Canada is one of the most attractive destinations for international students because many scholarships there provide not only tuition coverage but also a monthly living stipend. However, these are usually highly competitive, fully funded programs offered by the government, universities, or major research institutions.
In 2026, most stipend-based scholarships in Canada are focused on Master’s, PhD, and research students, with only a few undergraduate full-ride options.
Best Fully Funded Scholarships in Canada with Monthly Stipends
Top Programs Overview
| Scholarship | Level | Monthly Stipend | Coverage | Official Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships | PhD | ~CAD 4,166/month (50,000/year) | Tuition + stipend + research support | https://vanier.gc.ca |
| McCall MacBain Scholarship | Master’s | ~CAD 2,000–2,300/month | Full tuition + living stipend + leadership training | https://mccallmacbainscholars.org |
| Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship | PhD | ~CAD 2,000/month | Tuition + stipend + research + travel | https://www.trudeaufoundation.ca |
| Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) | Master’s/PhD | ~CAD 1,500/month | Tuition support + stipend | https://osap.gov.on.ca |
| Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship | Postdoc | ~CAD 5,833/month | Full research funding | https://banting.fellowships-bourses.gc.ca |
1. Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Top PhD Funding in Canada)
The Vanier CGS is Canada’s most prestigious doctoral scholarship. It is designed for students who show:
- Academic excellence
- Research potential
- Leadership skills
It provides:
- CAD 50,000 per year (monthly stipend equivalent ~4,166 CAD)
- Full research funding support
- Access to top Canadian universities
Official site: https://vanier.gc.ca
👉 This is the strongest fully funded PhD scholarship in Canada.
2. McCall MacBain Scholarship (Top Master’s Scholarship)
One of the few fully funded Master’s scholarships in Canada that includes a real monthly living stipend.
It covers:
- Full tuition fees
- Monthly stipend (~2,000+ CAD)
- Leadership development program
- Mentorship and networking
It is hosted at McGill University, one of Canada’s top universities.
Official info: https://mccallmacbainscholars.org
3. Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship
This is a highly competitive PhD scholarship focused on:
- Social sciences
- Humanities
- Public policy
It provides:
- Monthly stipend (~2,000 CAD)
- Travel funding
- Research support
- Leadership training
Official site: https://www.trudeaufoundation.ca
4. Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS)
The OGS is a province-based scholarship available at many Ontario universities.
It offers:
- About CAD 15,000/year (monthly support)
- Partial tuition coverage
- Merit-based selection
It is not fully funded alone but often combined with university funding.
Official portal: https://osap.gov.on.ca
5. Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship (High Stipend Research Award)
This is one of Canada’s highest-paying research fellowships.
It provides:
- CAD 70,000 per year (very high monthly stipend)
- Full research support
- Postdoctoral funding in top universities
Official site: https://banting.fellowships-bourses.gc.ca
Important Reality About Canada Scholarships (Very Important)
Most international students should understand this clearly:
- Fully funded undergraduate scholarships with stipends are rare
- Most stipend-based funding is for:
- Master’s (limited)
- PhD (most common)
- Postdoctoral research (highest funding)
- Many “full scholarships” are actually:
- Tuition waiver + small stipend OR
- Assistantships (RA/TA jobs)
Final Thoughts
If your goal is to study in Canada in 2026 with a monthly stipend, your best strategy is:
- Focus on Master’s + PhD research programs
- Target universities like:
- University of Toronto
- McGill University
- University of British Columbia
- University of Alberta
- Build a strong profile:
- Research experience
- Strong SOP
- Academic excellence
- Leadership or projects
👉 The strongest realistic stipend pathways are Vanier (PhD) and McCall MacBain (Master’s).