Undergraduate • Master’s • PhD — the most generous funding you can target this cycle
Canada • Fully funded & “near-fully” funded • Verified deadlines & changes
This guide curates Canada’s **true fully funded** awards for international students and highlights a few **near-fully funded** options that can cover most costs with modest top-ups. It also notes a major 2025 change: the **Vanier CGS was discontinued** and replaced by the harmonized **Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral (CGRS-D)**.
Quick picks (who they’re best for)
| Award | Level | What it covers | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| U of T — Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1} | Undergrad | Full tuition, books, incidental fees, & full residence for 4 years. | Top academic achievers with school nomination. |
| UBC — International Scholars Program (KMILOT, DAWISA, International Impact, Vantage One Excellence) :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2} | Undergrad | Need-based awards that can cover full program + living (depending on assessed need). Vantage route for English-upgrading. | High achievers with leadership and demonstrated financial need. |
| McCall MacBain Scholarships (McGill) :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4} | Master’s / professional | Full tuition & fees + CAD 2,300/month living stipend + relocation grant for the full normal program duration. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5} | Leaders seeking a funded master’s or second-entry professional program. |
| Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship | PhD (research-oriented) | Up to $50,000/year (tuition+living) + up to $20,000/year (research/travel) for 3 years (to ~$210,000 total). :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7} | Doctoral candidates aligned to the Foundation’s four public-interest themes. |
| Canada Graduate Research Scholarship — Doctoral (CGRS-D) (NEW, harmonized) | PhD | $40,000/year for 3 years; now open to international students enrolled at a Canadian university (≤15% of awards). (“Near-fully funded” — many students still add a small top-up.) | Doctoral students across all disciplines training in Canada. |
Important change (2025): the **Vanier CGS** was sunset and replaced by the harmonized **CGRS-D** at the doctoral level. Verify details on the official agency pages. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
Undergraduate — fully funded options
1) University of Toronto — Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship
- Coverage: full tuition, books, incidental fees, and full residence for 4 years. :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}
- Who it’s for: outstanding international students with creativity, leadership and strong academics; high school **nomination required**. :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}
- 2026 intake timing: U of T admissions application for Pearson consideration due **Oct 17, 2025** (11:59 pm ET). School nomination & Pearson form deadlines follow the official schedule.
2) UBC — International Scholars Program (four awards)
Categories: Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Donald A. Wehrung International Impact Vantage One Excellence.
- Coverage: **need-based** packages that can fund up to the full cost of program + living where need is demonstrated; Vantage route supports students who don’t yet meet direct English entry. :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}
- Key 2026 dates: Award application due **Nov 17, 2025** (11:59 pm PST); UBC admission due **Dec 1, 2025**; **Jan 31, 2026** document deadline for IS applicants. :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}
Master’s — fully funded option
3) McCall MacBain Scholarships (McGill University)
- Coverage: full tuition & fees for the normal program length + **CAD 2,300/month** living stipend during terms + one-time relocation grant; summer funding available. :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}
- Eligibility: applying for a full-time master’s or second-entry professional program at McGill for **Summer/Fall 2026**; separate scholarship application **before** McGill admission. :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}
- 2026 cycle timing: application window **June–Sep 2025**; common deadlines include **Aug 20** (many internationals) and **Sep 24, 2025** (Canadians/U.S./Canada-based). Always check your stream. :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}
PhD — fully funded & near-fully funded
4) Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship (Doctoral)
- Coverage: up to **$50,000/year** (tuition + living) + up to **$20,000/year** (research, networking, travel) for **3 years** — total up to **$210,000**. :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}
- 2026 cycle timing: competition opens **Sep 9, 2025**; **reference letters due Nov 12, 2025**; **application due Nov 17, 2025**; Scholars announced **Apr 10, 2026**. :contentReference[oaicite:21]{index=21}
- Focus: research aligned to one or more themes: Human Rights & Dignity; Responsible Citizenship; Canada & the World; People & their Natural Environment. :contentReference[oaicite:22]{index=22}
5) Canada Graduate Research Scholarship — Doctoral (CGRS-D) NEW 2025
- What changed: replaces CGS-D, agency-specific doctoral awards, and the **Vanier CGS** (final 2024 competition). :contentReference[oaicite:23]{index=23}
- Coverage: **$40,000/year for 3 years**; now **open to international students** enrolled in a Canadian doctoral program (≤15% of awards). :contentReference[oaicite:24]{index=24}
- Tip: Many students pair CGRS-D with supervisor or departmental funds to reach fully-funded living levels in higher-cost cities.
Note on Vanier: The Vanier CGS portal states the program no longer accepts applications and directs candidates to the CGRS-D page. Update old blog posts accordingly. :contentReference[oaicite:25]{index=25}
Key 2025/26 deadlines (verify before applying)
| Award | When | What |
|---|---|---|
| U of T — Pearson | Oct 17, 2025 | Apply to at least one U of T program to be eligible for Pearson consideration; nomination/scholarship form deadlines follow the official schedule. :contentReference[oaicite:26]{index=26} |
| UBC — International Scholars | Nov 17, 2025 (awards) • Dec 1, 2025 (admissions) • Jan 31, 2026 (docs) | International Scholars award app; UBC admissions; IS document deadline override. :contentReference[oaicite:27]{index=27} |
| McCall MacBain | Aug–Sep 2025 (varies) | Application window for 2026 entry; typical deadlines include **Aug 20** (many internationals) & **Sep 24, 2025** (Canadians/U.S./Canada-based). :contentReference[oaicite:28]{index=28} |
| Trudeau Foundation | Nov 12, 2025 (refs) • Nov 17, 2025 (app) | References and application deadlines for the 2026 cohort. :contentReference[oaicite:29]{index=29} |
How to apply (step-by-step plan)
- Pick your track (UG vs Master’s vs PhD). Use the “Quick picks” matrix to match your level and financial need.
- Map the deadlines in your calendar (see above). Build a 3-week buffer so referees and transcripts arrive early.
- Assemble documents:
- Passport, transcripts (certified PDFs as required), grading scale
- Test scores (English/French) or Vantage route (UBC) if needed {index=30}
- Referees: confirm availability & send bullet-point brief + resume
- Write focused essays:
- Pearson/UBC (UG): leadership stories with action → result; community impact; financial need (UBC). :contentReference[oaicite:31]{index=31}
- McCall MacBain: motivation, leadership growth, program fit at McGill.
- Trudeau (PhD): research problem, policy relevance, and alignment to one or more Foundation themes.
- Submit early and track portals for reference completion (Pearson nomination; UBC nominator/referee forms; Trudeau 3 letters).
Tip: For doctoral funding, ask your supervisor about adding department/RA funds to CGRS-D to reach a comfortable living stipend in high-cost cities. :contentReference[oaicite:35]{index=35}
FAQs
Is Vanier still available for 2025/26?
No. The **Vanier CGS** ended after the 2024 competition; agencies now direct students to the **CGRS-D** program. Update older guidance accordingly. {index=36}
Which undergraduate options are truly “fully funded”?
Two major ones: **U of T’s Pearson** (tuition, books, fees, residence for 4 years) and **UBC International Scholars** (need-based up to full cost).
What’s the most generous doctoral award now?
For overall package size: the **Trudeau Foundation Scholarship** (up to $210,000 over 3 years). **CGRS-D** offers $40,000/year for 3 years and is now open to international students enrolled at Canadian universities (≤15% of awards).
Anything else worth tracking?
Yes — **McCall MacBain** for fully funded master’s/professional programs at McGill (tuition + stipend + relocation).
• Always confirm details on the official scholarship pages before applying.