Vanier CGS is not accepting new applications. The official program site now points candidates to the Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral (CGRS-D), a harmonized tri-agency award. Treat any “Vanier 2026–27” posts as outdated and guide readers to CGRS-D instead.
The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship previously funded outstanding PhD students at CAD $50,000/year for three years. It recognized academic excellence, research potential, and leadership across health, natural sciences/engineering, and social sciences/humanities. Today, the program has been sunset; the official homepage states it is no longer accepting applications and redirects to CGRS-D for doctoral funding. Link your readers to the current program so they do not waste a cycle.
What replaces Vanier? Apply for CGRS-D (CAD $40,000/year for up to 36 months) under one of the three agencies: CIHR, NSERC, or SSHRC. Each agency keeps its own portal and instructions, but policies are aligned. Start on the NSERC CGRS-D overview, then follow the agency-specific guidance that matches your field.
Who can apply now? All citizenships are eligible under CGRS-D. International students must be enrolled in a Canadian doctoral program at the time of application, and internal university deadlines usually fall August–October. Your page should advise readers to confirm the exact internal deadline on their target university’s site (e.g., Waterloo CGRS-D).
Scholarship Benefits
- Stipend: An annual CAD $50,000.
- Duration: Up to three years.
- Goal: To help fund doctoral studies in all areas of the academy.
Scholarship Overview
- Standard Level of Study: PhD (Doctoral)
- Institution: Any Canadian institution with a quota allocation.
- Scholarship Country: Canada
- Value: $50,000 per annum (may be renewed for the last three years).
- Eligibility: Canadian Citizens/permanent residents/international students.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for a Vanier CGS, you must follow the 4 eligibitiy criteria:
- Nomination by Institution: Canadian institutions that offer Vanier scholarship must nominate students.
- Excellence in Academics: Maintain an outstanding academic record.
- Research Experience: Provide evidence of an established research experience through academic and research history.
- Leadership: leadership in academic and extracurricular activities.
Application Process
The 5 steps to application process for Vanier CGS
- Institutional Nomination: Candidates need to apply for nomination through their chosen institution.
- Prepare Your Application: Submit all documents listed as your application’s details, including academic transcripts, a research plan, and letters of recommendation.
- Criteria: Applications are evaluated on academic merit, research capacity, and leadership skills.
- Application: The nominating institution forwards completed applications to the Vanier CGS selection committee.
- Apply Online
Fields of Study
Health Research:
- Biomedicine
- Epidemiology
- Health Policy
- Clinical Medicine
Science and Engineering:
- Environmental Science
- Computer Science
- Mechanical Engineering
- Mathematics
Social Sciences and Humanities:
- Anthropology
- Political Science
- Linguistics
- Philosophy
The Vanier CGS program aims to attract and retain world-class doctoral students by supporting those who demonstrate academic excellence and research potential across the entire range of social sciences and humanities, natural sciences, and engineering health.
Evaluation Criteria
The Vanier CGS selection process is extremely competitive; candidates must demonstrate the following through a rigorous, merit-based process.
- Academic Excellence: 40%
- Research potential: 30%.
- Leadership: 30%
Important Dates
- Application Deadline: Varies by institution.
- Results Notification: Typically announced in April.
Visit Here: More Fully Funded Canada Scholarships
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship on FAQs
- Who can apply for the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship?
Candidates must be nominated by a Canadian institution and show academic, research, and leadership abilities.
- What fields of study are available?
The scholarship is available for health research, natural sciences, engineering, and social science, as well as the humanities.
- What is the scholarship’s value?
The selected scholars will receive a maximum investment of CAD 50,000 annually for up to three years.
- How do I apply?
Obtain a nomination from a Canadian institution and submit your application package in accordance with their instructions.
