Top Canada Scholarships for Indian Students 2025–2026

Pursuing higher education in Canada remains an aspiration for many Indian students, and it's quite easy to understand the reasoning behind it. Canada stands out as a premier destination for foreign students, owing largely to its reputable universities and plethora of academic offerings. Managing tuition and living expenses remains pretty tough in Canada, despite education being fairly affordable compared with many other countries.

Many scholarships exist in Canada for Indian students, thereby easing financial burdens fairly significantly. Plenty of funding options exist for academic pursuits, ranging from undergraduate studies right through to doctoral-level programs. Let's stroll through super popular Canada scholarships available for Indian students in 2025–2026, including government-funded university-specific ones and private aid.

Types of Scholarships in Canada for Indian Students

There are three main categories of scholarships available to Indian students in Canada:

Type	Who Offers Them	Purpose
Government Scholarships	Canadian government (federal or provincial)	Attract talented international students and researchers
University Scholarships	Canadian colleges and universities	Support students based on merit or need
Non-Government Scholarships	NGOs, foundations, and private institutions	Help students from specific regions or disciplines

Top Government Scholarships for Indian Students in Canada

1. Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

This prestigious scholarship is for outstanding PhD students who show academic excellence, leadership, and strong research potential.

• Benefit: Up to INR 30 lakhs per year
• Duration: 3 years (non-renewable)
• Fields: Health, natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, humanities
  
  

Eligibility:

• Must be nominated by a Canadian university
• Should be an Indian citizen
• Enrolled in a PhD program with less than 20 months of study

2. Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships

Designed for world-class postdoctoral researchers, this fellowship supports advanced research in multiple disciplines.

• Benefit: Around INR 43 lakhs
• Duration: 2 years
  
  

Eligibility:

• Must have a PhD or similar degree between Sept 2021 and Sept 2025
• Apply through a Canadian host institution

3. EduCanada Exchange Scholarships

These are short-term scholarships for students enrolled in Indian institutions who want to study or do research in Canada.

• Benefit: INR 6–8 lakhs
• Duration: 4–6 months
  
  

Eligibility:

• Must be part of an exchange agreement between your Indian college and a Canadian university

4. Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS)

A merit-based award for students pursuing master's or doctoral degrees in Ontario.

• Benefit: INR 6–9 lakhs
• Duration: 1–2 years
  
  

Eligibility:

• Must hold a valid Canadian study permit
• Enrolled at a participating Ontario university
• Strong academic performance in recent years

5. Quebec Government Scholarships

These scholarships cover doctoral, postdoctoral, and short-term research programs in Quebec.

Benefits:

• Doctoral: INR 15 lakhs/year
• Postdoc: INR 22 lakhs
• Research: INR 2 lakhs/month
  

Eligibility:

• Must live in Quebec during the scholarship period
• Enrolled in a Quebec university

Top University Scholarships for Indian Students in Canada

6. Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship – University of Toronto

A full-ride scholarship covering tuition, books, and residence for exceptional undergraduate students.

• Duration: 4 years

Eligibility:

• Final-year high school student
• Applying for undergraduate studies in 2025

7. UBC International Major Entrance Scholarship (IMES)

Awarded to first-year international students who have an excellent academic record.

• Benefit: INR 6–12 lakhs
• Duration: 4 years

Eligibility:

• Must hold a valid study permit
• Strong academic and extracurricular record

8. UBC International Leader of Tomorrow (ILOT) Award

This scholarship covers tuition and living costs based on financial need and academic excellence.

• Duration: 4 years

Eligibility:

• Must show leadership and financial need
• Hold a valid Canadian study permit

9. University of Waterloo Entrance Scholarship

Awarded to students entering undergraduate programs with a high admission average.

• Benefit: INR 6 lakhs
• Duration: 1 year
• Eligibility: 90 %+ in high school or equivalent

10. University of Alberta International Undergraduate Scholarship

A merit-based scholarship for new international undergraduates.

• Benefit: INR 3–6 lakhs
• Eligibility: Excellent academic record and valid study permit

11. McGill University Entrance and Need-Based Aid

McGill provides both merit-based and financial need-based scholarships.

• Benefit: INR 1.8–7 lakhs
• Duration: 3–4 years

Eligibility:

• Academic excellence (for merit)
• Financial hardship (for need-based aid)

12. York University International Student Scholarships

Includes prestigious awards like the Global Leader of Tomorrow and the International Entrance Scholarship.

Benefit:

• Global Leader of Tomorrow: INR 86 lakhs
• Distinction Scholarship: INR 49 lakhs
• Duration: 4 years

Eligibility:

• Strong academics and leadership potential
• Applying to York’s undergraduate programs

13. University of Calgary – International Entrance Scholarship

This merit-based scholarship supports outstanding new undergraduates.

• Benefit: INR 12 lakhs
• Duration: 4 years

Eligibility:

• Valid study permit
• First-year student starting in Fall

Non-Government Scholarships for Indian Students

14. Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship

Offered to postgraduate students from developing countries, including India. These scholarships are 50% grant and 50% loan.

Eligibility:

• Excellent academic record
• Demonstrated financial need
• Admission to a recognized international university

Frеquеntly Askеd Quеstions (FAQs)

Can Indian students get full scholarships to study in Canada?
Yes, several universities like the University of Toronto and UBC offer full scholarships covering tuition, books, and living expenses.

Do I need to apply separately for scholarships in Canada?
Some scholarships require separate applications, while others automatically consider you once you apply to the university.

Are scholarships available for diploma or short-term courses in Canada?
Yes, scholarships like EduCanada Exchange or institution-specific awards may be available for short-term and diploma programs.

What is the deadline to apply for Canada scholarships for 2025?
Deadlines vary by scholarship and university, but most fall between October 2024 and March 2025. Always check official websites.

Can I apply for multiple scholarships in Canada?
Absolutely! You can apply for several scholarships if you meet the eligibility criteria.

How Visa Solutions 4u Can Help

Navigating the scholarship landscape in Canada can be overwhelming, from finding the right university to meeting application deadlines. That’s where Visa Solutions 4u comes in.

Here’s how we support your dream of studying in Canada:

• Personalized scholarship matching based on your profile and goals
• Expert guidance for preparing winning applications and SOPs
• University shortlisting and admission help
• Visa assistance, including document prep and interview training
• Ongoing support even after you land in Canada

At Visa Solutions 4u, we believe finances shouldn’t stop anyone from achieving their dreams. With the right scholarship and the right guidance, you can turn your Canadian education dream into reality.

Need help applying for scholarships in Canada?

Let Visa Solutions 4u guide you — from start to scholarship success.

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