Canada remains one of the most attractive destinations for international students because of its universities, research opportunities, multicultural environment and wide range of undergraduate and graduate programmes. For students who cannot afford international tuition and living costs, scholarships can make studying in Canada considerably more accessible.

What Does a Fully Funded Scholarship in Canada Cover?

A fully funded scholarship can cover several major expenses associated with studying abroad.

Depending on the programme, funding may include:

Full or substantial tuition fees
Accommodation
Monthly living allowance
Books and educational expenses
Research expenses
Travel support
Health insurance
Conference or research travel
Relocation or settlement support

Not every programme covers every expense.

For example, the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship at the University of Toronto covers tuition, books, incidental fees and full residence support for four years.

The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship is another particularly strong example at doctoral level. For the 2027 competition, the foundation states that scholars can receive up to C$50,000 per year for three years for tuition and living expenses, plus up to C$20,000 per year for research, travel and networking.

Therefore, students should always examine the actual funding package instead of relying on the words “fully funded.”

20+ Scholarship and Funding Opportunities to Research in Canada

Scholarship or funding route	Study level	Funding type	Suitable for international students?
Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship	Undergraduate	Tuition, books, fees and residence	Yes
Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship	PhD	Tuition/living + research support	Yes, under conditions
Canada Impact+ Research Training Awards	PhD	Doctoral research funding	International participation depends on programme rules
University of British Columbia International Scholars	Undergraduate	Major financial support	Yes
UBC graduate funding	Master’s/PhD	Scholarships, awards and research funding	Yes
McGill University graduate funding	Master’s/PhD	Scholarships and assistantships	Yes
University of Toronto graduate funding	Master’s/PhD	Programme-specific funding	Yes
University of Alberta graduate funding	Master’s/PhD	Scholarships and research funding	Yes
University of Waterloo graduate funding	Master’s/PhD	Scholarships and assistantships	Yes
McMaster University graduate funding	Master’s/PhD	Scholarships and research funding	Yes
University of Calgary graduate awards	Master’s/PhD	Graduate funding	Yes
Queen’s University graduate scholarships	Master’s/PhD	Scholarships and assistantships	Yes
Western University graduate funding	Master’s/PhD	Scholarships and awards	Yes
Dalhousie University graduate funding	Master’s/PhD	Scholarships and research funding	Yes
University of Manitoba graduate scholarships	Master’s/PhD	Graduate awards	Yes
University of Saskatchewan graduate funding	Master’s/PhD	Scholarships and research funding	Yes
University of Ottawa graduate scholarships	Master’s/PhD	Scholarships and assistantships	Yes
Concordia University graduate funding	Master’s/PhD	Scholarships and awards	Yes
Simon Fraser University graduate funding	Master’s/PhD	Scholarships and research support	Yes
Government of Canada international scholarships	Various	Exchange/research funding	Depends on programme
Mitacs research opportunities	Graduate/research	Research funding	Some programmes
Canada university research assistantships	Graduate	Stipend/research funding	Often

The important point is that not all of these are single scholarships that automatically pay every expense. Many are funding routes that students can combine with university admission and supervisor-based research funding.

1. Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship

The Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship is one of the strongest Canadian scholarships for international undergraduate students.

It is offered by the University of Toronto and is designed for outstanding international students entering undergraduate study.

The scholarship is particularly attractive because the funding package covers:

Tuition
Books
Incidental fees
Full residence support

The award is for four years.

This makes it one of the clearest examples of a Canadian undergraduate scholarship that can cover most of the major costs associated with studying in Canada.

Who can apply?

The scholarship is aimed at international students entering undergraduate study at the University of Toronto.

Applicants must generally be nominated by their secondary school before proceeding with the scholarship application.

Students should therefore begin preparing well before the final deadline.

A strong applicant should have:

Excellent academic performance
Strong intellectual ability
Leadership qualities
Community involvement
Evidence of initiative
A compelling personal profile

The University of Toronto confirms that candidates must apply to an undergraduate programme at the university to be considered for the Pearson Scholarship.

Official source: University of Toronto Lester B. Pearson Scholarship

2. Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship

For international students already pursuing doctoral studies in Canada, the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship is one of the most valuable funding opportunities to research in 2026.

The scholarship is aimed at PhD students whose research is broadly related to the humanities and social sciences and aligns with at least one of the foundation’s four major themes.

For the 2027 scholarship competition, international students can apply if they are enrolled in a doctoral programme at a Canadian university. Applicants must be in the first or second year of their doctoral programme when applying.

The funding is substantial.

Successful scholars can receive:

Up to C$50,000 per year for three years for tuition and living expenses
Up to C$20,000 per year for research, travel and networking
Mentorship
Academic and professional networking
Access to the foundation’s scholar community

That means the total potential value can reach C$210,000 over three years.

The 2027 competition is particularly relevant to students searching in September 2026 because the foundation states that applications opened on September 1, 2026. The eligibility verification deadline is October 2, while the complete application deadline is November 6, 2026.

This is one of the most important Canada scholarship deadlines to know in late 2026.

Official source: Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship

3. Canada Impact+ Research Training Awards

Canada has also introduced major research funding initiatives designed to attract and support doctoral researchers.

The Government of Canada announced the Canada Impact+ Research Training Awards, with up to 600 doctoral scholarships valued at C$40,000 per year for three years.

This is particularly relevant for students interested in research-intensive doctoral education.

However, applicants should check the specific eligibility rules and institutional nomination process rather than assuming that the award operates like an open scholarship where anyone can submit a direct application.

Students interested in doctoral study should monitor Canadian universities and federal research agencies for the latest competition information.

Official source: Government of Canada

4. University of British Columbia International Scholars

The University of British Columbia offers several awards and scholarship programmes for international students.

Its international student scholarship resources include awards for students entering undergraduate study.

However, applicants should carefully distinguish between major entrance awards and fully funded packages.

For example, UBC’s International Scholars programme is designed to recognise outstanding international students with strong academic achievement and leadership potential.

UBC also has a large graduate funding system for research-based master’s and doctoral students.

Its Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies division provides information about scholarships, awards, research funding and other sources of graduate financial support.

For graduate applicants, contacting the department and prospective supervisor can be just as important as searching a general scholarship database.

Official source: UBC Scholarships for International Students

5. UBC Graduate Scholarships and Funding

International graduate students at UBC can explore a combination of:

University scholarships
Faculty awards
Research assistantships
Teaching assistantships
Supervisor research funding
External scholarships
Government research awards

The exact amount depends on the programme and funding source.

Research-based master’s and PhD students should therefore investigate funding at the department level rather than looking only for one large scholarship.

A professor who has funding for a research project may be able to support a graduate student through a research assistantship or related funding arrangement.

UBC’s Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies office provides information about graduate funding and deadlines.

6. McGill University Scholarships and Graduate Funding

McGill University is another Canadian institution international students should consider.

McGill provides scholarships and financial support across its undergraduate and graduate programmes.

Its international student resources also list Canadian government scholarships that support study, research and professional development.

Graduate applicants should check the funding available within their specific department.

A student applying for a research-based master’s or PhD should identify potential supervisors whose research matches their interests and ask about available funding.

This can be more effective than sending generic scholarship applications to every university.

7. University of Toronto Graduate Funding

The University of Toronto is one of Canada’s largest research universities and provides funding opportunities through faculties, departments, graduate programmes and external awards.

The university’s funding structure varies by programme.

International graduate students should therefore investigate:

Departmental funding
Graduate fellowships
Research assistant positions
Teaching assistant positions
Faculty awards
External scholarships

Applicants should check the funding information for the exact programme before applying.

The University of Toronto is also home to the Lester B. Pearson scholarship discussed earlier, which is specifically aimed at international undergraduate students.

8. University of Alberta Graduate Funding

The University of Alberta provides scholarships, awards and other funding opportunities for graduate students.

Research-based master’s and doctoral students can potentially receive funding through:

Graduate scholarships
Research grants
Assistantships
Departmental awards
Supervisor funding

The university’s graduate funding pages provide information about scholarships and financial support.

International applicants should pay particular attention to the eligibility rules for each award because some Canadian government scholarships are restricted to Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

9. University of Waterloo Graduate Funding

The University of Waterloo is especially relevant to students interested in:

Engineering
Computer science
Mathematics
Technology
Business
Science
Research

Graduate students can investigate university scholarships, assistantships and supervisor-funded research.

For applicants interested in technology and engineering, Waterloo can be worth researching alongside universities such as UBC, Toronto, McGill and Alberta.

10. McMaster University Scholarships

McMaster University provides scholarships and funding opportunities for international students across different levels of study.

Graduate applicants should examine individual department requirements because research funding can differ significantly between programmes.

A PhD candidate in engineering, for example, may have access to funding opportunities that are not available to a student applying for a taught master’s programme.

11. University of Calgary Graduate Awards

The University of Calgary provides graduate scholarships and awards for students pursuing advanced study.

Applicants should investigate funding by faculty and programme.

Graduate research funding can sometimes include a combination of:

Scholarships
Research assistantships
Teaching assistantships
Supervisor support

The important thing is to calculate the total annual funding package, rather than looking only at the headline scholarship amount.

12. Queen’s University Graduate Scholarships

Queen’s University offers scholarships and financial support for graduate students.

International students can explore programme-specific awards as well as external funding.

Applicants should start early because graduate applications often require:

Academic transcripts
References
Statement of interest
Research proposal
CV
Proof of English proficiency
Supervisor information

The requirements depend on the programme.

13. Western University Graduate Funding

Western University provides graduate funding opportunities across multiple disciplines.

Students interested in research-based graduate programmes should investigate both university scholarships and faculty-level funding.

For PhD applicants, identifying a supervisor whose research matches the proposed project can be especially important.

14. Dalhousie University Scholarships

Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia offers graduate funding and scholarships.

The university can be particularly interesting for applicants considering research in areas such as:

Marine sciences
Engineering
Medicine
Agriculture
Computer science
Environmental studies
Social sciences

International students should verify the funding conditions attached to their particular programme.

15. University of Manitoba Graduate Scholarships

The University of Manitoba provides graduate scholarships and awards for students pursuing master’s and doctoral programmes.

Applicants should check the university’s graduate studies pages and individual department websites.

Some awards may be competitive and programme-specific, while others may be connected to research funding.

16. University of Saskatchewan Graduate Funding

The University of Saskatchewan offers graduate students access to scholarships, awards and research funding.

Students interested in agriculture, environmental science, health, engineering and other research fields may find relevant opportunities.

As with other Canadian research universities, international applicants should investigate funding at the programme and supervisor levels.

17. University of Ottawa Scholarships

The University of Ottawa provides scholarships and funding opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students.

International students should check individual programme requirements and the university’s international student funding resources.

Because Ottawa is Canada’s national capital, the university can also be attractive to students interested in:

Public policy
International relations
Law
Government
Political science
Technology
Health
Social sciences

18. Concordia University Graduate Funding

Concordia University in Montreal provides scholarships and awards for graduate students.

International students should examine the funding offered by their particular faculty and programme.

Montreal can also be an attractive destination for international students because of its large international community and comparatively diverse academic environment.

19. Simon Fraser University Graduate Funding

Simon Fraser University offers graduate funding through scholarships, awards, assistantships and research support.

Students should identify whether the programme they want is research-based or course-based.

Research-based programmes are generally more likely to offer supervisor or research funding.

20. Government of Canada International Scholarship Programmes

The Government of Canada also administers international scholarship opportunities for students and researchers from eligible countries.

The funding available varies depending on the programme.

Some government-funded opportunities are designed for short-term exchange or research rather than full degree programmes.

For example, Canadian universities publish information about Government of Canada scholarships that support international students undertaking short-term study or research.

Therefore, students should always check the study level and duration before assuming that a programme funds an entire degree.

21. Canada Graduate Research Scholarships

Canada also has national graduate research scholarship programmes.

However, this is an area where international students must be particularly careful.

Some Canadian federal research awards have citizenship or permanent-resident requirements.

For example, the Canada Graduate Research Scholarship-Master’s programme has specific eligibility requirements that applicants must check before applying.

Similarly, the Canada Graduate Research Scholarship-Doctoral programme has specific eligibility conditions. The current federal information lists the doctoral competition with a value of C$40,000 per year for three years.

International applicants should never assume that because an award is offered by a Canadian government agency, they automatically qualify.

How to Find Fully Funded Scholarships in Canada

Searching for scholarships requires more than typing “Canada fully funded scholarship” into Google.

A better approach is to divide your search into three categories.

Category 1: Government scholarships

Look for:

Government of Canada programmes
International development scholarships
Research awards
International exchange programmes

Category 2: University scholarships

Search each university’s:

International student funding page
Graduate studies page
Faculty scholarship page
Undergraduate awards page
Research funding page

Category 3: Supervisor-funded research

This is especially important for master’s and PhD applicants.

Search for professors whose research matches your interests.

Then check whether their research group has funded projects.

How to Apply for a Fully Funded Scholarship in Canada

1. Choose your degree

Decide whether you want:

Bachelor’s
Master’s
PhD
Research programme
Short-term exchange

Your degree level will determine which scholarships you can apply for.

2. Choose your field

Examples include:

Computer science
Engineering
Nursing
Medicine
Business
Economics
Education
Agriculture
Environmental science
Public health
Artificial intelligence
Data science

3. Find eligible universities

Do not apply to a scholarship without checking whether your chosen university or programme is eligible.

4. Check international student eligibility

This is critical.

Some Canadian scholarships are open to international students.

Others are reserved for:

Canadian citizens
Permanent residents
Protected persons
Specific countries

The eligibility rules can completely change your options.

5. Prepare your documents

Common documents include:

Passport
Degree certificate
Academic transcript
CV
Personal statement
Research proposal
Recommendation letters
Proof of English proficiency
Portfolio
Professional certificates

PhD applications often require much more detailed research information.

How to Write a Strong Canadian Scholarship Personal Statement

A strong scholarship statement should not simply explain that you want to study in Canada.

It should answer four important questions:

What have you achieved?

Explain your academic, professional or community achievements.

Why this programme?

Show that you understand the degree and its relevance to your goals.

Why Canada?

Explain why the particular Canadian institution or research environment is appropriate for your plans.

What will you do afterwards?

Show how the education will create an impact after graduation.

Avoid filling the statement with generic phrases such as:

“I have always dreamed of studying in Canada.”

Instead, provide evidence.

For example, if you are applying for computer science, explain the technology problem you want to solve and how your previous education or work has prepared you for it.

Can International Students Get Full Scholarships in Canada?

Yes, but competition can be extremely high.

The most realistic opportunities depend heavily on the applicant’s study level.

Undergraduate applicants

Undergraduate students should investigate major entrance awards such as the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship and other university-specific awards.

Master’s applicants

Master’s applicants should search government programmes, university scholarships, Erasmus-type international opportunities and department-specific awards.

PhD applicants

PhD students generally have more opportunities to combine scholarships with research funding, assistantships and supervisor support.

The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship is a particularly strong example for eligible doctoral students in Canada.

Can Nigerian Students Apply for Canadian Scholarships?

Yes.

Nigerian students can apply for Canadian scholarships when Nigeria is included among the eligible countries or when the scholarship is open to international students generally.

However, Nigerian applicants must satisfy the same academic and programme requirements as other eligible international applicants.

Students should also prepare for additional costs that a scholarship may not cover, including:

Visa fees
Biometrics
Passport expenses
Medical examination
Personal expenses
Travel not included in the award

A scholarship that covers tuition does not automatically mean that every immigration-related cost is covered.

Do Canadian Scholarships Require IELTS?

Not necessarily.

English-language requirements depend on the university and programme.

Some institutions may accept:

IELTS
TOEFL
PTE
Other recognised tests
Proof of previous education in English

However, a scholarship not asking for IELTS does not necessarily mean the university admission process has no English-language requirement.

Always check both.

Can I Study in Canada Without Paying Tuition?

Yes, if you receive an award that covers the full tuition cost.

However, you should not assume that every scholarship advertised as “fully funded” covers all personal expenses.

Before accepting an award, calculate:

Tuition + accommodation + food + transportation + health insurance + books + visa costs + flights + personal expenses.

Then compare this with the scholarship’s actual financial package.

What Makes a Canadian Scholarship Application Competitive?

The strongest applications normally demonstrate more than good grades.

They show:

Academic achievement
Leadership
Initiative
Research potential
Professional experience where required
Community involvement
Clear career goals
Strong references
A convincing reason for choosing the programme

For doctoral applicants, the quality and relevance of the research proposal can be particularly important.

The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation, for example, says its selection considers academic excellence, the research project’s alignment with its mission and themes, the strength of the research proposal and the applicant’s ability to share knowledge for societal benefit.

Scholarship Scams to Avoid

The popularity of Canadian scholarships has also created opportunities for scammers.

Be careful if someone promises:

Guaranteed scholarship approval
Guaranteed Canadian admission
Guaranteed study permit
A scholarship in exchange for money
A fake scholarship certificate
A guaranteed visa after payment

Never send money to someone simply because they claim to have access to a Canadian government scholarship.

Check the official university or government website.

You should also verify the email address and website domain.

A scholarship announcement published on Facebook or WhatsApp should be treated as a lead, not as final proof.

What Should You Do in September 2026?

Because it is now September 2026, students should pay particular attention to scholarships whose applications are opening for the 2027 academic year.

The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation is a good example. Its 2027 scholarship competition opened on September 1, 2026. The foundation’s current schedule gives October 2 as the deadline for the eligibility verification request and November 6 as the deadline for the complete application.

Students should also begin checking Canadian university application calendars for 2027 admission.

Do not wait until January or February to begin collecting documents.

Academic transcripts, references and language-test results can take considerable time.

Final Thoughts

Fully funded scholarships in Canada can provide an opportunity to study at some of the country’s leading universities without personally paying the full cost of an international education.

However, the most important thing is to understand exactly what each scholarship pays for.

For undergraduate students, the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship at the University of Toronto is one of the most comprehensive options because it covers tuition, books, incidental fees and full residence support for four years.

For doctoral students already enrolled at Canadian universities, the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship provides an unusually substantial package, with up to C$50,000 per year for tuition and living expenses plus up to C$20,000 per year for research, travel and networking.

Beyond these major awards, international students should investigate funding at universities such as UBC, Toronto, McGill, Alberta, Waterloo, McMaster, Calgary, Queen’s, Western, Dalhousie, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ottawa, Concordia and Simon Fraser.

For graduate students, one of the biggest mistakes is searching only for the words “fully funded scholarship.” Many Canadian students are funded through a combination of scholarships, research assistantships, teaching assistantships and supervisor grants.

The best strategy is therefore to start early, identify the degree you want, find Canadian universities offering that programme, investigate the funding available within the department and then apply to scholarships for which you genuinely qualify.

For the 2026/2027 cycle, students should also pay close attention to deadlines that are opening during late 2026. Scholarship calendars are not always aligned with the calendar year, so a scholarship advertised as a “2027 scholarship” may require applications during 2026.

Finally, always confirm the latest requirements directly with the scholarship provider or university before submitting an application. Funding amounts, deadlines, eligible countries and admission requirements can change from one academic year to another.