by Last verified: 12 October 2026. We checked each of these fully funded scholarships in Canada on the university’s or the Government of Canada’s official website.
Truly fully funded scholarships in Canada for international students are rare, and most have strict timing rules. In this guide, we list the ones we verified today, explain exactly what each covers, and flag which deadlines are coming up in the next few weeks. Notably, two big undergraduate deadlines fall in November 2026.
Fully funded scholarships in Canada at a glance
| Scholarship | Level | What it covers | Next deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship (University of Toronto) | Undergraduate | Tuition, books, incidental fees and full residence for four years | For nominated students, 6 November 2026 |
| UBC International Scholars Program | Undergraduate | Need-based awards; Vantage One goes up to full programme and living costs | 15 November 2026 |
| Mastercard Foundation Scholars at UBC | Master’s | Tuition, books, flights, housing, stipends and health insurance | The Winter 2027 window has closed |
| Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral | PhD | $40,000 (forty thousand Canadian dollars) a year for 36 months | 17 October (direct applicants) |
1. Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship
This is the University of Toronto’s most prestigious award for international students. According to U of T, about 37 scholars are named each year, and it covers tuition, books, incidental fees and full residence support for four years.
Who can apply for 2027 entry
- You must be an international student who needs a study permit.
- You must be in your final year of secondary school in 2026/2027, or have graduated no earlier than June 2026.
- You must start at U of T in September 2027.
- Most importantly, your current secondary school must nominate you. Each school can nominate only one student.
Key dates
- School nominations closed on 9 October 2026.
- Nominated students must apply to a U of T programme through OUAC by 16 October 2026.
- The Pearson application and all documents are due by 6 November 2026.
Also note that U of T prohibits generative AI tools in your application and disqualifies violations. For more detail, see our Lester B. Pearson Scholarship guide.
2. UBC International Scholars Program
UBC’s programme for 2027 entry includes four awards: the Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award, the Donald A. Wehrung International Student Award, the International Impact Award and the Vantage One Excellence Award. You do not choose; instead, UBC considers you for every award you qualify for.
However, be careful with the “fully funded” label. UBC’s page says the Vantage One award ranges up to the full cost of the programme and living expenses. For the others, it does not state an amount; the Wehrung award offers “significant financial assistance”.
Key requirements
- You must enter UBC directly from secondary school, graduating no earlier than June 2026.
- You need top grades (all As or equivalent) and significant, documented financial need.
- You need one nominator and one teacher referee, and they must be different people.
- The full application is due on 15 November 2026, with documents and English test results by 31 January 2027.
3. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC
For African citizens and refugees, this programme fully funds selected Master’s degrees in Land and Food Systems, Forestry and Data Science. However, the Winter 2027 expression of interest ran from 31 August to 6 September 2026, so new applicants must wait for the next cycle.
4. Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral
This federal award pays $40,000 (forty thousand Canadian dollars) a year for 36 months. It is the new harmonised programme that replaced the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships, which no longer accepts applications.
The catch for international students, though, is the timing. According to NSERC, you must already be registered in a doctoral programme at an eligible Canadian institution by the application deadline. Also, up to 15% of awards go to international applicants. So it suits students who have already started a PhD in Canada.
Worked example: matching readers to fully funded scholarships in Canada
To put this into practice, consider three readers:
- Chiamaka, 17, in her final year of secondary school in Lagos: first, she checks whether her school nominated her for Pearson, then applies to UBC International Scholars by 15 November 2026.
- Brian, a 26-year-old graduate in Nairobi: instead, he prepares for the next Mastercard Foundation cycle at UBC.
- Ayesha, a first-year PhD student already in Canada: finally, she asks her graduate faculty about the internal deadline for the doctoral scholarship.
How to win fully funded scholarships in Canada
- Talk to your school early. Both Pearson and UBC need a school nomination, so start the conversation months ahead.
- Prepare financial documents. UBC’s need-based awards require official proof of your family’s finances.
- Write your own essays. For example, U of T bans generative AI in Pearson applications. Our scholarship application guide can help with structure.
- Plan your study permit. Read our Canada study permit proof of funds guide and Canada student visa requirements guide.
Frequently asked questions
Are there fully funded scholarships in Canada for Master’s students?
Yes, but few. From our list, the Mastercard Foundation programme at UBC is the clearest example, and it is limited to Africans and to specific programmes.
Is the Vanier scholarship still open?
No. The Vanier site says it no longer accepts applications and points to the Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral programme instead.
Do I need IELTS for fully funded scholarships in Canada?
You must meet each university’s English requirements. For example, UBC’s International Scholars applicants must submit English test results by 31 January 2027 if required.
Official sources
- University of Toronto – Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship
- UBC – International Scholars Program
- Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC – Graduate Admissions
- NSERC – Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral
- Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
Deadlines change. Always confirm details on the official pages before you apply.
