Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships Program. NOTE: this competition is open. Deadline for nomination by university: November 9, 2011 (8:00 p.m. Eastern time)

Information for international students interested in being considered for a Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship

The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (CGS) program provides scholarships to world-class doctoral students, supporting those who demonstrate a high standard of scholarly achievement in graduate studies in the social sciences and humanities, natural sciences and engineering, and health, as well as leadership skills. Canada's three federal granting agencies, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC),Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), provide the guidance, support and tools needed to administer and promote the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships program.

Both Canadian and international students are eligible to be nominated for a Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship. The award is valued at $50,000 per year, for up to three years. At full capacity, the program will support 500 Canadian and international doctoral students per year.

The prestigious Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships program represents an excellent international study opportunity. If you are an international student interested in being considered for a Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship, please take the time to review the information below regarding the nomination process.

Nomination process

Students must be nominated by a Canadian university with a Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships program quota, in order to be considered for a Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship. International students should identify and contact the department of the Canadian postsecondary institution, with a Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships program quota, at which they hope to study, and indicate their interest in the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships program to faculty of the department (preferable) or Graduate Studies/Fellowships office of the university. Students are encouraged to highlight their strengths and indicate the contribution they believe they could make to the program.
International students are advised to make contact with the Canadian university department as early as possible. Please note that communication with faculty at Canadian universities during the summer vacation period (July-August) may be difficult. For this reason, it is advisable that you copy other university parties (Department Chair/Director, Graduate Program Director, etc.) if you are conducting your initial correspondence via e-mail.
The universities will first undertake their own nomination process of candidates. The university nomination process generally begins in September; however, preliminary assessment for a Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship may start earlier, e.g. Canadian spring/summer, at some institutions. After the university nomination process, the selected nominees are then sent to the appropriate federal granting agency for final consideration for an award.
In September, in the context of the university nomination process, applicants are required to submit:

past academic results, as demonstrated by official transcripts, awards and distinctions
evidence of relevant professional and academic experience, including research training and potential leadership ability, as demonstrated by work experience, community involvement, participation in preparing publications, conference presentations or papers, etc.
two written evaluations from referees
any additional supporting materials, as required by the university

Applicants must also comply with university entrance requirements, including language proficiency level.
Please consult the university department for further information regarding the above.
Please note that common delays in the university nomination process include missing or tardy original documents, such as official transcripts, letters of recommendation, etc. Applications must be complete and without error. Applicants should request supporting documents as early as possible. The services of an international courier paid by the applicant may be required in order to meet deadlines. Incomplete nominations will not be accepted.
For further information regarding the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships program, please see the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships website.

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships program timeline

Spring/summer: International students contact Canadian university with a Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships program quota, expressing interest in applying for a Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship at that university
September: Canadian university classes resume after summer vacation
September/October: Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships program application, including supporting documents, is submitted by the applicant to the university department; university nomination process takes place for Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
November: Official Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship program nominations deadline is November 6, 2009. Universities submit nominations to federal granting agencies for final selection process
Spring following year: Announcement of Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship award recipients
May, September or the following January: Tenure of the award may begin

Further information

For information about the Canadian postsecondary educational system and universities, please see the following links:

Education au/in Canada for information about study in Canada, including student visa information.
The Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC) provides a database of university programs offered in Canada by members of the AUCC.
The Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC) featuring information about education and studying in Canada and the recognition of foreign credentials and assessment of diplomas and qualifications in Canada
Canada Research Chairs featuring the strategic research priorities of individual universities in the context of the Canada Research Chairs (CRC) program, with a list of summaries of Strategic Research Plans (SRP) prepared by universities