Students planning to study in Canada won’t find one single Waterloo scholarship for 2027. The University of Waterloo funds students through a mix of external scholarships, research-based graduate funding, university awards, international student awards and program-specific financial support, so the help on offer is wide-ranging.

On the academic side, engineering, environment, health, mathematics and science. According to the university’s graduate-program directory, Waterloo has graduate programs in areas such as arts, these programs are currently accepting applications for Fall 2027. Each program sets its own admission deadline, so the dates are not the same across the board.

Scholarship Quick Facts

About University of Waterloo Scholarships

If you are a full-time doctoral student at Waterloo, the current minimum funding is $29,145 per year for up to four years, effective May 1, 2026. For full-time research-based master’s students, Waterloo currently lists a typical minimum of $12,000 for one year. Waterloo reviews these minimums every year, so the rates may change for the 2027 academic year.

These minimums apply to research-based graduate programs. Waterloo defines these as PhD programs and master’s programs with a thesis or major research paper option. Both domestic and international students in them are eligible for the minimum funding, as long as they stay within their program time limits and keep good academic standing.

International students in research-based programs may get extra support as well. Eligible international master’s students may be considered for the International Master’s Award of Excellence (IMAE), while full-time international PhD students receive the International Doctoral Student Award (IDSA), subject to the applicable requirements.

More generally, the University of Waterloo funds students through a variety of scholarships, awards and funding packages. How much you get, and what kind of support it is, depends on whether you are in an undergraduate program, a research-based graduate program or a course-based graduate program.

Major Funding Opportunities

• 🎓 International Master’s Award of Excellence: Eligible international students entering normally research-based master’s programs may receive $2,500 per term for a maximum of five terms, with recipients selected by their faculties based on academic excellence and other criteria.
• 🎓 International Doctoral Student Award: Eligible full-time international PhD students receive an award designed to help offset the difference between domestic and international doctoral tuition.
• 🎓 President’s Graduate Scholarship: Outstanding graduate students holding certain major federally or provincially funded competition-based scholarships may receive up to $10,000 through Waterloo’s PGS.
• 🎓 Canada Impact+ Research Training Awards: Waterloo participates in the new Canada Impact+ program, which provides doctoral awards valued at $40,000 per year for up to three years to eligible international researchers and Canadian students studying abroad and returning to Canada.
• 🎓 Other Waterloo Awards: Students may also access internal awards, external scholarships, bursaries, teaching assistantships and research assistantships depending on their program and circumstances.

Eligibility Criteria

• ✅ Some Waterloo scholarships find you: you’re considered automatically when you apply for admission. Others only come if you apply for them separately, or if someone nominates you.
• ✅ There’s no single set of rules. What you can get depends on the award itself, your program, your faculty and your student status.
• ✅ A number of awards come with extra conditions, such as academic excellence, research achievement, a particular citizenship or something else specific.
• ✅ If you’re an international student, you may be able to get certain Waterloo awards, and minimum funding too, provided you meet the requirements that apply.
• ✅ For minimum funding, research-based master’s and PhD students normally need to stay in good academic standing and finish within their program time limits.
• ✅ And before any of this, your application has to meet the admission requirements of the University of Waterloo program you picked.

Scholarship Benefits

• 🏆 Full-time research-based PhD students currently receive a minimum of $29,145 per year for up to four years.
• 🏆 Full-time research-based master’s students often receive minimum funding of $12,000 for one year.
• 🏆 Eligible international master’s students may receive the International Master’s Award of Excellence valued at $2,500 per term for up to five terms.
• 🏆 Eligible international PhD students receive the International Doctoral Student Award to help offset the international tuition difference.
• 🏆 Outstanding graduate students with qualifying major external scholarships may receive the President’s Graduate Scholarship worth up to $10,000.
• 🏆 Additional support may be available through teaching assistantships, research assistantships, bursaries and external awards.

Required Documents

• Academic transcripts
• Proof of English-language proficiency where required
• Statement of interest or personal statement, where required
• Letters of recommendation, where required
• Curriculum Vitae or résumé, where required
• Research proposal or statement of research interest for applicable research programs
• Additional program-specific documents listed on the selected Waterloo program page
• Scholarship or award documents where a separate application is required

Document requirements vary by program and award. Applicants should always check the official University of Waterloo program page before submitting an application.

How to Apply

Waterloo funds its graduate students in more than one way, so check the funding side early. Many of its internal graduate awards need no separate application, since eligible students are considered automatically under the selection criteria that apply. Some awards work differently. If one needs its own application, a nomination or an external scholarship application, follow the instructions and deadlines Waterloo lists for that award.

To get there, start with the University of Waterloo graduate programs directory and find the degree that matches what you want to study and research. For each program you like, look at the admission requirements, the funding information and the closing date. Waterloo says it is accepting Fall 2027 graduate applications right now, but each program has its own deadline.

When you are ready to apply, gather your academic documents, references, statement, résumé/CV and any research materials the program asks for. Then submit your admission

Frequently Asked Questions