Canada is one of the most-searched study destinations for international students right now, and one name comes up constantly: the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship. Here’s the first thing you need to know — Vanier is not open to international applicants, and it’s being replaced entirely. Below are the programs that actually are open to you, with real deadlines for the 2027 cycle.
Heads Up: Vanier Is Closed to International Students — and Being Replaced
The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship stopped accepting new applications and is being folded into a new harmonized doctoral award administered through Canada’s federal research agencies. Even under the old program, Vanier required Canadian citizenship or permanent residency — it was never available to international students studying from abroad. If you see “Vanier” in a scholarship round-up aimed at international applicants, that page is out of date.
1. Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarship
Status: 🟢 OPEN | Eligibility screening: October 2, 2026 | Full application: November 6, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
One of Canada’s most prestigious doctoral awards, built around leadership and public engagement as much as academic research.
Who can apply
- Doctoral students enrolled (or about to enrol) at a Canadian university — you must be studying in Canada, not applying from abroad to study remotely
- Research connected to one of the Foundation’s theme areas (human rights and dignity, responsible citizenship, Canada in the world, people and their natural environment)
- Open to Canadian and non-Canadian nationals alike, provided you’re enrolled at a Canadian institution
How to apply: Complete the eligibility screening step first (due October 2, 2026); only screened-in candidates proceed to the full application (due November 6, 2026).
🔗 Apply: trudeaufoundation.ca/2027-applications
2. University of Toronto Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship
Status: 🟢 OPEN | School nomination: October 9, 2026 | U of T application: October 16, 2026 | Scholarship documentation: November 6, 2026
This is U of T’s flagship full-ride for incoming international undergraduates — about 37 awarded each year, and there’s no separate scholarship application form. You’re nominated by your own school.
Who can apply
- International students entering undergraduate study at U of T for September 2027
- Nominated by your secondary school (ask your school counselor early — this step has its own deadline)
- Outstanding academic achievement and creative, intellectual, or personal distinction
What it covers
- Full tuition, books, and incidental fees
- Full residence support for four years
🔗 Apply: future.utoronto.ca/pearson-scholarships
3. UBC International Scholars Program
Status: 🟢 OPEN | Deadline: November 15, 2026 | Supporting documents: January 31, 2027
The University of British Columbia’s entry-scholarship program for incoming international undergraduates, covering everything from partial awards up to full tuition and living costs depending on merit and need.
Who can apply
- International students applying for undergraduate admission to UBC for the 2027 intake
- No separate application form — you’re automatically considered when you apply for admission by the deadline
- Strong academic record; some award tiers also weigh financial need
🔗 Apply: you.ubc.ca – International Scholars
4. Ontario Trillium Scholarship (OTS)
Status: 🟢 ACTIVE | Deadline: set by each Ontario university — check your target school
A $40,000-per-year award, renewable for up to four years, specifically for international PhD students at participating Ontario universities. There’s no single provincial deadline — each university (University of Toronto, Western, Queen’s, McMaster, and others) runs its own nomination process and timeline through its graduate awards office.
Who can apply
- International doctoral students admitted to, or already enrolled at, a participating Ontario university
- Nominated internally by your department — you generally can’t apply for OTS directly
How to apply: Contact your Ontario university’s graduate awards or international office directly to confirm this year’s internal nomination deadline.
Watch For: IDRC Doctoral Research Awards
Canada’s International Development Research Centre has previously funded doctoral research awards for students from developing countries, but its most recently confirmed cycle has already closed and a new round for 2026/27 hadn’t been posted at the time of writing. If your research fits IDRC’s development focus, bookmark their funding page and check back rather than assuming it’s currently open.
🔗 Funding page: idrc-crdi.ca/en/funding
The Strategy: Getting Into Canada Funded
- Forget Vanier — plan around institution-specific awards instead. Almost every major Canadian university runs its own entry scholarship for international students (Pearson at U of T, the International Scholars Program at UBC, and equivalents at McGill, Waterloo, and others). Research your target school’s specific program, not just the “big name” federal awards.
- For undergrad, the scholarship deadline often comes before the admissions deadline. Pearson and UBC both require you to be in process well ahead of the general application deadline — start in September, not January.
- For PhD funding, talk to your department before you apply. Trillium and most university-specific PhD awards are internal nominations, not open applications — your supervisor or department has to put you forward.
- Trudeau requires Canadian enrolment first. If you’re not yet admitted to a Canadian doctoral program, secure that first — Trudeau funds students already studying in Canada, not applicants abroad.
Find Your Perfect Scholarship
Deadlines shift every year and internal nomination processes vary by department, so always confirm directly with your target university before applying. 🔗 Search scholarships on Zejimo →
Applying to a Canadian university with a scholarship program we haven’t covered? Tell us in the comments.