The Study in Canada Scholarships (SICS) program 2026

The Study in Canada Scholarships (SICS) program is funded by Global Affairs Canada and offers a unique opportunity for international students to experience short-term study or research at Canadian colleges and universities. This program allows Canadian colleges and universities to host international students for short-term study or research in Canada, building strong academic partnerships between countries. The application deadline is March 31, 2026 (11:59 p.m. EDT) , giving institutions time to prepare and submit nominations.

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Quick Overview

• Program Name: Study in Canada Scholarships (SICS)

• Funding Organization: Global Affairs Canada

• Host Country: Canada

• Program Type: Short-term study or research exchanges for international students

• Application Deadline: March 31, 2026 (11:59 p.m. EDT)

• Program Completion Deadline: September 30, 2027

• Maximum Funding per Project: $150,000

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New Program Update for 2026–2027

From the 2026–2027 cycle, the program will follow a new delivery model that changes how students are selected for this opportunity.

• Canadian institutions will now be responsible for selecting students, rather than direct student applications

• Institutions must submit a Management and Accountability Framework (MAF) to explain how they will ensure a fair and transparent selection process

• Only one supporting document is required on behalf of students: the Privacy Notice Statement (PNS) , which must be uploaded through the My EduCanada Portal

• This streamlined approach simplifies documentation while maintaining accountability

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Eligible Countries for Students

Students from the following countries and regions can participate in this program:

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

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Eligibility for Canadian Institutions

To apply for hosting students through this program, Canadian institutions must meet specific requirements.

• Must be a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) – authorized to host international students in Canada

• Must waive tuition fees for scholarship students – tuition fees cannot be charged to scholarship recipients during their exchange period

• Must assign a program coordinator to manage the application and student selection process

• Must create or log in through Global Affairs Canada Single Sign-On and register on the My EduCanada portal as an Institution

• Canadian institutions receive $500 per student to cover administrative costs associated with hosting exchange students

Eligibility for International Students

Students must meet several requirements to be eligible for participation in this exchange program.

• Must be enrolled full-time in a post-secondary institution in their home country

• Must be paying tuition at their home institution during the exchange period

• Must be able to complete the program before September 30, 2027

• Must come from one of the eligible countries listed above

Who Is Not Eligible

Students cannot apply for this scholarship if they fall into any of these categories:

• Have Canadian citizenship or permanent residency – the program is designed for genuine international students

• Already receiving funding from Global Affairs Canada or Canadian federal agencies like NSERC, SSHRC, or CIHR

• Already studying in a Canadian institution – the program is designed for students coming from abroad for short-term experiences

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Scholarship Value and Duration

The scholarship amount depends on the level of study and duration of the exchange program in Canada.

Duration Level Scholarship Amount 4 months Undergraduate or Graduate $10,200 5–6 months Graduate only $14,000

Additional Support

• These amounts are designed to cover living expenses during the exchange, allowing students to focus on their academic and research goals

• Canadian institutions also receive $500 per student to cover administrative costs associated with hosting the exchange students

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Program Objectives

The SICS program serves multiple important purposes in international education.

• Supports short-term exchanges for international students, creating opportunities for cross-cultural learning and collaboration

• Helps Canada build strong academic partnerships with other countries by facilitating student mobility and research collaboration

• Strengthens cultural connections, people-to-people ties, and bilateral relationships between Canada and participating countries

• Creates lasting connections between Canadian institutions and their international partners, fostering ongoing collaboration beyond the scholarship period

Project Scope and Funding

A scholarship project may include one or more students, depending on the institution's capacity and partnership agreements.

• Project Start: After signing an agreement with Global Affairs Canada

• Project Completion: All activities must finish by September 30, 2027

• Maximum Funding per Project: $150,000 – allowing institutions to host multiple students under a single project agreement

• This funding structure supports meaningful institutional partnerships rather than just individual exchanges

Project Selection Criteria

Projects will be selected based on several criteria designed to ensure quality and fairness.

• Fair and transparent selection process – clear procedures for choosing participating students

• Student eligibility – all students must meet requirements for their home country and level of study

• Proper documentation – must be maintained for all participants

• Geographical diversity – projects should represent students from eligible countries

• Equal gender participation – encouraged to promote inclusive opportunities for all students

How to Apply (For Canadian Institutions)

Institutions must follow a specific process to apply for hosting students through this program.

Step-by-Step Application Process

• Step 1: Assign a program coordinator to manage the application and student selection process

• Step 2: Create or log in through Global Affairs Canada Single Sign-On to access the system

• Step 3: Register on the My EduCanada portal as an Institution

• Step 4: Submit student nominations online through the portal, providing all required information

• Step 5: Upload the signed Privacy Notice Statement (PNS) for each nominated student

• Step 6: Email the completed Management and Accountability Framework (MAF) to: Scholarships-Info-Bourses@international.gc.ca – explaining how selection will be conducted

• Step 7: After submission, institutions will receive a confirmation and reference number for tracking purposes

Important Reminder

• Final Deadline: March 31, 2026 (11:59 p.m. EDT)

• Canadian institutions must complete both the online submission and email the required documents before the deadline

• Late submissions will not be accepted under any circumstances

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Why This Program Matters

• Builds International Partnerships: Strengthens ties between Canadian institutions and their counterparts abroad

• Supports Student Mobility: Creates opportunities for students to gain international experience

• Promotes Cultural Exchange: Fosters cross-cultural understanding and lasting connections

• Enhances Research Collaboration: Encourages joint research projects and academic cooperation

• Simplified Process: New streamlined approach reduces administrative burden

• Substantial Funding: Generous scholarships support students during their stay in Canada

Tips for Canadian Institutions

• Start Early: Begin preparing your application well before the March 31 deadline

• Assign a Coordinator: Designate a dedicated program coordinator to manage the process

• Prepare MAF Carefully: Clearly explain how you will ensure fair and transparent student selection

• Complete Portal Registration: Ensure your institution is properly registered on the My EduCanada portal

• Gather PNS Documents: Have Privacy Notice Statements ready for each nominated student

• Submit Complete Application: Ensure both online nominations and MAF email are completed

• Note Deadline: March 31, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. EDT – no extensions

Final Thoughts

The Study in Canada Scholarships (SICS) program offers a great opportunity for Canadian institutions to build international academic partnerships and welcome talented students from around the world to their campuses. With funding of $10,200 for 4-month exchanges and $14,000 for 5-6 month graduate exchanges, this program provides meaningful support for short-term study and research in Canada.

For the 2026–2027 cycle, a new delivery model places responsibility on Canadian institutions to select students through a fair and transparent process. Institutions must submit a Management and Accountability Framework (MAF) and upload Privacy Notice Statements through the My EduCanada portal.

Eligible students come from specific countries in Asia (Bangladesh, Nepal, Taiwan), Europe (Türkiye, Ukraine), the Middle East and North Africa, and Sub-Saharan Africa. They must be enrolled full-time in their home institutions and pay tuition there during the exchange.

The application deadline is March 31, 2026. Canadian institutions should begin preparing their applications early to ensure all requirements are met. This scholarship is a great opportunity to build international academic partnerships and welcome talented students from around the world to Canadian campuses.

Good luck with your applications

Apply Now

For complete details and to begin the application process, Canadian institutions should visit the official EduCanada website:

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