Course(s) Offered: Social sciences, Humanities, Natural sciences, Engineering, Health
Course Level: Graduate (phd, combined masters/phd)
Provider: Canadian Government
Country to Study in: Canada
Scholarship Description
The Vanier CGS program aims to attract and retain world-class doctoral students by supporting students who demonstrate both leadership skills and a high standard of scholarly achievement in graduate studies in the social sciences, humanities, natural sciences, engineering, and health.
The program aims to establish Canada as a global centre of excellence in research and higher learning. Both Canadian and international students are eligible to be nominated for a Vanier CGS.
In an effort to support students in broadening their research horizons and seeking new challenges, the Vanier CGS program strongly encourages candidates to pursue their studies beyond the university that granted their undergraduate and graduate degrees.
Eligibility
To be considered for a Vanier CGS, you must:
- be nominated by only one Canadian university, which must have received a Vanier CGS allocation;
- be seeking financial support to pursue your first doctoral degree (or combined MA/PhD or MD/PhD). Note that only the PhD portion of a combined degree is eligible for funding;
- intend to pursue, in the summer semester or the academic year following the announcement of results, full-time doctoral (or combined MA/PhD or MD/PhD) studies and research at the nominating university; Note that only the PhD portion of a combined degree is eligible for funding;
- have completed no more than 20 months of doctoral studies as of May 1, 2014 (see Calculating Months of Doctoral Studies on the official website);
- have achieved a first-class average, as determined by your university, in each of the last two years of full-time study or equivalent. Applicants are encouraged to contact the university for its definition of a first-class average; and
- not have already received a doctoral-level scholarship or fellowship from CIHR, NSERC or SSHRC to undertake or complete a doctoral degree.
Nominees will be evaluated and selected based on the following three criteria, which will be weighted equally by the selection committees:
- Academic excellence, as demonstrated by past academic results and by transcripts, awards and distinctions.
- Research potential, as demonstrated by the candidate’s research history, his/her interest in discovery, the proposed research and its potential contribution to the advancement of knowledge in the field, the potential benefit to Canadians, and any anticipated outcomes.
- Leadership (potential and demonstrated ability) as defined by the following qualities:
- Personal achievement
- Involvement in academic life
- Volunteerism/community outreach
Citizens of any country of the world, including Canada (i.e. Canadian citizens, permanent residents of Canada and foreign students)
Participating Institutions
All approved Canadian universities (i.e those with Vanier CGS allocation).
Without exception, Vanier CGS awards are tenable only at the eligible Canadian university that submitted the nomination.
Fields of study
Advanced graduate studies and research in the fields of the social sciences, humanities, natural sciences, engineering, and health.
Number of awards
Not specified, however, up to 167 scholarships are awarded annually; while a total of up to 500 scholarships are active at any time.
Sponsorship duration
For three (3) years
Scholarship benefits
The total worth and value of the award is $50,000 every year
Method of Application
In all cases, candidates must be nominated by the university at which they want to study. Candidates cannot apply directly to the Vanier CGS program.
Applications are initiated in one of two ways. Either:
- the candidate informs the faculty of graduate studies at the selected university of their intent to apply to the Vanier CGS competition; Or
- the university initiates the nomination process by contacting the candidate.
For detailed information on eligibility, selection criteria and the complete application selection process, do visit the official website via the link provided below.
DEADLINES:
Each Canadian university has an internal deadline date for students to submit their applications. Universities must then forward their selected nominations to the Vanier CGS program by 5 November 2014 (8:00 p.m. Eastern Time).
PLEASE NOTE:
The prestigious Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS) program is available to both Canadian and international PhD students studying at Canadian universities. It represents an excellent international study opportunity. If you are an international student interested in being considered for a Vanier scholarship, please take the time to review this information.
Once notified of their results, Vanier scholars who have already begun a doctoral program must take up their award the following May, if they:
- are studying at the Canadian nominating university; or
- are studying at a Canadian university and will be transferring to a doctoral program at the Canadian nominating university.
Award recipients can take up their award in May, September or January following notification of their results, if they:
- have not yet started a doctoral program of study; or
- will be transferring from a doctoral program at an international university to a doctoral program at the Canadian nominating university.
For more information regarding applying to the Vanier CGS program, please contact: vanier@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
Application Deadline: 5 November 2014
Open to International Applicants: Yes
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