The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS), established by the Government of Canada, is one of Canada’s most prestigious doctoral awards, aimed at attracting and retaining top-tier doctoral students. This scholarship is designed to support students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership skills, and a high level of scholarly achievement. The program, named after former Governor General Georges Vanier, is open to both domestic and international students across a range of disciplines, including social sciences, humanities, natural sciences, engineering, and health.
Scholarship Overview
The Vanier CGS program provides:
- Award Amount: $50,000 per year for three years, making it one of the most substantial graduate scholarships in Canada.
- Duration: Three years, non-renewable.
- Fields of Study: Open to doctoral students in social sciences, humanities, natural sciences, engineering, and health.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the University of Alberta’s Vanier CGS, applicants must meet stringent criteria related to academic achievement, research potential, and program enrollment. The key eligibility criteria include:
- Program Enrollment:
- Applicants must be enrolled full-time in a doctoral program (or a combined graduate research program such as MD/PhD, JD/PhD, or MBA/PhD) by January 2026.
- Must be nominated by only one Canadian institution, which must be the institution at which they intend to pursue their doctoral studies.
- Academic Standing:
- Must have achieved a first-class average (equivalent to a minimum GPA of 3.5 on the University of Alberta grading scale) in each of the last two years of full-time study.
- Program Limitations:
- Applicants must be pursuing their first doctoral degree. For joint programs (e.g., MD/PhD, DVM/PhD), only the PhD component is eligible for funding.
- Clinically-oriented programs (e.g., clinical psychology) are eligible if they include a substantial research component that leads to a thesis or publication.
- Study Timeline:
- Maximum of 20 months of full-time doctoral study completed by May 1, 2025, if admitted to the doctoral program after completing a master’s degree.
- Maximum of 32 months of full-time doctoral study completed by May 1, 2025, if:
- Enrolled in a joint graduate program.
- Enrolled directly from a bachelor’s degree.
- Previously enrolled in a master’s program without completing it, then transferred to a doctoral program.
- Citizenship:
- Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and international students are all eligible to apply.
- Restrictions on Other Scholarships:
- Applicants must not hold, or have previously held, a doctoral-level scholarship or fellowship from CIHR, NSERC, or SSHRC to undertake or complete a doctoral program.
Special Considerations
- Indigenous Applicants: Self-identified Indigenous applicants are encouraged to apply. These applicants may be nominated without counting toward the University of Alberta’s institutional quota.
- Part-Time Studies: Students who have part-time studies must clarify this in their application. The Vanier program considers two months of part-time study equivalent to one month of full-time study.
Application Process
Applying for the Vanier CGS is a multi-step process that requires thorough preparation. Applicants must submit their applications through the ResearchNet portal, following Vanier’s detailed application instructions. Here’s a summary of the application process:
- Review Requirements: Carefully review all eligibility requirements and application instructions on the Vanier CGS program website.
- ResearchNet Application: Complete an online application via ResearchNet.
- Attach necessary documents, such as the Canadian Common CV (CCV), lay abstract, research proposal, project references, and transcripts.
- Indigenous applicants who wish to self-identify must complete and upload the Voluntary Self-Identification Form.
- Institutional Review: The University of Alberta’s Graduate Program Services (GPS) reviews submitted applications for institutional endorsement.
- Nominated Candidates: After internal review, the university selects candidates to forward to the national Vanier competition.
- Support Letters: Candidates selected for nomination will require a support letter from their department.
- Edits and Corrections: It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that their application is free of errors. GPS does not provide support for grammar, formatting, or missing documents.
- Follow-Up: Students should confirm that their referees have submitted letters of recommendation by the deadline. GPS does not follow up on missing references.
Required Documents
To complete the application, applicants must prepare the following:
- Canadian Common CV (CCV): A comprehensive academic resume submitted through ResearchNet.
- Lay Abstract: A brief overview of the research written in lay language.
- Research Proposal: Detailed explanation of the proposed research project, objectives, and methodology.
- Project References: Supporting references or literature relevant to the project.
- Transcripts: Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended.
Application Deadline: September 5, 2024
Benefits of the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship
The Vanier CGS is a highly prestigious award that offers extensive benefits beyond financial support, including:
- Financial Security: With $50,000 per year, the scholarship provides substantial financial support, allowing recipients to focus fully on their studies and research.
- Academic Recognition: The Vanier CGS is recognized globally, adding significant value to a scholar’s academic profile.
- Leadership Development: Scholars are chosen for their leadership potential, providing a network of future leaders in academia, industry, and public service.
- Networking Opportunities: Vanier Scholars gain access to exclusive research and academic communities, creating opportunities for collaboration and knowledge exchange across disciplines.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who is eligible for the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship?
The scholarship is open to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and international students pursuing their first doctoral degree (or a joint program with a significant research component).
2. How much is the Vanier CGS worth?
The Vanier CGS is valued at $50,000 per year, renewable for up to three years.
3. Can applicants with part-time studies apply?
Yes, applicants with part-time study histories may apply. Two months of part-time study are considered equivalent to one month of full-time study, and this must be documented in the application.
4. Can applicants apply to multiple Canadian institutions?
No, applicants must be nominated by only one Canadian institution, where they intend to pursue their doctoral studies.
5. Are joint programs eligible?
Yes, joint programs such as MD/PhD, DVM/PhD, and JD/PhD are eligible, but only the PhD component is funded.
6. How should Indigenous applicants self-identify?
Indigenous applicants may self-identify by completing the Voluntary Self-Identification Form and uploading it within their application.
For additional information and to apply, visit the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships official website.