This guide covers the 5 scholarships in Canada that ScholarshipClaude lists for 2027: 5 fully funded and 0 with partial funding. For each one you will find what it pays for, who can apply and the deadline, with a link to the full page. The list was last updated on 8 October 2026.
The nearest confirmed deadline is Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral, on 17 October 2026. Scholarships with expected dates are based on the previous cycle and will be confirmed when the new call opens.
How scholarships work in Canada
Canada funds most international graduate students through university funding packages and national research awards, not through one central scholarship. A funded PhD offer usually combines a fellowship, a teaching or research assistantship and a tuition award. Undergraduate scholarships for international students exist, but they are few and very competitive.
Scholarships in Canada 2027 at a glance
| Scholarship | Level | Funding | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship 2027 in Canada | Bachelor's | Fully funded | 6 November 2026 |
| University of Toronto Fully Funded PhD Packages 2027 in Canada | PhD | Fully funded | Expected 15 December 2026 |
| UBC Four Year Doctoral Fellowship 2027 in Canada | PhD | Fully funded | Expected 15 December 2026 |
| Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarships 2027 in Canada | PhD | Fully funded | 6 November 2026 |
| Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral | PhD | Fully funded | 17 October 2026 |
Fully funded scholarships in Canada for international students
Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship 2027 in Canada
The Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship is the University of Toronto's most prestigious award for international undergraduate students. It recognises exceptional academic achievement, creativity and leadership, and covers tuition, books, incidental fees and full residence support for four years. About 37 Pearson Scholars are named each year.
What it covers:
- Full tuition
- Books and incidental fees
- Full residence support for four years
Who can apply:
- International student, meaning a non-Canadian who requires a study permit
- In the final year of secondary school in 2026/2027, or graduated no earlier than June 2026
- Starting your studies at the University of Toronto in September 2027
Level: Bachelor's. Deadline: 6 November 2026. Full details and how to apply.
University of Toronto Fully Funded PhD Packages 2027 in Canada
The University of Toronto does not run one scholarship for PhD students. Instead, PhD students in the funded cohort receive a base funding package, and international students are included. Official department pages give a minimum of 40,000 Canadian dollars a year, and this amount includes tuition and fees, so the money left for living costs is about 31,000 dollars in some departments. Some units pay more: for example, the Temerty Faculty of Medicine lists 43,139 dollars for international PhD students. The package often includes teaching assistant income.
What it covers:
- Tuition and fees covered within the base funding package
- Annual living stipend
- Teaching or research assistantship income
- Eligibility for internal and external awards
Who can apply:
- Admitted to a full-time doctoral stream programme
- Strong academic record (often A minus average in the last two years)
- English proficiency if required
Level: PhD. Deadline: expected 15 December 2026. Full details and how to apply.
UBC Four Year Doctoral Fellowship 2027 in Canada
The Four Year Doctoral Fellowship (4YF) is the University of British Columbia's funding programme for outstanding doctoral students. From September 2026 onward it gives recipients a stipend of 24,000 Canadian dollars plus tuition each year, for up to four years of doctoral study. Canadian, permanent resident and international students can receive it.
What it covers:
- Stipend of 24,000 Canadian dollars a year (from September 2026)
- Tuition for each year of the fellowship
- Up to four years of doctoral study
Who can apply:
- Admitted to a full-time UBC PhD programme
- Outstanding academic record
- Nominated by your graduate programme
Level: PhD. Deadline: expected 15 December 2026. Full details and how to apply.
Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarships 2027 in Canada
The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation awards doctoral scholarships to candidates in the social sciences and humanities whose research addresses major issues facing Canada and the world. Scholarships combine an annual award with a research and travel allowance and a three-year leadership programme. International candidates registered in a doctoral programme at a Canadian university can be eligible.
What it covers:
- Annual scholarship award
- Research and travel allowance
- Leadership training and mentoring
Who can apply:
- Enrolled in a doctoral programme in the social sciences or humanities
- Research linked to the Foundation's themes
- Strong academic record and leadership potential
Level: PhD. Deadline: 6 November 2026. Full details and how to apply.
Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral
The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships have been discontinued: the fall 2024 competition was the last one. Canada's three federal research agencies (CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC) replaced Vanier and the older doctoral awards with one harmonised programme, the Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral (CGRS-D). It is worth CAD 40,000 per year for up to three years. International students can be nominated by Canadian universities, with part of the funding reserved for them.
What it covers:
- CAD 40,000 per year
- Up to three years of funding
Who can apply:
- Enrolled in, or applying to, an eligible doctoral programme at a Canadian university
- Strong academic excellence and research potential
- Nomination through your university's internal process
Level: PhD. Deadline: 17 October 2026. Full details and how to apply.
Scholarships in Canada: documents and how to apply
Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship 2027 in Canada
More eligibility rules:
- Nominated by your secondary school; each school can nominate only one student a year
- Not eligible: students already in post-secondary studies, or starting them in January 2027
- Exceptional academic achievement, creativity and leadership in your school and community
Documents:
- School nomination (submitted by your school)
- University of Toronto admission application
- Pearson Scholarship application form
- Supporting documents and references requested in the Pearson application
Application steps:
- Ask your guidance counsellor, principal or head of school to nominate you by 9 October 2026
- If your school has not taken part before, it must apply to join the programme by noon (EST) on 9 October 2026
- Apply to at least one undergraduate programme at the University of Toronto for September 2027 by 16 October 2026
- After your school nominates you, you receive a private link to the Pearson Scholarship application; you can complete it after you submit your admission application
- Submit the Pearson application and all required documents by 6 November 2026
- Write the application yourself: the University of Toronto disqualifies applicants who use generative AI tools such as ChatGPT to create content
- If awarded, the scholarship applies to your top choice of programme at the time of the scholarship decision
How applications are assessed:
- Exceptional academic achievement and creativity
- Recognition as a leader within your school
- Your impact on the life of your school and community
- Your future potential to contribute positively to the global community
Duration: 4 years. Open to: International students (who need a Canadian study permit). Go to the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship 2027 in Canada page.
University of Toronto Fully Funded PhD Packages 2027 in Canada
More eligibility rules:
- Research interests matching available supervisors
Documents:
- Online application
- Transcripts
- Statement of intent
- CV
- Two or three reference letters
- English test scores if required
Application steps:
- Choose a doctoral programme and identify potential supervisors
- Apply online by the programme deadline (usually December or January)
- Admitted students receive a funding letter with the package details
Duration: 4 to 5 years (funded period). Open to: All nationalities. Go to the University of Toronto Fully Funded PhD Packages 2027 in Canada page.
UBC Four Year Doctoral Fellowship 2027 in Canada
Documents:
- UBC PhD application
- Transcripts
- Statement of intent
- Reference letters
- English test scores if required
Application steps:
- Apply to a UBC PhD programme by its deadline
- Your programme nominates top applicants for the 4YF
- Award offers are sent with or after admission
How applications are assessed:
- Academic excellence
- The recommendation of your graduate program, which selects from the applicants it admits
Duration: Up to 4 years. Open to: All nationalities. Go to the UBC Four Year Doctoral Fellowship 2027 in Canada page.
Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarships 2027 in Canada
Documents:
- Eligibility screening form, due 2 October 2026 (required first step)
- Full online application form, opened only after your eligibility is confirmed
- Three references, received by 30 October 2026 at 9:00 am Eastern Time
- Research project description
- CV
- Transcripts
Application steps:
- Step 1: complete the eligibility screening form by 2 October 2026 (this step is now closed for the 2027 competition)
- Attend a mandatory information session in the weeks of 5 and 12 October 2026
- Step 2: once your eligibility is confirmed, complete the full application form
- Make sure all three references are received by 30 October 2026 at 9:00 am Eastern Time
- Submit the complete application by 6 November 2026 at 5:00 pm Eastern Time
How applications are assessed:
- Academic excellence, shown by a strong academic record and research achievements
- Leadership and engagement, shown by initiatives you have started or taken part in
- Research that can have an impact on society beyond the academic world
- Doctoral work that relates to at least one of the Foundation's four themes
- Final interviews with members of the selection committee
Duration: Up to 3 years. Open to: Canadian and international doctoral candidates at Canadian universities (check current rules). Go to the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarships 2027 in Canada page.
Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral
More eligibility rules:
- Check the agency rules for international student eligibility
Documents:
- Agency application through your university
- Research proposal
- CV
- Transcripts
- Reference assessments
Application steps:
- Contact your Canadian university's faculty of graduate studies and ask for its internal CGRS-D deadline
- Most applicants apply through their institution, by the date the institution sets
- Applicants who apply directly to NSERC must submit by 17 October
- The university nominates its top candidates to the national competition
- Results are announced on 30 April
How applications are assessed:
- Research ability and potential (50%)
- Relevant experience and achievements obtained within and beyond academia (50%)
Duration: Up to 3 years. Open to: Canadian citizens, permanent residents and international students at Canadian universities. Go to the Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral page.
Scholarships in Canada by study level
- Bachelor’s: Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship 2027 in Canada.
- PhD: University of Toronto Fully Funded PhD Packages 2027 in Canada, UBC Four Year Doctoral Fellowship 2027 in Canada, Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarships 2027 in Canada, Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral.
Application timeline
Plan your applications in deadline order:
- 17 October 2026: Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral
- 6 November 2026: Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship 2027 in Canada
- 6 November 2026: Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarships 2027 in Canada
- Expected 15 December 2026: University of Toronto Fully Funded PhD Packages 2027 in Canada
- Expected 15 December 2026: UBC Four Year Doctoral Fellowship 2027 in Canada
What the scholarships in Canada ask you to submit
Across the 5 scholarships in Canada on this page, this is how many ask for each document:
- CV or résumé: 3 of 5 (guide: academic CV template)
- Motivation letter, personal statement, essay or study plan: 2 of 5 (guide: statement of purpose guide and motivation letter template)
- Recommendation or reference letters: 5 of 5 (guide: how to get strong recommendation letters)
- Research proposal or research plan: 2 of 5 (guide: research proposal template)
- Language test score or certificate: 2 of 5 (guide: IELTS or TOEFL: which to choose)
- Transcripts or degree certificates: 4 of 5
One of them mentions an interview in its selection process: Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarships 2027 in Canada. Our scholarship interview tips cover how to prepare.
Frequently asked questions
Which scholarships in Canada are fully funded?
Among the scholarships we list: Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship 2027 in Canada, University of Toronto Fully Funded PhD Packages 2027 in Canada, UBC Four Year Doctoral Fellowship 2027 in Canada, Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarships 2027 in Canada, Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral.
Which deadline comes first?
Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral, on 17 October 2026.
See every active scholarship for this country on the scholarships page, and read how to find fully funded scholarships for more options.
Live list: every scholarship we currently cover here
| Scholarship | Funding | Stipend | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral | Fully funded | CAD 40,000 per year | 17 Oct 2026 |
| Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarships 2027 in Canada | Fully funded | See the scholarship page | 6 Nov 2026 |
| Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship 2027 in Canada | Fully funded | See the scholarship page | 6 Nov 2026 |
| University of Toronto Fully Funded PhD Packages 2027 in Canada | Fully funded | Minimum base funding of 40,000 Canadian dollars a year, including tuition and fees | 15 Dec 2026 (expected) |
| UBC Four Year Doctoral Fellowship 2027 in Canada | Fully funded | 24,000 Canadian dollars a year plus tuition, for up to four years | 15 Dec 2026 (expected) |
This table updates itself whenever a scholarship is added or changed, so it can include newer entries than the sections above. See all scholarships.
