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Key facts: Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship
- Status: the full Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship for master’s and PhD study no longer runs. Global Affairs Canada restructured it in 2007 into short term scholarship programmes.
- What replaced it: short exchanges of about 4 to 6 months in Canada for study or research, through Study in Canada Scholarships, the Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program (ELAP) and SEED-2
- Who applies: you cannot apply to Global Affairs Canada yourself. A Canadian university or college nominates you, usually through a partner institution in your country.
- Typical timing: Canadian institutions submit nominations around March for the following academic year
- Want a full degree? See scholarships in Canada for international students.
Last checked: November 2026
Many students still search for the “Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship” because it was once one of the best known ways to do a fully funded master’s or PhD in Canada. The programme brought thousands of students from Commonwealth countries to Canadian universities over several decades.
Today it works very differently. This guide explains what happened to the Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship, which Government of Canada scholarships exist now, and how international students can actually get funding to study in Canada.
Does the Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship Still Exist?
Not in its original form. Global Affairs Canada’s own history of the programme explains that its current short term scholarship programmes came out of the 2007 restructuring of the Commonwealth Scholarship Program, which had offered traditional two to four year full scholarships for master’s or PhD study in Canada.
So if you find a website promising a “Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship” for a full degree, treat it with caution. Check the official EduCanada scholarships page before you spend time on an application.
Government of Canada Scholarships Available Now
Global Affairs Canada (GAC) now funds short term exchanges rather than full degrees. The main programmes are:
1. Study in Canada Scholarships (SICS)
- Short term study or research exchanges at Canadian colleges and universities
- Open to students from a list of countries in several regions. Recent lists for Sub-Saharan Africa have included Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania and Uganda.
- Covers costs such as airfare, living expenses and health insurance for the exchange period
2. Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program (ELAP)
- For students from Latin America and the Caribbean
- Short term study or research exchanges in Canada at undergraduate and graduate level
- Since 2021 it also includes the former Canada-CARICOM and Canada-Chile scholarship programmes
3. Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development, Phase 2 (SEED-2)
- For students from ASEAN member states, Pacific Island countries and Mongolia
- Launched in January 2026 as an expansion of the earlier Canada-ASEAN SEED programme
- Graduate awards have been listed at about CAD 14,000 for 5 to 6 months of study or research
4. OAS Academic Scholarships
Students from Organization of American States member countries can also look at the OAS Academic Scholarships Program for graduate study or research in Canada.
How to Apply for Global Affairs Canada Scholarships
- Check your country is eligible. Each programme has its own country list on EduCanada.
- Find a Canadian host. Your home university usually needs an exchange agreement or research contact with a Canadian institution. Graduate students can often do research placements without a formal agreement.
- Apply through the Canadian institution. The Canadian university selects candidates and submits the application to Global Affairs Canada for you. You cannot apply directly.
- Watch internal deadlines. Canadian universities set their own internal deadlines, often in February or March, ahead of the Global Affairs Canada deadline.
- Get your letter for the study permit. From April 2026, the Canadian host institution, not Global Affairs Canada, issues the scholarship letter you need for your study permit application.
Want a Full Degree in Canada Instead?
The Global Affairs Canada programmes above fund short exchanges, not full degrees. For a full master’s or PhD, look at:
- Scholarships in Canada for international students, grouped by level
- The CGRS D, worth $40,000 a year for PhD students already in Canada
- The Ontario Graduate Scholarship, which has a quota for international students
- The Lester B. Pearson Scholarship for undergraduates at the University of Toronto
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship still available?
Not as a full degree scholarship. It was restructured in 2007 into short term exchange scholarships run by Global Affairs Canada.
Can I apply directly to Global Affairs Canada?
No. A Canadian institution must select you and apply on your behalf.
Can students from Ghana or Nigeria get a Canadian government scholarship?
Yes, for short exchanges. Recent Study in Canada Scholarships lists have included Ghana, Nigeria and several other African countries. Check the current list on EduCanada.
Is the Commonwealth Scholarship in the UK the same thing?
No. The UK Commonwealth Scholarships are a separate programme run by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK.
Related Guides
- Scholarships in Canada for international students 2027
- Exchange programs in Canada
- Guide to study in Canada