Scholarships in Canada for Indian Students
Canada is a highly preferred destination for international students due to its excellent education system, cultural diversity, and work opportunities. While education can be expensive, numerous scholarships are available for Indian students offered by the Canadian government, universities, and private organizations.
Below is a categorized list of scholarship opportunities for studying in Canada:
Types of Scholarships Available
- Merit-Based Scholarships – For students with outstanding academic, artistic, or athletic achievements
- Need-Based Scholarships – For students from economically weaker sections
- University-Specific Scholarships – Offered directly by Canadian universities
- Government-Funded Scholarships – Sponsored by Canadian government departments and organizations
- Private or Foundation Scholarships – From companies, NGOs, and trusts
A. Government-Funded Scholarships
1. Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
- Level: Doctoral (PhD) programs
- Coverage: $50,000 per year for 3 years
- Eligibility: High academic achievements, leadership, research potential
- Apply at: https://vanier.gc.ca
2. IDRC Research Awards
- Level: Master’s/PhD
- Coverage: Travel and research support for students from developing countries
- Fields: Agriculture, Climate, Technology, Health
- Apply at: https://idrc-crdi.ca
3. Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges
- Level: Short-term studies (4-8 months)
- Coverage: Up to CAD 10,200
- Eligibility: Citizens of ASEAN member states, including Indian students pursuing exchange
- Apply at: EduCanada Website
B. University-Specific Scholarships
Many top Canadian universities offer partial or full scholarships to Indian and other international students:
| University | Scholarship Name | Website |
| University of Toronto | Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship | future.utoronto.ca |
| University of British Columbia | International Major Entrance Scholarships (IMES) | you.ubc.ca |
| McGill University | Entrance Scholarships | mcgill.ca |
| University of Waterloo | International Student Entrance Scholarships | uwaterloo.ca |
| University of Alberta | India Centenary Scholarship | ualberta.ca |
C. Privately Funded & Foundation Scholarships
1. Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute Scholarships
- Level: Undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral
- Fields: Multidisciplinary
- Coverage: Partial funding for short-term study or research in Canadian institutions
- Apply at: www.shastriinstitute.org
2. Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship Program
- Level: Master’s and PhD
- Coverage: Tuition, living allowance, travel
- Eligibility: Students from Commonwealth countries
- Website: https://www.educanada.ca
3. Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarships
- Level: PhD
- Fields: Social Sciences and Humanities
- Coverage: Up to $60,000 per year
- Apply at: trudeaufoundation.ca
4. FINCAD Women in Finance Scholarship
- For: Women pursuing graduate finance degrees
- Coverage: USD 20,000
- Eligibility: Academic excellence and leadership potential
- Apply at: www.fincad.com
How to Apply for Scholarships
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Start Early – Begin research 12–15 months before your intake
- Prepare Documents – Transcripts, SOP, LORs, IELTS/TOEFL, resume
- Find Scholarships – Use university sites or platforms listed below
- Apply Online – Some require separate applications, others are automatic
- Stay Organized – Track deadlines and eligibility criteria carefully
