Program goals

Canada’s prosperity as a nation is increasingly based on science and technology and the highly skilled and creative individuals whose talents bring innovations to life. Their ideas spark the creation of new products, services and policies that support Canada’s economic competitiveness, strengthen social foundations, sustain the environment and improve our quality of life.

These concepts are central to the Government of Canada’s science and technology (S&T) strategy, announced in May 2007, which set out a multiyear framework for improving Canada’s long-term competitiveness. Attracting and retaining the best minds to innovate within Canada is a government priority.

The Government of Canada launched the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS) program in 2009 to strengthen Canada’s ability to attract and retain the world’s top-tier doctoral students. Vanier scholars demonstrate leadership skills and a high standard of scholarly achievement in graduate studies in the social sciences and humanities, natural sciences and engineering, and health.

Scholarship recipients receive $50,000 each year for three years. A total of 660 scholarships have been awarded since the inception of the program—164 of them to international doctoral students from the United States, Europe, Africa and Asia. The program supports up to 500 new students annually.

Benefits for Canada

The Vanier CGS program helps Canada’s universities attract sought-after doctoral students from across Canada and around the world. These promising scholars help to create a dynamic and innovative environment on our university campuses. Many will stay on to become academics and professionals in Canada, helping to foster innovation and creating the jobs of the future.

Governance

Canada’s three federal research granting agencies—Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)—provide the guidance, support and tools needed to administer and promote the program.

Georges Philias Vanier

The Vanier CGS program honours distinguished Canadian soldier and diplomat Major-General the Right Honourable Georges Philias Vanier (1888-1967), who served as governor general of Canada from 1959 to 1967.