Applications are invited from qualified domestic and international students for the University of Calgary Graduate Scholarships in Canada. Through its Graduate Award Competition and other funding opportunities, the University provides…[full details below]
The University of Calgary Graduate Scholarships 2027 provide funding opportunities for qualified domestic and international students planning to pursue research-based Master’s or doctoral studies in Canada. Through its Graduate Award Competition and other graduate funding schemes, the university supports high-achieving students who demonstrate strong academic and research potential. Prospective graduate students can explore the available awards and determine which opportunities match their programme and qualifications.
The University of Calgary distributes millions of dollars in graduate awards each year to attract talented researchers and provide financial assistance throughout their studies. International students are eligible for many of these funding opportunities, making the awards relevant to applicants from outside Canada as well as Canadian students. However, the amount of funding, eligibility requirements and selection process differ depending on the specific scholarship or award.
Students interested in the University of Calgary Graduate Scholarships 2027 should carefully review the requirements for each available award before applying. Applicants should check the eligible programmes, academic criteria, application procedures, required documents and relevant deadlines to identify suitable funding opportunities. Starting the preparation early can help prospective Master’s and PhD students submit complete and competitive applications.
SUMMARY
- Scholarship Sponsor(s): University of Calgary & Partner Donors
- Host Institution: University of Calgary, Canada
- Scholarship Worth: $700 – $36,000 under the Graduate Award Competition
- Number of Awards: Multiple
- Study Level: Master’s & Doctoral
- Eligible Programs: Thesis-Based Graduate Programs
- Nationality: Domestic & International Students
- Competition Opens: November 1
University of Calgary Graduate Scholarships | Overview
The University of Calgary offers a broad range of scholarships and funding opportunities for graduate students through the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
One of the major routes is the Graduate Award Competition (GAC), which brings together several scholarships and awards funded by the University of Calgary, donors and other funding partners.
Awards available through the competition range in value from approximately $700 to $36,000, depending on the individual scholarship.
The Graduate Award Competition includes categories such as:
- Izaak Walton Killam Doctoral Scholarships.
- Open Doctoral Awards.
- Special Awards.
- Alberta Innovates Graduate Student Scholarships.
- Cumming School of Medicine Harmonized Awards.
The University also administers other graduate funding opportunities outside the GAC, including provincial, federal, university and externally funded scholarships.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility depends on the individual scholarship or award. For the University of Calgary Graduate Award Competition, applicants should note the following:
- Students applying to or enrolled in an eligible thesis-based graduate degree program may participate.
- Applicants may be Canadian or international students, subject to the citizenship requirements of individual awards.
- Course-based and professional graduate degree students are not eligible for the Graduate Award Competition.
- Applicants must meet the specific eligibility requirements of each scholarship for which they wish to be considered.
- Visiting students are not eligible for the Graduate Award Competition.
- Applicants should demonstrate strong academic achievement and meet the merit requirements of the particular award.
- Some major award categories have additional academic requirements.
For the Killam and Open Doctoral award categories, applicants must generally have achieved a first-class average in the last two completed years of study. At the University of Calgary, this corresponds to a GPA of at least 3.5 over the last two years of study.
International students are eligible for many University of Calgary graduate awards, but some individual scholarships have citizenship or residency restrictions.
Scholarship Benefits
The University of Calgary Graduate Award Competition encompasses scholarships with different values and funding structures.
Depending on the particular award, successful students may receive:
- Awards ranging from approximately $700 to $36,000.
- Financial support toward graduate studies and research.
- Doctoral scholarship funding.
- Research funding in eligible areas.
- University and donor-funded special awards.
- Access to additional provincial and external graduate funding opportunities.
Awards are generally paid during the following academic year, with the majority beginning in September.
The University of Calgary Faculty of Graduate Studies distributes more than $42 million in graduate awards annually across its wider portfolio of funding opportunities.
Applicants should check the terms of reference for each scholarship because award amounts, duration and renewal conditions vary.
How to Apply
Prospective and current graduate students should apply for eligible University of Calgary awards through the appropriate graduate award competition.
Applicants should:
- Apply for admission to an eligible University of Calgary graduate program if they are not already enrolled.
- Obtain a University of Calgary student number (UCID) after submitting the graduate admission application.
- Review the Graduate Awards Database and the Graduate Award Competition information to identify scholarships for which they may be eligible.
- Log in to the University of Calgary Student Centre and access the graduate awards application.
- Select the Graduate Award Competition and review the shortlist of internal awards identified by the system.
- Select the awards for which they wish to be considered and carefully review the applicable terms of reference.
- Complete all required sections and arrange for references where required.
- Ensure that all supporting information is complete before submitting the application by the deadline established by their graduate program.
Only one Graduate Award Competition application is required, even where the applicant wishes to be considered for multiple eligible awards within the competition.
Students do not need to have received a final admission offer before beginning the scholarship process. Once an applicant has submitted an admission application and received a UCID, they are encouraged to begin applying for eligible awards.
Application Documents
Requirements vary according to the individual scholarship. Applicants may be required to provide or arrange:
- Up-to-date academic transcripts.
- Academic references.
- Curriculum vitae or academic CV.
- Research proposal or research information.
- Statements demonstrating eligibility for selected awards.
- Academic and research achievements.
- Other information specified in the terms of reference of individual scholarships.
New graduate applicants may be able to use references submitted with their admission application for the scholarship competition, provided those references satisfy the University’s applicable requirements.
Applicants should carefully review the requirements for each award selected within their Graduate Award Competition application.
International Students
International graduate students can compete for many University of Calgary scholarships.
International students should search the Graduate Awards Database using the appropriate citizenship filters and review opportunities such as the Graduate Award Competition, International Graduate Tuition Award and other awards for which international applicants are eligible.
However, not every graduate award is open to international students. Applicants should therefore verify the citizenship and residency requirements of each scholarship before applying.
Students who are fully funded by a third-party sponsor, including certain government sponsorships, may not be eligible for University of Calgary awards under the University’s Graduate Award Regulations.
Application Deadline: opens November 1 annually
Application deadlines vary by graduate program, so applicants should contact their Graduate Program Office or consult their program’s current award information for the applicable submission deadline.