Canada is home to world-class educational institutions that offer groundbreaking research initiatives and a strong commitment to academic excellence. Whether a student is at an undergraduate, master’s, or postdoctoral level, having a research grant and funding can significantly impact the educational journey. We have brought you top research grants and funding opportunities for Canadian students if you’re searching for one.
Whether planning to conduct cutting-edge scientific research, explore social innovations, or work on community-based projects, these opportunities will significantly support your journey and lead you towards academic excellence. These funding opportunities are government, federal, provincial, university-specific, and international. So, understand them thoroughly and start writing your research paper immediately.
Why Do Research Grants & Funding Matter for Students?
Research grants and funding play an important role in students’ academic journey. They allow them to start their academic and professional trajectories and efficiently contribute to their associated fields. Here is why research grants and funding matter for students:
- Financial Support: It provides students with financial support that covers tuition fees, living expenses, and research costs, including materials, travel, etc., and other essential expenses. It significantly helps them alleviate the financial burden of higher education.
- Access to Resources and Mentorship: Grants and funding also provide access to specialized resources, such as equipment, libraries, and other things required for high-quality research. It also provides mentorship and collaboration with experienced researchers.
- Enhanced Research Experience: Grants and funding encourage students to participate in research projects and gain hands-on experience in the field, including skills like critical thinking and problem-solving.
- Networking Opportunities: Grants and funding also allow students to collaborate with different researchers, institutions, and field personnel, providing them with networking opportunities. It also helps to expand their professional network.
- Career Advancement: Through research projects and grant-funded work, students learn a handful of skills and experience that can be highly valuable in future careers. They will be much more likely to win, whether they choose to go into academics, industry, or other fields.
Top Research Grants & Funding Opportunities For Canadian Students
Here are the top ten research grants and funding opportunities for Canadian students:
1. Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)
NSERC is one of the main granting and funding bodies for Canadian students. It caters to students involved in science, engineering, and technology fields. It is a government-funded grant and has several eligibility levels, such as undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral. It offers students several key programs, such as:
- Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA): This program is specially designed for undergraduate students and offers $6,000+ for a 12-16-week research project.
- NSERC Canada Graduate Scholarships (CGS): This program is for master’s-level students and offers $17,500 for 12 months of research project.
- NSERC Postgraduate Scholarships (PGS-D): This program caters to doctoral students who receive up to $21,000 annually to continue their research projects.
- Postdoctoral Fellowships (PDF): This program supports postdoctoral students with $45,000 annually for up to 2 years.
NSERC funding cycles typically open in the fall; however, internal university deadlines might end earlier.
2. Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)
SSHRC is also a prominent grant and funding body in Canada; however, it supports research projects in the humanities and social sciences. It provides students working in areas like psychology, history, sociology, law, and education with sufficient resources and means to identify gaps in existing studies and enhance their field knowledge.
SSHRC is a federal government funding body that caters to graduate and postdoctoral students. Its funding amount varies from $17,500 to $50,000+. It offers a variety of key programs, such as:
- Joseph-Armand Bombardier CGS Master’s Scholarships
- Doctoral Fellowships
- Postdoctoral Fellowships
SSHRC also offers Connection Grants and Insight Development Grants, which are suitable for students aiming to conduct early-level research initiatives and collaborative projects.
3. Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
If you’re a student or researcher in medical health, public health, or epidemiology, CIHR is your perfect option. It is the primary funding source for health-related research in Canada. CIHR caters to a wide range of research, letting researchers investigate biomedical studies and population health and enabling them to bring various health system innovations.
CIHR is a federal government-funded body that is eligible to be applied by graduate and postdoctoral students. Its funding amount varies from $17,500 to $60,00+. Here are the different key programs included in CIHR:
- Frederick Banting and Charles Best CGS Master’s Awards
- Doctoral Research Awards
- Health System Impact Fellowships
Visit their website to understand their funding procedure and deadlines that you must mind.
4. Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
Vanier CGS is considered one of the most prestigious graduate scholarships in Canada. It is prominently awarded to students on the basis of their academic excellence, research potential, and leadership qualities. However, the best thing about this scholarship is that it is open not only to Canadian students but also to international PhD students.
Vanier CGS is a federal prestige award for graduate students to pursue their doctoral studies and research. It is a highly competitive scholarship and you must be nominated by your institution to be able to secure it. It includes a handsome funding amount of $50,000 annually for three years.
If you want this scholarship, you must keep in touch with your faculty’s awards office.
5. Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships
Banting PDF is a federal prestige fellowship that is offered by the tri-agency (CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC). It significantly supports postdoctoral students who have exceptional academic records and who have the potential to positively impact Canada’s research landscape. It caters to students of all academic fields with $70,000 annually for two years.
If you also want to get a Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship, visit their site right away and ensure that you meet their requirements.
6. Mitacs Research Programs
Mitacs is a national nonprofit organization in Canada that connects students with research internships and industry collaborators. These programs are regarded as industry-academia partnerships. They significantly cater to students of all study levels, such as undergraduate, master’s, or PhD. They offer a funding amount varying from $6,000 to $15,000.
Mitacs offers a variety of key programs, such as:
- Mitacs Accelerate: This program partners with companies to apply educational research in real-world settings.
- Mitacs Globalink Research Internship: This program is funded by international research placements for undergraduates.
- Mitacs Elevate: This program includes postdoctoral fellowships with leadership development.
If you are looking to gain both academic and industry experience, then Miltacs Research Programs is your best option.
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7. Canada Graduate Scholarships (CGS)
CGS is also a tri-agency funding option jointly offered by NSERC, SSHRC, and CIHR. It is considered one of the most common funding and grant options for Canadian graduate and doctoral students. It is commonly awarded to students with academic excellence and research potential. Its funding is $17,500 for master’s and $35,000 for doctoral students.
Every agency involved in CGS has its own website and application guidelines. So, apply through an agency that is relevant to your academic field.
8. Provincial Research Grants and Fellowships
Several Canadian provinces also provide various research grants and scholarships to support local talent and institutions so they can contribute to academics and industry. The grants are eligible at the graduate and doctoral levels, and the funding amount varies according to the provinces. Here are the different programs included in provincial-specific grants and funding:
- Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS): This scholarship is awarded to Canadian students located in Ontario, who receive $5,000 per term, which can be $15,000 annually.
- Fonds de Recherche du Quebec (FRQ): These scholarships are awarded to students in the Quebec province to support research related to fields like health, nature, and society.
- Research Nova Scotia & BC Graduate Scholarships: These scholarships are awarded to graduate students in provinces like Nova Scotia and British Columbia.
If you are also planning to apply for these scholarships, check your province’s Ministry of Education or regional research councils for more opportunities.
9. University-Specific Research Funding
Almost all universities in Canada offer internal rewards, teaching assistantships, and research opportunities to students in different academic disciplines. University-specific grants and funding cover students from undergraduate to postdoctoral levels. Here are some popular university-level research opportunities in Canada:
- University of Toronto School of Graduate Studies Fellowships
- UBC Four Year Doctoral Fellowship (4YF)
- McGill Graduate Excellence Fellowships
- Waterloo Graduate Research Studentships
If you’re a university student and want to avail yourself of funding grants, always consult your department’s graduate coordinator or funding office. They will let you know the updated listings and deadlines.
10. International Funding Opportunities For Canadian Students
Canadian students not only have national research grants and funding opportunities but also international ones. If you’re a Canadian student and you want to research in a field that has more scope and opportunities in another country, you can also get various options. Here are the different external and exchange programs that you can avail yourself of:
- Fulbright Canada Awards: It is a study or research opportunity for Canadian students in the US.
- Commonwealth Scholarships: These scholarships are awarded to Canadian students who want to study at UK universities and other commonwealth nations.
- DAAD Research Grants (Germany): These grants are awarded to students aiming to conduct short or long-term research in Germany.
- Rhodes Scholarships (Oxford): These scholarships are prestigious cost-included awarded to postgraduate studies.
The grants and funding opportunities often include living, travel, and tuition expenses. If you also want to explore them, visit their websites immediately.
5 Essential Tips For Securing Research Grants & Funding
Follow these five essential tips for securing your desired research grants and funding in Canada:
Tip 1: Start early & stay organized
The best way to secure research grants and funding is to start early, as many opportunities have strict Canadian dates and multiple stages. So, start researching about opportunities 6-12 months in advance. Make a calendar to track deadlines and requirements.
Tip 2: Align with the funder’s priorities
Another method is to create a research proposal that efficiently reflects the funder’s priorities. Carefully read the funder’s mission statement, past funded projects, and evaluation criteria. Use their language and keywords in your application to increase your odds.
Tip 3: Showcase an impactful plan
A research project with high real-life impact is more likely to secure grants and funding. So, efficiently specify your research questions and objectives and outline a structured research methodology, expected outcomes, and timeline. It shows that you’re not just passionate but also prepared.
Tip 4: Get letters of recommendation
Having compelling reference or recommendation letters can significantly validate your academic potential, work ethic, and research ability. So, carefully choose your referees who know your work well. The most ideal people are research supervisors and faculty members.
Tip 5: Revise, review, repeat
No matter how brilliant your idea is, small errors, mistakes, or typos can significantly cost you your research funding or grant. So, revise your application multiple times, use tools like Grammarly and request feedback from peers, mentors, and previous grant recipients.
Struggling to Write Your Research Proposal?
Applying for research grants and funding opportunities requires writing an impactful and strong research proposal containing all the research objectives, methodology, and field contributions. Students with well-written research proposals are more likely to secure their sought-after grants and funding. However, newbies face various difficulties in doing so. If you’re also applying for your desired grants and funding and facing issues with crafting a top-notch proposal, don’t worry. Professional research proposal writers are at your disposal to provide you with excellent results. They will remarkably help you secure your required funding and start your esteemed research journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
The top government-funded research grants for Canadian students are Tri-Agency grants (NSERC, CIHR, SSHRC), Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships, Mitacs Accelerate, Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS), and Fonds de Recherche du Quebec (FRQ).
Yes, international students can apply for various Canada-based research grants and funding opportunities, such as Mitacs Globalink, the University of Toronto Graduate Funding, and Pierre Elliot Trudeau Foundation Scholarships.
You can use databases like Scholarships Canada or Yconic to find research funding opportunities tailored to your field of study. For instance, NSERC is for STEM, and SSHRC is for social sciences.
