Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship 2026 | (Vanier CGS)

The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship 2026 is now the Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral (CGRS D), a fully funded doctoral award worth $40,000 per year for three years. It is open to international students, Canadian citizens, and permanent residents who want to pursue a PhD (or combined programs like MD/PhD) at top Canadian universities. This prestigious scholarship supports outstanding students with strong research ability and proven leadership in natural sciences, engineering, health, social sciences, or humanities. More details are given below.

Details About Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship

Host Country	Canada
Host Institution	Any Canadian university with quota
Degree Level	PhD (or joint MD/PhD)
Eligibile For	Canadians + internationals
Benefits	$40,000 per year for 3 years
Number of Awards	~500 every year
Duration	3 years
Application Fee	None
Deadline	University deadline → Nov 1, 2025

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship Overview 2026

The old Vanier CGS started in 2008 to bring the world’s best PhD students to Canada. In 2025 the program changed its name to CGRS D, but the goal is the same: find future leaders who are excellent in research and make a real difference. You can study at any Canadian university that has a quota (most big ones do — Toronto, UBC, McGill, Alberta, etc.). The scholarship pays for three full years of your PhD (or the PhD part of a joint program). About 500 students win every year.

Also See: Oxford University Scholarships 2026.

Scholarship Benefits (What You Actually Get)

• $40,000 every year for three years — that’s $120,000 total
• Tax-free money you can use for rent, food, books, travel, anything
• Enough to live comfortably in any Canadian city without working on the side
• No repayment, ever

This is one of the richest PhD scholarships in the world.

Eligibility Requirements for 2026 Intake

You can apply if you:

• Are Canadian, permanent resident, or international.
• Are doing your first PhD (or the PhD part of a joint program).
• Have finished less than 20 months of PhD study by May 1, 2026.
• Have top grades (first-class average in the last two years).
• Show strong leadership (inside or outside school).
• Are nominated by one Canadian university that has a quota.
• Have never had a big doctoral scholarship from CIHR, NSERC, or SSHRC.

Application Deadline

• Mid-June 2025 → portal opens
• September/October 2025 → most universities want your application
• November 1, 2025 (8 p.m. ET) → universities send their choices to the government
• Early April 2026 → winners are told

Required Documents

All done online on ResearchNet:

• Research proposal (max 2 pages)
• Personal leadership statement (max 2 pages)
• Two leadership reference letters (max 2 pages each)
• Two regular reference letters
• Canadian Common CV (CCV)
• All university transcripts
• Research contributions list (1 page)
• Special circumstances (0.5 page, optional)

Also Check: Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship 2026.

How to Apply For Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship

1. Find a Canadian university with a quota and a professor who likes your idea.
2. Contact the graduate office and say you want to be considered for CGRS D.
3. Make a ResearchNet account and fill everything.
4. Send it to the university before their internal deadline.
5. University picks the best students and nominates them by November 1.
6. Wait for results in April 2026.

You cannot apply directly to the government — the university must nominate you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Official Website

For full details and deadlines visit the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship Page.