Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
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International Opportunities - For Students and Fellows
Canadian Students and Fellows
This section is for students and fellows who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada. It contains information about NSERC scholarship and fellowship programs.
Join a Research Team
Another effective way to gain international experience is to join a research team that has in place collaborative projects with researchers abroad or that is involved in a multinational scientific initiative. Many researchers holding NSERC grants hire promising students or fellows and support them with stipends or research assistantships. In addition, these researchers can use a portion of their grant funds to cover some costs for students and fellows to take part in international activities. Students and fellows interested in gaining international experience are encouraged to explore these possibilities with their professors.
For Undergraduate Students
NSERC programs for undergraduate students primarily serve to stimulate interest in research in the natural sciences and engineering and are not designed to support international research training. More details
For Postgraduate Students
Postgraduate students are eligible to obtain financial support to pursue all or part of their master's or doctoral studies outside Canada.
NSERC Postgraduate Scholarships may be taken up at any eligible foreign university, provided the holder has received a previous degree in the natural sciences or engineering from a Canadian university. Both master’s and doctoral students are eligible to apply for an NSERC postgraduate scholarship. More details
Alexander Graham Bell Canada Graduate Scholarships Program and Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships Program – These awards are tenable at eligible Canadian universities. However, they offer the possibility for the holder to pursue a portion of their training program outside Canada. Eligible activities must contribute to enhancing the training offered at a Canadian university and be of a limited duration, such as one or two semesters in a foreign institution, short-term international exchange or similar activities. More details
Recipients of Canada Graduate Scholarships can apply to the Canada Graduate Scholarship Foreign Study Supplements Program for financial support to study abroad for a portion of their degree program. More details
Research Training Opportunities by Country (for postgraduate students)
Summer programs provide postgraduate students in science and engineering with a hands-on research experience and an introduction to a different culture, language and university research system.
Japan
Offered by NSERC and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), the two-month summer program provides participants with an orientation in Japanese language and culture and an opportunity to do cooperative research at a Japanese university or research institute. More details
Taiwan
Each year, a limited number of Canadian postgraduate students are selected to study or conduct internships in Taiwan for two months during the summer. This program is offered by NSERC and the National Science Council of Taiwan (NSC). More details
For Postdoctoral Fellows
International activities can significantly enhance research experience and bring new possibilities for career development. Researchers who have received (or expect to receive) their doctorate from a Canadian university can hold NSERC postdoctoral fellowships at universities and research centres abroad. More details
Research Training Opportunities by Country (for postdoctoral fellows)
Japan
Established by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), the Postdoctoral Fellowships for Foreign Researchers enable a limited number of promising young researchers to conduct research in Japanese universities, research institutions and laboratories. These fellowships are awarded for a period of 12 to 24 months. A shorter-term fellowship is also offered to give Canadians firsthand experience of the research and living environments in Japan. NSERC is responsible for selecting Canadian nominees for JSPS Fellowships. More details
United Kingdom
Up to ten supplements of $5,000 per year for two years are awarded to NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship holders who are planning to take up their award in the United Kingdom. More details
Multinational
The 
Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) supports novel, innovative and interdisciplinary basic research focused on the complex mechanisms of living organisms. Young Canadian scientists may apply for a fellowship to work in a laboratory in any of the participating member countries. These include countries of the European Union as well as Australia, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea and the United States. More details
Foreign Students and Fellows
With its vibrant university research and training environments, Canada is a destination of choice in the global scientific community.
The following programs accept applications from international postgraduate students and postdoctoral fellows registered at a Canadian university or from those interested in pursuing their studies or research training at a Canadian organization.
- Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships Program
- NSERC Industrial Postgraduate Scholarships
- Industrial Research and Development Internships
- Visiting Fellowships in Canadian Government Laboratories
- Human Frontier Science Program Fellowships
- Finding Research Training Opportunities in Canada
Please note that professors holding NSERC grants can use a portion of their funds to offer stipends to international students and fellows who join their research team. Stipends for postdoctoral fellows are normally limited to two years of support, but three years of support may be acceptable in some cases, for instance to attract exceptional foreign candidates.
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships Program
Foreign students interested in coming to Canada to pursue their doctoral studies at a Canadian university are eligible to receive a Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship. Candidates do not apply directly to NSERC but through the Canadian university where they plan to pursue full-time doctoral studies. More details
NSERC Industrial Postgraduate Scholarships
International students registered at a Canadian university in a master’s or doctoral program in the natural sciences and engineering may apply for an NSERC Industrial Postgraduate Scholarship. This program allows students to gain research experience in industry while undertaking advanced studies in Canada. More details
Industrial Research and Development Internships
International students and postdoctoral fellows enrolled at a Canadian university may participate in the Industrial R&D Internships Program.
Visiting Fellowships in Canadian Government Laboratories
These fellowships give promising young scientists and engineers the opportunity to work with research groups or leaders in Canadian government laboratories and research institutions. More details
Human Frontier Science Program Fellowships
Through the Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP), young researchers from other countries can apply for long-term and short-term fellowships as well as cross-disciplinary fellowships to pursue research training in Canada. More details
Finding Research Training Opportunities in Canada
The following Web sites offer comprehensive information about training opportunities and requirements for foreign students and fellows interested in pursuing their training at a Canadian university.
