Comprehensive Guide to International Scholarships for Non-Canadian Students

 

Study in Canada Scholarships

Learn more about the international scholarships that are available to students who are not from Canada by reading this detailed guide. Examine fully funded possibilities, eligibility conditions, application advice, and the best study abroad scholarship programs. This guide offers helpful advice to help you obtain financial aid and fulfil your academic goals, regardless of whether you're studying undergraduate, graduate, or postgraduate degrees.

 

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

Call for applications for the 2025-2026 academic year is now open. Canadian institutions must apply on behalf of eligible candidates by March 18, 2025, 11:59 p.m. EDT.

Canadian post-secondary institutions have the chance to host students from a variety of nations and territories for brief study or research exchanges through the Study in Canada Scholarships (SICS). SICS, which receives funding from Global Affairs Canada's Academic Relations program, seeks to expand and fortify Canada's global ties and alliances.

With a broad range of partners, the program will forge new ties that will broaden and improve Canada's educational partnerships. Additionally, it will strengthen Canada-participating nations and territories' bilateral ties as well as their cultural and interpersonal links.

Promoting the initiative to their academics, staff, and eligible partner universities is urged for Canadian institutions that are interested in taking part. 

Institutions abroad interested in sending their students to Canada are encouraged to explore exchange agreements with Canadian institutions. Students wishing to pursue short-term studies or research in Canada should review the eligibility criteria and contact their institution’s international office for application details. Canadian institutions are responsible for submitting applications on behalf of eligible candidates.

Eligibility

To be eligible, candidates must be:

Citizens of a country/territory listed below:

• Asia: Bangladesh, Nepal, Taiwan;
• Europe: Türkiye, Ukraine;
• Middle East and North Africa: Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia;
• Sub-Saharan Africa: Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda.

paid tuition to the post-secondary institution at the time of application and for the duration of the scholarship program; enrolled full-time at a post-secondary institution in an eligible nation or territory.

Applicants cannot receive this award if they: are already enrolled in a degree, diploma, or certificate program at a Canadian post-secondary school; hold or have ongoing applications for Canadian citizenship or permanent residency; or are already taking part in a government of Canada scholarship program.

In order to host students, Canadian post-secondary schools must: Be a Designated Learning Institution (DLI); Have a current student exchange agreement with the student's home institution that exempts scholarship recipients from tuition costs (only applicable to college or undergraduate studies).

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Award component: College/undergraduate (4 months)

Value: $10,200

Duration: Four months or one academic term

Activities: Study or research at the college or undergraduate level. A valid student exchange agreement that waives tuition fees is required.

Award component: Graduate (4 months)

Value: $10,200

Duration: Four months or one academic term

Activities: Study or research at the graduate level (Masters and PhD). A student exchange agreement is not required.

Award component: Graduate (5-6 months)

Value: $12,700

Duration: Five to six months

Activities: Study or research at the graduate level (Masters and PhD). A student exchange agreement is not required.

Eligible expenses 

Selected candidates may use scholarship funds towards:

✔ Visa or study/work permit fees

✔ Airfare via the most direct and economical route

✔ Health insurance

✔ Living expenses, such as accommodation, utilities and food

✔ ground transportation, including a public transportation pass

✔ Books and supplies required for their study or research, excluding computers and other equipment

Canadian institutions are eligible to receive:

✔ $500 per scholarship recipient to aid with administrative costs once the student arrives in Canada

✔ Reimbursement of additional employer compliance fees paid to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada in some cases

How financing operates

Through its legal name, the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD), Global Affairs Canada will provide funding to Canadian institutions in the form of a non-negotiable contribution agreement. These institutions will then be in charge of distributing the monies to the chosen candidates. The money, including the administrative fee, must be returned to DFATD by Canadian universities if a candidate chooses not to accept the scholarship.

Application process

Canadian post-secondary institutions apply on behalf of eligible candidates before the deadline.

Application instructions for Canadian institutions

1. Assign a program coordinator to complete applications.
2. Select “Login or Register” to create a My EduCanada account for your institution. Ensure to select Institution for your account type.
3. Once you have logged into your account, select the Study in Canada Scholarships Program and click Apply.
4. Enter data in the required fields and follow the instructions on the application form.
5. Click Validate and save as you progress through the application form.
6. Upload all required supporting documents. Each document must be smaller than 5 MB and in .jpg, .gif, .png, .pdf, .doc, .docx, .txt or .xlsx format.
7. Review all components of your application for accuracy and completeness.
8. Read and accept the conditions of the “Declaration and permission” statement. Click Submit. You will receive a confirmation message and a reference number for submitted applications.
9. Print or download the form for your records using the “Print | Download” function.

Supporting documents

Institutions must ensure documents are complete and accurate as per the instructions. Revised documents will not be accepted after the deadline. Documents in a language other than English or French must be accompanied by a translation.

Proof of citizenship

• a copy of the candidate's passport or national identity card with a photo and valid dates
• students from Taiwan must also provide a proof of household registration in Taiwan
• documents not accepted as proof of citizenship are: driver’s license, permanent residence card, work permit, student card, health card, birth certificate or baptismal certificate
• proof of citizenship selected must be from the same country/territory as the citizenship selected in the online application form

Proof of full-time enrolment from the home institution

• must be presented on official letterhead, dated within the last 6 months, and must confirm the candidate’s full-time enrolment
• copies of transcripts, a student card or a letter of admission are not acceptable

Letter of intent from the candidate (maximum one page)

• explains the nature of studies or research to be undertaken
• provides rationale for study in Canada and for the choice of institution, program and supervisor and how the proposed program of study or research will relate to their future career

Letter of support from the home institution (maximum one page)

• must be presented on official letterhead, dated within the last 6 months, and must come from the candidate's instructor, professor or international director
• explains the nature of study or research to be undertaken in Canada and how the candidate and the home institution will benefit from this scholarship program

Letter of invitation from the Canadian supervisor (graduate students only, maximum one page)

• must be presented on official letterhead, dated within the last 6 months, and signed by the Canadian supervisor
• describes the nature and scope of the research collaboration with the student’s home institution
• confirms their willingness to support and mentor the candidate during the exchange period
• explains how the Canadian institution, supervisor and peers will benefit from the exchange

Signed Privacy Notice Statement

• a copy of the Privacy Notice Statement for non-Canadian participants  signed by the candidate and dated within the last 6 months

A signed copy of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or Agreement with the partner institution 

• indicates that tuition fees will not be charged and highlights this specific clause 
• college and undergraduate research applications with no existing agreement can include a letter from the international office or equivalent on an official letterhead that links the application to a specific international research collaboration, names the Canadian supervisor and confirms that tuition will not be charged. The letter must be dated within the last six months and be a maximum of one page 
• expired agreements will not be accepted – if the agreement is in the process of renewal, institutions must include a letter to this effect with a copy of the expired MOU 
• for graduate applications, an agreement is recommended but not required

A ranking of applications

based on the institution’s strategic priorities must be sent to Scholarships-Info-Bourses@international.gc.ca

Scholarship selection criteria

Applications are evaluated based on:

1. The merit of the research or study to be undertaken in Canada;
2. Benefit to the home institution and peers;
3. The benefit to the Canadian institution, supervisor and peers;
4. Strength of the linkages to be created through the proposed exchange;
5. Rankings submitted by the Canadian institution;

Priority will be given to candidates who have not previously received a scholarship under the Study in Canada Scholarships.

Application deadline

The deadline for Canadian institutions to submit online applications on behalf of candidates is 11:59 p.m. EDT, March 18, 2025.

Canadian institutions should establish an earlier deadline with candidates and their home institutions to ensure the timely receipt of supporting documents.

Notification of results

The scholarship administrator will communicate successful results to Canadian institutions in the spring. The administrator will not provide feedback for unsuccessful applications.

Canadian institutions are responsible for notifying candidates of successful results.

Candidates should contact their home institution or the Canadian institution regarding the status of their application.

Arrival in Canada

Selected candidates may arrive as early as August 1, 2025, for the fall semester and no later than February 1, 2026, for the winter/spring semester. Failure to arrive during this time may result in the cancellation of the scholarship.

Selected candidates should submit their visa or study/work permit application as early as possible to avoid delays.

Scholarship conditions

Selected candidates agree to:

• study or do research full-time as specified by the Canadian university;
• Avoid clinical research or clinical training that involves direct patient care;
• concentrate mostly on full-time coursework or research while they are in Canada;
• After the scholarship period, they must return to their home institutions to finish their studies; if they don't, the scholarship may be cancelled.

Additional information

• Only applications submitted directly by Canadian institutions will be considered.
• Scholarships cannot be deferred and are not renewable
• Scholarships are subject to availability of funding from the Government of Canada
• Scholarships are not taxable for either the Canadian institution or the scholarship recipient

Contact us

Questions?

Contact the scholarship administrator at Scholarships-Info-Bourses@international.gc.ca or 613-237-4820.