Being an International student in a country with high standards of living while also maintaining your own tuition fee can be a miserable task. Especially for students from Nepal, whose currency is wholly of lesser value than Canadian currency.  To make matters more difficult, there is an added stress of the work environment,  given the fact that there are certain restrictions in terms of work allowances for those on a study VISA. Not many can finance themselves and live a comfortable life. Which is why the government funds eligible candidates, even those outside their own citizens, with the hopes of helping developing countries, like Nepal,  gain skilled manpower. One of the scholarships in Canada that aims to do the same is the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship.  Named after the Governor Vanier, this is a government-funded scholarship that funds a certain amount each year for a master’s degree.

What is the Vanier Graduate Scholarship?

As mentioned earlier, this scholarship is a government-funded scholarship program for international students, akin to those in Nepal. Usually, there is a quota for this scholarship where Candidates must be nominated by a Canadian institution as per their quota. The Vanier scholarship can be a boon for many wishing for funding and sponsorships to broaden their horizon. It caters for doctoral degrees with administration from three research granting agencies in Canada:

• Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR);

• Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC);

• Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).

What is the requirement for Nepalese students to be part of the program?

The Vanier Graduate Scholarship is not just catered towards the canadian citizen but also international citizens. But keep in mind that this scholarship is for those nominated by a set institution. To be nominated for this scholarship:

• Must be nominated by a Canadian university with a Vanier CGS “quota”

• You must be pursuing your first doctoral degree

• You must intend to pursue full-time doctoral studies and research at the nominating institution;

• You should have achieved a first-class average in each of the last two years of full-time study or equivalent. The first class average will be determined by the university itself.

• You cannot have already received a doctoral-level scholarship or fellowship from CIHR, NSERC or SSHRC to undertake or complete a doctoral program.

• In the case of a joint program, only the PhD is eligible for the scholarship. 

Why should you pursue this scholarship?

One main question for many Nepali students is, why this specific scholarship and not others? In developed countries like Canada, Nepalese students might have found multiple scholarship opportunities like Vanier. So why must one choose this specific scholarship when there might be others that are easier and more accessible? Well, here’s the answer!

Scholarship for doctoral degree: This scholarship is specifically for the PhD degree. Many government-funded scholarships are provided for master's and bachelor’s degree but this scholarship is specifically for PhD and research-oriented. A degree that costs the most is almost fully funded if you are a candidate for scholarship of Vanier Graduate Scholarship

Government-funded scholarship: Government-funded scholarships are always of high value. Although affiliated with various research agencies, this scholarship is still government-oriented. This adds to the charisma of the Vanier scholarship

Career advantage: This scholarship is supported and recognised by experts and institutions. Not only are you earning academic recognition for yourself, but also boosting your CV. 

Innovation and research: The Vanier Graduate Scholarship is provided with the purpose of expanding the field of research and doctoral studies in Canada. There is no such thing as expansion without a degree of innovation and freedom. Therefore, the Vanier Graduate Scholarship can be your choice if you want to contribute with innovation and creativity. 

Total Valuation of the scholarship

The Vanier Graduate Scholarship is valued at $50000 per year for a three-year degree. That is more than Nrs. 500.000 per year. Just this comparison shows the great value of the scholarship and why it is sought after. From the 50000 per year, the scholarship provides funding for

• Tuition and fees

• Living expenses

• Research costs

• Travel/study expenses

Which universities are in the Vanier CGS quota?

One main point of contention that has been repeated throughout this Blog is the fact that candidates selected by certain Canadian Universities are only the ones eligible for the Scholarship. For your ease in finding, below is the list of a few Universities that provide the Vanier Graduate Scholarship as per the Vanier CGS quota:

• University of Toronto (Highest quota for CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC)

• University of British Columbia (UBC)

• McGill University

• University of Alberta

• Université de Montréal

• University of Ottawa

• Western University

• Queen's University

• Dalhousie University

• McMaster University

• University of Waterloo

• University of Calgary

• Simon Fraser University

• York University

• University of Saskatchewan

You can get more information on other universities in the official site: https://vanier.gc.ca/en/appendix_b_cgs_2024_25_to_2026_27.html?wbdisable=true

 How to apply for the scholarship from Nepal?

Given the value of the scholarship, the application process cannot begin for candidates from their home country. Rather, it happens from the institution itself, where the candidates are studying at. As per the official website, the process for scholarship begins in the following manner:

1. Applications can be started in two ways: Either the student informs their intent to be a candidate at a selected institution as per the Vanier CGS, or the institution itself nominates candidates without the intent of the student with prior notice.

2. The Applications itself has to be prepared by the student and submitted to the institution before the internal deadline using the ResearchNet application system.

3. The institution then selects the candidates and inform the candidates of the result.

4. The nominating institution forwards recommended nominations to the Vanier-Banting Secretariat by a set deadline.

5. Then comes the review process through the coordination of the Secretariat.

6. Tri-agency Programs (TAP) Steering Committee is then presented with the review and recommendations.

7. The TAP Steering Committee then endorses and accepts the candidates.

8. Nominated candidates are notified of the competition results in set deadline.

How will Unifinders help you?

The experts at Unifinders are dedicated to giving you the best possibilities and options. We can guide you through the entire University application and scholarship process by:

• Providing information about the University in the CGS Vanier List.

• Provide you guideline on how to show intent for the scholarship to the institution.

• Gather if you are eligible for the scholarship.

• Guide you towards choices in case of ineligibility.