The Government of Canada launched the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS) program in 2008 to strengthen Canada’s ability to attract and retain world-class doctoral students and establish Canada as a global centre of excellence in research and higher learning. Vanier Scholars demonstrate leadership skills and a high standard of scholarly achievement in graduate studies in the social sciences and humanities, natural sciences and/or engineering and health.
Scope
Up to 166 scholarships are awarded annuallyFootnote1;
A total of up to 500 scholarships are active at any time.
Value
$50,000 per year
Duration
3 years (non-renewable)
Scholarships are distributed equally between the three federal granting agencies:
- Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
- Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)
- Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)
Selection Criteria
Timelines
| July – November 2023 | Applicants seek a nominating institution, prepare and submit application package. |
| Internal Deadline (varies) | Deadline to submit application to the nominating institution. Contact nominating institution for specific date. |
| November 1, 2023 (20:00 EDT) | Deadline for institutions to submit nominations to the Vanier CGS program. |
| November 2023 – March 2024 | Review and evaluation of nominations. |
| Early April 2024 | Anticipated notification of results. Nominees will be notified by email when the results are available on ResearchNet. |
| May 1, 2024, or September 1, 2024, or January 1, 2025 |
Payments begin. |
Eligibility
Confirm that you and your nominating institution meet all the criteria below before you apply for a Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS).
Nominations that do not meet all of the eligibility criteria will be deemed ineligible.
Candidate eligibility
Citizenship
Canadian citizens, permanent residents of Canada and foreign citizens are eligible to be nominated for a Vanier CGS.
Application / Nomination process
The sections below provide specific information for candidates and nominating institutions.
Overview
High-level description of the scholarships, including the scope, value, duration, timelines, and features.
Eligibility
Eligibility criteria for applicants and nominating university
Instructions to applicants
Detailed task-by-task guide to applying for a scholarship
Information for Institutions
Background information about the role and responsibilities of host institutions
Information for referees
Information referees need in order to complete their assessments
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring that all trainees have equitable access to research funding and career support
Resources and Tools
Information about the Canadian postsecondary educational system and Canadian universities
Visit official website for more information
