The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship exists and qualifies doctoral students, including Somali asylum seekers in Canada, with a funding amount of $50,000 per year for three years.
The University of Toronto offers fully funded scholarships to support PhD studies for Somali asylum seekers.
To be eligible, applicants must be Somali asylum seekers with a valid Canadian visa in the following categories: Refugee Claimant, Convention Refugee, or Protected Person.
Who Qualifies
Somali asylum seekers with a valid Canadian visa in the following categories are eligible to apply:
- Refugee Claimant
- Convention Refugee
- Protected Person
- Canada scholarships are also available to those who meet specific criteria.
Five REAL Scholarships
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship
$50,000 per year for three years, eligible to doctoral students, deadline 1 November, https://vanier.gc.ca
Ontario Graduate Scholarship
$15,000 per year, eligible to graduate students, deadline 1 October, https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-graduate-scholarship
University of Toronto Fellowship
$20,000 per year, eligible to graduate students, deadline 15 January, https://www.sgs.utoronto.ca/funding/
Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship
$60,000 per year for three years, eligible to PhD students, deadline 15 December, https://www.trudeaufoundation.ca/
Canada Graduate Scholarship - Master's
$17,500 for one year, eligible to master's students, deadline 1 December, https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Students-Etudiants/PG-CS/CGSM-BESCM_eng.asp
Application Steps
- Review the scholarship deadlines for each scholarship.
- Check the eligibility criteria for each PhD scholarships.
- Prepare and submit the application package before the deadline.
- Ensure all required documents are included in the application package.
- Submit the application package to the relevant department or faculty.
- Follow up with the department or faculty to confirm receipt of the application package.
- Wait for the review and selection process.
- Receive notification of the application result.
Documents Checklist
- Passport or valid Canadian visa
- Proof of language proficiency
- Academic transcripts
- Letters of recommendation
- Personal statement
- Scholarships for refugees may require additional documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the eligibility criteria for the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship?
- How do I apply for the Ontario Graduate Scholarship?
- What is the deadline for the University of Toronto Fellowship?
- Can I apply for multiple scholarships at the same time?
- How do I check the status of my application?
- What is the required language proficiency for the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship?
- Can I apply for the Canada Graduate Scholarship - Master's if I am a PhD student?
- How do I receive the scholarship funding if I am selected?
External Authority Links
As a Somali asylum seeker in Canada, you can apply for DAAD scholarships to support your PhD studies.
For more information on scholarships and application processes, visit https://migrantscholar.com/blog.
Related Guides
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Last Reviewed: 26 July 2026