Many students believe that scholarships for Canada are only for full-degree programs. That assumption quietly eliminates one of the most strategic funding opportunities available: the Study in Canada Scholarships (SICS). This program is not for long-term degrees. It is designed for short-term study and research exchanges—and it is one of the few Canadian government-funded mobility programs targeted specifically at students from selected developing and partner countries.
Funded by Global Affairs Canada through the Academic Relations program, SICS supports inbound mobility to Canada while strengthening Canada’s international academic partnerships. For the 2026–2027 cycle, the delivery model has changed, making Canadian institutions fully responsible for student selection. This guide explains how the scholarship works, who qualifies, what changed, and how to position yourself correctly.
Scholarship Overview (At a Glance)
- Scholarship Name: Study in Canada Scholarships (SICS)
- Funding Body: Global Affairs Canada (Academic Relations Program)
- Scholarship Type: Short-term mobility (study or research exchange)
- Degree Level:
- Undergraduate
- Master’s
- PhD
- Eligible Fields: All disciplines (depending on host institution projects)
- Study Location: Canada
- Program Duration:
- 4 months (one academic term)
- 5–6 months (graduate level only)
- Application Deadline: March 31, 2026 (11:59 p.m. EDT)
- Program End Date: All activities must be completed by September 30, 2027
About the Scholarship Provider (Global Affairs Canada)
Global Affairs Canada is the federal department responsible for managing Canada’s diplomatic, trade, and international development programs. Through the Academic Relations Program, it funds education partnerships that strengthen bilateral relationships and promote people-to-people connections.
The Study in Canada Scholarships (SICS) program reflects this strategy. It is not a humanitarian program and not a mass student funding scheme. It is a strategic mobility tool that supports short-term academic exchange between Canadian institutions and partner-country institutions. Successful projects are those that demonstrate academic quality, transparent selection, and meaningful institutional partnerships.
Objectives of the Study in Canada Scholarships (SICS)
SICS aims to:
- Support short-term inbound mobility to Canadian post-secondary institutions
- Strengthen academic and research partnerships between Canada and eligible countries
- Diversify Canada’s international education partnerships
- Promote people-to-people and cultural connections
- Increase representation of underrepresented regions in Canadian mobility programs
This is why the scholarship is restricted to specific countries and territories rather than being open globally.
Eligible Countries and Territories
Scholarships may only be awarded to students who are citizens of the following countries:
Asia
- Bangladesh
- Nepal
- Taiwan
Europe
- Türkiye
- Ukraine
Middle East and North Africa
- Algeria
- Egypt
- Jordan
- Morocco
- Tunisia
Sub-Saharan Africa
- Burkina Faso
- Ethiopia
- Ghana
- Ivory Coast
- Kenya
- Nigeria
- Rwanda
- Senegal
- Tanzania
- Uganda
If your country is not on this list, you are not eligible, regardless of academic strength.
Who Is Eligible? (Student Requirements)
To qualify, students must:
- Be citizens of an eligible country
- Be enrolled full-time at a post-secondary institution in that country
- Be paying tuition at their home institution during the exchange
- Be nominated by a Canadian institution
- Complete the mobility before September 30, 2027
Students are not eligible if they:
- Hold or have applied for Canadian permanent residence or citizenship
- Already receive funding from Global Affairs Canada or Canadian federal agencies (NSERC, SSHRC, CIHR)
- Are already enrolled in a Canadian degree or diploma program
This means SICS is strictly for visiting students, not degree-seeking students.
Institutional Eligibility (Canadian Side)
Canadian institutions must:
- Be a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)
- Waive tuition fees for scholarship recipients
- Submit a Management and Accountability Framework (MAF)
- Nominate students through the My EduCanada Portal
Institutions now carry full responsibility for:
- Selection
- Compliance
- Documentation
- Disbursement of funds
Scholarship Value and Duration
Scholarship amounts are fixed:
- $10,200 for 4 months (college or undergraduate level)
- $10,200 for 4 months (Master’s or PhD)
- $14,000 for 5–6 months (Master’s or PhD)
Additional funding:
- $500 per implemented scholarship for Canadian institutions (administrative costs)
What the Scholarship Covers
The scholarship is meant to support:
- Living expenses
- Local transportation
- Health insurance
- Study-related costs
Not Covered
- Tuition fees (must be waived by host institution)
- Long-term housing beyond scholarship period
- Dependents’ expenses
- Permanent settlement costs
Key Change: Program Delivery Model (2026–2027)
Previously, much of the selection logic was centralized. Now:
- Canadian institutions select students
- Selection is assessed through their Management and Accountability Framework (MAF)
- Only one student document is required:
- Privacy Notice Statement (PNS)
No other student documents are uploaded to My EduCanada.
This reduces bureaucracy but increases institutional responsibility.
Application Process (How It Really Works)
This is not a student-driven application like Erasmus or Chevening. It is institution-driven.
Step 1: Partnership Setup
Your home university must have a partnership or exchange agreement with a Canadian institution.
Step 2: Institutional Selection
The Canadian institution selects students based on:
- Academic merit
- Partnership priorities
- Fairness and gender balance
- Country representation
Step 3: My EduCanada Submission
The Canadian institution:
- Submits student nominations
- Uploads signed Privacy Notice Statement
- Submits Management and Accountability Framework
Step 4: Project Review
Projects are evaluated based on:
- Fair and transparent selection
- Eligibility
- Authentic documentation
- Country diversity
- Gender equity
Step 5: Results
Canadian institutions are notified in May 2026.
Students are informed by their institutions, not directly by Global Affairs Canada.
Why Applications Fail (Hidden Reasons)
Most failures happen at the institutional level:
- Weak Management and Accountability Framework
- Poor documentation control
- Imbalanced country representation
- Non-compliance with eligibility rules
- Partner universities lacking formal agreements
At the student level:
- Ineligible nationality
- Already studying in Canada
- Applying independently without nomination
- Expecting a degree scholarship
Who Should Apply (Ideal Candidates)
Strong candidates:
- Students with high academic standing
- Enrolled in partner universities
- Interested in short-term research or coursework
- Planning to return home after exchange
- From eligible countries
Weak candidates:
- Degree-seeking applicants
- PR or immigration applicants
- Students without institutional backing
- Applicants expecting full tuition coverage
Strategic Application Tips
1. Contact International Office Early
Do not search only online. Contact:
- International Relations Office
- Exchange program coordinator
- Faculty mobility office
2. Choose Host Institution Carefully
Look for:
- Existing exchange agreements
- Research alignment
- Faculty cooperation
3. Prepare Documents Early
Even though only PNS is submitted officially:
- Passport
- Transcript
- Proof of enrollment
- Study plan
4. Understand Your Role
You are not “applying to Canada.”
You are participating in a bilateral academic exchange.
Final Advice: Is SICS Worth It?
Yes—if your goal is academic exposure, not immigration.
Yes—if your institution participates actively.
Yes—if you are from an eligible country.
No—if you want a degree in Canada.
No—if you expect tuition funding.
No—if you apply independently.
SICS is a mobility scholarship, not a migration pathway. Its strength lies in structured partnerships, predictable funding, and short-term academic immersion.
For serious students from eligible countries, it is one of the few Canadian government-funded programs that does not require personal funds beyond basic preparation.
Quick Checklist
- Confirm your country is eligible
- Confirm your university has Canadian partners
- Contact your international office
- Ensure full-time enrollment
- Prepare documents
- Meet institutional deadlines
- Monitor May 2026 notification
