are to apply via their host institution. The host Canadian institutions will receive $500 per student to aid with administrative costs once the student arrives in Canada. These Canadian institutions will receive this funding in the form of a non-negotiable contribution agreement from Global Affairs Canada, through its legal name, the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD). These funds will be disbursed to successful students according to its internal processes. If a student does not take up the scholarship, Canadian institutions must return all funds, including the administrative fee, to DFATD.

Applications are done by host institutions on behalf of eligible students before the deadline. The host institutions must have promoted the scholarship to faculty and staff members, and other eligible partner institutions before the application deadline.

Non-Canadian institutions interested in sending students to Canada should:

• Review eligibility requirements and identify students who meet the eligibility and admission requirements for the Canadian partner institution
• Explore student exchange agreements with Canadian institutions.
• And promote this scholarship to students. 

Interested applicants on their own end should also review the eligibility requirements. Make enquiries to know if their international office has an exchange agreement with a Canadian post-secondary institutions, as well as learn more about the application process and any admission requirements for the Canadian institution

Canadian institutions applying on behalf of eligible students will: 

• Assign a program coordinator to complete applications.
• Register with EduCanada, and login. Then click on the “Study in Canada” and click “Apply”.
• Follow the instructions on the application form. Enter your data in the required fields. 
• Click “Validate and save” as you progress through the application form.
• Upload all the relevant documents. Each document must be smaller than 5 MB and in .jpg, .gif, .png, .pdf, .doc, .docx, .txt or .xlsx format.
• Review all components of your application for accuracy and completeness.
• Verify the data prior to submission.
• Read and accept the conditions of the “Declaration and permission” statement. 
• Click “Submit”. You will receive a confirmation message and a reference number for submitted applications.
• Save or print a copy of your completed application form using the “Download” function.

Submit all applications before the deadline. Canadian institutions are free to establish an earlier deadline with students and their home institutions to ensure documents are submitted on time. The scholarship administrator will communicate successful results to Canadian institutions in the spring. The Institutions will now be responsible for notifying students of successful results. Unsuccessful candidates might not receive any feedback. 

Canada-China Scholars’ Exchange Program

Global Affairs Canada, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, offers short-term scholarships through the Canada-China Scholars’ Exchange Program to Canadians wishing to pursue post-secondary studies, research, Chinese language training, or a combination of these activities at institutions in China. 

To be eligible for this scholarship:

• Applicants must be a Canadian citizen. 
• You must either be a full-time teaching or research staff member at a university or a research institution in Canada or a student enrolled in a college, undergraduate, or graduate program at Designated Learning Institutions (DLI) in Canada.
• Applicant must have achieved the required level of written and spoken Chinese by the host institution in China. If Chinese is the language of instruction, proficiency must be HSK level 3 for undergraduate studies and HSK level 4 for graduate studies;
• Must pursue an exchange in China and not be seeking a degree in China;
• Must be at least below 45 years of age if applying under the “General Scholar” category of the China Scholarship Council (CSC) and below 50 years of age if applying under the “Senior Scholar” category of the CSC.

These scholarships are awarded for: 4 to 12 months for students. And eight weeks to 12 months for mid-career professionals, faculty members, and researchers

The Chinese Government Scholarship covers:

• Tuition fees paid directly to participating Chinese institutions. 
• Monthly stipends of; 3,000 Yuan for Master’s students and Doctoral students.
• On-campus accommodation or a subsidy for off-campus accommodation (if permitted by the host institution); and
• Medical insurance.
• It also covers the cost of travel to and from the home destination to the institution through the most cost-effective route. 

These funds are disbursed by the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China.

The Scholarship recipients must sign a Grant Agreement with Global Affairs Canada (GAC), through its legal name, the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD), before they receive the in-kind grant towards the round-trip flight to and from China. 

To apply, interested candidates must complete a two-step application process. The first step is to submit the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD) online application form on the My EduCanada portal; this form must be adequately filled out. Then, they must submit the online application form on the China Scholarship Council (CSC) website.

These submissions should come in before the deadline. 

To submit to the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development:

• Visit the My EduCanada portal. Either you log in or Register if you still need an account. 
• Select the Canada-China Scholars’ Exchange Program on the portal and click “Apply”.
• Input your correct data in the required fields. 
• Click “Validate and save” as you progress through the application form.
• Upload all required documents. Documents must be smaller than 5 MB and in .jpg, .gif, .png, .pdf, .doc, .docx, .txt or .xlsx format.
• Review all your applications for accuracy. 
• Read and accept the conditions of the “Declaration and permission” statement. Click “Submit”. Wait for a confirmation message and a reference number for your submitted application.

The supporting documents required for this application include:

• Certificate of pre-admission from host admission or copy of correspondence showing that the candidate has requested admission or will have access to the facilities needed to complete the proposed research project.
• College or undergraduate students who have yet to obtain a post-secondary degree or diploma can upload a copy of their high school diploma. 
• Academic CV, which will detail relevant scholarly publications.
• Two letters of recommendation from a professor, supervisor, or employer.
• Copy of official academic transcripts. 
• Proof of Canadian citizenship and a valid passport.
• Proof of Chinese language proficiency.
• Study or research proposal.
• Proof of registration for studies in progress issued by the Registrar’s Office.

These documents will also be submitted to the CSC online portal.

Scholarship recipients will be picked based on: 

1. Merit showcased professionally or academically. 
2. Reasons for going to China.
3. Feasibility of the proposed study or research plan. 
4. Mid-career professionals must demonstrate strong leadership through their commitment to innovation, creativity, and an entrepreneurial spirit. 
5. Candidates whose study or research plan is related to China or who have yet to receive a scholarship under the Canada-China Scholars’ Exchange Program will also be given top priority.

The Canada-China Exchange Scholarship is another Scholarship opportunity offered to international students by the Government of Canada. Eligible applicants can register for the award. 

The OAS Scholarship 

The OAS Academic Scholarship Program(ASP) offers scholarships and short-term professional training for students who wish to pursue undergraduate and graduate studies. The Program is open to residents of the OAS member states and is ongoing. Universities can submit applications before April 30. Studies may be conducted onsite, online, or both.

The OAS Scholarship Program caters to students from the English-speaking Caribbean and Suriname areas. It offers up to $10,000 per academic year for students to pursue master’s Degrees, Doctoral Degrees, and Graduate Research leading to a graduate degree and for the last two years of undergraduate studies solely to citizens and residents.

The scholarship package includes tuition waivers and discounts for academic studies. The OAS Manual of Procedures for the Scholarship and Training Program offers the Scholarship.

Eligible to apply for this scholarship scholarship are:

• Selected institutions for partnership applications. 
• Scholarship applicants studying at an institution outside of their country of origin. 
• Scholarship applicants also must be aware that scholarship recipients must return to their country of origin unless they have permission to stay in the country of study to pursue higher education or join an international organization to work that serves the development of the Americas.

Continuity of the Scholarship is contingent on the following:

• The student’s academic performance during the first academic year is exemplary.
• The availability of funds.
• The academic institution also confirmed that the second-year renewal period is necessary to conclude the Program of study for which the Scholarship was initially awarded.

Further inquiries can be directed to the official email or scholarship website: scholarships@oas.org.

FAQS | Government of Canada Scholarships for International Students

Final Thought

Scholarship awards are relevant and will help you in your academic pursuit. The government of Canada offers this scholarship to international students as a way to foster and support the development of human capital in the nation and globally. Most of these scholarships are region-based, we advice you desist from applying for scholarships that does not fit your region.

Feel free to apply for any government of Canada Scholarships for International Students if you are eligible. However, you can peruse through our website for any other scholarship program that you can easily apply for.