The Government of Canada launched the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS) program in 2008 to strengthen Canada’s ability to attract and retain world-class doctoral students. This is also to establish Canada as a global centre of excellence in research and higher learning. Vanier Scholars demonstrate leadership skills and a high standard of scholarly achievement in graduate studies in the social sciences and humanities, natural sciences and/or engineering and health. The application deadline is November 2, 2021.
About Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
Named after Major-General Georges P. Vanier, the first francophone Governor General of Canada, the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship (Vanier CGS) program helps Canadian institutions attract highly qualified doctoral students.
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/or engineering and health.
The value of the scholarship is $50,000 per year for three years during doctoral studies.
Selection Criteria
Nominations are evaluated and selected based on the following three criteria, weighted equally:
- Academic Excellence
- Research Potential
- Leadership (Potential and Demonstrated Ability)
Nomination process
Candidates must be nominated by a Canadian institution with a quota* to host Vanier scholars. Candidates should only seek a nomination from the institution at which they want to study.
Note: *The term “quota” refers to the maximum number of nominations an institution can forward to the national competition.
Application Timelines
The table below shows the application timelines.
| July – November 2021 | Applicants seek a nominating institution, prepare and submit application package. |
| Internal Deadline (varies) | Deadline to submit application to the nominating institution. Contact nominating institution for specific date. |
| November 2, 2021 (20:00 EST) | Deadline for institutions to submit nominations to the Vanier CGS program. |
| November 2021 – March 2022 | Review and evaluation of nominations. |
| Early April 2022 | Anticipated notification of results. Nominees will be notified by email when the results are available on ResearchNet. |
| May 1, 2022, September 1, 2022 or January 1, 2023 | Payments begin. |
For more information, visit the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship (Vanier CGS) Program 2021/2022 webpage.
