The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS) program was introduced by the Canadian government in 2008 with the aim of enhancing the country’s capacity to draw and retain top-tier PhD students and positioning it as a worldwide hub for research and education. Vanier Scholars are graduate students in the natural sciences, engineering, health, and/or social sciences and humanities who exhibit a high quality of intellectual performance and leadership abilities.
The Vanier Scholarships bear the name of the politician and hero, former governor general Georges Vanier. On behalf of Canada’s three granting agencies—the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)—the Vanier-Banting Secretariat, housed within CIHR, oversees the Vanier CGS program.
Benefits
Awarded at $50,000 a year for three years, the Vanier is one of Canada’s most prestigious graduate awards.
Requirements
The Vanier CGS program website contains all of the eligibility rules and criteria, which applicants must evaluate. Before applying, it is the applicant’s obligation to study all eligibility requirements, instructions, and the application process itself. Applications will be considered ineligible if they do not satisfy all of the requirements.
International students, as well as Canadian citizens and permanent residents, are allowed to apply. A substantial autonomous research component leading to the completion of a thesis, major research project, dissertation, scholarly publication, performance, recital, and/or exhibit that is merit/expert-reviewed at the institutional level as a requirement for a program’s completion qualifies joint graduate research programs with a professional degree (e.g., MD/PhD, DVM/PhD, JD/PhD, MBA/PhD) and clinically-oriented programs of study, including clinical psychology.
All previous doctoral-level studies, regardless of discipline and beginning in Canada or overseas, are taken into account when determining eligibility. Unless the institution certifies otherwise, the studies are assumed to have been continuous, full-time, and uninterrupted (including summer months, unless on official leave). Two months of part-time study will count as one month of full-time study for the Vanier-Banting Secretariat.
All Applicants Must:
be registered for a PhD program full-time by January 2026 at the latest.
be put forward by just one Canadian organisation;
be pursuing their first doctorate (including dual programs with a demonstrable and substantial research component, such as MD/PhD, DVM/PhD, JD/PhD, or MBA/PhD);
intend to pursue full-time doctoral studies and research at the nominating institution in the summer semester or the academic year that follows the results announcement; for joint graduate research programs, only the PhD portion of the program is eligible for funding. Examples of joint graduate research programs include MD/PhD, DVM/PhD, JD/PhD, and MBA/PhD.
As of May 1, 2025, have completed no more than 20 months of full-time study towards a doctorate; the doctorate program would start following the completion of a master’s degree. The doctoral enrolment date is used to compute the number of completed months of study.
possess finished no more than 32 months of full-time study in the PhD program by May 1, 2025 (i.e., combined graduate research program, straight from bachelor’s, previously enrolled without earning master’s degree, transferring, or program withdrawal);
Participating in a combined graduate research program, such as an MD/PhD, MA/PhD, MS/PhD, or DVM/PhD. Whether or whether they have taken a master’s course before, applicants in this group are eligible for the 32-month period:
The calculation of study months begins on the day the candidate formally registers for the joint graduate program. (This will be the master’s registration date for those pursuing an MA or MS in Ph.D.
enrolled straight from a bachelor’s degree into a PhD program (without first enrolling in any graduate program); the months of study done are computed starting on the date of doctoral enrolment.
previously enrolled in a master’s program, withdrew or transferred out, and then commenced a PhD program without earning a degree.
The original master’s enrolling date is used to compute the number of completed months of study.
possess, or have held, a PhD-level scholarship or fellowship from CIHR, NSERC, or SSHRC to pursue or finish a doctoral program. have earned a first-class average (GPA of at least 3.5 on the U of A grading scale) in each of the last two years of full-time study (or equivalent).
It is strongly requested that applicants identify as Indigenous (First Nation, Inuit, and/or Métis). Candidates that choose to self-identify as Indigenous may be nominated by the U of A, and their nominations won’t count against the university quota.
Method of Application
Click Here to Apply
Students apply directly for this position using ResearchNet, Vanier’s online application platform. Candidates chosen to move on to the federal competition following university adjudication will need a letter of support from their department (see Nomination Procedures for further information). Thus, in order to inform them of their intention to apply to the Vanier CGS program, interested and qualified applicants should get in touch with their suggested or admitting Department.
Examine the program details and requirements on the VANIER CGS WEBSITE as well as the 2024–25 VANIER MEMO STUDENTS & DEPARTMENTS.
Applications will be considered ineligible if they do not satisfy all of the requirements.
Before applying, it is the applicant’s responsibility to read all instructions and familiarise themselves with the application, the institutional procedure, and the requirements.
Without having access to ResearchNet, one can write and get the pertinent document attachments (CCV, lay abstract, research proposal, project references, and transcripts) needed for the online application submission process. Candidates are urged to begin their application process as soon as possible due to the short deadlines.
Fill out the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship (Vanier CGS): Voluntary Self-Identification Form and upload it with your application if you would like to self-identify as Indigenous.
Part-time students are required to describe their study schedule in the Other Application material task attachment. The transcripts need to include the information as well.
Start Vanier’s Online Application:
The application process must be completed on ResearchNet by applicants according to Vanier’s guidelines. Since GPS is the university designated representative for the Vanier CGS program, it has access to ResearchNet applications for institutional approval.
Students’ intention to apply to the University of Alberta program is shown by their submission of the application through ResearchNet.
It is the student’s obligation to make any edits or revisions, including those related to spelling, grammar, formatting, attachments, etc. GPS will not verify these. Students run the risk of having their application rejected if they do not adhere to Vanier’s application guidelines and the presentation requirements for any submitted papers. It is the student’s obligation to follow up with their referees before the institutional deadline; GPS does not follow up with candidates regarding missing reference letters.
For More Information,
Application Deadline:Â September 5, 2024
