Scholarships for Chinese Students in Canada

How Chinese students can offset the cost of studying in Canada

There are more Chinese students studying in Canada than those of any other nation. One reason that attracts Chinese students to Canada is that they can obtain study scholarships that offset course fees and living costs.

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper told a Chinese audience there had been a remarkable increase in the number of Chinese students studying in Canada.

“Following our 2009 agreements, there has been a remarkable increase in the number of Chinese students studying in Canada.

“There is no better place in the world to study than Canada. That's why more than 60,000 Chinese students now attend Canada’s world-class colleges and universities, a 35 per cent increase in four years …and the number is growing.”

Many Canadian universities and colleges offer scholarships for gifted students, including those from China. The kind of award and financial benefits varies. Applications should be made directly to each university or college. 

Here are 5 Canadian scholarships that are suitable for Chinese students:

1) Strategic Training Initiative in Health Research and CIHR Fellowship, from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research

The Strategic Training Initiative in Health Research (STIHR) is a way for Canada to increase its competitiveness internationally in attracting new, bright, creative research talent and to ensure innovation and excellence in the next generation. Individual training programs receive funding towards supporting research trainees through stipends. 

2) Industrial Research and Development Internship Program, from the Networks of Centres of Excellence of Canada

The Industrial Research and Development Internship (IRDI) program is a federal program where successful recipient organisation can gain funds to match graduate students and post-doctoral fellows with private sector host organisations for private sector research internships. The interns work on research projects jointly developed by the private sector host organisation and their academic supervisor. 

The goal is to introduce graduate students and post-doctoral fellows to practical business problems and provide them with the opportunity to apply their scientific and technical expertise to address the needs of participating businesses. It is open to all research areas.

3) Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships Program

The Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships Program aims to attract and retain top-tier postdoctoral talent, both nationally and internationally, to develop their leadership potential and to position them for success as research leaders of tomorrow, positively contributing to Canada's economic, social and research-based growth.

The fellowships are administered by Canada's three research granting agencies – the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council.

The Banting fellowships are among a group of programs that provide support to highly qualified research personnel at all stages of their careers:

• Canada Graduate Scholarships provide financial support to outstanding eligible students pursuing master's or doctoral studies in a Canadian university. 
•  Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships support world-class doctoral students who demonstrate a high standard of scholarly achievement in graduate studies as well as leadership skills.
• Canada Research Chairs provide support to new and established investigators for five- and seven-year terms.
• Canada Excellence Research Chairs, a highly prestigious program, is intended to attract world-class researchers to Canadian universities to work in priority research areas and conduct world-leading research.

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4) Visiting Fellowships in Canadian Government Laboratories Program

The Visiting Fellowships in Canadian Government Laboratories (VF) Program provides promising emerging scientists and engineers with the opportunity to work with research groups or leaders in Canadian government laboratories and research institutions. Fellowships are awarded for one year with the possibility of renewal for a second and third year, at the discretion of the government department concerned.

The number of awards varies according to the budgets of participating departments and agencies. There are no deadlines for application to this program. Applications are processed and reviewed as they are received.

5) Trudeau Fellowships, from the Trudeau Foundation

Every year, the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation selects up to five fellows who have set themselves apart through their research achievements, creativity and social commitment. After a rigorous selection process, the fellows are chosen by an independent jury of eminent researchers and intellectuals.

The Foundation does not accept direct applications for these prizes, but establishes a list of candidates based on suggestions put forward by an extensive nomination network in Canada and abroad. The Trudeau Fellowships are of a total value of $225,000. Trudeau fellows are appointed for a mandate of three years.

The Foundation considers candidates from all disciplines in the social sciences and humanities and all domains of creative arts. It focuses its efforts in four fields: human rights and dignity, responsible citizenship, Canada in the world, and people and their natural environment.

 Additional Canadian scholarships available to Chinese students include:

• Canada-China Scholars’ Exchange Program, from Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
• Canada-China Norman Bethune Health Research Scholarships Program from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research
•  The Sauvé Scholars Program, from the Jeanne Sauvé Youth Foundation
•  Trudeau Scholarships, from the Trudeau Foundation
• Industrial Postgraduate Scholarships Program from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
•  Research Associate Program, from the National Research Council Canada
•  Research Development Initiatives from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council
•  Professional Development Awards and The Pearson Fellowship, from the International Development Research Centre

In Canada, the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada oversees the government’s involvement in major International Scholarship Programs and supports international scholars in the country.

ENDS

About the Author: Adrian Bishop is a national award-winning journalist who writes for the world’s leading visa company, GlobalVisas.com. Its free Visa Wizard helps clients assess their chances of gaining study visas.