Canada is one of the most popular destinations for international students who want to pursue higher education in a diverse and multicultural environment. Canada offers a high quality of life, a welcoming society, a strong economy, and a world-class education system. However, studying in Canada can also be expensive, especially for students from developing countries who face financial challenges and barriers.
Fortunately, there are many scholarships available for African students who want to study in Canada. Some of these scholarships are fully funded by the government of Canada, which means that they cover all the costs of tuition, living expenses, travel, health insurance, and other fees. These scholarships are aimed at promoting academic excellence, fostering international cooperation, and supporting the development of African countries.
In this article, we will introduce some of the most popular and prestigious fully funded government of Canada scholarships for African students. We will also provide some tips on how to apply for these scholarships and increase your chances of success.
Canada-Africa Research Exchange Grants
The Canada-Africa Research Exchange Grants (CAREG) are offered by the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC) in partnership with the International Development Research Centre (IDRC). The CAREG program supports short-term exchanges of researchers between Canadian and African universities. The program aims to enhance research capacity, foster collaboration, and address development issues in Africa.
The CAREG program provides grants of up to CAD 40,000 for each exchange project. The grants cover travel costs, living expenses, research expenses, and administrative fees. The duration of each exchange project is between three and six months. The eligible fields of research include agriculture and food security, health, education, governance, environment, and gender1.
To apply for the CAREG program, you need to be a researcher affiliated with a Canadian or an African university that is a member of the AUCC. You also need to have a research partner from the other continent who is willing to host you during the exchange. You need to submit a joint proposal that outlines the objectives, methodology, expected outcomes, and budget of your exchange project1.
The deadline for the CAREG program is usually in February or March every year. You can find more information about the program and the application process on the AUCC website.
African Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship Program
The African Leaders of Tomorrow (ALT) Scholarship Program is offered by the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) in collaboration with the Institute of Public Administration of Canada (IPAC) and the African Association of Public Administration and Management (AAPAM). The ALT Scholarship Program supports young African professionals who want to pursue a master’s degree in public administration, public policy, or public finance in Canada. The program aims to develop the next generation of public sector leaders in Africa2.
The ALT Scholarship Program provides full scholarships for up to two years of study in Canada. The scholarships cover tuition fees, living expenses, books, travel costs, health insurance, and other fees. The scholarship recipients also receive mentorship and professional development opportunities during their studies in Canada. The eligible fields of study include public administration, public policy, public finance, governance, and related disciplines2.
To apply for the ALT Scholarship Program, you need to be a citizen and resident of an eligible sub-Saharan African country. You also need to have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent with a minimum average of B (75%). You need to have at least two years of work experience in the public sector or related fields. You need to have strong leadership potential and a commitment to return to Africa after your studies. You need to meet the admission requirements and apply to one or more eligible Canadian universities that offer programs in your field of interest2.
The deadline for the ALT Scholarship Program is usually in October or November every year. You can find more information about the program and the application process on the CBIE website.
IDRC Research Awards
The IDRC Research Awards are offered by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), a Canadian federal crown corporation that supports research for development around the world. The IDRC Research Awards support graduate students and postdoctoral fellows who want to conduct research on development issues in low- and middle-income countries. The awards aim to enhance research skills, foster innovation, and contribute to knowledge generation3.
The IDRC Research Awards provide funding for up to 12 months of research in one or more eligible countries. The awards cover travel costs, living expenses, research expenses, and administrative fees. The award recipients also receive mentorship and guidance from IDRC staff during their research projects. The eligible fields of research include agriculture and environment, inclusive economies, technology and innovation, health systems, governance and justice3.
To apply for the IDRC Research Awards, you need to be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada or a citizen of an eligible developing country. You also need to be enrolled in a master’s or doctoral program or have completed a PhD within the last three years. You need to have a research proposal that aligns with one or more of IDRC’s thematic priorities and addresses a development challenge in an eligible country3.
The deadline for the IDRC Research Awards is usually in September every year. You can find more information about the awards and the application process on the IDRC website.
Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship Program
The Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship Program (CCSP) is offered by the Government of Canada in collaboration with the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU). The CCSP supports students from Commonwealth countries who want to pursue graduate studies or research in Canada. The program aims to promote academic excellence, cultural exchange, and mutual understanding among Commonwealth nations.
The CCSP provides scholarships for up to one year of study or research in Canada. The scholarships cover tuition fees, living expenses, travel costs, health insurance, and other fees. The scholarship recipients also receive academic and social support from Canadian universities and the ACU. The eligible fields of study or research include any discipline offered by Canadian universities.
To apply for the CCSP, you need to be a citizen of an eligible Commonwealth country. You also need to have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent with a minimum average of B (75%). You need to have an offer of admission or an invitation to conduct research from an eligible Canadian university. You need to demonstrate academic merit, leadership potential, and a commitment to contribute to your home country after your studies.
The deadline for the CCSP is usually in December every year. You can find more information about the program and the application process on the [ACU website].
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS) are offered by the Government of Canada in partnership with Canadian universities. The Vanier CGS support doctoral students who demonstrate academic excellence, research potential, and leadership skills. The program aims to attract and retain world-class doctoral students and establish Canada as a global centre of excellence in research and higher education.
The Vanier CGS provide scholarships for up to three years of doctoral studies in Canada. The scholarships are valued at CAD 50,000 per year. The scholarship recipients also receive access to networking and professional development opportunities during their studies in Canada. The eligible fields of study include health sciences, natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, and humanities.
To apply for the Vanier CGS, you need to be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada or a citizen of any other country. You also need to be enrolled in or intend to pursue a doctoral program at an eligible Canadian university. You need to have a first-class average in your previous two years of study. You need to have a research proposal that addresses a significant and innovative issue in your field of interest. You need to demonstrate leadership skills and involvement in academic, professional, or community activities.
The deadline for the Vanier CGS is usually in November every year. You can find more information about the program and the application process on the [Vanier CGS website].
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many fully funded government of Canada scholarships for African students who want to study in Canada. These scholarships offer not only financial support but also academic, professional, and personal development opportunities. However, these scholarships are also very competitive and require high academic performance, strong research potential, and outstanding leadership skills.
If you are interested in applying for any of these scholarships, you should start preparing early and do your research well. You should identify your field of interest, choose your preferred Canadian universities, contact potential supervisors or mentors, write a compelling research proposal, and gather all the required documents. You should also check the eligibility criteria, application deadlines, and selection processes for each scholarship program.
Studying in Canada can be a life-changing experience for African students who want to pursue their academic goals and contribute to their home countries. By applying for these fully funded government of Canada scholarships, you can make your dream come true and become part of the global community of scholars and leaders.
We hope this article has given you some useful information and inspiration for your future studies in Canada. We wish you all the best in your scholarship applications and your academic journey!
