Top 10 Canadian Scholarships for International Students in 2024.

As we step into the promising year of 2024, getting a good education is more important than ever, and for many aspiring students, scholarships serve as the golden key to unlocking academic opportunities. Canada, known for its excellent education system and diverse culture, provides amazing opportunities for students to get the support they need.

In this article, we’re going to uncover the top 10 Canada scholarships in 2024 – each one opening doors for students to chase their dreams without worrying about money.

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship (CGS), funded by the Canadian government, stands as the premier scholarship for international students in Canada. Its primary aim is to attract the most exceptional Ph.D. candidates globally.

The Institute of Health, the Natural Sciences & Engineering Research Council, and the Social Sciences & Humanities Research Council each allocate three spots.

Annually, 166 scholars are awarded this prestigious scholarship based on their demonstrated academic excellence, leadership qualities, and research potential.

Nominations are made by universities, and quotas are institutionally determined, with the University of Toronto, British Columbia, and McGill being among the institutions with the highest allocations.

Check out the scholarship details below: 

  • Scholarship Amount: Value of CAD 50,000 per year for 3 years
  • Level of Study: Doctorate

To complete the nomination procedure, the student must submit the institution with the following information:

  1. Researchnet application form
  2. Common CV
  3. Leadership statement
  4. Research contributions
  5. Special circumstances
  6. Two letters of reference
  7. Research proposal
  8. Project references
  9. Transcript of records

Interested? Visit the official website to learn more about the application process.

York University International Student Scholarships

York University provides the Global Leader of Tomorrow Scholarships and the International Entrance Scholarships of Distinction exclusively for international students seeking to pursue a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of York.

Check out the scholarship details below: 

  • Level of study: Undergraduate 
  • Institution: York University in Ontario, Canada
  • Deadline: 15 Feb 2024 (annual) The next course starts September 2024

Interested? Visit the official website to learn more about the application process.

University Of Calgary International Entrance Scholarship

The University of Calgary International Entrance Scholarship 2024 in Canada welcomes exceptionally qualified students aspiring to pursue their undergraduate studies at one of the premier universities in Canada.

This scholarship offers international students the opportunity to learn under the guidance of accomplished and talented experts.

The aim of these undergraduate scholarships for international students aligns with the University’s mission to bring together students from around the world, involving them in diverse educational activities to enhance Canada’s global reputation as a knowledge hub.

Moreover, the University of Calgary undergraduate scholarship in Canada represents a unique and unparalleled opportunity.

The University of Calgary Entrance Scholarship is accessible across all major fields offered at the university.

This University of Calgary Scholarship 2024 provides students with the chance to interact with a diverse group of individuals, fostering a rich and inclusive academic environment.

Check out the scholarship details below: 

  • Level of study: Bachelor’s degree in any subject
  • Institution: University of Calgary, Canada
  • Number of Scholarships: 2
  • Deadline: 1 Dec 2023/1 Mar 2024 (Annual) Course starts Fall 2024

Interested? Visit the official website to learn more about the application process

Ontario Trillium Scholarship

The Ontario Trillium Scholarship is open to outstanding international students aspiring to pursue a Ph.D. at one of the province’s leading universities.

Eligible candidates must have maintained an average of 80% every term over the past two years for institutional nomination.

Additionally, they are required to demonstrate exceptional research skills.

Once the nomination has been approved, applicants must apply for the Fully Funded Scholarship in Canada, submitting transcripts, academic intent, letters of recommendation, and any supporting documents. Satisfactory progress during studies is imperative to continue receiving Ontario Trillium benefits.

It’s important to note that the Trillium scholarship cannot be combined with other scholarships from Canadian organizations or foundations.

Check out the scholarship details below: 

  • Eligible Degree: Full-time doctorate degrees at Ontario-based institutions
  • Scholarship Amount: CAD 40,000  for 4 years

Interested? Visit the official website to learn more about the application process

Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship

The Pierre Elliot Trudeau Scholarship, honoring the former Canadian Prime Minister, aims to support the Ph.D. studies of 16 students specializing in one of the foundation’s four themes. Eligibility requires acceptance into a Canadian doctoral program.

Selection criteria include academic excellence, commitment, leadership, and involvement, as well as agility and resilience.

Scholars are also expected to actively participate in one or more of the foundation’s programs.

Interested? Visit the official website  to learn more about the application process

Lester B. Pearson International Scholarships

The Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship Program 2024-2025 presents a fully funded opportunity for international students, offering a total of 37 scholarships for undergraduate studies.

This comprehensive scholarship covers tuition, books, and incidental fees, and provides full residence support for four years.

The scholarship is designed to recognize global students with exceptional academic achievements and creativity, acknowledging them as leaders in their college.

Emphasis is placed on the impact the student has had on the lives of their college and society, as well as their potential to make positive contributions to the global community in the future.

Check out the scholarship details below: 

  • Level of Study: Undergraduate
  • Institution: University of Toronto, Canada
  • Deadline: January 15, 2024

Interested? Visit the official website to learn more about the application process

University Of Manitoba Graduate Fellowships

The Faculty of Graduate Studies allocates over $2 million annually for University Graduate Fellowships (UMGF) to full-time graduate students pursuing Master’s and Ph.D. degrees, acknowledging and rewarding academic excellence.

These fellowships are granted to students who have showcased exceptional intellectual ability and outstanding academic achievements.

Check out the scholarship details below: 

  • Level of study: Postgraduate degree programs offered by the University (except those in the Faculty of Medicine and the Master of Business Administration – MBA).
  • Institution: University of Manitoba, Canada
  • Deadline: varies (annual) Course starts in 2024

Interested? Visit the official website for more details on the application process 

Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award Scholarship

The Karen Mc Kellin Prize is open to all intellectually gifted students who have not yet completed their first bachelor’s degree.

This recognition is dedicated to outstanding potential international undergraduate students who exhibit exceptional academic performance and exceptional leadership qualities that foster and uplift others through teamwork, understanding, and attentive communication.

It acknowledges individuals who have contributed positively to their school and community through participation in diverse service projects, demonstrating notable accomplishments in both academic and extracurricular activities.

Interested? Visit the official website to learn more about the application process 

University of British Columbia (UBC) Public Scholars Award 

The UBC Public Scholars Initiative grants this award annually to 30-40 Ph.D. students. Selection is based on their research focus, with a preference for those whose theses aim to benefit the public.

The quality of the research proposal, considering its methods, goals, significance, and planned outreach, usually determines the recipients.

Students need to complete a Fellowship application form, provide details about their intended academic study, submit a Canadian Common CV, and include a letter of support.

If selected, scholars are required to submit a study report at the end of the grant year and present their findings at the “Ph.Ds. Go Public” networking event.

The UBC Public Scholarship offers a CAD 10,000 tuition subsidy along with research allowances and a stipend for alternative projects.

Interested? Visit the official website to learn more about the application process 

Ontario Graduate Scholarships

In collaboration with partner schools, the Government of Ontario provides a merit-based stipend for graduate students planning to study at specific Ontario universities.

The stipend is granted for a minimum of one year and a maximum of two years, with the possibility of eligibility for the 6-year lifetime limit.

The award recipients are determined by the institution, considering the university’s academic standards and ranking measures.

To qualify for this Canadian award, applicants must be enrolled in a full-time graduate program for at least two terms.

Those applying to multiple institutions need to complete a separate application form for each university.

Interested? Visit the official website to learn more about the application process.

Oluwatosin Oguntunde

Oluwatosin Oguntunde

Founder and CEO of MyOpportunityGist.com

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Doing the Right Things: The New Formula for Success in a Noisy, Fast-Moving World

In today’s hyperconnected, hypercompetitive world, success doesn’t necessarily belong to the loudest voice in the room or the person with the fanciest credentials. It belongs to the doers. The executors. The networkers. The fast movers. More specifically, it belongs to those who commit to: These three pillars form a new-world framework for results-driven leadership, entrepreneurship, and impact creation. Let’s unpack them—using hard data, global trends, and economic realities that are shaping success today. 1. Right Actions Over Speeches: Why Talk is Cheap in the Execution Economy We’ve entered the era of the Execution Economy—where outcomes, not intentions, drive value. Talkers are everywhere. Social media has democratized soapboxes. Everyone has an opinion, a podcast, or a Twitter thread. But value is created not by noise—but by action. Real-World Data Economic Cost of Inaction In government and development work, policy paralysis is a classic example of “speech over action.” Nigeria, for instance, has had over 15 national development plans since independence. Yet the country ranked 157th in the UN Human Development Index (2023)—a sign of a disconnect between strategy and tangible action. Case Study: Elon Musk You can hate him or love him, but Musk exemplifies action-oriented leadership. While competitors debated the ethics and feasibility of electric vehicles, he built Tesla. While governments discussed space privatization, he launched SpaceX. As of 2024, Tesla’s market cap hit $760 billion, while most traditional automakers are still trying to scale up their EV lineups. Bottom line? Talk doesn’t move mountains. Actions do. 2. Speedy Execution Over Endless Analysis: The Cost of Waiting Paralysis by analysis is the silent killer of great ideas. The desire to get things “perfect” often slows down initiatives to the point where they miss the window of opportunity. In today’s fast-moving global economy, speed is a competitive advantage, not just a logistical metric. The Numbers Don’t Lie The Agile Advantage The Agile methodology—born out of the software world—is now infiltrating every sector from healthcare to education to finance. Why? Because it promotes rapid iterations over perfection. It’s built on the principle: “Start small, fail fast, learn fast, scale faster.” Organizations that embrace agile principles see: Case Study: COVID-19 Vaccine Rollouts Moderna developed its first mRNA COVID-19 vaccine candidate within 2 days of receiving the virus sequence in January 2020. While others were caught up in lengthy trials, Moderna moved fast, iterated fast, and became a global pharmaceutical powerhouse—reaching $18.5 billion in revenue in 2021, up from $60 million in 2019. Speed literally saved lives—and created massive economic value. Speed = Opportunity The African tech ecosystem shows a similar pattern. Startups like Flutterwave and Paystack didn’t wait for regulatory perfection. They moved fast, created value, and attracted global attention. Flutterwave is now valued at $3 billion, and Paystack was acquired by Stripe for $200 million—because they executed. Conclusion: If you wait until you’re “ready,” someone else will do it faster—and eat your lunch. 3. Building Strategic Networks Over Staying Siloed The lone genius myth is dead. In today’s knowledge economy, networks amplify success. Whether you’re a founder, policymaker, student, or social entrepreneur, your ability to build strategic alliances—not just contacts—can accelerate your progress exponentially. The Data on Networks What Strategic Networking Looks Like Case Study: Y Combinator More than just an accelerator, Y Combinator is a network. A family. A tribe. Its alumni include Dropbox, Airbnb, Stripe, and Reddit. These startups didn’t just raise capital—they plugged into a support system that offered wisdom, mentorship, press connections, and customer access. The result: Global Development Insight Networks are also transforming international development. The UN SDG Partnerships Platform connects thousands of actors across sectors. Research shows that multi-stakeholder partnerships are 33% more successful in reaching development targets than solo actors (UNDP, 2021). Silo is suicide in the age of collaboration. Let’s Zoom Out: The Macroeconomic Implication of Doing the Right Things When we aggregate these principles—action, speed, and collaboration—they don’t just influence personal or organizational growth. They impact national development and global competitiveness. Consider the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Index: Meanwhile, African nations struggling with project delays, weak execution cultures, and isolated silos lose up to 40% of potential GDP growth annually (African Development Bank, 2023). The global economy rewards velocity, collaboration, and execution. Period. Final Takeaways: The New Success Trifecta In this age of volatility, the formula for real-world success—whether you’re a leader, a builder, or a changemaker—is deceptively simple but radically effective: Do the Right Things: Principle What It Means Why It Matters Right Actions Move beyond rhetoric. Deliver value. Value is tied to results, not opinions. Speedy Execution Launch, learn, and iterate fast. Speed is the new currency of growth. Strategic Networking Collaborate with purpose. Relationships amplify outcomes. These aren’t “soft skills.” These are survival skills for the modern age. If you’re still caught up in endless brainstorming, talking about your plans, or trying to do it all alone—it’s time to shift gears. Because the world doesn’t wait. Written by Oluwatosin Philip OguntundeThought Leader | Project Manager | Founder, Opportunity Gist References

Building a Life of Grit in an Unequal World.

“Many of us (myself included) are still building a rock-solid life. No inherited silver spoons. Just pure grit. Yes, some people are privileged — they’ve got access, support, and steady funding. But never forget: someone paid the price, laid the groundwork, and built what others now leverage. Respect the process. Build yours.” In today’s hyper-connected yet deeply divided world, this quote captures the essence of a growing struggle: building from scratch when you start with nothing but ambition and determination. It’s the silent journey of millions — no inheritance, no connections, no safety net. Just grit. While others glide on the escalator of generational privilege, many are still laying each brick of their foundation by hand. The Global Wealth Divide: Starting Lines Aren’t Equal The economic odds? Stacked. According to the World Inequality Report 2022 (Chancel et al., 2022), the top 10% of global earners take home 52% of global income, while the bottom 50% receive only 8.5%. And when it comes to wealth (not just income), the richest 1% own nearly 38% of global assets. Meanwhile, OECD data (2023) shows the average monthly income (adjusted for purchasing power) is: That’s a 1:15 ratio — and that’s if you’re lucky enough to be employed. In Nigeria, youth unemployment and underemployment combined is still hovering above 50% (NBS, 2023). This isn’t just an inequality of money — it’s an inequality of opportunity. Privilege Is Real — And Measurable Let’s not sugarcoat it. Some people start the game several laps ahead. In the U.S., a Brookings Institution report (2020) found that between 50-60% of wealth is inherited, not earned. Globally, the billionaire class is a prime example. According to Oxfam’s 2024 report, about 60% of billionaire wealth is unearned, either inherited or gained through monopolies and political favor. Forbes data from the same year shows: Even among non-billionaires, these dynamics are visible. Chetty et al. (2014) found that in the U.S., kids born in affluent neighborhoods (like DuPage, IL) earn 15% above the national average by age 26. In struggling areas like Baltimore? They earn 17% below. And while high-income students can “explore” majors like humanities and art, low-income students are pushed toward “practical” degrees with immediate job prospects — a pattern confirmed in Carnevale et al. (2018). The Price of Grit: Building from Scratch in 2025 So what happens when you have no silver spoon? You build with your bare hands. Globally, 58% of workers are employed in the informal economy — meaning no job security, no health insurance, no pension (ILO, 2022). That’s over 2 billion people living paycheck-to-paycheck. In the U.S., Bankrate (2023) reports that 34% of workers are doing the same — and about 57% couldn’t cover a $1,000 emergency without borrowing or cutting essentials. Meanwhile, the IMF (2023) highlights that developing countries spent $443.5 billion on external debt in 2022 alone — money that could’ve gone into education, infrastructure, or entrepreneurship. But here’s the kicker: at the same time, 204 new billionaires were minted in 2024, and billionaire wealth increased by $2 trillion (Oxfam, 2024). Wealth is compounding — but only for the already wealthy. The Invisible Foundations Others Stand On “Someone paid the price, laid the groundwork, and built what others now leverage.” Let’s break that down. The roads we drive on, the internet we use, the public schools and universities — these didn’t fall from the sky. Someone before us built them. In fact, OECD (2021) found that every college degree creates over $127,000 in public economic return for men and $60,600 for women in terms of taxes and productivity. The modern internet? Built on decades of taxpayer-funded research. Today, it connects over 5.35 billion people (DataReportal, 2024). And while it offers new opportunities, those born in places with limited connectivity or education are still struggling to benefit equally. Respecting the process means understanding that even privilege is often built on someone else’s sweat. So, What Do You Do? You build. You invest in your education, your mindset, and your skills. You show up consistently — even when it feels like nothing’s working. You save when you can, spend wisely, take calculated risks, and surround yourself with people who stretch your thinking. You learn from failure. You stay stubborn about your goals but flexible about your methods. Because your hustle? It’s a seed. And seeds take time to grow. Conclusion: Grit Is the New Currency You may not have inherited wealth. You may not have influential uncles, angel investors, or Ivy League connections. But what you do have is your discipline, your vision, your creativity, and your capacity to learn and adapt. Don’t just chase overnight success. Build roots. Build resilience. Build respect. And as you lay each brick of your life — remember: what you’re sweating through now will one day be someone else’s platform. So yes… Respect the process. Build yours. 🔍 References Written By: Oluwatosin Oguntunde Founder, Opportunity Gist | Thought Leader | Project Manager

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