The most significant funding for international students pursuing research-based Master's and Doctoral degrees in Canada comes from federal programs and highly competitive, university-administered merit awards.

Here is a list of ten prominent postgraduate research scholarships:

1. Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS)

1. Short Description: Canada's premier doctoral scholarship program, designed to attract and retain world-class Ph.D. students who demonstrate leadership skills and a high standard of scholarly achievement in research.
2. Eligibility Criteria: Must be an international student (or Canadian/Permanent Resident); nominated by only one Canadian university with a Vanier CGS quota; pursuing a first doctoral degree (or combined MA/Ph.D. or MD/Ph.D.); and have completed no more than 20 months of doctoral studies as of May 1st of the funding year.
3. Timing of Scholarship: Annual application cycle; candidates cannot apply directly—they must be nominated by a Canadian institution. University internal deadlines are typically set in September/October for the national deadline in early November.
4. Types of Scholarship: Merit-based (Federal, Major Doctoral Scholarship).
5. Coverage: $50,000 per year for up to three years. This amount is a stipend and is generally sufficient to cover tuition and living expenses.
6. Obligation: Maintain full-time registration in the doctoral program and meet academic/research milestones.

2. Canada Graduate Research Scholarships – Doctoral Program (CGRS D)

1. Short Description: A major federal award supporting high-calibre doctoral students across the health (CIHR), natural sciences and engineering (NSERC), and social sciences and humanities (SSHRC) research councils. A limited percentage is reserved for international students.
2. Eligibility Criteria: Must be admitted or registered in a predominantly research-oriented doctoral program at an eligible Canadian institution. International students must generally be enrolled in their doctoral program at a Canadian institution at the time of application. Must have a high academic record.
3. Timing of Scholarship: Annual application cycle; students typically apply through their university's graduate studies office, with institutional deadlines often in September/October for the following year's funding.
4. Types of Scholarship: Merit-based (Federal, Doctoral Stipend).
5. Coverage: $40,000 per year for three years.
6. Obligation: Maintain full-time registration in the doctoral program and progress toward thesis completion.

3. Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarships

1. Short Description: A highly prestigious scholarship supporting outstanding doctoral candidates whose work addresses issues of critical importance to Canada and the world, focused on four main themes: Human Rights and Dignity, Responsible Citizenship, Canada and the World, and People and the Natural Environment.
2. Eligibility Criteria: Must be an international student (or Canadian/Permanent Resident) pursuing a Ph.D. in the social sciences and humanities, registered in the first or second year of a doctoral program at a Canadian university. Must demonstrate exceptional academic achievement and commitment to public engagement.
3. Timing of Scholarship: Annual competition; application deadline is typically in December or January.
4. Types of Scholarship: Merit-based (Major Doctoral Fellowship/Stipend).
5. Coverage: $40,000 per year (stipend) plus $20,000 per year (research and travel allowance) for three years. Also includes extensive training, mentoring, and networking opportunities.
6. Obligation: Actively participate in Foundation events and the leadership development program, in addition to academic requirements.

4. Provincial Graduate Scholarships (e.g., Ontario Graduate Scholarship - OGS)

1. Short Description: Provincial programs that provide financial support for students appearing in research Master's and Ph.D. studies. While open to taught programs, the majority of awards go to research students.
2. Eligibility Criteria: Must be admitted to an eligible full-time graduate program (Master's or Doctoral) at a participating provincial university (e.g., in Ontario, Alberta, or Quebec). Must have achieved a first-class average (A-/80% or equivalent). International students are allocated a limited number of awards.
3. Timing of Scholarship: Applications are university-specific and typically submitted to the host university in Fall/Winter (e.g., October to February).
4. Types of Scholarship: Merit-based (Provincial Stipend).
5. Coverage: $15,000 per year for Master's/Ph.D. students (paid in three sessions of $5,000 each). Often supplemented by university or departmental funds.
6. Obligation: Maintain satisfactory academic standing and remain registered full-time.

5. University of Toronto Fellowships (UTF) / Graduate Funding Package

1. Short Description: U of T ensures that nearly all research-stream students (Master's and Doctoral) receive a minimum funding commitment (a "funding package") composed of various sources, including internal fellowships and supervision stipends.
2. Eligibility Criteria: International students admitted to a full-time, research-stream Master's or Ph.D. program. Specific internal fellowships are merit-based, evaluated upon admission.
3. Timing of Scholarship: Automatic consideration upon admission. The funding package is outlined in the admission offer (typically Winter/Spring).
4. Types of Scholarship: Merit/Research Stipend (Internal University Funding).
5. Coverage: Varies by program, but the package typically meets or exceeds the cost of tuition plus a living stipend for the duration of the guaranteed funding period (e.g., 4-5 years for Ph.D. students).
6. Obligation: Satisfactory progress in research, supervisory work, and potential teaching assistant duties (if included in the package).

6. University of British Columbia (UBC) Four Year Doctoral Fellowship (4YF)

1. Short Description: A program guaranteeing funding for the top Ph.D. students at UBC for the first four years of their doctoral studies. It is intended to fully cover the cost of study and provide a generous stipend.
2. Eligibility Criteria: Must be an international student admitted to a full-time, research-based Ph.D. program, or transferring from a Master's program. Selection is based on academic excellence and research potential.
3. Timing of Scholarship: Automatic consideration upon application for admission (deadline typically December/January). Awards are granted internally in the Spring.
4. Types of Scholarship: Merit-based (Major Doctoral Fellowship).
5. Coverage: An annual stipend of at least $18,000 plus full tuition coverage (reducing the international fee to the domestic rate).
6. Obligation: Maintain satisfactory academic standing, make progress in the doctoral program, and adhere to supervisory requirements.

7. McGill University Graduate Funding (Minimum Stipend)

1. Short Description: McGill guarantees a minimum level of funding for research Master's and Ph.D. students, which often includes a combination of internal fellowships, supervisors' research grants, and Teaching/Research Assistantships.
2. Eligibility Criteria: International students admitted to an eligible full-time, research-stream Master's or Ph.D. program (e.g., M.A., M.Sc., Ph.D.). Merit-based selection during the admission process.
3. Timing of Scholarship: Automatic consideration upon application for admission. The funding package details are provided in the offer letter (typically Winter/Spring).
4. Types of Scholarship: Merit/Research Stipend (Internal University Funding).
5. Coverage: The minimum guaranteed funding level varies by department but is generally designed to cover tuition and provide a stipend, especially at the Ph.D. level.
6. Obligation: Satisfactory progress toward thesis completion and fulfilling any assigned TA/RA duties.

8. University of Alberta (U of A) Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA) & Fellowships

1. Short Description: U of A relies heavily on department-specific funding packages for research students, which often bundle a Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA)—paid from the supervisor's research grant—with competitive internal Fellowships to ensure financial support.
2. Eligibility Criteria: International students admitted to a full-time, research-based Master's or Ph.D. program. Requires a strong academic record and a supervisor willing to provide the GRA component of the funding package.
3. Timing of Scholarship: Determined by the department and supervisor during the admission/acceptance process.
4. Types of Scholarship: Research Stipend/Employment (Supervisor/Departmental Funding).
5. Coverage: Highly variable, but generally competitive. A full package for a Ph.D. student typically meets the cost of tuition plus a generous stipend.
6. Obligation: Must fulfill research duties as assigned by the supervisor.

9. International Development Research Centre (IDRC) Research Awards

1. Short Description: Awards supporting Master’s and Ph.D. students from developing countries to undertake research on development challenges in the global South, in line with IDRC's strategic priorities.
2. Eligibility Criteria: Must be a citizen of a developing country and admitted to a Master's or Ph.D. program at a recognized Canadian university. The research must align with IDRC's focus areas (e.g., climate, health, equity).
3. Timing of Scholarship: Annual competition; the application window is typically in the Fall/Winter (e.g., November to February).
4. Types of Scholarship: Research-based (Project Grant/Stipend).
5. Coverage: Up to $42,000 – $48,000 for one year. This covers research expenses, field travel, and a contribution to living expenses.
6. Obligation: Must successfully complete the proposed research, submit a final technical report and financial report, and adhere to IDRC's policies.

10. Quebec Merit Scholarship Program for Foreign Students (PBEEE)

1. Short Description: A highly competitive provincial program (administered by FRQNT, FRQS, FRQSC) offering scholarships to the best international Ph.D. and Postdoctoral researchers wishing to conduct research in Quebec institutions.
2. Eligibility Criteria: Must be an international student (non-Canadian) nominated by a Quebec university/research institution. Must have an excellent academic record and research proposal in the domains covered by the three research councils (Natural Sciences, Health, Social Sciences/Humanities).
3. Timing of Scholarship: Applications are initiated by the nominating institution, which typically sets internal deadlines in the Fall (e.g., September) for the centralized competition.
4. Types of Scholarship: Merit-based (Major Provincial Doctoral Fellowship).
5. Coverage: $25,000 per year for doctoral research (up to three years). The award also grants an exemption from the supplementary tuition fees charged to international students.
6. Obligation: Maintain satisfactory progress in the research program at the host Quebec university.