vanier canada phd scholarship

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Application/nomination instructions

Those wishing to apply for a Vanier CGS should verify that the institution to which they are applying for doctoral studies has a Vanier CGS quota .

Candidates must be nominated by the institution at which they want to study. Candidates cannot apply directly to the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS) program . Vanier CGS application packages submitted through ResearchNet will first be submitted to the Canadian institution that will be putting forward their nomination.

Candidates should verify institutional internal deadlines with the administrator at the nominating institution .

Candidates should read the Selection Committee Guide prior to commencing their application. This guide lists the three evaluation criteria and has useful information on how the criteria are evaluated. Vanier CGS selection committees are multidisciplinary, and applications should therefore be written with a non-specialist research audience in mind.

You must also review the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion page before beginning the preparation of an application.

Information provided in your application package must be self-contained . Links to external websites or documents hosted on a drive should not be included in the application.

To be considered eligible for funding, candidates must attain an average score of at least 3.1 in each of the three criteria .

DORA: The agencies have signed the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), a global initiative whose purpose is to support the development and promotion of best practices in the assessment of scholarly research. As signatories of DORA, the three federal granting councils recognize that research contributions are not limited to published journal articles but can include a broader range of contributions.

Accommodations and accessibility

If you need help completing online application forms because of a disability, contact your institution (scholarship liaison officer, research grant office or other applicant support office) as early as possible in the application process to investigate available supports. If your institution cannot help, or needs the Secretariat to collaborate on a solution, contact [email protected] . You can also contact VBS if you have questions or are seeking specific adaptation arrangements. You do not need to share your medical or sensitive personal information and, to protect your privacy, should avoid doing so.

Frequently requested accommodations include, but are not limited to:

• one-on-one phone or video appointment to clarify funding program information or the application process, or to receive technical support;
• alternative formats of online materials to enable access using assistive technology; and
• submission of the application (in full or part) through alternate means or format (e.g., hard copy, voice recording, or data entry by CIHR staff on the applicant’s behalf).

Competition process

• the student informs the faculty of graduate studies at the selected institution of their intent to apply to the Vanier CGS program; or
• the institution initiates the nomination process by contacting the desired candidate.
• Applications are prepared by the student and submitted to the nominating institution by their internal deadline (set in ResearchNet by the nominating institution) using the ResearchNet application system.
• The nominating institution performs the internal candidate selection process. The institution is responsible for notifying candidates if their application is not selected for nomination to the Secretariat. The timing for this notification may vary by institution.
• The nominating institution forwards recommended nominations to the Vanier-Banting Secretariat by October 30, 2024 (20:00 Eastern Time) .
• The Secretariat coordinates the review process.
• The Secretariat presents the recommendations to the Tri-agency Programs (TAP) Steering Committee.
• The TAP Steering Committee endorses and approves final decisions for the Vanier CGS program.
• Nominated candidates are notified of the competition results in April 2025 .

IMPORTANT NOTE: Applications submitted in French are allowed an additional half a page for the Personal Leadership Statement and the Research Proposal. This provision will ensure an equitable amount of space for Personal Leadership Statement and the Research Proposal written in either official language, as evidence demonstrates that documents written in French require approximately 20% more space than similar documents in English.

Any pages over the allotted page limit for the Personal Leadership Statement and the Research Proposal (maximum of 2 pages for English applications and maximum of 2.5 pages for French applications) will be removed with no further notification to the Applicant.

Individual application documents can be submitted in either English or French. If another language is required to express a particular idea (e.g., specialized concept), be sure to provide an explanation in French or English.

A complete Vanier CGS application package includes:

• ResearchNet application form (includes two letters of reference, each with three sections)
• CCV (limited entries; please see Completing the Common CV (CCV) for complete information)
• research contributions (maximum one page)
• personal leadership statement (maximum 2 pages for English applications; maximum of 2.5 pages for French applications)
• special circumstances (maximum 1.0 page, optional)
• two leadership letters of reference (maximum 2 pages)
• research proposal (maximum 2 pages for English applications; maximum of 2.5 pages for French applications)
• project references (maximum 5 pages)
• transcripts

General application process

• Applications must be prepared, finalized and submitted by applicants using ResearchNet.
• Any information that is not required or exceeds the page/character limits will be removed from the application prior to the review without notification.
• Applicants must preview all components of their application to ensure its completeness.
• Applicants who wish to self-identify as an Indigenous (First Nations, Inuk (Inuit) and/or Métis) applicant to their Canadian institution may do so by completing the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships ( Vanier CGS) : Voluntary Self-Identification Form for Indigenous Applicants [ PDF (409 KB) ] and uploading it to their application. Please note that selection committee members will not be made aware of which applicants have self-identified as Indigenous (First Nations, Inuk (Inuit) and/or Métis).
• The Vanier-Banting Secretariat cannot legally accept an application until the "Consent and Submit" task is completed on ResearchNet.
• Format of documents: Refer to " Presentation standards for documents " for the required format. All attachments to your application must be prepared according to the standards provided. Applications submitted that are not prepared according to the instructions provided may be deemed ineligible.

For technical help, call 1-888-603-4178 or 613-954-1968 or email [email protected] from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

For program-related help, contact [email protected] .

There are two deadlines pertaining to the 2024–2025 competition:

• Institution internal deadline: Following the student's identification in ResearchNet of the institution proposed for doctoral study (see Task 10), an additional deadline date and time will appear at the top of each page. This is the deadline by which your application must be submitted to the institution through ResearchNet. This deadline is set and controlled by each institution. You will not be able to submit your application past this precise date and time.
• Program deadline: Institutions must forward their selected nominations to the Vanier CGS program by October 30, 2024 (20:00 Eastern Time).

Completing a Vanier CGS application

Task 1. confirm eligibility.

Confirm that you meet the Vanier CGS program's eligibility criteria . Applications that do not meet all the eligibility criteria will not be accepted.

Task 2. Contact your desired nominating institution

Select your institution and inform the faculty of graduate studies of your intent to apply to the Vanier CGS program.

Task 3. Register for a ResearchNet account, Canadian Common CV (CCV) account and complete the Self-ID Questionnaire

Make sure you have the following or click the links to register:

• ResearchNet account – a web-based application tool and funding opportunity/decision database that is used by the Vanier CGS program.
• CIHR PIN : a unique personal identifier required from CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC applicants when applying to this program
• CCV account – a web-based tool that allows you to manage your CV data in a single repository and generate CVs as needed for all member organizations.
• EDI Self-ID Questionnaire - Completing the Self-ID Questionnaire is mandatory for all applicants. The Self-ID Questionnaire must be completed prior to the deadline.

Personal information submitted during the application process will be made available to the three federal granting councils' personnel for the purposes of future program design and delivery, results measurement and reporting. This includes, but is not limited to, information provided through applicant CVs, and other application documents required by this program.

For further information about the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Self-identification Questionnaire and the use of personal information, see the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Self-Identification Questionnaire Frequently Asked Questions .

Task 4. Create CCV (Vanier-Banting Academic template) and link to ResearchNet application

You must create a Vanier-Banting Academic CV on the Canadian Common CV (CCV) website and link it to your ResearchNet application.

Please read these instructions carefully to see important details about your CCV, including input limits: Completing the Common CV - Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships .

Failure to follow these instructions may negatively impact the evaluation of your application and could lead to it being withdrawn.

The CCV website will validate your CV (Vanier-Banting Academic template) and provide you with a confirmation number. You must input this confirmation number into your Vanier CGS application form in ResearchNet in order to link your CCV .

• Education: Include all previous institution studies and their relevant dates (including incomplete degrees).
• The data you enter may not be displayed in the CCV in the proper chronological order.
• Contributions : Updates to this section will not be accepted after the deadline date.

Note: During peak periods, there can be a delay for the validation of the CCV confirmation number by ResearchNet. It is highly recommended that applicants enter their CCV confirmation number in their application well in advance of the competition deadline.

Task 5. Start a ResearchNet application

To create a Vanier CGS application:

• Login to your ResearchNet account.
• Click on "Find Funding Opportunities" and select "Apply for Funding" to display a list of the currently available funding opportunities.
• From the "Actions" menu on the right-hand side, select "Apply to this Opportunity" to access the main Vanier CGS application menu. This menu lists a series of tasks that must be completed before you are able to submit your application.

Task 6. Identify area of research

This task serves to determine which selection committee will be assigned to your application.

• If you choose "health", your application will be reviewed by CIHR's multidisciplinary selection committee.
• If you choose "natural sciences and/or engineering", your application will be reviewed by NSERC's multidisciplinary selection committee.
• If you choose "social sciences and humanities", your application will be reviewed by SSHRC's multidisciplinary selection committee.

For more information on which agency to submit your application to, refer to Selecting the Appropriate Federal Granting Agency .

If you are applying to SSHRC, consider the information found on SSHRC's website .

If you are applying to NSERC, we encourage you to consult the  Addendum to the guidelines for the eligibility of applications related to health , which has additional information and specific examples relating to subject matter.

The choice of area of research will determine the values available in the drop-down list. If your research does not fall under any of the listed categories, choose the closest research area.

Be sure to add the field of research to the keywords section of the application form.

If you aren't sure of the most appropriate field of research, please send an email to [email protected] with a one-page summary of the proposed research to get a recommendation; this process can take up to 5 business days.

Please note that it remains the applicant's responsibility to select the field of research that best suits their application. Nominations submitted to the incorrect agency may be withdrawn from the competition

Task 7. Identify participants

In this task, you will enter:

• information about yourself (including CIHR PIN, if not auto populated);
• information about your nominating institution;
• the confirmation number of the CV you created in the Canadian Common CV (CCV);
• Personal Leadership Statement
• Leadership reference letters
• Research contributions
• Special circumstances (if applicable)

Content of documents : For questions related to the content of the following attachments, applicants are encouraged to consult with their faculty or department and/or supervisor at the nominating Canadian institution.

Attachment: Personal Leadership Statement (maximum 2 pages for English applications and a maximum of 2.5 pages for French applications)

(must follow the specifications found in the instructions provided in the Ensure attached documents meet presentation standards section )

In response to evidence demonstrating that documents written in French require approximately 20% more space than similar documents in English, a Personal Leadership Statement fully written in French will be allowed an additional 0.5 page. This provision will ensure an equitable amount of space for the Personal Leadership Statement written in either official language.

Note : Any pages over the allotted page limit for the Personal Leadership Statement (maximum of 2 pages for English applications and maximum of 2.5 pages for French applications) will be removed with no further notification to the Applicant.

This document should present to the committee a clear statement of what personal experiences have shaped your doctoral research.

Before crafting your Personal Leadership Statement, take a moment to review the instructions for the selection committee on evaluating this criterion .

When writing your Personal Leadership Statement, consider the following:

• Leadership can take many forms. Be sure to outline not just your accomplishments, but how those accomplishments required you to leverage your leadership skills to achieve your goals. This description should go beyond a simple list of accomplishments. Outline for the committee the ways in which these accomplishments demonstrate your leadership abilities and skills.
• for example: how have you created opportunities beyond those that were immediately available to you (due to employment, volunteerism, or circumstance);
• The selection committee does not consider simply participating in sports, arts, volunteering and employment in leadership positions as demonstrating leadership in and of themselves.
• How have you fostered your ability to lead others, and how have you leveraged that skill?
• Define your career goals and trajectory, and outline for the committee the ways in which you have created opportunities for yourself and others, how you have overcome obstacles to your vision, and how your PhD research, knowledge dissemination and mentorship activities will help accomplish those goals.
• What led you to doctoral research? How have your life experiences shaped your academic, research, and leadership choices, challenges, and successes?
• How has your life trajectory driven you to share and disseminate your research?
• How does your nominating institution provide an environment that nurtures your leadership skills?
• If leadership opportunities in your research environment were not available to you, address them here.

You are encouraged to explain any personal circumstances (if applicable) to allow for a fair assessment of your application. Reviewers are instructed to give careful consideration to, and be sensitive to the impact of, personal circumstances when assessing the application.

Your academic transcript, your CCV, and your reference letters will provide details of your academic and research-related commitments and accomplishments, but this essay gives you the opportunity to present the overarching narrative about your life, leadership accomplishments, and research goals.

Attachment: Two Leadership reference letters (maximum 2 pages each)

(must follow the specifications found in the instructions provided in the Presentation standards for documents section)

The leadership reference letters should ideally be written by references who know you in a non-academic capacity and can speak to how your personal trajectory reflects the leadership evaluation criterion . In order to facilitate this, you may wish to share your Personal Leadership Statement with these letter writers. Leadership reference letters should not be written by family members or close friends.

Candidates are responsible for acquiring these letters and uploading them to ResearchNet in PDF format. They cannot be submitted by the letter-writer via ResearchNet.

Ask your leadership reference letter writers to respond to the following:

Referencing the student's life and research trajectory, provide an assessment of demonstrated and potential leadership ability . Because there is no opportunity for the committee to interview nominees, elaborate on how the candidate has gone above and beyond the opportunities presented in order to achieve a goal, contribute to their community, or how they have taken on responsibility for others. Note that high achievement, while admirable, does not necessarily constitute leadership. Be sure therefore to provide context for the committee that illuminates how the candidate's participation in activities (be they volunteer, work, sport, art, or any other participation) goes above and beyond active participation and becomes leadership. Referees are also encouraged to highlight how the student has overcome challenges related to equity, diversity and inclusion considerations in their path as a leader.

Notes: Because the referee assessments (task 8 – identify referees) provide your academic references with the opportunity to comment on your leadership skills, it is not recommended that you ask the same person to write more than one of the letters that are required as part of your nomination package.

Leadership reference letters must be attached one at a time. The field to upload the second leadership reference letter will only appear after the first is in place .

These letters should be provided on letterhead (where available) and must contain a signature.

Each letter must be signed by an individual. Letters containing more than one author will not be forwarded to the selection committee for consideration.

Attachment: Research contributions (maximum 1 page)

The agencies have signed DORA which recognizes that research contributions are not limited to published journal articles but include a broader range of contributions (e.g., research publications, reports, posters, abstract, monographs, presentations, creative outputs, books, guidelines, dataset, code, tools, software and commercialized products, protocols, knowledge mobilization activities) and impacts (e.g., influence on policy and practice, societal outcomes, distinctions-based, meaningful and culturally safe research).

From your research-related contributions, choose up to five that you judge to be the most significant and relevant to your research proposal.

Research-related contributions can refer to any of the entries listed in the following sections of your CCV:

• Publications
• Artistic contribution (to be evaluated according to established disciplinary standards, as well as creative and/or artistic merit), such as exhibitions, performances, publications, presentations, and film, video and audio recordings.
• Presentations
• Interviews and media relations
• Intellectual property

For each of these contributions listed:

• describe your role in the research, including by clarifying your contribution to collaborative research and to the actual writing of joint publications (e.g., for each multi-authored publication, define your role in the publication and indicate your percent contribution to the team effort);
• discuss the reasons for selecting the medium (e.g., journal article, conference presentation) for mobilizing the research, if appropriate;
• indicate any collaboration with other researchers and/or with other knowledge users from outside academia;
• discuss the significance, relevance and impact of your work in relation to the social sciences and humanities, to the natural sciences and engineering, or to health-related fields and processes, if appropriate;
• describe their significance in terms of demonstrating your research leadership and sphere of influence at the institutional level and beyond; and
• discuss the impact and importance of these activities in terms of your career aspirations.

Reviewers are asked to assess research excellence broadly and to avoid using journal-based metrics, such as Journal Impact Factors, as a surrogate measure of the quality of individual research publications. As stated in DORA, the "scientific content of a paper is much more important than publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which it was published".

Special circumstances (maximum 1 page - optional)

The Secretariat acknowledges that certain circumstances may legitimately affect an applicant's record of research achievement. Applicants are encouraged to explain any circumstances (including when gender, race, diversity, ability, sexuality, health disparities, educational access, etc.) that have impacted their academic trajectory in order to allow for a fair assessment of their research achievement.

Committee members are entrusted with the responsibility to assess the impact and significance of research contribution while taking into account the impacts of career interruptions as well as interpersonal, community, and career responsibilities.

Applicants can describe circumstances such as administrative responsibilities, health problems, family responsibilities, disabilities, trauma and/or loss, cultural or community responsibilities, socio-economic context, pandemic impact or other circumstances (for example, the time necessary to complete a monograph or research project, file a patent, or academia and/or career advancement, scientific research, other research, dissemination of results, training, etc). They may explain any gaps in the chronology of their experience.

Include the start and end dates; the impact areas; and the reason(s) for or a brief explanation of the absence. Applicants may explain any gaps in the chronology of their experience. However, you are not required to justify circumstances when noting considerations related to personal identity considerations. Should you choose to include this information, please note that it will be reviewed by selection committee members.

If the potential or current supervisor is unable to provide the applicant with a referee assessment, you may use this section to briefly provide an explanation.

Note: In order to maintain equitable application requirements for all nominees, no information other than that outlined above will be forwarded to the committee. Any information that does not conform to the requirements will be removed with no further notification to the applicant.

Task 8. Identify referees

Before you complete this task, ensure that you have identified your nominating institution (Task 10) in order to display the correct deadline date.

Applicants should refer their selected referees to the Information for Referees section for useful tips.

Applicants are responsible for providing their referees the documents necessary for them to write their respective letters. ResearchNet does not grant the referees access to view the application or its attachments.

This task collects information on the two referees whose assessments will accompany your application. When referees are identified, the language specified will determine the language in which they will receive their assessment form; assessments must be completed in either English or French.

Applicants are encouraged to consider the full range of potential referees (e.g., from different institutions, with varied research expertise for multi-disciplinary applications, with appropriate expertise for applications involving and engaging with Indigenous communities), and counselled to prioritize asking for one letter of reference from the supervisor of your present research project.

These assessments should come from people under whom the applicant has trained and/or who have had a good opportunity to assess their academic excellence, research potential and leadership skill. It is at the discretion of candidates to choose people they would like to seek an assessment from, keeping in mind that there is no opportunity within the application to provide a justification for your choices. Be aware of the importance accorded to your choice as referee assessments provided are considered by the Selection Committee. Note that both referees are asked to be mindful of using the assessments to evaluate (versus advocate for) the application.

Because the Referee Assessments provide your academic references with the opportunity to also comment on your leadership skills, it is not recommended that you ask the same person to submit a Referee Assessment and a Leadership Reference letter (see Task 7 – Identify Participants, subtask Leadership Reference Letters )

Applicants should contact their referees to ask for an assessment well in advance of the application deadline.

For each referee, applicants are required to enter the name and contact information and to set the Assessment Required Deadline Footnote * date by which the assessments must be submitted through ResearchNet. ResearchNet will then send two email requests to the referees providing them with a secure link for completing their assessment. Referees must complete the various sections of the assessment online. They will not be able to upload documents to ResearchNet or submit their assessments offline.

It is the applicant's responsibility to follow up with referees to ensure the assessments are submitted in sufficient time prior to the applicant's deadline. Applicants will be able to follow the status of the assessment under this task and are encouraged to follow up with the referees if the task is not completed shortly before the deadline.

Applicants will not be able to submit their application until the referees have submitted their assessment and this task is completed.

If you have solicited a letter of reference from someone who informs you that they cannot meet the institution's deadline, you may delete that referee from your list and add a new referee to your list.

Once an assessment is submitted, it will automatically be attached to your application. Applicants do not have access to the content of the assessment submitted by referees.

These letters are considered confidential and are governed by the Access to Information Act and Privacy Act , and the content of the assessment submitted by the referees cannot be seen by applicants during the competition. Upon request, the applicant will have a right of access to the content of the referee's assessment following publication of the results.

Task 9. Enter degree information

This task collects information on any degrees, qualifications, certificates and/or licenses in progress, as well as on the degree for which support is being requested. Include all previous institution studies with their relevant dates (including incomplete degrees) in the common CCV.

To complete this task, you must indicate whether there is a degree in progress and specify at least one degree for which support is being requested.

Task 10. Enter proposal information and supporting documents

This task has four sub-tasks to collect information related to your research project.

• project overview
• project details
• project descriptors
• attachments

Project overview

The Title of Research Proposal is used by the Vanier CGS program to identify your research project (maximum of 640 characters).

The Lay Title is used to inform the public and Parliament about the valuable research supported through public funds. Provide a title that is in a language clear to the general public (maximum of 200 characters).

The Lay Abstract will be used for promotional purposes outside the research community to inform the public and Parliament about the valuable research supported through public funds.

Reminder : Please add your supervisor's name at the beginning of the Lay Abstract as follows: supervisor's name, institution name. If yet to be determined, please mention "to be determined".

Describe the research proposal in a way that is accessible to a lay audience. Using simple terms, briefly describe the nature of the work to be done. Indicate why and to whom the research is important, any anticipated outcomes, and how the research will contribute to your field. It should be written in non-technical terms that can be clearly understood by non-specialist reviewers/readers with various areas of expertise (i.e., minimal academic terminology, abbreviation, and references to methodology). (maximum of 2000 characters).

The selection committee will use this section to help evaluate your communication skills, which can contribute both to your Leadership score and your Research Potential .

Research involving Indigenous Peoples in meaningful and culturally safe ways that ensure respectful relations are established : If your proposed research respectfully involves and engages Indigenous communities, please include " This research respectfully involves and engages Indigenous communities " at the beginning of your lay abstract (see note below). The program administrator for each selection committee (CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC) will then endeavour to ensure that the primary or secondary reviewer on these nominations has expertise in Indigenous research.

Note : Research respectfully involving Indigenous communities is defined as: research in any field or discipline that is conducted by, grounded in, or engages with First Nations, Inuk (Inuit), Métis, societies and/or individuals and their wisdom, cultures, experiences and/or knowledge systems, as expressed in their dynamic forms, past and present.

Examples include:

• projects in which water samples are extracted from First Nations Reserve lands
• analyses of educational policies pertaining to the inclusion of Métis cultural competency considerations, for example: floral beadwork and/or Michif language
• cross-sectional studies of how injuries sustained by different groups of people, including Inuk (Inuit) in their youth, are treated

Note : Indigenous communities are broadly defined as individuals, groups, organizations, and populations who self-identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Inuk (Inuit) and or Métis) living and working anywhere in Canada.

NOTE: Should you flag your research as involving Indigenous communities, your application will be assessed by its academic merit as usual, with additional review on the Indigenous research component to ensure that it fulfills the pillars for meaningful and culturally safe research engaging with Indigenous Peoples.

See the "Research respectfully involving and engaging Indigenous communities" section of the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion page for more information on how Indigenous research will be reviewed.

Enter information on your Nominating Institution for proposed doctoral studies, your expected Start Date to take up the award and the Language in which your Research Proposal is written. Selecting your nominating institution will display the institution's internal deadline.

• If ResearchNet displays October 30, 2024 as your deadline date, you have not selected your nominating institution. If you completed Task 8 before selecting your nominating institution, your referees will not be provided with the accurate Assessment Required Deadline Date. In order to ensure that your referees have the information necessary to provide adequate time for their contribution to your nomination, and because you will not be able to submit your application until your referees have completed their letters, do not proceed to Task 8 before selecting your nominating institution .

Certification requirements

If the application is selected for funding, the necessary certification requirements must be met in accordance with policies on ethical conduct of research. Relevant policies:

• Agreement on the Administration of Agency Grants and Awards by Research Institutions

Indicate the certification requirements as appropriate for your proposed research.

For the question, " CIHR must review proposed projects against the requirements of the Impact Assessment Act (IAA) . To this end please indicate whether any phase of the proposed research will take place on "federal lands" as defined under IAA, which includes land owned by the Government of Canada, including reserves created under the Indian Act ; or outside of Canada? " trainees are exempt and should answer "No" .

For the question, " In order to carry out the proposed research in this application, is an exemption from Health Canada under Section 56 of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act required? " trainees are exempt and should answer " No ".

Does this application propose research involving Indigenous Peoples?

Indicate if the application proposes research involving Indigenous Peoples. This information will be used for statistical purposes only.

Applicants, whose proposed research will involve First Nations, Inuk (Inuit) and Métis Peoples, must ensure to work and engage with Indigenous communities in a meaningful and culturally safe way . Please, also consult Ethics of Health Research Involving First Nations, Inuit and Métis People .

For details, please review the guidelines and resources provided in the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion page.

Are sex (biological) and/or gender (socio-cultural) considerations taken into account in this study?

Sex and Gender Based Analysis Plus (SGBA+): Indicate/Summarize how sex, gender or other identity factors (such as race, age, disability, culture, religion, etc.) are taken into account in your proposed research (from its design to the analysis of the research findings). For guidelines to sex and gender-based analysis plus (SGBA+), please review the guidelines and resources provided in the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion page. If SGBA+ is not applicable, please explain why. (limit of 2000 characters, including spaces).

Descriptors (CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC)

Provide descriptors to describe your research project, the techniques and the methodologies it will employ. Complete all subsequent fields using the drop-down menus; choose one that most closely matches your proposal.

Additional instructions:

Themes (CIHR)

Select a primary theme classification. Indicate additional theme classifications only if the substance of the application significantly overlaps more than one theme. Consult the definition of the four CIHR Themes on the CIHR website for more information.

Suggested Institutes (CIHR only)

Select a primary CIHR Institute whose research mandate is related to the application's research area(s) and objective(s). Additional Institutes should only be selected if the substance of the application significantly overlaps with the research mandate of more than one Institute.

Geographical Regions (SSHRC only)

Select geographical regions covered by or related to your research/study.

Countries (SSHRC only)

Select the countries covered by or related to your research/study.

Temporal Period (SSHRC only)

Indicate the historical period covered by your research/study

Attachments

Under this sub-task, you will attach the following documents:

• research proposal
• project references

Research proposal (maximum 2 pages including graphs and images for English applications and a maximum of 2.5 pages for French applications)

In support of evidence demonstrating that documents written in French require approximately 20% more space than similar documents in English, a Research Proposal fully written in French will be allowed an additional 0.5 page. This provision will ensure an equitable amount of space for the Research Proposal written in either official language.

Note : Any pages over the allotted page limit for the Research Proposal (maximum of 2 pages for English applications and maximum of 2.5 pages for French applications) will be removed with no further notification to the Applicant.

All applicants, including those in the areas of applied research, research-creation , or knowledge translation, must provide a detailed description of your proposed research project for the period during which you are to hold the Vanier CGS.

• provide background information to position your proposed research within the context of the current knowledge in the field.
• state the objectives, hypothesis, research question and the roles and responsibilities of the applicant, the supervisor and/or other collaborators in the proposed research. If you are involved in a lab, be sure to outline your specific contributions to the overarching group project.
• describe the benefit conferred by undertaking your research at the nominating institution (e.g., supervisor/departmental specialization, lab facilities, funding opportunities, support structures offered/in place).
• outline the experimental or theoretical approach to be taken (citing literature pertinent to the proposal), the methodology to be used, and the contribution of the project to the advancement of knowledge.
• provide as much detail as possible to the committee regarding projected timelines for the research, including community consultation, plans for collaboration, and knowledge translation strategies.
• state the significance of the proposed research to a field or fields in the health sciences, natural sciences and/or engineering or social sciences and/or humanities, as appropriate.
• if the output of your degree program is an artistic creation rather than a thesis, clearly indicate the research component of your proposed work. Outline the objectives of your research, the context, methodology and contribution to the advancement of knowledge.
• if you are proposing to conduct research that respectfully involves and engages Indigenous communities, the research proposal should reflect that you and your nominating institution are aware of and are referring to the relevant principles and protocols established for this type of research, and you must describe your experience of meaningful and culturally safe research involvement with Indigenous Peoples. If you do not have this experience, please describe how you plan to engage in meaningful and culturally safe research with Indigenous Peoples, regardless of which council's selection committee will be evaluating your nomination package.
• if your research proposal includes interviewing human subjects, you must still address how you have / will comply with your institution's Ethics Review Board processes.
• be as specific as possible while keeping in mind that Vanier CGS selection committees are multi-disciplinary. Wherever possible, use non-technical terms and avoid jargon. Define any technical or discipline-specific terms.

You must review the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion page for more information.

Applicants whose proposed research involves and engages with Indigenous communities must ensure that it fulfills the pillars for respectful research engaging with Indigenous Peoples.

For research respectfully involving and engaging Indigenous Peoples, consult the following resources:

• research conducted on First Nations, Inuk (Inuit) or Métis lands;
• recruitment criteria that include Indigenous identity as a factor for the research;
• research that seeks input from participants regarding a community's cultural heritage, artefacts, traditional knowledge or unique characteristics;
• research in which Indigenous identity or membership in an Indigenous community is used as a variable for the purpose of analysis of the research data; and
• interpretation of research results that will refer to Indigenous communities, peoples, language, history or culture.
• Indigenous or traditional knowledge
• Reciprocity
• Respect, relevance and contribution

The research proposal should reflect that you and your supervisor are aware of and referring to relevant principles and protocols established for this kind of research, such as, following the Principles of OCAP ® (i.e., ownership, control, access and possession/protection), the CARE Principles for Indigenous Data Governance , and/or other principles as determined by relevant communities.

Project references (maximum 5 pages)

Enter the references/bibliography/citation of your research proposal. Use this section to list publications and other sources that are cited in your Research Proposal (e.g, bibliographic information). You must ensure that all citations are clear and complete, to allow reviewers to easily locate the sources.

This document also provides you with the opportunity to demonstrate your familiarity with the literature relevant to your Research Proposal.

Task 11. Attach other application materials (optional)

Self-identify as Indigenous Footnote ** (First Nations, Inuk (Inuit) or Métis) Applicant

Institutions may nominate applicants who identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Inuk (Inuit) and/or Métis) without those nomination being counted toward their quota.

For those who choose to self-identify as an Indigenous (First Nations, Inuk (Inuit), and/or Métis) person in Canada for this purpose, they must complete the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS): Voluntary Self-Identification Form for Indigenous Applicants [ PDF (409 KB) ] . Once completed, the form must then be uploaded as a single PDF document (unprotected) not to exceed 30 MB under " Other " in the " Attach Application Materials " task.

By identifying as an Indigenous applicant, you are agreeing to have your name (email/application/information) and declaration shared with your institution selection committee.

Please note that the three federal granting agencies selection committee members will not be made aware of which applicants have self-identified as Indigenous (First Nations, Inuk (Inuit) and/or Métis).

Part-time and joint research graduate program

This section can only be used for the following information:

Part-time studies must be outlined in this section. If you have been enrolled part-time during your PhD studies, specify which semesters. The information must be reflected in the transcripts.

If you are registered in a joint graduate research program (e.g., MD/PhD), use this document to provide a timeline of your undergraduate/graduate versus doctoral program studies, broken down by semester. This calculation must be consistent with the transcripts provided. For purposes of this calculation, the undergraduate/graduate portion will not count towards the number of months completed.

Once completed, the document must then be uploaded as a single PDF document (unprotected) not to exceed 30 MB under " Other " in the " Attach Application Materials " task.

Task 12. Confirm documents sent

This task requires you to confirm that up-to-date official transcript for all your undergraduate and graduate studies (completed or ongoing) have been sent to the proposed nominating institution. For more information on how to supply your institution with your official transcripts, contact your nominating institution.

IMPORTANT - NEW

You must confirm directly with your institution about their policy on official transcripts and whether or not unofficial transcripts will be accepted as part of their internal review process. For the review process at the Vanier-Banting Secretariat, nominations submitted with unofficial transcripts will not be rejected.

Transcripts are a mandatory requirement to demonstrate eligibility. Nominations that do not adhere to these instructions and guidelines may be rejected .

Certified true copies of official transcripts from the institution are accepted. A certified true copy is defined as a copy of the original document (or of the original translated document if the official transcript is not in either English or French).

If you have transcripts written in a language other than English or French, you must provide a certified English or French translation, separated from the original transcripts by a blank page.

For international transcripts: the nominating institution must attach with your official international transcripts a summary describing the variations in the grading system between the foreign Institutions and Canadian-level equivalents and/or explaining international credentials and equivalencies should your application be nominated to the Vanier CGS program.

Task 13. Preview application materials

This task allows you to generate a PDF of your nomination package that will resemble that which will be provided to the selection committee, but excluding the referee assessments.

Review your application. If a task is incomplete (including referee assessments), you must provide the missing information in order to be able to submit your application.

Note: If any of the documents provided (including attachments) do not conform to the requirements and/or if they exceed the page limit, the additional pages will be automatically removed from the nomination prior to selection committee's review. ResearchNet does not validate the content of the uploaded document(s).

Note: Applicants cannot preview their CCV information through ResearchNet. They must verify the information directly on the CCV portal.

Task 14. Consent and submit application

You must indicate your consent to the terms listed in ResearchNet before you submit your application.

You must click " Submit " to send your application to your nominating institution. You will be prompted to confirm that this is what you wish to do. You will receive a confirmation email that your application was submitted to the nominating institution's faculty of graduate studies.

Submission of an application will serve as a formal attestation that you have provided true, complete, and accurate information in the application and its related documents.

Applications are submitted to the nominating institution for review before being nominated to the Vanier CGS competition. If you wish to make changes to your application package, either before or after an institution's internal deadline, you must contact your nominating institution about this possibility.

To maintain a fair and equitable competition for all nominees, the application packages cannot be updated after they have been forwarded to the Vanier Banting Secretariat.

Task 15. Presentation standards for attached documents

Documents prepared by the nominee that do not follow the instructions provided may render a nomination package ineligible.

If you have supporting documents written in a language other than English or French, you are required to submit a certified translation of these documents.

Formatting instructions to prepare your documents:

• pages must be 8 ½" x 11" (216 mm x 279 mm).
• insert a minimum margin of 2 cm (3/4 inch) around the page (top, bottom and sides).
• candidate must use either Arial, Calibri or Time New Roman font size of 12-point black type. Maximum of six lines per inch. Do not use condensed/narrow font sizes, type density, or line spacing. Smaller text in tables, charts, figures, and graphs and references (format at discretion of candidates) is acceptable as long as it is legible when the page is viewed at 100%. Note: failure to comply with these requirements can negatively impact the status and evaluation of your nomination in a competition.
• any images, diagrams, technical drawings, or any other image must be contained within allowable page limits.
• photo-reduce the supporting documents if the originals are larger than 21.25 x 27.5 cm / 8.5" x 11".
• attachments must be uploaded in PDF format (unprotected).
• the size of the attached document(s) cannot exceed 30 MB per document.
• for documents prepared by the applicant : At the top of each page, indicate your name and the title of the document as it appears in the instructions.
• for multi-page attachments, number the pages sequentially.

Note: failure to comply with these requirements can negatively impact the evaluation of your nomination in a competition.

Post-application

After you have submitted your application to the nominating institution, the activity will move to your "Completed Activities" tab.

The nominating institution will review your application and either return it to you with comments, approve the application or not approve the application. Note that it will not yet have been forwarded to the Vanier CGS program. Only authorized representatives can view submitted applications. Faculties of graduate studies have read-only access and cannot make any changes to your application.

If application is returned to you by the institution

If the faculty of graduate studies returns the application to you, you will receive an email from ResearchNet containing their comments. You will be given a revised institution deadline date by which you must re-submit your application. Your application will move back to the "Current Activities" tab so that you can modify your application and re-submit it to the faculty of graduate studies. The institution will not be able to view your application while you are editing it.

Once you have completed all changes, you must resubmit your application to the faculty of graduate studies for review before the institutional internal deadline .

If application is selected to be nominated

If the nominating institution nominates your application, institutional officials will electronically approve and submit your nomination to the Vanier CGS competition. You will receive an automated email from ResearchNet acknowledging receipt shortly after the nominating institutions deadline date. If you do not receive this confirmation email, you should contact the faculty of graduate studies to determine the status of your application/nomination.

Please note that submitting an application in RechercheNet officially attests that you have provided true, complete, and accurate information in the application and in the related documents.

If application is not selected to be nominated

If the nominating institution does not nominate your application, institutional official will electronically not approve your application and they will inform you of the decision. You will not receive an automated email from Research Net informing you of the not approved status.

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Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships 2023-2024 now open for Canadian and international students

June 22, 2023 – The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship’s 2023-2024 competition is open to both Canadian and international students. This scholarship is awarded to highly motivated and competitive students who are pursuing a doctoral degree at a Canadian institution.

• Program name: Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
• Funding organization(s): Government of Canada
• Target audience(s): Canadian citizens, permanent residents of Canada and foreign citizens
• Duration: 3 years (non-renewable)
• Value: 50,000 CAD per year
• Deadline: November 1, 2023 (20:00 EDT)

For more information, visit: Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada

www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca

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Home > Students and fellows > Postgraduate programs > Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships program

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Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships program

The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS) program is administered by the Vanier-Banting Secretariat on behalf of Canada’s three granting agencies—the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). The Secretariat is housed within CIHR.

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 natural sciences and engineering, social sciences and humanities, or health sciences. Canadian citizens, permanent residents of Canada and foreign citizens are eligible for a Vanier CGS.

A Vanier CGS is valued at $50,000 per year for three years.

Jointly administered by

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Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships Program—Doctoral Nominations

The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (CGS) program is administered by Canada's three federal granting agencies: the Canadian Institutes of Health Research , the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council .

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 and humanities, natural sciences and engineering, and health sciences. Canadian and international students are eligible to be nominated for a Vanier CGS.

Vanier CGSs are valued at $50,000 per year, for up to three years.

For more details, please visit the Vanier CGS website or contact:

Email: [email protected]

The University of Toronto will be closed December 24 to January 3. The university will reopen on January 6, 2025.

School of Graduate Studies

Vanier canada graduate scholarship, award overview.

• Award Category: Admission Awards , Government-Funded Awards , In-Course Awards , International Awards
• Student Deadline : Date set by graduate unit
• Application Dates : Fall
• Graduate Unit Deadline : September 20, 2024: for graduate units to submit nominations to the Graduate Awards Office
• Value & Duration : $50,000 per year for three years
• Level of Study : Doctoral
• Required Legal Status : Domestic / International

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 social sciences and humanities, natural sciences and engineering, and health. The Vanier CGS program strongly encourages candidates to pursue their studies beyond the university that granted their previous degree(s).

Eligibility

Please refer to the Vanier website for complete eligibility requirements .

To be considered for a Vanier CGS, applicants must:

• Be nominated by only one Canadian university, which has received a Vanier CGS quota;
• Be pursuing their first doctoral degree (including joint program such as MD/PhD, DVM/PhD, MBA/PhD – if it has a demonstrated and significant research component);
• For joint graduate programs, only the PhD portion of the program is eligible for funding
• The doctoral program would begin after the completion of a master’s degree. The months of study completed are calculated from the doctoral enrolment date.
• All prior doctoral-level studies that started in Canada or abroad are considered in the evaluation of eligibility. Note: students registered in a “Direct Entry PhD” program at U of T who previously completed a master’s degree in any program would fall under the 20-month category.
• For joint graduate research programs in which a master’s degree is obtained as part of the program (e.g., MA/PhD, MS/PhD), the months of study are calculated starting on the date on which the applicant is officially registered in the joint program (including the master’s portion of the program).
• For joint professional undergraduate/PhD programs (e.g., MD/PhD, JD/PhD, DVM/PhD), only the months of study in the PhD portion of the program will be counted.
• All joint degree students must complete a timeline of their registration broken down by session in the “Attach other Application Materials” task to confirm eligibility.
• The months of study completed are calculated from the doctoral enrolment date.
• The months of study completed are calculated from the original master’s enrolment date, regardless of when the master’s degree registration began or the type of master’s degree.
• Have achieved a first-class average (A-), in each of the last two years of full-time study or equivalent;
• Not have already received a doctoral-level scholarship or fellowship from CIHR , SSHRC or NSERC to undertake or complete a doctoral program.

Note: Eligible candidates may apply to both the Vanier CGS program and other Tri-agency-specific scholarship/fellowship programs (whether at the same or a different federal granting agency in the same academic year, provided that the research proposed in each application falls within the mandate of the federal granting agency to which the application is submitted, and the candidate meets all eligibility criteria. Candidates who are successful in more than one competition will have to choose one award to accept.

Application Process

Applicants should refer to the Vanier website for step by step application/nomination instructions . The ResearchNet application will only be accessible to applicants until the published Institution Internal Deadline of Sept 16th at 8pm , at which time it will go offline for U of T applicants.

Applicants must complete the entire application process by their unit’s student submission deadline (which is usually earlier than the institution deadline) to be eligible for consideration. This includes:

• Contacting their proposed graduate unit regarding their specific student submission deadline and requirements;
• Submitting a completed Vanier CGS application via ResearchNet ;

Application updates & reminders:

• New: While applications containing unofficial transcripts will be accepted by Vanier, applicants should note that submission of an application will continue to serve as a formal attestation that they provided true, complete, accurate information in the application and its related documents. The Tri-Agency may contact administrative staff at applicants’ institutions or applicants directly in order to verify that the contents of the submitted transcripts are true, complete and accurate. SGS recommends that students submit official transcripts whenever possible as reviewers will find them easier to read and authenticity will not be questioned.
• New: Submit all transcripts to the graduate unit . If unofficial transcripts are being submitted, they must indicate the issuing institution’s and the student’s names.
• All transcripts should include one copy of the issuing institution’s grading legend.
• If a nominee has international transcripts, institutions must attach a 250-word summary to describe the variations in the grading system from the country of the transcript and the Canadian level equivalents, and/or explain international credentials and equivalencies. The summary should be a PDF document attached at the beginning of their transcripts.
• New: College or CEGEP transcripts are no longer required to be submitted with the nomination package.
• Lay Abstract : To help the selection committee members identify the supervisor, the nominee will be asked to indicate the supervisor’s name and institution at the beginning of the lay abstract.
• Leadership Statement : The statement should only include elements of what personal experience has shaped applicants’ doctoral research. The statement should go beyond a list of accomplishments. Applicants should outline to the committee the ways in which these accomplishments demonstrate their leadership abilities and skills.
• Leadership Reference Letters : Applicants are required to upload two leadership reference letters. Leadership reference letters must be attached one at a time. The ability to upload the second letter will appear after the first one has been uploaded. Note: Vanier recommends that each of the four required letters (two academic and two leadership) come from four individuals but letters from the same sources will not be declared ineligible.
• Applicants are encouraged to explain any personal circumstances (including gender, race, diversity ability, sexuality, health disparities, educational access, etc.) that have impacted their academic trajectory in order to allow for a fair assessment of their research productivity.
• Applicants can describe circumstances such as administrative responsibilities, health problems, family responsibilities, disabilities, trauma and/or loss, cultural or community responsibilities, socio-economic context, pandemic impact or other circumstances (for example, the time necessary to complete a monograph or research project, file a patent, or academia and/or career advancement, scientific research, other research, dissemination of results, training, etc.). They may explain gaps in the chronology of their experience.
• Part-Time Studies: Applicants must upload information about any part-time studies in this section. If they have been enrolled part-time during their PhD studies, they must specify which semesters. The information must be reflected in the transcripts.
• Joint Program: Applicants registered in a joint program (e.g., MD/PhD), must upload the timeline of their undergraduate/graduate versus doctoral program studies, broken down by semester, in this section. This calculation must be consistent with the transcripts provided. For purposes of this calculation, the undergraduate portion will not count towards the number of months completed.
• Applicants who choose to self-identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, and/or Métis) must complete the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS): Voluntary Self-identification Form for Indigenous Applicants in order to be considered beyond their institution’s quota. Once completed, the form must be uploaded as a single PDF document (unprotected) not to exceed 30 MB in this section.
• Identify Referees : Applicants are strongly encouraged to complete the “Identify Referees” task on ResearchNet well in advance as referee assessments must be completed and submitted by the referee before the student can complete the submission by the graduate unit deadline. Applicants will be able to determine individual deadlines for their referees on ResearchNet. As a result, there will not be a single deadline for all referees.
• Sex- and Gender-based Analysis Plus (SGBA+): In order to ensure the research funded is impactful and relevant to the diversity of the population, applicants are required to systematically examine how differences in identity factors (such as sex, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, age and mental or physical disability) affect the outcomes of research and the impacts of research findings. Applicants are now encouraged to take SGBA+ principles into account in their proposed research.
• French Applications: In order to ensure an equitable amount of space for the personal leadership statement and the research proposal written in either official language, the Personal Leadership Statement and the Research Proposal attachments for nominations submitted in French are now permitted to be a maximum of 2.5 pages.

Nomination Process

Applicants must be nominated by the institution at which they wish to study and hold the award. Applicants seeking an institutional nomination must first receive the endorsement of their proposed graduate unit through a local selection process. Applicants seeking this endorsement must submit a completed Vanier CGS application using the ResearchNet application system. Graduate units will view the submitted applications from candidates seeking endorsement via ResearchNet.

Nomination Letters must be completed and signed by the Department Head nominating the candidate. (See SGS Instructions to Administrators for guidelines on selecting candidates and preparing this letter. These instructions will be distributed later in July.)

Results of the SGS centralized competition is provided in late October. Results of the national competition are given directly by the Tri-Agency via ResearchNet in early April.

Given the large number of applications under review, committee members do not provide written appraisals of individual applications, nor is a record kept of committee deliberations. As such, SGS regrettably cannot provide information specific to the merit evaluation of an application.

Additional Info

Fall SGS Vanier Information Sessions for Students

2024 Video recording of live Vanier Info session (enter your utoronto email address when prompted to sign-in, then login using UTORid credentials)

2024 SGS Vanier CGS Doctoral Info Session Slides

Previous years’ videos

2023 Video recording of live Vanier Info session (with SSHRC Vanier recipients in Q&A)

2022 Video recording of live Vanier Info session (with CIHR Vanier recipients in Q&A)

2021 Video recording of live Vanier Info session (with NSERC Vanier recipients in Q&A)

2021 BME Podcast with NSERC Vanier awardee Joseph Sebastian on how to write a successful Vanier CGS application.

Award Holder Information

Please ensure you are familiar with the policies and follow the acceptance and payment activation procedures as outlined in the  Tri-Agency Research Training Award Holder’s Guide .

Students who are currently registered in the degree program for which the award has been granted, should start the award at the earliest possible start date, i.e., May 1st or September 1st (please contact your graduate department for advice as a May start date may impact any current departmental funding or current scholarships held for the same period). Students not currently registered, should start the award upon first registration into the program (September 1st or January 1st).

Please contact Vanier directly by email to request and receive approval for any change to your start date.

To arrange for payment of a Vanier CGS please complete the following steps:

• Submit a Response of Offer to Vanier directly via email to accept your award.
• Once processed, a Confirmation of Commencement Form will appear on your ResearchNet account two months before  your start date for you to complete
• Email the completed Confirmation of Commencement form to the Vanier Secretariat at [email protected]
• Complete the online SGS Payment Activation Form and submit it to your graduate unit (Dept) where you intend to take up the award.

Your graduate unit will complete their portion and forward the form to the Graduate Awards Office at the School of Graduate Studies for processing.

Please submit the completed form at least 6-8 weeks before you expect to receive your first installment. For students electing to start the award in May (summer session), please note that funds may not be transferred from the granting agency in time to administer the first payment by May 1st. Rest assured that once funds have been received, they will be paid retroactive to the May 1st start date.

Contacts & Resources

View the  complete guidelines on the Vanier CGS website .

If you have questions regarding the Vanier Awards competition, please contact: Vanier directly at  [email protected] , or the Graduate Awards Office at the School of Graduate Studies:

Vanier program information 613-943-7777 [email protected]

ResearchNet technical support  613-941-9080 [email protected]​

Fully Scholarship

Fully Funded Scholarships

Fully Funded Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships 2025-2026

Opening Date: June 30, 2024 Deadline: October 30, 2024 Stipend: $50,000/year Eligible Subjects: All disciplines Course Level: PhD (Doctorate) Location: Canada

The application process for the fully funded Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (VCGS) for the 2025-2026 academic year is now open, with submissions due by November 3, 2024 . This prestigious program offers generous financial support to outstanding PhD students across Canada.

If you’re eager to make the most of this exciting opportunity, it’s time to start preparing your application. The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship program is renowned for providing comprehensive support for Canadian and international students, helping them achieve their academic and professional goals at leading universities in Canada.

Table of Contents

Key Benefits of the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

Recipients of the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship enjoy a wide range of benefits, including:

• Annual stipend of $50,000 for three years.
• Full coverage of tuition fees and other academic expenses.
• The flexibility to pursue a PhD at any Canadian university .
• Opportunities to enhance leadership skills and contribute to academic research at the highest level.

Partial funding may also be available for students based on academic excellence, research proposals, and leadership potential.

Eligibility Criteria

Although highly competitive, the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships have straightforward eligibility requirements that make it accessible to a broad range of doctoral candidates. Here are the main criteria:

• Open to Canadian citizens and international students .
• Applicants must be enrolled as full-time students at a Canadian university and be pursuing their first PhD.
• Only those enrolled in universities with a Vanier CGS quota are eligible.
• A first-class average in the last two years of study is required.
• Part-time students with disabilities or family responsibilities can also apply, with adjusted study timelines.
• Candidates enrolled in joint programs (e.g., MD/PhD, DVM/PhD) can apply for PhD-specific funding.
• Applicants must demonstrate outstanding research skills in their proposals.
• Government employees and faculty members can apply if they meet specific leave requirements.
• Students cannot apply if they are recipients of scholarships from Canadian organizations like CIHR, NSERC , or SSHRC .
• There are no specific age requirements for this scholarship.

Required Documents for Application

To apply for the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship, applicants must submit the following:

• Completed Research Net application form .
• Two letters of recommendation .
• A detailed CV or résumé .
• A one-page summary of research contributions .
• A personal statement highlighting leadership qualities.
• A research proposal (at least two pages).
• Project preferences (minimum five pages).
• Transcripts and academic credentials .
• For part-time students, documentation of exceptional circumstances (0.5-page minimum).

Application Deadlines

• Institutional Deadline Each university sets its own internal deadline on the Research Net portal. Applicants must submit their materials to their institution by this date.
• Vanier CGS Deadline The final deadline for submission of all applications is November 3, 2024 .

The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship is an incredible opportunity for aspiring PhD students to gain financial support while advancing their research careers in Canada. If you’re considering applying, now is the time to start preparing your application and gathering the necessary documents. Best of luck, and feel free to reach out with any questions in the comments section below!

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