Canada offers world-class opportunities for international students seeking Master’s degrees in 2026. Securing a scholarship is key to funding your studies and minimizing financial stress. Many Canadian universities and governmental organizations provide highly competitive awards to attract global talent.
These canada master scholarships target high-achieving individuals who demonstrate academic excellence and leadership potential. The Canadian system offers both merit-based grants and specialized awards tied to research fields. Success depends on strategically applying for multiple programs.
We’ve compiled a list of the top Master’s scholarships for the 2026-2027 academic year. These awards provide substantial benefits, including full tuition coverage and monthly stipends. They represent the best opportunities to study in Canada.
Potential applicants must start preparing their materials now, as deadlines for the most generous scholarships often occur between late 2025 and early 2026. A strong application will highlight research experience and clear career goals..
Fully Funded University Scholarships
These prestigious scholarships offer comprehensive coverage, making them the most competitive awards for Master’s students.
McCall MacBain Scholarship at McGill University
The McCall MacBain Scholarship funds exceptional Master’s students at McGill University. This award covers full tuition and fees for the program’s duration. The scholarship provides a CAD $2,000 monthly stipend for living expenses.
- Host Institution: McGill University (Montreal).
- Study Level: Master’s and Professional studies.
- Value: Full tuition + CAD $2,000 stipend per month.
- Deadline (2026 Cohort): The application typically closes in August or September 2025 for the 2026 academic year.
- Eligibility: You must demonstrate exceptional academic achievement and strong leadership qualities.
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program (University of Toronto)
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program provides a comprehensive, fully funded scholarship for graduate studies. This scholarship targets high-achieving students from Sub-Saharan African countries committed to development.
- Host Institution: University of Toronto (U of T).
- Study Level: Professional Master’s programs (e.g., Engineering, Health Administration).
- Value: Full financial assistance, including tuition, books, housing, food, and travel expenses. This is a fully comprehensive award.
- Deadline (2026 Cohort): The application deadline is typically in early November 2025 (e.g., November 3, 2025).
- Eligibility: You must be a citizen and currently reside in a Sub-Saharan African country. You must be academically admissible to one of the sponsored graduate programs.
Major Merit-Based University Awards
These university-specific fellowships and awards recognize academic excellence at the graduate level for international students.
| Scholarship Name | Host University | Value & Duration | Eligibility & Notes |
| Graduate Fellowships (UMGF) | University of Manitoba | CAD $20,000 per year for up to 2 years. | This merit-based award is open to students of all citizenships. You must have a minimum admission GPA of 3.0 to be considered. |
| International Master’s Award of Excellence (IMAE) | University of Waterloo | CAD $2,500 per term. | IMAE is awarded to eligible international Master’s students. You must be entering a research-based graduate program to secure funding. |
| Université de Montréal Scholarships | Université de Montréal | Tuition fee exemption up to $27,300 annually. | This scholarship provides a tuition fee reduction. The reduction lowers international tuition fees to the equivalent of Quebec resident fees. |
| Graduate Scholarship | University of Saskatchewan | CAD $16,000 per year. | This scholarship funds international Master’s students based on academic excellence. The department nominates candidates for this award. |
| UBC Graduate Scholarships | University of British Columbia (UBC) | Varies; includes tuition waivers and grants. | UBC offers merit-based awards to international Master’s students. These scholarships are automatically considered during the admissions review process. |
Also apply for Stanford University Scholarship (Fully Funded) USA.
Government and Partner Scholarships
These awards are non-university specific and focus on specific countries or research areas.
| Scholarship Name | Awarding Body | Funding/Value | Eligible Level |
| Canada Graduate Scholarships—Master’s (CGS-M) | Canadian Government | CAD $17,500 for 12 months. | Master’s (Research-based) |
| Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) | Government of Ontario | CAD $15,000 per year. | Master’s |
| Canadian Francophonie Scholarship Program | Global Affairs Canada | Varies; covers tuition, travel, and stipend. | Master’s and Doctoral |
| IDRC Research Awards | IDRC | Varies; supports research costs and stipend. | Master’s and Doctoral (For students from developing countries) |
Start Application process for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2026–2027
Application Process
To maximize your chances of winning these competitive awards, you must optimize your application.
- Meet Eligibility Criteria: You must meet specific admission and scholarship criteria (e.g., citizenship, GPA requirements) to avoid automatic rejection.
- Apply for Program Admission First: Most university-level scholarships are awarded upon admission. You must secure admission to a Master’s program first.
- Submit Required Documents: Applicants must submit essential documents, such as official transcripts, a statement of purpose, and a CV.
- Craft a Personal Statement: You must craft a strong personal statement that highlights achievements, research goals, and leadership experience.
- Secure Letters of Recommendation: To get strong letters of recommendation, request them from professors or supervisors, and provide them with all necessary materials.
Deadlines
Scholarship deadlines often occur before the main Master’s program application deadline.
- Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program (U of T): Early November 2025 (e.g., November 3, 2025).
- Major University Awards (e.g., UMGF, UBC, Waterloo): Deadlines vary by department but often fall between December 2025 and January 2026.
- CGS-M/OGS: Deadlines are typically in December 2025 or January 2026.
You must check the official scholarship website of your prospective university for the exact deadlines.
