The Government of Canada has announced significant new investments to increase the value and number of scholarships and fellowships for master’s and doctoral students along with postdoctoral fellows.

Announced as part of Budget 2024, the increased money will be funded through Canada’s federal granting agencies—the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council.

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, and the Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health announced Friday that students receiving scholarships and fellowships from the funding agencies will see increased award values take effect September 1. The annual value of all current and new master’s and doctoral student scholarships will increase to $27,000 and $40,000, respectively and current and new postdoctoral fellowships will increase to $70,000.

“By increasing the value of scholarships and fellowships provided by the government’s research granting councils, the Government of Canada is reaffirming its support for Canadian research talent. This will ensure the next generation of scientific leaders remain here in Canada, where their work has the potential to lead to a better quality of life and improved health for us all,” Minister Holland said.

In addition to the increased award values, the government, in their budget proposed to increase the number of scholarships and fellowships provided, building to approximately 1,720 more graduate students and fellows benefitting each year

The Vanier and Banting programs will continue under their current parameters, $50,000 and $70,000 per year respectively.

Additional details will be communicated to award holders in July 2024.

The Government of Canada’s research agencies and funded partners—the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) promote innovation in research and reward academic excellence by offering a number of valuable and prestigious scholarships and awards.