Canada Merit Scholarship

The Canada Merit Scholarship seeks exceptional foreign students and researchers who wish to start or continue their studies or research activities in Quebec, Canada.

📖 About the Merit Scholarship Program for Foreign Students

The Merit Scholarship for Foreign Students Program supports the Québec government’s science policy with the following objectives:

• Support the internationalization of research activities in Québec’s higher education institutions.
• Attract top foreign researchers and students, promoting international recognition of Québec universities and College Centres for the Transfer of Technologies (CCTT).
• Create cultural links and pave the way for joint scientific research projects.

The program is managed by the Fonds de recherche du Québec – secteur Nature et technologies (FRQ), commissioned by the Ministère de l’Enseignement supérieur du Québec (MES), which provides the funding.

Opportunity Details

• Date Published: August 22, 2025
• Application Deadline: December 02, 2025
• Category: Postgraduate, Masters, PhD, Fully Funded, Grants
• Location: Canada

🎁 Benefits of the Merit Scholarship Program

Master's Research Scholarship (VM)

• Annual Value: $20,000
• Maximum Duration: 6 semesters (6 instalments)
• Total Amount: $40,000

Doctoral Research Scholarship (V1, 1B, 1C, 1I, 1IS, 1W)

• Annual Value: $25,000 for the first 9 sessions, $12,000 for the last 3 sessions (if an extension is requested)
• Maximum Duration: 12 sessions (12 instalments)
• Total Amount: $87,000

Postdoctoral Scholarship (V2, 2B, 2C, 2I)

• Annual Value: $35,000
• Maximum Duration: 1 year (3 instalments)
• Total Amount: $35,000

Short-term Research or Professional Development Scholarship (V3, 3B, 3C, 3I, 3IS, 3W)

• Value: $3,000 per month
• Maximum Duration: 4 months (4 instalments)
• Total Amount: $12,000

Additional Benefits

• Exemption from paying higher tuition fees required for foreign students.
• Medical insurance coverage provided by the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ).

✅ Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for the 2026 PBEEE Scholarship in Canada, applicants must:

• Be an international student.
• Not be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada.
• Not have applied for permanent residence under Canadian immigration law.
• Be recommended by a professor (thesis supervisor) or supervisor.
• Be applying to commence a graduate degree at one of the participating universities.

📝 Application Process

1. Once preselected, candidates must create an account in the FRQnet system.
2. The FRQ - secteur Nature et technologies will contact all preselected candidates to complete an electronic form.
3. Attach the required documents to the form and submit it electronically by the competition deadline.

📅 Application Deadline

December 02, 2025

🌐 Scholarship Application Portal

• View Details of the Merit Scholarship Program for Foreign Students
• Apply for the Merit Scholarship Program for Foreign Students

This scholarship program is an excellent opportunity for international students and researchers to further their academic and professional careers in Quebec, Canada. Don't miss the chance to apply!

• The annual value of a Master’s research scholarship (VM) is $20,000. The maximum amount that can be awarded is 6 instalments (6 semesters) totalling $40,000.
• The annual value of a Doctoral research scholarship (V1, 1B, 1C, 1I, 1IS, 1W) is $25,000 for the first 9 sessions, and $12,000 for the last 3 sessions if an extension is requested. The total duration of the scholarship is a maximum of 12 sessions (12 installments), with a maximum allowable amount totaling $87,000.
• The annual value of a Postdoctoral scholarship (V2, 2B, 2C, 2I) is $35,000. The maximum amount that can be awarded is 3 instalments (one year) totalling $35,000.
• The value of a Short-term research or professional development scholarship (V3, 3B, 3C, 3I, 3IS, 3W) is $3,000 per month. The maximum amount that can be awarded is 4 instalments (4 months) totalling $12,000.
• In addition to the scholarship, MES offers all scholarship recipients an exemption from paying the higher tuition fees required for foreign students and the medical insurance coverage offered by the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ).