Global Affairs Canada International Scholarships Program

Scholarships may only be awarded to individuals who are:

• Citizens of the following eligible countries/territories:
  • Caribbean: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos;
  • Central America: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama;
  • North America: Mexico;
  • South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela.
• Enrolled full-time at a post-secondary institution in an eligible country/territory;
• Paying tuition fees to that institution at the time of application and for the full duration of their mobility in Canada;
• Able to complete all project activities no later than September 30, 2027.

Scholarships may not be awarded to individuals who:

• Hold or have a pending application for Canadian citizenship or permanent residency.
• Are already holding another grant or source of funding from Global Affairs Canada (GAC), through its legal name, the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD), or from a Canadian federal granting agency (e.g. Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) or Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). All additional sources of funding must be declared.
• Are already enrolled in a degree, diploma or certificate program at a Canadian post-secondary institution.

Scholarship value and duration must be as follows:

• $8,600 for 4 months or one academic term for study or research at the college of undergraduate level
• $8,600 for 4 months or one academic term for study or research at the graduate level (Masters and PhD)
• $12,400 for 5 to 6 months for study or research at the graduate level (Masters and PhD)

A committee comprised of Western University staff and faculty will evaluate applications based on the following criteria:

• merit of the research or study to be undertaken in Canada
• benefit to the home institution and peers
• benefit to the Canadian institution, supervisor and peers
• equitable gender participation and ensuring broad representation of eligible countries and territories

Applicants will complete Western’s internal application form and submit the following required documents:

• Proof of citizenship
  • A copy of the candidate's passport or national identity card with a photo and valid dates
  • Documents not accepted as proof of citizenship are: driver’s license, permanent residence card, work permit, student card, health card, birth certificate or baptismal certificate
  • Proof of citizenship selected must be from the same country/territory as the citizenship selected in the online application form
• Signed Privacy Notice Statement (required for submission to GAC)
  • A copy of the Privacy Notice Statement for non-Canadian participants signed by the candidate and dated within the last six months
• Letter of intent from the candidate (maximum one page)
  • Explains the nature of studies or research to be undertaken
  • Provides rationale for study in Canada and for the choice of institution, program and supervisor and how the proposed program of study or research will relate to their future career
• Letter of proof of full-time enrolment from the home institution
  • On official letterhead
  • Signed and dated within the last six months
  • Confirms that the candidate is currently enrolled in a full-time program (letters that do not confirm full-time student status will be deemed incomplete and not eligible)
  • Confirms that the candidate is paying tuition fees to their home institution at the time of application and for the full duration of their mobility in Canada (if applicable)
  • Copies of transcripts, a student card or a letter of admission are not acceptable
• Letter of support from the home institution (maximum one page)
  • On official letterhead
  • Signed and dated within the last six months
  • From the candidate's instructor, professor or international director
  • Explains the nature of study or research to be undertaken in Canada and how the candidate and the home institution will benefit from this scholarship program
  • Confirms that the student is in good standing and has obtained approval of the research arrangement for the duration of time noted above.
• Letter of invitation from the Canadian supervisor (Visiting Research Only, maximum one page)
  • On institutional letterhead
  • Dated within the last six months
  • Signed by the Canadian supervisor
  • Describes the nature and scope of the research collaboration with the student’s home institution
  • Confirms their willingness to support and mentor the candidate during the exchange period
  • Explains how the Canadian institution, supervisor and peers will benefit from the student’s research experience
• Curriculum Vitae (for graduate students applying for a research experience only)

Scholarships may only be awarded to individuals who are:

• Citizens of the following eligible countries/territories:
  • Asia: Bangladesh, Nepal, Taiwan;
  • Europe: Türkiye, Ukraine;
  • Middle East and North Africa: Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia;
  • Sub-Saharan Africa: Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda.
• Enrolled full-time at a post-secondary institution in an eligible country/territory;
• Paying tuition fees to that institution at the time of application and for the full duration of their mobility in Canada, if applicable.
• Able to complete all project activities no later than September 30, 2027.

Scholarships may not be awarded to individuals who:

• Hold or have a pending application for Canadian citizenship or permanent residency;
• Are already holding another grant or source of funding from Global Affairs Canada (GAC), through its legal name, the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD), or from a Canadian federal granting agency (e.g. Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) or Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). All additional sources of funding must be declared;
• Are already enrolled in a degree, diploma or certificate program at a Canadian post-secondary institution.

Scholarship value and duration must be as follows:

• $10,200 for 4 months or one academic term for study or research at the college of undergraduate level
• $10,200 for 4 months or one academic term for study or research at the graduate level (Masters and PhD)
• $14,000 for 5 to 6 months for study or research at the graduate level (Masters and PhD)

A committee comprised of Western University staff and faculty will evaluate applications based on the following criteria:

• merit of the research or study to be undertaken in Canada
• benefit to the home institution and peers
• benefit to the Canadian institution, supervisor and peers
• equitable gender participation and ensuring broad representation of eligible countries and territories

Applicants will complete Western’s internal application form and submit the following required documents:

• Proof of citizenship
  • A copy of the candidate's passport or national identity card with a photo and valid dates
  • Documents not accepted as proof of citizenship are: driver’s license, permanent residence card, work permit, student card, health card, birth certificate or baptismal certificate
  • Proof of citizenship selected must be from the same country/territory as the citizenship selected in the online application form
• Signed Privacy Notice Statement (required for submission to GAC)
  • A copy of the Privacy Notice Statement for non-Canadian participants signed by the candidate and dated within the last six months
• Letter of intent from the candidate (maximum one page)
  • Explains the nature of studies or research to be undertaken
  • Provides rationale for study in Canada and for the choice of institution, program and supervisor and how the proposed program of study or research will relate to their future career
• Letter of proof of full-time enrolment from the home institution
  • On official letterhead
  • Signed and dated within the last six months
  • Confirms that the candidate is currently enrolled in a full-time program (letters that do not confirm full-time student status will be deemed incomplete and not eligible)
  • Confirms that the candidate is paying tuition fees to their home institution at the time of application and for the full duration of their mobility in Canada (if applicable)
  • Copies of transcripts, a student card or a letter of admission are not acceptable
• Letter of support from the home institution (maximum one page)
  • On official letterhead
  • Signed and dated within the last six months
  • From the candidate's instructor, professor or international director
  • Explains the nature of study or research to be undertaken in Canada and how the candidate and the home institution will benefit from this scholarship program
  • Confirms that the student is in good standing and has obtained approval of the research arrangement for the duration of time noted above.
• Letter of invitation from the Canadian supervisor (Visiting Research Only and graduate students only, maximum one page)
  • On institutional letterhead
  • Dated within the last six months
  • Signed by the Canadian supervisor
  • Describes the nature and scope of the research collaboration with the student’s home institution
  • Confirms their willingness to support and mentor the candidate during the exchange period
  • Explains how the Canadian institution, supervisor and peers will benefit from the student's research experience

To be eligible, candidates must be:

• citizens of a country listed below:
  • ASEAN Member States: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos (Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR)), Malaysia, Myanmar, The Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam;
  • Pacific Island Countries: Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu;
  • Mongolia.
• enrolled full-time at a post-secondary institution in an eligible country
• paying tuition fees to that institution at the time of application and for the full duration of their exchange

Candidates are not eligible for this scholarship if they:

• hold or have a pending application for Canadian citizenship or permanent residency
• are already participating in a scholarship program funded by the Government of Canada
• are already enrolled in a degree, diploma or certificate program at a Canadian post-secondary institution
• have previously received a scholarship under the first phase of the program: the Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development (SEED)

Scholarship value and duration

Eligible expenses

Selected candidates may use scholarship funds towards:

• visa or study/work permit fees
• airfare via the most direct and economical route
• health insurance
• living expenses, such as accommodation, utilities and food
• ground transportation, including a public transportation pass
• books and supplies required for their study or research, excluding computers and other equipment

Scholarship conditions

Selected candidates agree to:

• engage in full-time studies or research as defined by the Canadian institution
• abstain from clinical training or clinically-oriented research involving direct patient-care
• focus primarily on full-time studies or research during their stay in Canada
• return to their home institutions after the scholarship period to complete their studies

Failure to meet these conditions may result in the cancellation of the scholarship.

• Proof of citizenship
  • A copy of the candidate's passport or national identity card with a photo and valid dates
  • Documents not accepted as proof of citizenship are: driver’s license, permanent residence card, work permit, student card, health card, birth certificate or baptismal certificate
  • Proof of citizenship selected must be from the same country/territory as the citizenship selected in the online application form
• Signed Privacy Notice Statement
  • A copy of the Privacy Notice Statement for non-Canadian participants signed by the candidate and dated within the last six months
• Letter of intent from the candidate (maximum one page)
  • Explains the nature of studies or research to be undertaken
  • Provides rationale for study in Canada and for the choice of institution, program and supervisor and how the proposed program of study or research will relate to their future career
  • Explains how undertaking study or research in Canada will empower the student to apply their learning to address the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
  • Explains how they intend to use their learning to help reduce poverty and narrow the development gap in their region in their future career
  • Identifies the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) their proposed study or research in Canada is aligned with and will contribute to (letters that do not identify an SDG will be deemed incomplete and not eligible)
  • Candidates from Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste or Vietnam must provide an explanation of how their learning in Canada will help to reduce poverty in their home country
  • Candidates from Brunei or Singapore must provide an explanation of how their learning in Canada will help to reduce poverty in one of the other nine ASEAN countries
  • Candidates from Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu or Vanuatu must provide an explanation of how their learning in Canada will help to reduce poverty in their home country
  • Candidates from the Cook Islands must provide an explanation of how their learning in Canada will help to reduce poverty in one of the other thirteen eligible Pacific Island Countries
  • Candidates from Mongolia must provide an explanation how their learning in Canada will help to reduce poverty in their home country
• Letter of proof of full-time enrolment from the home institution
  • On official letterhead
  • Dated within the last six months
  • Confirms that the candidate is currently enrolled in a full-time program (letters that do not confirm full-time student status will be deemed incomplete and not eligible)
  • Copies of transcripts, a student card or a letter of admission are not acceptable
• Letter of support from the home institution (maximum one page)
  • On official letterhead
  • Dated within the last six months
  • From the candidate's instructor, professor or international director
  • Explains the nature of study or research to be undertaken in Canada and how the candidate and the home institution will benefit from this scholarship program
  • Assesses the candidate’s commitment and capacity to use the program of study or research in Canada to help reduce poverty and narrow the development gap in their country or region
• Letter of invitation from the Canadian supervisor (graduate students only, maximum one page)
  • On institutional letterhead
  • Dated within the last six months
  • Signed by the Canadian supervisor
  • Describes the nature and scope of the research collaboration with the student’s home institution
  • Confirms their willingness to support and mentor the candidate during the exchange period
  • Explains how the Canadian institution, supervisor and peers will benefit from the research experience

Applications are evaluated based on:

• the linkage of the proposed research or study that the student will undertake in Canada to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
• the candidate’s commitment to use their proposed research or studies in Canada to help reduce poverty and narrow the development gap in the ASEAN region, the Pacific Island region or Mongolia
• merit of the research or study to be undertaken in Canada
• benefit to the home institution and peers
• benefit to the Canadian institution, supervisor and peers
• rankings submitted by the Canadian institution

No. Students apply through Western University. Western International reviews and submits eligible applications in accordance with Global Affairs Canada’s requirements.

For ELAP and SICS, Western University selects and nominates candidates. For SEED-2, Western submits ranked nominations and Global Affairs Canada makes the final selection decision.

Yes. Eligible students from institutions without a bilateral agreement may apply for a research experience at Western. All research applicants must identify, contact, and secure the support of a Western faculty supervisor who agrees to host them during their proposed research period in Canada. Western International does not match students with supervisors.

Prospective applicants should review Western’s academic Faculties and research areas of excellence and contact relevant departments or faculty members directly to request supervision.

Yes. Students must identify and confirm a Western faculty supervisor before submitting their application.

Students are responsible for identifying and contacting potential supervisors. Western International does not match students with faculty members.

Yes. If you are enrolled at a Western University exchange partner institution, you must be nominated by your home university through its standard nomination process. Please complete the application for your program of interest, and our team will follow up with next steps.

No. These scholarships support short-term study or research experiences only. They do not fund full degree programs.

No. Students remain enrolled at their home institution and continue paying tuition there for the duration of their mobility.

Eligible expenses may include airfare, visa or permit fees, health insurance, living expenses, and required books or supplies. Scholarship amounts vary slightly by program.

Students must submit their complete application by the student deadline. Faculty supervisors must submit their attestation and letter of invitation by the faculty deadline. Please refer to the deadlines listed above.

Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. All required documents must be submitted by the internal deadline.

Students must arrive at Western between September 1 and January 15 of the applicable academic year.