Scholarship

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

For doctoral students who wish to gain a world-class level in their career pay attention to the Vanier Canada graduate scholarships (VCGS). The Canadian government is always bringing new ideas to help lift the country to an avenue for excellent learning. This research program aims to establish excellent doctoral graduates for higher learning in MA/PhD or MD.

The Vanier CGS program is designed to support students who demonstrate academic excellence, strong leadership skills, and a high standard of scholarly achievement in their graduate studies. The scholarship is open to both Canadian and international students across various fields, including health, natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, and humanities.

Host Institution

The collaboration behind this scholarship is between Canadian Universities with Vanier CGS allocation. However, Vanier CGS is supportable only at any qualified and eligible Canadian institution that presented the nomination.

Level/Field of Study

The Vanier Canadian Graduate Scholarships is for Ph.D. scholars (or combined MA/Ph.D. or MD/Ph.D.) in health research, natural sciences/engineering research, social sciences, and humanities research.

Eligible doctoral programs should have remarkable research essentials that lead to the completion of a thesis, recital, exhibit, critical research project, publication, performance, dissertation, and scholarly. Which is merit and reviewed through the institutional level as part requirement that shows completion of the program.

Applicants in the joint graduate research programs should have a professional degree such as MD/PhD, DVM/PhD, or JD/PhD. Also, clinically oriented programs of study, that include clinical psychology can apply as they are eligible if they have remarkable autonomous research essentials as earlier discussed above.

Number of Scholarships

About one hundred and sixty-six scholarships are available for award every year.

Target Group

The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships are not like other grant awards with limitations, scholarships are open to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and international scholars/citizens who can enroll to be nominated for a Vanier CGS.

Scholarship Benefits/Duration

Academic Excellence

Vanier Scholars are recognized for their high standard of scholarly achievement. This recognition not only enhances their academic profile but also opens doors to further research opportunities and collaborations. The Vanier CGS award is worth $50,000 per year continually for three years. The scholarship is awarded based on academic excellence, research potential, and leadership qualities, ensuring that recipients are among the best in their fields.

Research Opportunities

The financial support from the Vanier CGS enables scholars to undertake ambitious research projects that might otherwise be financially unfeasible. This can include fieldwork, international conferences, and access to specialized equipment or resources. The scholarship also encourages interdisciplinary research, fostering innovation and new perspectives.

Leadership Development

One of the unique aspects of the Vanier CGS is its emphasis on leadership. Scholars are selected not only for their academic prowess but also for their demonstrated leadership skills. This focus on leadership development prepares recipients to become future leaders in academia, industry, and beyond.

Networking And Collaboration

Being a Vanier Scholar provides access to a network of top-tier researchers and professionals. This network can be invaluable for career development, offering opportunities for mentorship, collaboration, and professional growth. The prestige associated with the Vanier CGS also enhances the scholar’s visibility in the academic community.

Contribution To Canadian Research

Vanier Scholars contribute significantly to Canada’s research capacity by attracting top talent from around the world, the Vanier CGS helps to create a dynamic and innovative research environment within Canadian institutions. This, in turn, contributes to the country’s economic and social prosperity.

Personal And Professional Growth

The Vanier CGS supports scholars in realizing their full potential and the experience of being a Vanier Scholar, with its associated responsibilities and opportunities, fosters personal and professional growth. Scholars are well-positioned to make significant contributions to their fields and to society at large upon completion of their doctoral studies.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Vanier CGS, candidates must be nominated by the Canadian institution at which they plan to study. The selection process is highly competitive and involves a thorough evaluation of the candidate’s academic record, research potential, and leadership qualities. Applicants are required to submit a detailed research proposal, a personal leadership statement, and letters of reference.

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

Plan to enroll, in the summer semester or the academic year following the announcement of results, in full-time doctoral or a joint graduate program such as MD/Ph.D., DVM/Ph.D., JD/Ph.D. studies and research at the nominating institution; Have in mind that only the Ph.D. portion of a combined degree is eligible for funding. You must have completed at least more than 20 months of doctoral studies as of 1 May 2024.

Applicants should complete not more than 32 months of full-time study in their doctoral program, by 1 May 2024 if enrolled in a joint graduate research program, such as MD/Ph.D., MA/Ph.D., or DVM/Ph.D.

Candidates that fall into this category have access to the 32-month window whether or not they were initially enrolled in a Master’s program, or accepted directly from a Bachelor’s to a Ph.D. However, you can not another program apart from a Master’s program or accelerate from a Master’s degree into a Doctoral program without having a Master’s degree.

Nominated candidates must 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 advised to contact the institution for its approved standard of a first-class average. Above all, candidates must not hold, or previously held, a doctoral-level scholarship or fellowship from CIHR, NSERC, or SSHRC to undertake/complete a doctoral degree.

Application Instructions

Applicants for Vanier scholarships are required to be nominated by a Canadian university with a quota at which they want to study, also applicants cannot forward their application directly to the Vanier CGS program.  

Two ways to submit applications for Vanier CGS is, the student should inform the faculty of graduate studies at the selected university of their intent to submit their application to the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships program. Secondly, the university can arrange the nomination process by informing the desired applicant.

At this point, students will prepare their applications and submit them to the nominating university before their initial deadline using the ResearchNet application system.

Your institution will proceed with their approved/qualified nominations or candidates to the Vanier-Banting Secretariat by 1 November 2023.

However, with all the information above candidates should proceed to their official website at Vanier CGS to obtain the application form and also to get more details on how to apply for the Vanier Canada Graduate scholarships.