Study permits: Scholarship and award recipients

This section contains policy, procedures and guidance used by IRCC staff. It is posted on the department’s website as a courtesy to stakeholders.

Global Affairs Canada’s international scholarship programs

Global Affairs Canada (GAC) administers and funds a number of scholarship programs allowing students from various countries to pursue studies or training in Canada. Because of the special sponsorship and funding arrangements, it can be assumed that students sponsored under these programs meet the requirements relating to acceptance, institution, course or program of study, language, and transportation. Sponsorship also indicates that sufficient funds are available for single students. Students with a spouse and other family member must have additional funds. Background inquiries and medical examinations are also required.

Refusals

If an applicant is found inadmissible, report the case to GAC.

Information sharing

GAC has the authorization from the applicants and/or the Privacy Commissioner to share personal information with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and to receive information from IRCC as required for the proper administration of the scholarship program under which they applied. GAC shares a list of awardees with officers at relevant missions to facilitate the review and adjudication of visa and study permit requests.

Management of visas and study permits and change of status

GAC scholarship programs are structured either to encourage scholars to return to the home country or specifically to attract talent to Canada, thereby requiring special attention by IRCC.

In the case of the Programme canadien de bourses de la Francophonie (PCBF), participants make a contractual commitment to GAC to return to their country of origin upon completion of the PCBF. When PCBF scholars use, renew or request an extension of their visa or study permit provided under the PCBF, or when they apply to change their status, IRCC officers should inform GAC to ensure that scholars respect their commitment under the PCBF. However, it should be noted that GAC does not issue derogation letters.

Access to student work programs

Students who are funded through these scholarships are not eligible to apply for a work permit under the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program.

Summary of scholarship programs involving GAC

Program Administered by Funded by Length of stay Level of study Research component Special program code
Africa
African Leaders of Tomorrow Global Affairs Canada ‒ Development Global Affairs Canada – Development and MasterCard Foundation 12-24 months Graduate
(Master’s degree)
Yes n/a
Americas (excluding the U.S.)
Canada-Brazil Awards – Joint Research Projects Global Affairs Canada ‒ Education Global Affairs Canada ‒ Education and
Government of Brazil
10 days;
4-6 months
Faculty;
graduate (Master’s degree, PhD)
Yes 512
Canada-Chile Leadership Exchange Scholarship Global Affairs Canada ‒ Education Global Affairs Canada ‒ Education 4-6 months College or vocational; undergraduate; graduate
(Master’s degree, PhD)
Possible 511
Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program Global Affairs Canada ‒ Education Global Affairs Canada ‒ Education 4-6 months College or vocational; undergraduate; graduate
(Master’s degree, PhD)
Possible 509
Asia
Canada-China Scholars’ Exchange Program Global Affairs Canada ‒ Education Global Affairs Canada ‒ Education and
Government of China
4-12 months Faculty; scholars; mid-career; professionals Yes 513
Caribbean
Canada-CARICOM Leadership Scholarships Program Global Affairs Canada ‒ Education Global Affairs Canada ‒ Education 4-8 months College or vocational; undergraduate; graduate
(Master’s degree, PhD)
Possible 510
Canada-CARICOM Faculty Leadership Program Global Affairs Canada ‒ Education Global Affairs Canada ‒ Education 2-3 weeks;
5-6 months
Faculty or international liaison officers or managers undertaking professional development; faculty undertaking graduate studies or research Yes 516
Europe
Dobbin Scholarship Ireland Canada University Foundation Global Affairs Canada ‒ Education and Government of Ireland 2-4 weeks Graduate research Yes 517
James M. Flaherty Program Ireland Canada University Foundation Global Affairs Canada ‒ Education and Government of Ireland 4-6 weeks; 2-3 months Graduate and postdoctoral research; visiting professorship Yes n/a
U.S.
Canada-U.S. Fulbright Program Fulbright Canada Global Affairs Canada ‒ Education and Government of the U.S. 2-6 weeks;
4-36 months
Scholars; professionals;
graduate (Master’s degree, PhD); postdoctoral; faculty
Yes 515
Killam Fellowships Program Fulbright Canada Global Affairs Canada ‒ Education and Fulbright Canada 4-10 months Undergraduate Possible 515
Non-regional specific (to be added to those already present)
Programme canadien de bourses de la Francophonie Global Affairs Canada ‒ Development Global Affairs Canada ‒ Development 12-48 months College or vocational; graduate (Master’s degree, PhD); postdoctoral Yes n/a

Note: Study in Canada Scholarship recipients are eligible for a post-graduation work permit.

Rotary exchange students

The Rotary International Youth Exchange program has been operational since the mid-1920s. It involves approximately 10 000 participants ranging in age from 15 to 18. Students live with Rotary families throughout the year and are financially supported by hosting Rotary clubs.

The program requires students to attend school for one year and includes sponsored events over the summer months after completion of the academic year. The study permit for Rotary exchange students should be valid until August 31 of the following year.

Students involved in this program require a study permit before entering Canada.

Other exchange programs

A number of exchange programs are sponsored by private organizations or educational institutions, which enable international students to attend Canadian schools and be hosted by Canadian families, and vice versa. In most cases, these students do not require a study permit since their length of stay is usually less than six months. Students participating in exchange programs and studying at the post-secondary level are not eligible to work on or off campus.

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