Scholarships to study in Canada
Vanier, Trudeau, university entrance + research scholarships. Catalog is refreshing — try the live search shortly.
Catalog refreshing
We couldn't reach the catalog right now. Try the live search on /student/scholarships or come back in a few minutes.
Canada has no large government scholarship for Indian bachelor's or master's students; the money sits with universities. Full awards exist but are few: the University of Toronto's Lester B. Pearson scholarship covers tuition, fees and residence for 4 years for about 37 students a year, and UBC's International Scholars Program funds need-based students. Automatic entrance awards are more common but smaller: York pays CAD 15,000 in year one for a 90% average, CAD 10,000 for 80–89.9% and CAD 5,000 for 75–79.9% (its 2026/27 scale). Calgary's CAD 20,000 renewable entrance scholarship is different: only 2 are given a year and you apply through the My UCalgary Portal. Doctoral students can compete for the CAD 40,000-a-year Canada Graduate Research Scholarship, with up to 15% of awards open to international applicants.
How scholarships in Canada actually work for Indian students
Set expectations first. Canada's federal government funds research students, not fee-paying undergraduates or course-based master's students, and it has no equivalent of Chevening or Fulbright for Indian applicants. The tri-agency scholarships (the Canada Graduate Research Scholarships that replaced the Vanier and CGS programmes) are worth CAD 40,000 a year at the doctoral level but reserve at most 15% of awards for international applicants. Global Affairs Canada runs a small number of exchange scholarships, mostly for ASEAN, Latin American and Caribbean partners, and a GAC award that requires you to return home makes you ineligible for the post-graduation work permit.
The money that Indian students can realistically win comes from universities. It falls into three tiers. Automatic entrance awards for bachelor's applicants, paid on the strength of your class 12 average with no separate application, such as York's CAD 5,000 to CAD 15,000 in year one. Competitive scholarships that need a school nomination or a separate application and essays, a handful of which cover full tuition and residence, plus Calgary's CAD 20,000 renewable entrance scholarship, of which only 2 are given a year. And graduate funding, which for thesis master's and PhD students usually arrives as a package of assistantships, departmental awards and the Ontario Graduate Scholarship rather than a single headline scholarship.
Against average international tuition of CAD 41,746 for undergraduates and CAD 24,028 for graduates, a CAD 10,000 award is a 25–40% discount, not a free degree. Build the budget on the CAD 23,448 living-cost requirement and full tuition, then treat scholarships as the upside. A scholarship letter also counts towards proof of funds for the study permit, but IRCC will still ask for living-cost evidence if the award covers tuition only.
Canada scholarships for Indian students 2026: amounts, eligibility and deadlines
Every figure below was read on the awarding institution's own page on 26 September 2026. Deadlines are for entry in September 2027 unless stated.
| Scholarship | Value (CAD) | Approx. INR | Who qualifies | Deadline / how |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship, University of Toronto | Tuition, books, incidental fees and residence for 4 years | Varies by programme and residence; no total published | International students in final year of school in 2026-27 or graduated no earlier than June 2026, starting Sep 2027; one nomination per school | School nomination 9 Oct 2026 · U of T application 16 Oct 2026 · scholarship application 6 Nov 2026 |
| UBC International Scholars Program (Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow, Donald A. Wehrung, International Impact, Vantage One Excellence awards) | Need-based, up to the full cost of programme and living for Vantage One | Varies | Direct-entry international students with all-A grades, demonstrated financial need and leadership; nominator plus teacher referee | Opens early Oct 2026 · application 15 Nov 2026 · documents 31 Jan 2027 · results Feb–Apr |
| University of Calgary International Entrance Scholarship | CAD 20,000, renewable in years 2–4 | ₹13.5 lakh a year | International students entering first year of any undergraduate degree in the fall term, meeting English requirement; renewal at GPA 2.60 over 24 units | Only 2 awards a year; apply through My UCalgary Portal (High School Prestige Awards application) |
| York International Scholarship of Distinction | CAD 15,000 in year 1, CAD 7,500 in years 2–4 (CAD 37,500 total) | ₹25.4 lakh total | Final average 90%+ or equivalent; not open to Computer Science, Cybersecurity or Engineering admits unless completing the Ontario curriculum | Automatic on admission; thresholds and values are York's Fall/Winter 2026/27 scale (85%+ in 2025/26), and Fall 2027 values were not yet published |
| York International Merit Award | CAD 10,000 in year 1, CAD 5,000 in years 2–4 (CAD 25,000 total) | ₹16.9 lakh total | Final average 80–89.9% | Automatic |
| York International Entrance Award | CAD 5,000 one-time | ₹3.4 lakh | Final average 75–79.9% | Automatic |
| York President's International Scholarship of Excellence | CAD 180,000 (CAD 45,000 × 4 years) | ₹1.22 crore | Academic excellence, volunteering and leadership; cannot be combined with entrance awards | Separate application |
| Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) | CAD 5,000 a session; CAD 10,000 or CAD 15,000 a year | Up to ₹10.2 lakh | Master's and PhD students at Ontario universities; study-permit holders compete for a limited number of international awards | Through the department; U of T info session held Nov 2025 for the 2026-27 round |
| Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral (CGRS D) | CAD 40,000 a year for 3 years | ₹27.1 lakh a year | Doctoral students; international applicants must already be registered in a Canadian doctoral programme; up to 15% of awards | Through the university (earlier internal deadline) or directly to the agency by 17 Oct |
| Ivey MBA admission awards and Ivey Global Leader Award | CAD 10,000–70,000; ten Global Leader Awards of CAD 50,000 | Up to ₹47.4 lakh | International MBA candidates assessed on merit and leadership; Global Leader Award for applicants born outside Canada and residing in Asia, Africa, Europe, South America or the Caribbean | With the admission offer |
| UBC Sauder MBA international and regional awards | CAD 10,000–60,000; regional awards CAD 10,000 to full tuition | Up to ₹40.6 lakh | International MBA applicants; regional awards by region (Asia covers India) | Asia regional awards (cover India): apply by 8 Jan 2027, documents by 30 Jun 2027 · International Talent Scholarships: apply by 2 Mar 2027, documents by 30 Jun 2027 |
Sources: University of Toronto Pearson page; UBC International Scholars page; University of Calgary registrar; York University future students; U of T School of Graduate Studies; NSERC CGRS D page; Ivey and UBC Sauder MBA pages, all read 26 Sep 2026. C$1 = ₹67.73. Vanier (CAD 50,000 × 3) and Banting (CAD 70,000 × 2) no longer accept applications; they are replaced by the harmonised CGRS and Canada Postdoctoral Research Award programmes.
Fully funded scholarships in Canada for Indian students: what exists and what does not
- Undergraduate full funding: the Lester B. Pearson at Toronto (about 37 awards a year across all countries) and the UBC International Scholars awards are the two established programmes that cover tuition and living. Both require a school nomination, so ask your principal in September of class 12, not after results.
- York's President's International Scholarship of Excellence (CAD 180,000 over 4 years) covers most of a York degree; it is a separate application and cannot be stacked with York's automatic entrance awards.
- Doctoral full funding is normal rather than exceptional: thesis PhD offers at research universities typically bundle a stipend, tuition waiver or award and teaching assistantship, and the CAD 40,000 CGRS D sits on top for the strongest files.
- Thesis master's funding exists (research and teaching assistantships, departmental awards, OGS) but is smaller and department-controlled; course-based professional master's programmes such as MEng, MScAC and analytics degrees rarely offer more than a partial entrance award.
- MBA funding is merit-based and generous at the top schools: Ivey lists awards of CAD 10,000–70,000 and ten CAD 50,000 Global Leader Awards; UBC Sauder lists international awards up to CAD 60,000 and regional awards up to full tuition.
- India-specific: the Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute, funded by both governments, runs student mobility grants and fellowships for students at its Indian and Canadian member institutions (IITs, IIMs, JNU, Toronto, UBC, McGill and others). Amounts and calls change each year; check the current calls on its site.
- What does not exist: a Canadian government scholarship open to Indian bachelor's or course-based master's applicants, and scholarships awarded after arrival for students who did not qualify at admission. Plan for the award you can win before you accept an offer.
How to apply for scholarships in Canada from India: step by step
The scholarship calendar runs earlier than the admission calendar. For September 2027 entry the first deadlines fall in October 2026.
August–September 2026: map awards to your profile
List the universities you can realistically enter, then check each one's international award page for automatic thresholds (York pays CAD 15,000 for 90%+ and CAD 10,000 for 80–89.9% on its 2026/27 scale; Fall 2027 values were not yet published, so re-check) and for named scholarships needing nomination. Note whether an award is renewable and what GPA it demands.
September 2026: secure the school nomination
Pearson allows one nominee per school; for UBC a school may nominate up to two students for UBC Vancouver (including Vantage College) and one for UBC Okanagan. Give your principal or counsellor the nomination form, your CV, and a summary of activities early; a nominator who does not know you cannot write the letter these programmes weigh heavily.
October 2026: submit the admission application first
Both Pearson and UBC International Scholars require a completed admission application before the scholarship form opens (U of T by 16 October 2026 for Pearson; UBC in early October). Apply to your first-choice programme; you are considered for the award in that programme.
October–November 2026: complete the scholarship applications
Pearson scholarship application by 6 November 2026; UBC International Scholars by 15 November 2026 with four essays and full family financial information. Graduate applicants submit OGS forms through their department by its internal deadline and CGRS D through the university or directly by 17 October.
December 2026–January 2027: documents and English test
UBC needs transcripts and proof of English by 31 January 2027 for scholarship applicants. Book IELTS Academic or PTE Academic early enough for scores to reach the university; a missing test result stops the scholarship file.
February–April 2027: decisions
UBC releases results on a rolling basis from February to mid-April; U of T and York communicate awards with or shortly after offers. Compare net cost (tuition minus award plus city living) across offers before paying a deposit; wait for award results before applying for housing where the university advises it.
May–June 2027: use the award in the visa file
Upload the scholarship letter as proof of funds. If it covers tuition only, add bank statements or a loan sanction letter for the CAD 23,448 living requirement. A tuition-only award reduces the funds you must show but does not remove the living-cost line.
Each year: meet the renewal condition
Renewable awards have GPA floors (Calgary: 2.60 over 24 units; York awards are renewable and regainable). Read the terms and plan course loads so a hard first year does not cost the second-year instalment.
Graduate funding in Canada: assistantships, OGS and the new tri-agency awards
For thesis-based master's and doctoral study, the funding conversation happens with the supervisor and department, not a scholarships office. A typical research offer combines a research assistantship paid from the supervisor's grant, a teaching assistantship with hours capped by the union agreement, and internal awards; some universities set a minimum funding floor for PhD students. Ask any prospective supervisor directly what the committed funding package is for international students and whether it covers the international tuition differential.
The Ontario Graduate Scholarship pays CAD 5,000 a session, so CAD 10,000 for two sessions or CAD 15,000 for three, with the department contributing a third of the cost. International students holding a valid study permit by the department's international deadline are eligible, but for a limited number of awards set aside for them, and the department chooses whom to forward. You cannot hold OGS in the same year as a tri-agency award.
The federal programmes were reorganised in 2025. The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (CAD 50,000 a year for 3 years) and Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships (CAD 70,000 a year for 2 years) no longer accept applications; the harmonised Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral pays CAD 40,000 a year for 3 years, and international applicants may apply only once registered in a Canadian doctoral programme, with up to 15% of awards available to them. Applications go through the university if it has a quota (internal deadlines run well before the 17 October agency deadline) and must be held in Canada.
Scholarship claims to be wary of
Frequently asked questions
Which scholarships in Canada are available for Indian students in 2026?
University awards dominate: the Lester B. Pearson at Toronto (full tuition and residence for 4 years, about 37 a year), UBC International Scholars (need-based), Calgary's CAD 20,000 renewable entrance scholarship, York's CAD 15,000-to-CAD 37,500 Scholarship of Distinction, the Ontario Graduate Scholarship (up to CAD 15,000) and the CAD 40,000-a-year Canada Graduate Research Scholarship for PhD students.
Is there a fully funded scholarship in Canada for Indian students?
Yes, but few. The Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship covers tuition, books, incidental fees and residence for 4 years at the University of Toronto for roughly 37 students worldwide each year, and UBC's International Scholars awards can cover the full cost for students with demonstrated need. York's President's International Scholarship of Excellence pays CAD 180,000 over 4 years. All require early nomination.
What is the Lester B. Pearson scholarship deadline for 2027 entry?
Schools must nominate by 9 October 2026, the student must apply to the University of Toronto by 16 October 2026, and the scholarship application itself is due 6 November 2026. Applicants must be in their final year of secondary school in 2026-27 or have graduated no earlier than June 2026, and start at U of T in September 2027.
Can international students get the Ontario Graduate Scholarship?
Yes. Students holding a valid study permit by their department's OGS international deadline can apply through their graduate unit, which forwards a limited number of international files to a central competition. The award is CAD 5,000 a session, so CAD 10,000 for two sessions or CAD 15,000 for three, and it cannot be held alongside a tri-agency award in the same year.
Is the Vanier scholarship still open to Indian students?
No. The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (CAD 50,000 a year for 3 years) stopped accepting applications and have been folded into the harmonised Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral, worth CAD 40,000 a year for 3 years. Foreign citizens may apply only once registered in a Canadian doctoral programme, and up to 15% of awards go to international applicants.
Which Canadian universities give automatic scholarships to Indian students?
York considers every international applicant automatically: CAD 15,000 in year one for a 90%+ average, CAD 10,000 for 80–89.9%, CAD 5,000 for 75–79.9%, with the top two renewable. The University of Calgary's CAD 20,000 renewable international entrance scholarship is not automatic: only 2 are awarded a year and you apply through the My UCalgary Portal. York's figures are its Fall/Winter 2026/27 scale and York had not published 2027 values when checked, so confirm them. Many other universities run similar average-based awards; check the international award page of each.
Do scholarships count as proof of funds for the Canada study permit?
Yes. IRCC lists proof of a scholarship among acceptable financial documents. If the award covers tuition only, you must still show the living-cost amount, which is CAD 23,448 for a single applicant applying on or after 1 September 2026, through bank statements, a loan sanction letter or a sponsor letter, plus return airfare.
Are there MBA scholarships in Canada for Indian students?
Yes, and they are among the largest merit awards. Ivey reviews every international candidate for awards of CAD 10,000–70,000 and offers ten CAD 50,000 Global Leader Awards for applicants residing in Asia and other regions outside Canada. UBC Sauder lists international awards of CAD 10,000–60,000 and regional awards from CAD 10,000 to full tuition, with the Asia regional round (which covers India) closing 8 January 2027 and the International Talent Scholarships closing 2 March 2027; official documents are due 30 June 2027.
Official sources used on this page
- University of Toronto — Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship — University of Toronto · checked 26 September 2026
- UBC — International Scholars Program — University of British Columbia · checked 26 September 2026
- NSERC — Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral program — Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada · checked 26 September 2026
- Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships — home page (programme closed to new applications) — Government of Canada · checked 26 September 2026
- University of Toronto School of Graduate Studies — Ontario Graduate Scholarship — University of Toronto · checked 26 September 2026
- University of Calgary — International Entrance Scholarship — University of Calgary · checked 26 September 2026
- York University — Scholarships and awards for international students — York University · checked 26 September 2026
- Ivey Business School — MBA international applicants (admission awards) — Western University · checked 26 September 2026
- UBC Sauder — MBA scholarships and funding options — University of British Columbia · checked 26 September 2026
- Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute — grants and awards for Indian students — Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute · checked 26 September 2026
- Statistics Canada — Tuition in Canada, 2025/2026 — Statistics Canada · checked 26 September 2026
- IRCC — Study permit: Proof of financial support — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked 26 September 2026
- IRCC — PGWP: Who can apply (return-home scholarship exclusion) — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked 26 September 2026
- Wise — CAD to INR mid-market rate — Wise · checked 26 September 2026
Official sources
Visa rules change. Always confirm the latest requirements for Canada on the government portals below before you apply.
- IRCC — Study in Canada — official immigration authority for international students
Last reviewed: September 2026
Get a Canada scholarship shortlist for your profile.
Share your phone or email — we'll map deadlines, eligibility risks, and university awards you can actually apply for.
Free counsellor plan
Soft gate — answer stays visible