Top 10 Free PhD Programs In Canada (2023)

Canada is a popular destination for international students looking to further their education, and there are many universities that offer free PhD programs for international students. These programs provide a unique opportunity for students to obtain a high-quality education without the burden of tuition fees.

The top 10 free PhD programs in Canada include Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship, Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship, IDRC Research Awards, Quebec Provincial Government Scholarship, Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship & Fellowship Plan, Partnership Grants by Social Science & Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), Trudeau Scholarships & Fellowships, Anne Vallee Ecological Fund, Ontario Trillium Scholarship, and Ontario Graduate Scholarship.

Top 10 Free PhD Programs In Canada

1. Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship

Tuition Fee: Free

The Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship is one of the free PhD programs in Canada that was open to both international and Canadian PhD students who are making significant contributions to Canada’s economic, social, natural sciences, and healthcare sectors through their research.

The fellowship provides around CA$ 70,000 in taxable funds for two years, and approximately 70 students are selected for the award each year. After being selected for the fellowship, students must identify a specific Canadian university or college where they plan to pursue their PhD as international students and have the scholarship endorsed.

The application deadline for this grant is typically in September, and the results are usually announced by mid-January or February.

2. Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship

Tuition Fee: Free

The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship is a government-funded scholarship awarded to international PhD students pursuing their doctoral degrees at Canadian educational institutions.

The scholarship provides approximately CA$50,000 in funds for three years, but it’s non-renewable.

The scholarship considers specific application eligibility criteria, such as not being enrolled in certain scholarships before. Therefore, students should ensure they meet all requirements before applying.

3. IDRC Research Awards

Tuition Fee: Free

The IDRC Research Awards provide research funding to international students from developing countries who have a full-time work permit (37.5 hours a week) in Canada, PhD students in Canadian universities, or students who have completed their master’s program from a recognized university within the last three years from the date of applying for the award.

The students must be actively involved in research in several development fields, such as climate-resilient food systems, inclusive and democratic governance, science and education, ethics of development research, policymaking and evaluation, global health, and sustainable and inclusive economics.

The scholarship provides an annual stipend of CA$42,000 to CA$48,000 for research in any of these fields. The application deadline is usually around February of every year.

4. Quebec Provincial Government Scholarship

Tuition Fee: Free

The Quebec Provincial Government Scholarship is available to master’s and doctoral students studying in the province of Quebec, with graduate students enrolled in a master’s program also eligible to apply.

Doctoral students can receive grants of up to CA$25,000 per year for three years, while postdoctoral applicants can get up to CA$35,000 for one year, which is non-renewable.

Short-term research and professional development scholarships are also available under the scope of this grant. Students must demonstrate an excellent academic track record to be eligible for the scholarship.

5. Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship & Fellowship Plan

Tuition Fee: Free

The Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship & Fellowship Plan is designed exclusively for international students from Commonwealth countries who apply to Masters or PhD programs at Canadian universities.

The scholarship recognizes students with exceptional intellectual abilities and awards financial aid to cover all travel and living expenses, along with compulsory tuition fees. The amount of funds provided depends on the program in which the awardee is enrolled.

6. Partnership Grants by Social Science & Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)

Tuition Fee: Free

SSHRC offers grants to PhD students pursuing research in social sciences and humanities at Canadian universities.

Recipients may support existing research or conduct new studies. The amount of funding ranges from CAD 20,000, and the duration varies from 4 to 7 years, depending on each case.

Only international students are eligible for this scholarship.

7. Trudeau Scholarships & Fellowships

Tuition Fee: Free

Trudeau Scholarships and Fellowships are available to international students pursuing doctoral studies in specific institutions.

The scholarship covers research expenses and travel costs and ranges from CA $20,000 to CA $40,000 per year, renewable for up to three years. The application deadline usually falls in the mid-fall academic session.

8. Anne Vallee Ecological Fund

Tuition Fee: Free

The Anne Vallee Ecological Fund is a unique scholarship opportunity for international students who are pursuing animal research in their master’s or doctoral degree program in the provinces of Quebec or British Columbia.

The fund offers a scholarship worth $1,500 to each selected candidate to support their research in the field of animal ecology.

The scholarship aims to encourage and support international students who are making a valuable contribution to animal research, with the ultimate goal of advancing ecological knowledge and conservation.

9. Ontario Trillium Scholarship

Tuition Fee: Free

The Ontario Trillium Scholarship is a prestigious scholarship opportunity for international PhD students who wish to study in Ontario, Canada.

This scholarship is highly competitive, with only 75 students being selected each year based on their academic merit. Each scholarship recipient is awarded $40,000 per year, which can be renewed for up to four years.

The scholarship committee selects candidates based on their academic excellence, research potential, and leadership abilities. The scholarship is intended to attract the brightest and most talented international students to study in Ontario, with the ultimate goal of enhancing the province’s reputation as a leading research destination.

10. Ontario Graduate Scholarship

Tuition Fee: Free

The Ontario Graduate Scholarship is available to international students who have valid study permits and are enrolled in a master’s or doctoral program at a public university in Ontario, Canada. The scholarship is one of the free PhD programs in Canada.

The scholarship is awarded based on academic excellence, research potential, and leadership abilities, with each recipient receiving $1,500 per year. The scholarship is renewable, with the duration varying based on the awarding committee.

The scholarship aims to support and encourage international students who are making valuable contributions to their field of study, with the ultimate goal of advancing knowledge and innovation in Ontario.

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Conclusion

Pursuing a PhD in Canada can be a life-changing experience for students.

However, the free PhD programs in Canada discussed above, offer students the opportunity to receive a high-quality education while focusing on their research, free from the burden of financial obligations.

These universities are committed to supporting students in their academic journey and contributing to the advancement of knowledge in various fields.