Yes, international students can win Canadian scholarships worth CAD $10,000 to $50,000 or more, but the best-known awards work very differently from what many online lists suggest. Some are automatic tuition discounts, some require a nomination from your school, and several doctoral awards are open only to students who are already enrolled in Canada. Meanwhile, one famous scheme, the Vanier scholarship, no longer exists.
This guide explains which 2027 awards are realistic, what they cover, who qualifies, and what to budget beyond the scholarship. Figures come from university and government pages where possible; where sources conflict or 2027 details are unpublished, we say so. Nothing here guarantees funding, admission or a study permit.
What Does “CAD $10,000–$50,000+” Really Mean?
Canadian awards fall into three broad tiers:
- Full or near-full packages cover tuition and often living costs. The Lester B. Pearson Scholarship is the clearest example.
- Large annual awards of roughly CAD $10,000 to $50,000 a year, mostly at graduate level or through UBC’s entrance awards.
- Smaller university discounts, often automatic, that reduce tuition but rarely change your budget on their own.
Values are typical headline figures. What you receive depends on your level of study, university and the competition year.
2027 Canada Scholarships at a Glance
| Scholarship | Level | Value | Key points | Timing to check |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lester B. Pearson (U of T) | Undergraduate | Tuition, books, incidental fees, full residence for four years | About 37 awards a year; school nomination required | Nomination 9 Oct 2026; U of T application 16 Oct 2026; scholarship form 6 Nov 2026 |
| UBC Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow | Undergraduate | Need-based, up to full cost of tuition and living | Merit plus financial need; renewable | Dec–Jan pattern; confirm 2027 dates |
| UBC International Major Entrance Scholarship | Undergraduate | CAD $10,000–$25,000 a year (2026/27 figure) | Automatic consideration; renewable | Apply to UBC by the January admission deadline |
| CGRS-D (replaces Vanier) | PhD | CAD $40,000 a year for three years | Up to 15% of awards for international students already enrolled | University deadlines, Sept–Nov 2026 |
| Trudeau Foundation Scholarship | PhD (humanities and social sciences) | Up to CAD $50,000 a year plus up to $20,000 for research and travel | Three years; international students at Canadian universities eligible | Eligibility check 2 Oct 2026; full application reported 6 Nov 2026 |
| Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) | Master’s and PhD | CAD $10,000 or $15,000 | Limited awards for international students in Ontario | Set by each university |
Undergraduate Scholarships
Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship
Pearson is the University of Toronto’s most prestigious award for international undergraduates. It covers tuition, books, incidental fees and full residence support for four years, and roughly 37 students are named each year. Applicants must need a Canadian study permit, be in their final year of secondary school in 2026/27 or have graduated no earlier than June 2026, and start at U of T in September 2027.
You cannot apply on your own: your school must nominate you. The sequence is a school nomination (9 October 2026), your U of T admission application (16 October 2026) and the Pearson application with documents (6 November 2026). If you are reading this in autumn 2026, act immediately. Details are at future.utoronto.ca/pearson-scholarships.
UBC Awards for International Undergraduates
UBC automatically considers international applicants for merit awards, including the International Major Entrance Scholarship (IMES). For 2026/27 it was valued at CAD $10,000 to $25,000 a year, renewable for up to three more years, though UBC updates amounts annually. The IMES is for the Vancouver campus and needs no separate form; you simply apply for admission by UBC’s deadline, which was 15 January for 2026 entry.
Students with significant financial need can be nominated for the Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award. Its value is calculated as the cost of tuition, fees and living expenses minus what your family can contribute, so it can reach the full cost of your program. Selection weighs academics, leadership and community involvement. One guide listed early-to-mid December deadlines for 2026 entry, so treat that as a warning to apply early and confirm the 2027 dates on UBC’s website.
Graduate and Doctoral Scholarships
Canada Graduate Research Scholarship, Doctoral (CGRS-D)
Many older articles still promote the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship (CAD $50,000 a year). Its final competition was in fall 2024, and it has been folded into the CGRS-D, funded by CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC. The CGRS-D is worth CAD $40,000 a year for three years.
International students can apply, but with a major condition: you must already be registered in a Canadian doctoral program when you apply, and up to 15% of awards may go to international applicants. Incoming students who have not yet enrolled are generally ineligible. You apply through your university, whose internal deadline falls in the autumn, so speak to your graduate office as soon as you arrive.
Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarship
The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation supports PhD students in the humanities and social sciences whose research relates to Canada’s future. The 2027 award is reported at up to CAD $50,000 a year for tuition and living costs, plus up to CAD $20,000 a year for research, networking and travel, for three years. International students studying at a Canadian university are eligible, while international students abroad are not.
The 2027 process has a preliminary eligibility check due 2 October 2026, then a full application, which one source lists as 6 November 2026. Other sites quote different November dates, so confirm on trudeaufoundation.ca.
Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS)
OGS awards master’s and doctoral students CAD $10,000 (two terms) or CAD $15,000 (three terms). Internationals holding an Ontario study permit at the time of application can compete for a limited number of allotted awards, and some universities exclude prospective students who have not yet enrolled. Deadlines are set by each institution; one Ontario university closed its 2026/27 round in February 2026. Some provinces and universities also run international-only doctoral awards, so ask your department.
What to Budget Beyond the Scholarship
A scholarship rarely covers everything, and your study permit application has its own financial test. For applications submitted on or after 1 September 2026, a single applicant outside Quebec must show CAD $23,448 for living expenses (up from $22,895), plus first-year tuition and travel costs, according to IRCC-based guidance. Quebec uses different figures. Family members raise the requirement.
International tuition commonly ranges from about CAD $20,000 to $45,000 a year depending on the institution and program. A scholarship confirmation letter may help evidence funds, but only if it clearly states the amount and conditions. A Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from a participating bank is one accepted form of proof. Confirm current figures on canada.ca before applying.
Eligibility: What Most Awards Check
Requirements differ, but expect these common tests:
- Status. Many awards need you to hold, or be eligible for, a Canadian study permit.
- Academic strength. Strong grades are usually the entry ticket, not a guarantee.
- Leadership and community impact. Especially important for Pearson, UBC and Trudeau.
- Enrolment stage. Doctoral awards often require you to be registered or in year one or two.
- Admission. Most awards require an offer or an application to that specific university.
How to Apply: A Practical Plan
- Work backwards from deadlines. Autumn 2026 dates are the most urgent: Pearson, Trudeau’s eligibility check and internal CGRS-D deadlines.
- Check whether the award is automatic. UBC IMES is; Pearson and Trudeau are not.
- Secure nomination or references early. Schools and referees need weeks.
- Match your program to the funder. Trudeau is humanities and social sciences only; CGRS-D covers health, sciences and social sciences.
- Tailor essays. Use specific evidence of leadership rather than generic statements.
- Prepare a backup. Even strong applicants often miss out, so plan the finances for a scenario without an award.
Study Permit and Work Rules to Know
Canada caps study permits, and the 2026 national target is 408,000. Since 1 January 2026, master’s and doctoral students at public designated learning institutions do not need a provincial attestation letter (PAL). Undergraduates generally still do, unless an exemption applies, such as a Global Affairs Canada scholarship. The 2027 cap had not been finalized when we checked, so verify it when you apply.
After graduating, the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) generally requires a program of at least eight months, a language result of CLB 7 for degree graduates, and an application within 180 days of completing your program. Master’s graduates get a three-year PGWP. Spouses’ open work permits are now mainly limited to master’s students in programs of 16 months or more and doctoral students. Rules change often, so check IRCC.
Compliance and Scam Warnings
Keep full-time enrolment, since dropping to part-time can jeopardize both a scholarship and PGWP eligibility. Renew your study permit before it expires. Never pay anyone to “guarantee” a scholarship; genuine awards from universities and foundations do not sell placements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can international students get a full scholarship in Canada?
Yes, but rarely. Pearson is the standout for undergraduates; UBC’s need-based award can also approach full cost. At graduate level, packages are more often stipends than full coverage.
Is the Vanier scholarship still available?
No. The 2024 competition was the last. Its replacement is the CGRS-D, at CAD $40,000 a year.
Can I apply for the CGRS-D before I arrive in Canada?
Generally not. International applicants must be enrolled in a Canadian doctoral program when they apply, so it is a mid-program opportunity.
When should I apply for a 2027 award?
Now. Pearson and Trudeau deadlines fall in October–November 2026, while UBC and many university awards follow between December and spring 2027.
Do I need a separate scholarship application?
It depends. UBC’s merit awards are automatic, while Pearson, Trudeau and CGRS-D require specific applications and often a nomination.
Does a scholarship guarantee a study permit?
No. You still need admission, proof of funds and a successful IRCC application.
Conclusion
The strongest 2027 Canadian scholarship strategy is to match your level of study to the right award, start with the autumn 2026 deadlines, and budget for the study permit financial test regardless of the outcome. Confirm every figure and date on the official scholarship and IRCC pages before you apply.
Sources
- Lester B. Pearson Scholarship, University of Toronto: https://future.utoronto.ca/pearson-scholarships
- UBC international scholarships: https://you.ubc.ca
- Tri-agency graduate scholarship programs (NSERC): https://nserc-crsng.canada.ca/en/news/launch-new-harmonized-tri-agency-scholarship-and-fellowship-programs
- Trudeau Foundation: https://www.trudeaufoundation.ca
- Ontario Graduate Scholarship (example university page): https://gradstudents.carleton.ca/ogs/
- IRCC 2026 study permit allocations: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/notices/2026-provincial-territorial-allocations-under-international-student-cap.html
- IRCC proof of financial support: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/get-documents/financial-support.html
- IRCC post-graduation work permit: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/work/after-graduation.html
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