Canada Unveils $100M Scholarships for Indian Students

• Canada launches CAD 100M scholarships for Indian students.
• Targets STEM, AI, clean energy; 5-year rollout starts 2026.
• Aims to boost ties post Carney visit; merit-based awards.

Canada has unveiled a plan of a large, scale scholarship program of CAD 100 million to assist Indian students under the new international education strategy. It is expected to promote better educational relations between Canada and India and draw more of the best talents from one of the largest source countries of international students in the world. The scholarships are set to be introduced within the next five years and will be available for studies at the undergraduate, master's, PhD, and postdoctoral levels at Canadian universities and colleges.

In particular, the areas that are prioritized include STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics), artificial intelligence, clean energy, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, as well as other fields that are in line with Canada's innovation and economic priorities. Some of the funds will be allocated to support short, term research exchanges, joint supervision program, and collaborative projects between Indian and Canadian institutions.

The initiative responds to recent challenges in bilateral relations and follows Prime Minister Mark Carney's visit to India in late February 2026, where education and skills partnerships were identified as key pillars for renewed cooperation. It complements existing program like the Canada-India Research Centre of Excellence and the Mitacs Globalink program, while introducing new dedicated streams for Indian applicants.

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Eligibility will be determined mostly by merit, and factors such as academic excellence, research potential, and the extent to which the applicant's work aligns with bilateral priorities will be given preference. It is anticipated that applications will be made through participating Canadian institutions and a few Indian universities around mid, 2026, while the first group of students will start their studies either in fall 2027 or winter 2028 intakes.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and Global Affairs Canada announced that the scholarships are expected to contribute to the diversity of Canada's international student community, foster knowledge exchange, and establish long, term connections between people globally. This initiative is also interpreted as a part of Canada' s broader strategy to rebuild trust and open up new avenues for Indian youth amid the challenge of global competition for talent.

The announcement is likely to greatly boost the number of Indian students aspiring for Canadian higher education and promote stronger academic and research collaborations between the two countries.