Fully Funded Scholarships in Canada for International Students 2026/2027

All amounts are in Canadian dollars. Each row includes international eligibility, but additional academic and program conditions apply. The UBC need-based and fixed-value doctoral entries are included to help compare funding; they should not be treated as identical promises to pay every expense.

Comprehensive scholarships beyond the original list

McGill’s Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program covers full international tuition and the costs associated with attending McGill, including housing, a monthly stipend, academic resources and pre-arrival support. It is limited to eligible master’s programs and citizens who also reside in an African country, with priority criteria and an age limit. The Fall 2027 cohort is already closed; McGill says to check again in spring 2027 for the next recruitment cycle.

Ontario Trillium provides $40,000 per year and can renew for up to four years, but candidates are selected through Ontario universities rather than a single public application portal. Québec’s PBEEE combines a doctoral stipend with an international tuition differential exemption and provincial health coverage. Its 2026/2027 competition is closed, and applicants need institutional preselection.

• McGill Mastercard coverage
• McGill Mastercard eligibility and status
• Ontario Trillium Scholarship
• Québec PBEEE competition rules

A major 2027 doctoral competition that is currently open

The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation’s 2027 scholarship offers a stipend of up to $50,000 plus a research, travel and networking allowance of up to $20,000 per year for three years. International applicants must already be enrolled at a Canadian university and be in the first or second year of an eligible PhD. The eligibility screening deadline is October 2, references are due October 30 and the complete application is due November 6, 2026.

• Trudeau Foundation 2027 application dates
• Trudeau Foundation value and international eligibility

High-value awards are not always fully funded

UBC IMES and Waterloo’s Faculty of Science awards can reduce undergraduate costs substantially, but neither promises to cover every expense. UBC publishes an IMES value of $10,000 to $25,000 per year for 2026/2027. Waterloo publishes ten renewable $80,000 Science awards and five $25,000 awards; its page still shows the closed February 13, 2026 deadline, so 2027 applicants should wait for a confirmed new date.

• UBC IMES requirements and value
• Waterloo Science international scholarships

Undergraduate scholarships: Pearson and UBC

Pearson is aimed at international applicants entering their first undergraduate degree from secondary school. UBC International Scholars assesses financial need as well as achievement and leadership. These are selective awards, so maintain an affordable alternative plan while applying. Check whether the financial assessment considers family resources and whether renewal conditions apply each year.

• Pearson application instructions
• UBC International Scholars requirements
• UBC’s November 15 deadline

Master’s scholarships: McCall MacBain

McCall MacBain funds eligible McGill master’s and second-entry professional programs. Its living stipend applies during academic terms, so budget separately for the full calendar year and examine available summer support. The scholarship application and McGill program admission are separate processes. Check degree eligibility and your applicant group before relying on the September deadline.

• McCall MacBain funding coverage
• McCall MacBain eligibility and applicant-group deadlines

PhD scholarships and university funding packages

UBC’s Four Year Doctoral Fellowship increased its stipend to $24,000 plus tuition from September 2026. Separately, UBC Vancouver’s minimum funding policy provides eligible full-time PhD students with a $40,000 annual package in their first four years from September 2026. These figures should not simply be added together: a university package can incorporate scholarships, assistantships and other funding.

The University of Alberta’s 2026/2027 graduate viewbook similarly describes minimum guaranteed PhD funding of $100,000 over four years, with at least $25,000 in the first year. This is a funding package rather than one standalone scholarship and can combine multiple sources. Use the formal offer to compare the guaranteed amount, tuition treatment and work obligations.

Ask for an offer that separates guaranteed funding from competitive awards and paid work. Confirm whether tuition is paid from the package or on top of it, whether summer months are covered, and what happens if an external scholarship replaces internal support. Estimate take-home resources after required fees before comparing offers from different universities.

• UBC Four Year Doctoral Fellowship
• UBC Vancouver minimum PhD funding policy
• University of Alberta 2026/2027 graduate funding guide

Government scholarships: check nationality and enrolment rules

CGRS Doctoral can include international applicants who are already registered in an eligible Canadian doctoral program by the relevant deadline, subject to its international allocation and other criteria. It is not a general entry scholarship for every overseas applicant. CGRS Master’s is restricted to Canadian citizens, permanent residents and protected persons. Banting no longer accepts applications; do not copy it into a list of open 2026 competitions.

• CGRS Doctoral eligibility and application route
• CGRS Master’s citizenship criteria
• Banting program closure notice

What “fully funded” should mean in your budget

Compare tuition, mandatory fees, health coverage, rent, food, transport, books, travel and any dependent costs with the funding letter. A living stipend is a fixed amount, so it may not match your household’s spending. Ask about inflation, annual increases, renewal standards and maximum duration. Keep a separate emergency reserve rather than assuming an award covers unexpected expenses.

How to prepare a stronger application

Choose awards for which you meet the stated eligibility, then provide evidence matched to their criteria. Give referees your draft goals, relevant achievements and the correct deadlines. Explain leadership or community work with specific actions and outcomes. Reuse factual background carefully, but adapt the statement to each award and verify that all portals show a completed submission.

Check each award’s policy on generative AI before drafting. The University of Toronto explicitly prohibits using generative AI to compose undergraduate award applications, including Pearson, and warns that doing so may lead to disqualification.

Frequently asked questions

Can international students get full funding? Yes, through specific competitive awards and some graduate packages. Does receiving an offer guarantee scholarship funding? Only if funding is explicitly confirmed in the offer or award letter. Can I combine awards? Check both administrators’ stacking rules before adding the amounts to your budget.

• Track scholarship deadlines
• Compare universities and tuition
• Plan living costs as a student

Find scholarships matched to your profile

Use the GuideCAN Scholarship Finder to build a personalized shortlist based on your education, immigration status, province and background. Treat the results as a discovery tool, then confirm eligibility, value and deadlines on the official provider page before applying.

• Open the GuideCAN Scholarship Finder