Global Affairs Canada Canadian Bureau of International Education Scholarships (CBIE)

Programs overview

Global Affairs Canada offers Student Exchange Programs for citizens of other countries wishing to study, conduct research or professional development in Canada. There are a number of funding initiatives handled by the Canadian Bureau of International Education (CBIE).  For more details about the eligibility criteria, duration, value and how to apply, visit:   Global Affairs Canada - Student Exchange Program 

  • The Canada-CARICOM Leadership Scholarships Program and the Canada-Chile Leadership Exchange Scholarship have merged with The Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program (ELAP) to create efficiencies. Applicants who were eligible for scholarships under these two programs remain eligible for ELAP and are encouraged to apply.

The following scholarships support the study, research, and professional development of international students attending Canadian institutions on short-term visits:

Note: Applicants are responsible for finding their own McGill Supervisor willing to supervise their research while at McGill.


Emerging Leaders of the Americas Program (ELAP)

The Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program (ELAP) scholarships are facilitated through institutional collaborations and student exchange agreements between post-secondary institutions in Canada and in the following eligible countries/territories: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Bolivia, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Montserrat, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos, Uruguay, and Venezuela.

These agreements are created between colleges, technical or vocational institutes and universities. Student must be registered as full-time students in their home institution at the time of application and during the entire duration of their study or research stay in Canada.

Eligibility

Citizens of the following countries are eligible:

  • Caribbean: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos;
  • Central America: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama;
  • North America: Mexico; or
  • South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela.

Level of study: available to undergraduate and graduate students.

Value & Duration

  • $8,200 CAD for college, undergraduate or graduate students (Masters and PhD) for a minimum of 4 months or one academic term of study or research; or
  • $11,100 CAD for graduate students (Master's and PhD) for a period of 5 to 6 months of study or research

Deadline

01 March 2024 - submission to GPS by McGill Supervisor

19 March 2024 - Submission to the Government of Canada by GPS

Candidate's studies or research may commence as early as 01 August 2024 but no later than 01 February 2025.

Government of Canada webpage: Emerging Leaders in the American Program (ELAP)

How to Apply

Applicants are responsible for finding their own McGill Supervisor willing to supervise their research while at McGill.

Applications are submitted by GPS to CBIE on behalf of the applicant and supervisor. Supervisor is responsible for submitting all supporting documents to GPS by the indicated deadline. Send completed applicant application by email to graduatefunding.gps [at] mcgill.ca 

For health related fields the Host Institution supervisor must confirm that the applicant is excluded from clinical training or clinically-oriented research involving direct patient-care;

Application : Click link Application

Required Supporting Documents

  • Proof of citizenship/identity: a copy of the candidate's passport or national identity card with valid dates and photo.
  • Note: a driver’s license, permanent residence card, work permit, student card, health card, birth certificate or baptism certificate are not accepted as proofs of citizenship. Candidates from countries/territories that do not issue national identity cards must provide copies of their valid passports. The country/territory of citizenship selected in the online application form must be the same as the country/territory of the proof of citizenship

  • Proof of full-time enrolment: a letter in English or French from the home institution, on official letterhead, dated within the last six months, confirming that the candidate is currently enrolled in a full-time program (maximum one page).
  • Note: copies of transcripts, a student card or a letter of admission are not acceptable.

  • Letter of intent from the candidate: a letter in English or French from the candidate explaining the nature of studies or research to be undertaken; the rationale for study in Canada and for the choice of institution, program and supervisor; and how the proposed program of study or research will relate to their future career (maximum one page).
  • Letter of support from the home institution: a letter in English or French from the candidate's instructor, professor or international director on the institution's official letterhead explaining the nature of study or research to be undertaken in Canada and how the candidate and the home institution will benefit from this scholarship program (maximum one page).
  • Letter of invitation from the Canadian supervisor: applications for graduate students must include a letter from the Canadian supervisor indicating their willingness to support and mentor the candidate. This letter must be on institutional letterhead, be in English or in French, and be signed. It must describe the nature and scope of the research collaboration with the student’s home institution, the support they will receive during the exchange period and how the Canadian institution, supervisor and peers will benefit from the exchange (maximum one page).
  • Signed copy of Memorandum of Understanding or Agreement with the partner institution: a written agreement or understanding, in English or in French, signed by both institutions indicating that tuition fees will not be charged and containing any other clauses of mutual interest. The specific clause in which the tuition fees are waived must be indicated. For college or undergraduate applications involving research at Canadian institutions with no MOUs with the candidates’ home institutions, please upload a letter issued by the Canadian institution’s international office or equivalent, linking the application to a specific international research collaboration, naming the Canadian supervisor who has agreed to mentor the student during the scholarship period, and confirming that tuition fees, if any, will be waived for the recipient. For graduate applications, if the exchange takes place under a signed agreement, it is strongly suggested that it be included with the application.
  • Privacy Notice Statement: a copy of the Privacy Notice Statement for non-Canadian participants dated and signed by the candidate.

Study in Canada Scholarships

The Study in Canada Scholarships program provides students from post-secondary institutions located in the new eligible countries/territories with short-term exchange opportunities for study or research in Canadian post-secondary institutions at the college, undergraduate and graduate levels.

This student exchange program replaces the full-degree-based Study in Canada Scholarships program piloted in 2020. At least 50 scholarships will be awarded in the next competition, with the number increasing each year.

These agreements are created between colleges, technical or vocational institutes and universities. Students must be registered as full-time students in their home institution at the time of application and during the entire duration of their study or research stay in Canada.

Eligibility

Candidates must be citizens of one of the following eligible countries/territories:

  • Asia: Bangladesh, Nepal, Taiwan
  • Europe: Turkey, Ukraine
  • Middle East and North Africa: Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia
  • Sub-Saharan Africa: Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda

For more details about eligibility criteria, duration, value and how to apply, visit: EduCanada-Study in Canada Scholarships Program

Value & Duration

The scholarship value varies depending on the duration of studies. 

  • CAD 10,200 for college, undergraduate or graduate students (Master's and PhD) for a minimum of four months or one academic term of study or research; or
  • CAD 12,700 for graduate students (Master's and PhD) for a period of five to six months of study or research.

Deadline

01 March 2024 - Submission to GPS by McGill Supervisor (if it falls on a weekend or statutory holiday then the next working day)

19 March 2024 - Submission to the Global Affairs Canada by GPS

Candidate's studies or research may commence as early as 01 August 2024 but no later than 01 February 2025.

How to Apply

Applicants are responsible for finding their own McGill Supervisor willing to supervise their research while at McGill.

Applications are submitted by GPS to EduCanada on behalf of the applicant. Supervisor is responsible for submitting all supporting documents to GPS by the indicated deadline. Send completed applicant application by email to graduatefunding.gps [at] mcgill.ca

- For health related fields the Host Institution supervisor must confirm that the applicant is excluded from clinical training or clinically-oriented research involving direct patient-care;

Application : Click link Application

Eligible countries: Citizens of the following countries are eligible:(this list may change so verify on the EduCanada-Study in Canada Scholarships webpage)

  • Asia: Bangladesh, Nepal, Taiwan
  • Europe: Turkey, Ukraine
  • Middle East and North Africa: Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia
  • Sub-Saharan Africa: Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda

Required Supporting Documents

Each separate document must be in a .pdf format and follow the indicated file naming convention: EXAMPLE [lastname-citizenship.pdf]

  • Proof of citizenship/identity: a copy of the candidate's passport or national identity card with valid dates and photo.

Note: a driver’s license, permanent residence card, work permit, student card, health card, birth certificate or baptism certificate are not accepted as proofs of citizenship. Candidates from countries/territories that do not issue national identity cards must provide copies of their valid passports. The country/territory of citizenship selected in the online application form must be the same as the country/territory of the proof of citizenship

  • Proof of full-time enrolment: a letter in English or French from the home institution, on official letterhead, dated within the last six months, confirming that the candidate is currently enrolled in a full-time program (maximum one page).

Note: copies of transcripts, a student card or a letter of admission are not acceptable.

  • Letter of intent from the candidate: a letter in English or French from the candidate explaining the nature of studies or research to be undertaken; the rationale for study in Canada and for the choice of institution, program and supervisor; and how the proposed program of study or research will relate to their future career (maximum one page).
  • Letter of support from the home institution: a letter in English or French from the candidate's instructor, professor or international director on the institution's official letterhead explaining the nature of study or research to be undertaken in Canada and how the candidate and the home institution will benefit from this scholarship program (maximum one page).
  • Letter of invitation from the Canadian supervisor: applications for graduate students must include a letter from the Canadian supervisor indicating their willingness to support and mentor the candidate. This letter must be on institutional letterhead, be in English or in French, and be signed. It must describe the nature and scope of the research collaboration with the student’s home institution, the support they will receive during the exchange period and how the Canadian institution, supervisor and peers will benefit from the exchange (maximum one page).
  • Signed copy of Memorandum of Understanding or Agreement with the partner institution: a written agreement or understanding, in English or in French, signed by both institutions indicating that tuition fees will not be charged and containing any other clauses of mutual interest. The specific clause in which the tuition fees are waived must be indicated. For college or undergraduate applications involving research at Canadian institutions with no MOUs with the candidates’ home institutions, please upload a letter issued by the Canadian institution’s international office or equivalent, linking the application to a specific international research collaboration, naming the Canadian supervisor who has agreed to mentor the student during the scholarship period, and confirming that tuition fees, if any, will be waived for the recipient. For graduate applications, if the exchange takes place under a signed agreement, it is strongly suggested that it be included with the application.
  • Privacy Notice Statement: a copy of the Privacy Notice Statement for non-Canadian participants dated and signed by the candidate.

Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development (SEED)

The Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development (SEED) program provides students, from member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), with short-term exchange opportunities for study or research in Canadian post-secondary institutions at the college, undergraduate and graduate levels.

Government of Canada webpage: Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development (SEED)

Eligibility

Citizens of the following ASEAN member state are eligible: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos (Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR)), Malaysia, Myanmar, The Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, or Vietnam.

Applicants must be enrolled full-time and paying tuition fees to a post-secondary school in an ASEAN member state listed above

Level of study: available to undergraduate and graduate students.

Value & Duration

  • CAD 10,200 for college, undergraduate or graduate students (Master's and PhD) for a minimum of four months or one academic term of study or research;
  • CAD 12,700 for graduate students (Master's and PhD) for a period of five to six months of study or research; or
  • CAD 15,900 for undergraduate and college students for a period of eight months or two academic terms of study or research.

Deadline

01 March 2024 - submission to GPS by McGill Supervisor

19 March 2024 - Submission to the Government of Canada by GPS

Candidate's studies or research may commence as early as 01 August 2024but no later than 01 February 2025.

Government of Canada webpage: Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development (SEED)

How to Apply

Applicants are responsible for finding their own McGill Supervisor willing to supervise their research while at McGill.

Applications are submitted by GPS to CBIE on behalf of the applicant and supervisor. Supervisor is responsible for submitting all supporting documents to GPS by the indicated deadline. Send completed applicant application by email to graduatefunding.gps [at] mcgill.ca

Application : Click link Application

Required Supporting Documents

  • Proof of citizenship: a copy of the candidate's passport or national identity document with valid dates. Note: a driver's licence, permanent resident card, student card or baptism certificate is not accepted as proof of citizenship.
  • Proof of full-time enrolment: a letter in English or French from the home institution, on official letterhead, dated within the last six months, confirming that the candidate is currently enrolled in a full-time program and will continue to be enrolled upon their return and providing the expected completion date of the degree. Note: copies of transcripts, a student card or letter of admission are not acceptable (maximum one page).
  • Letter of intent from the candidate: a letter in English or French from the candidate describing the nature of their research or studies to be undertaken and explaining the rationale for study in Canada and for the choice of institution, the program and the supervisor. The candidate must also indicate how the proposed program of study or research will relate to their future career (maximum one page).
  • Letter of support from the home institution: a letter in English or French from the candidate's instructor, professor or international director on the institution's official letterhead explaining the nature of study and how the candidate and the home institution will benefit from this scholarship program (maximum one page).
  • Letter of invitation from the Canadian supervisor: applications for graduate students must include a letter from the Canadian supervisor indicating their willingness to support and mentor the candidate. This letter must be on institutional letterhead, be signed and demonstrate the support for the candidate during the exchange period and demonstrate how the Canadian institution, supervisor and peers will benefit (maximum one page).

For health related fields the Host Institution supervisor must confirm that the applicant is excluded from clinical training or clinically-oriented research involving direct patient-care;

  • Signed copy of Memorandum of Understanding or Agreement with the partner institution: a written agreement or understanding, in English or in French, signed by both institutions indicating that tuition fees will not be charged and containing any other clauses of mutual interest. Note: a signed copy of this document is mandatory for undergraduate and college applications. For graduate applications, an inter-institutional agreement is desirable but not mandatory. If there is no existing exchange agreement, graduate applications which involve a new or established collaboration between professors from a Canadian institution and the candidate's home institution will be accepted.
  • Privacy Notice Statement: a copy of the Privacy Notice Statement for non-Canadian participants signed by the candidate.

Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial 4.0 International LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial 4.0 International License.
Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, McGill University.

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