Top 10 Fully Funded Scholarships in Canada 2026 for International Students

Canada's scholarship system is built around government programmes and university awards that fully fund graduate study and research. For 2026, these are the ten fully funded scholarships international students should target.

1. Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS). Canada's best-known doctoral award is worth $50,000 per year for up to three years, open to doctoral students at Canadian universities.

2. Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship Program at the University of Toronto. One of the most valuable undergraduate awards in Canada, covering tuition, books, incidental fees and full residence support.

3. Canada Graduate Research Scholarships - Doctoral (CGRS-D). Federal funding for doctoral research at Canadian universities, worth $40,000 per year for up to three years.

4. Canada Graduate Research Scholarships - Master's (CGRS-M). The master's tier of the federal programme, worth $17,500 for one year.

5. UBC Affiliated Fellowships Doctoral Program. A portfolio of fully funded doctoral fellowships at the University of British Columbia.

6. UBC International Tuition Award. Covers the difference between domestic and international tuition for international graduate students at UBC.

7. BC Scholarship Society: One World International Scholarship. Fully funds international students at participating British Columbia institutions.

8. BC Scholarship Society: Premier's International Scholarship. A companion BC award funding international students with strong academic records.

9. Foundation Program International Distinction Scholarship at the University of Alberta. Supports international students with strong grades in the Foundation Program.

10. Canada Graduate Scholarship Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplement. Adds funding on top of a CGS for a research stay abroad.

Vanier applications run through the university and require a nomination, so contact the graduate school early. Most Canadian doctoral programmes also fund students through supervisor research grants. Reaching out to faculty with a strong research proposal is often the most effective strategy.