Best Scholarships for Indian Students in Canada 2025

Kasturika Samanta

9 min read

Updated On Mar 03, 2025

Numerous scholarships are available to Indian students in Canada, offered by universities, governments, and various NGOs. Get to know every single detail about them in this blog and fulfil your dream of pursuing higher studies in Canada.

Best Scholarships for Indian Students in Canada

Types of Scholarship to Study in Canada for Indian Students
Popular Government Scholarships in Canada for Indian Students
Popular Non-Government Scholarships to Study in Canada for Indian Students
Popular Institutional Scholarships in Canada for Indian Students
Useful Resources

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According to the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE), the number of Indian students in Canada has increased significantly over the past decade. As of 2023, there are over 230,000 Indian students enrolled in Canadian institutions. The availability of scholarships and financial aid has played a crucial role in this increase. So, let’s explore the top scholarships for Indian students in Canada and their eligibility criteria.

Types of Scholarship to Study in Canada for Indian Students

International students pursuing higher education in Canada can benefit from a variety of funding options offered by universities, the government, and non-governmental organizations.

Below are details of the different types of scholarships available in Canada for international students, including those from India.

Types of Scholarship to Study in Canada for Indian Students

Canadian Government Scholarships

Canadian Government Scholarships are designed to attract top international talent and support them in their academic pursuits in Canada. These scholarships often cover a significant portion of the costs associated with studying abroad, including tuition fees, living expenses, and travel costs.

Non-Government Scholarships

Non-Government Scholarships are offered by various trusts, foundations, and organizations. These scholarships are often geared towards students pursuing specific courses or fields of study and aim to encourage participation and development in those areas.

Institutional Scholarships

Institutional Scholarships are provided by individual universities and colleges in Canada to attract and support international students, including those from India. These scholarships can be based on merit, financial need, or specific fields of study.

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Popular Government Scholarships in Canada for Indian Students

For many students, securing a fully funded scholarship is the key to making their dream of studying in Canada a reality. These scholarships cover tuition fees, living expenses, and sometimes even travel costs, allowing students to focus on their studies without financial worries. Here are some of the top fully funded scholarships available:

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships program is one of the most popular fully funded scholarships in Canada for Indian students. It is designed to attract and retain world-class doctoral students. It provides $50,000 per year for three years during doctoral studies.

Eligibility Criteria	Description
Nomination	A Canadian institution with a Vanier CGS quota must nominate candidates.
Citizenship	Open to Canadian citizens, permanent residents of Canada, and foreign citizens, including Indian students.
Academic Excellence	Candidates must have achieved a first-class average, as determined by their institution, in each of the last two years of full-time study or equivalent.
Research Potential	Applicants should demonstrate a high standard of research potential, including a history of relevant research experience, publication records, and leadership roles.
Leadership Skills	Evidence of leadership skills and potential, which may include community involvement, extracurricular activities, and professional achievements.
PhD Program	Applicants must be pursuing their first doctoral degree (including joint undergraduate/graduate research programs such as MD/PhD, DVM/PhD, JD/PhD) at the nominated institution.
Program Duration	The scholarship is for a duration of three years. Candidates must not have completed more than 20 months of doctoral studies as of May 1 of the year of application.
Field of Study	Open to all fields of research.
Full-Time Enrollment	Candidates must be enrolled in a full-time doctoral program at the nominating Canadian institution.
Selection Criteria	The selection is based on three equally weighted evaluation criteria: Academic Excellence, Research Potential, and Leadership.

Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships

These fellowships support PhD in Canada for Indian students with scholarship. They are highly competitive and provide $70,000 per year for two years to the best postdoctoral applicants.

Eligibility Criteria	Description
Citizenship	Open to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and international applicants.
Academic Qualifications	Must have completed a PhD or equivalent doctoral degree from a recognized institution within the last three years from the start date of the fellowship.
Eligible Research Fields	Health sciences, natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, and humanities.
Host Institution	Must secure sponsorship from a Canadian institution that will host the fellowship.
Application Timeline	Annual application process with deadlines typically in late September or early October.
Evaluation Criteria	Research excellence, leadership potential, and the quality and impact of proposed research program are evaluated.

Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan

This scholarship is funded by the Canadian government for students from Commonwealth countries, including India. It covers travel, tuition, and living expenses.

Eligibility Criteria	Description
Citizenship	Open to citizens of Commonwealth countries, including India.
Education Level	Typically available for Master’s (one or two years) and PhD study.
Academic Qualifications	Varies by country and level of study; generally requires a first-class or upper second-class degree, or equivalent qualifications for Master’s and PhD programs.
Age Limit	Varies by country; generally, candidates must be under 35 years for Master’s and under 40 years for PhD study at the start of the academic year.
Field of Study	Open to various fields of study, based on the priorities of Commonwealth member countries.
Duration	Scholarships typically cover the duration of the study program (one or two years for Master’s, up to three or four years for PhD).
Application Process	Applications are managed by Commonwealth member countries through nominating agencies or directly to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission.
Selection Criteria	Academic merit, potential impact of the study, and the development impact on the applicant’s home country.

Quebec Provincial Government Scholarship

The Quebec Provincial Government Scholarship is aimed at supporting students pursuing higher education in Quebec, including international students. These scholarships are typically administered through different provincial agencies such as FRQNT (Fonds de recherche du Québec – Nature et technologies), FRQSC (Fonds de recherche du Québec – Société et culture), and others.

Eligibility Criteria	Description
Citizenship	Open to Canadian citizens, permanent residents of Canada, and international students, including those from India.
Academic Requirements	Varies by specific scholarship program and agency (e.g., FRQNT, FRQSC). Typically requires academic excellence and fulfillment of program-specific requirements.
Field of Study	Open to various fields of study based on priorities set by Quebec provincial agencies.
Application Process	Managed through online portals provided by Quebec’s funding agencies. Requires submission of academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a research proposal.
Duration	Varies by scholarship program; can range from one-time awards to multi-year funding for doctoral studies.
Specific Requirements	Each scholarship may have additional specific criteria such as language proficiency, research experience, or residency requirements.

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Popular Non-Government Scholarships to Study in Canada for Indian Students

The non-government scholarships for Indian students studying in Canada provide full financial assistance, including travel expenses, health insurance, housing costs, and monthly allowances, in addition to tuition.

These sponsorships demonstrate the organizations’ dedication to helping Indian students fulfill their academic goals and lessen the financial burden of attending university in Canada.

Trudeau Foundation Scholarships

Criteria	Description
Field of Study	Must be pursuing doctoral studies in fields related to social sciences and humanities.
Value	Up to $60,000 per year for up to three years.
Additional Criteria	Demonstrated leadership and engagement in addressing societal issues through research. High academic achievement and research potential.

Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute Scholarships

Criteria	Description
Fields Covered	Various fields of study based on specific program objectives and eligibility criteria.
Value	Varies by specific scholarship program and duration. Typically includes funding for research, travel, and living expenses during the tenure of the scholarship.
Application Process	Specific requirements vary by scholarship program, including academic merit and research proposal alignment.

Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships

Criteria	Description
Citizenship	Open to Indian citizens who have been continuously resident in India for at least 6 months prior to the application.
Fields Covered	Covers various fields, including humanities, social sciences, and fine arts, among others.
Value	The scholarship provides funding covering tuition fees (if applicable), living expenses, and other related costs. The exact amount varies depending on the program and duration of study.
Application Process	Applicants must demonstrate exceptional talent and potential in their chosen field of study.

Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarships

Criteria	Description
Citizenship	Open to Canadian citizens, permanent residents of Canada, and international students, including Indian students.
Field of Study	Must be pursuing doctoral studies in fields related to social sciences and humanities.
Value	Varies; includes a stipend of up to $60,000 per year for up to three years.
Selection Criteria	Emphasizes research excellence, leadership potential, and commitment to addressing societal issues through research.

IDRC Research Awards

Criteria	Description
Citizenship	Open to citizens of developing countries, including India.
Education	Must have a master’s or doctoral degree in a related field.
Research Experience	Demonstrated research experience and potential impact in developing countries.
Value	Covers research costs and includes a stipend.
Application Process	Applicants apply directly to the International Development Research Centre (IDRC).

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Popular Institutional Scholarships in Canada for Indian Students

International students must carefully check their eligibility and meet application deadlines in order to meet the requirements for an institutional scholarship to study in Canada. It is imperative that potential candidates fully comprehend the particular prerequisites and application deadlines linked to each scholarship.

Ontario Trillium Scholarships (OTS)

The Ontario government and participating universities provide these scholarships for Masters in Canada for Indian students.

Criteria	Description
Value	$5,000 per term for up to four terms (total $20,000)
Eligibility	Open to international students, including Indian students. Must have exceptional academic records entering a master’s program in Ontario. Must demonstrate leadership potential and community involvement.

Lester B. Pearson International Scholarships

The University of Toronto offers these scholarships annually, honouring exceptional students all around the world, including those attending Canadian high schools. About 37 students are recognized as Lester B. Pearson Scholars each year.

Criteria	Description
Field of Study	Any undergraduate program at the University of Toronto
Value	Covers tuition, books, incidental fees, and full residence support for four years
Eligibility	Outstanding international students, including Indian students, who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement, creativity, leadership qualities, and community involvement.

International Leader of Tomorrow Award

The International Leader of Tomorrow Award is a prestigious scholarship offered by the University of British Columbia (UBC) to attract exceptional international students, including those from India, who demonstrate strong academic achievement, leadership potential, and a commitment to community service.

Criteria	Description
Field of Study	Any undergraduate program at UBC
Value	Partial to full tuition coverage
Eligibility	Open to international students, including Indian students. Must demonstrate exceptional academic achievement. Must show strong leadership skills and a commitment to community service.

Humber College International Entrance Scholarships

Humber College International Entrance Scholarships are designed to support scholarship in Canada for Indian students after 12th in Canada.

Criteria	Description
Field of Study	Any undergraduate program at Humber College
Value	Partial to full tuition coverage based on academic performance
Eligibility	Open to international students, including Indian students, who have completed their 12th grade education. Must demonstrate academic excellence and leadership potential. Community involvement may also be considered.

Carleton University Entrance Scholarships for International Students

They are one of the most undergraduate scholarships for Indian students in Canada.

Criteria	Description
Field of Study	Any undergraduate program at Carleton University
Value	Various scholarships ranging from CAD 4,000 to CAD 16,000 over four years
Eligibility	International students, including Indian students, with strong academic achievements and leadership qualities.

Alberta MBA Scholarships

Criteria	Description
Provider	Alberta universities or business schools offering MBA programs
Field of Study	Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Value	Financial support or tuition coverage based on the scholarship program
Eligibility	Available for international students, including Indian students, pursuing MBA studies in Alberta. Must meet specific academic and/or professional criteria set by the university or business school.

York University International Student Scholarship Program

Criteria	Description
Field of Study	Any undergraduate program at York University
Value	Scholarships ranging from CAD 2,000 to CAD 35,000 per year
Eligibility	International students, including Indian students, with outstanding academic records, leadership potential, and community involvement.

Numerous scholarships are available for Indian students aspiring to study in Canada. Whether you are looking for fully funded scholarships, specific programs for undergraduate or graduate studies, or financial aid after completing 12th grade, there is a scholarship out there to help you achieve your academic goals. Make sure to research and apply early to increase your chances of securing these valuable opportunities.

Useful Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How to get a scholarship to study in Canada from India?

You must be enrolled full-time in an approved bachelor's, master's, or doctorate program at a Canadian university in order to be eligible for a scholarship in Canada.

Can I get 100% scholarship in Canada?

Yes, a few Canadian universities provide scholarships to international students that fully pay their tuition costs. These highly competitive scholarships are usually given out in accordance with research accomplishments, leadership potential, and academic distinction.

How do I qualify for scholarships in Canada?

To qualify for scholarships in Canada, focus on maintaining a strong academic record, participating actively in extracurricular activities, demonstrating leadership skills, and highlighting any relevant research experience. Additionally, be sure to carefully review and meet the specific eligibility criteria outlined by each scholarship provider.

How much percentage is required for scholarship in Canada?

Foreign applicants who are accepted and have an admission average of 90% or higher will be taken into consideration for scholarships in Canada.

How can I study in Canada for free from India?

To study for free in Canada, you can apply for a fully-funded or full-tuition scholarship. The university will provide you with financial support if you qualify.

Which exam is required for a scholarship in Canada?

The specific exam required for a scholarship in Canada varies based on the scholarship and institution. Generally, for undergraduate studies, exams like the SAT or ACT may be required, while for graduate studies, exams such as the GRE or GMAT might be necessary.

When to apply for scholarships in Canada?

It's recommended to start researching and applying for scholarships at least 8-12 months before the start of your intended academic program. Some scholarships have specific deadlines, often in the fall or early winter preceding the academic year you plan to begin.