University of Laval Excellence Scholarship Program 2027 | Study in Canada

• Award Value: From $20,000 CAD to $30,000 CAD
• Application Status: Opens November 2026 for the 2027 cohort
• Degree Levels: Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD programs
• Key Requirement: You must submit a new admission application to the University of Laval for the 2027 summer or fall semester

What is the University of Laval Excellence Scholarship Program?

Officially known as the Citizens of the World Scholarships, the University of Laval Excellence Scholarship Program is one of the most quietly powerful funding opportunities offered by the University of Laval, a public research university located in Québec City, Québec, Canada

The funding is provided directly by the university’s institutional budget, donor endowments, and specific faculty funds to attract top international. Here’s the part that catches most applicants off guard:

You don’t need to fill out a separate scholarship application.

For research-based master’s and doctoral programs, selection is based entirely on the admission applications received by the faculties. That means every qualified applicant is automatically considered.

There’s no extra essay, no separate portal, no additional deadline. Your admission file is your scholarship application.

If you’re exploring other major Canadian awards with similar “automatic consideration” or streamlined application structures, the McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill University offer a different model worth studying — one that emphasizes leadership and community impact alongside academics.

Scholarship Details

Who Can Apply for University of Laval Excellence Scholarship Program?

To be considered for the 2027 cohort, you must meet the following:

1. Be an international student who is not a permanent resident of Canada
2. Submit a new admission application to University of Laval for the summer or fall 2026 semester 
3. Apply to an eligible program — the Excellence component covers:
   • All bachelor’s degrees
   • Professional master’s programs
   • Research master’s with thesis
   • Doctoral programs
4. Demonstrate academic excellence — the scholarship explicitly recognizes outstanding academic records.

The Excellence component is for students who have submitted a new application for admission. If you are already enrolled at Laval and not applying for a new program, you are not eligible for this specific entrance award.

What the Scholarship Offers

• $20,000 CAD for bachelor’s and professional master’s degrees
• **$20,000 CAD for research master’s (disbursed at $5,000 per semester across up to 4 semesters)
• **$30,000 CAD for doctoral programs (disbursed at $5,000 per semester across up to 6 semesters)
• Prestige recognition as a “Citizen of the World” scholar at one of Canada’s oldest and most research-intensive universities

These scholarships do not cover the full cost of a year of study in Quebec City. Tuition fees and living expenses will still require additional funding sources. Treat this as a significant contribution, not a full ride.

 

How to Apply for University of Laval Excellence Scholarship Program

The application process for the 2027 admission scholarships will open in November 2026. The scholarship is not yet open for the 2027 cohort.

• Official Excellence Scholarship Page: https://www.ulaval.ca/en/student-zone/student-awards
• BBAF International Student Scholarship Portal: https://www.bbaf.ulaval.ca/en/scholarships-bursaries/international-students
• Admission Application Portal: https://www.ulaval.ca/en/admission

Step-by-Step Process

1. Apply for admission to the University of Laval for the summer or fall 2026 semester (this is the entry point for the 2027 scholarship competition).
2. For research master’s and PhD applicants: No separate scholarship form is required. Your admission file will be automatically considered by the faculties.
3. For bachelor’s and professional master’s applicants: Check the scholarship directory listing for specific submission instructions.
4. Ensure all admission documents are submitted by the faculty’s stated deadlines.
5. Wait for results — recipients are usually announced in early March.
6. If awarded, you will have 15 days to:

• • Accept your offer of admission
  • Pay the tuition fee deposit
  • Accept the scholarship offer

Because the scholarship is tied to your admission application, the strength of your admission file is everything. Treat your program application as your scholarship application. Strong academic records, well-articulated research interests, and compelling personal statements all carry weight.

How to Win the Scholarship

The Excellence component explicitly rewards academic excellence. Your admission file needs to demonstrate:

• A strong academic record — transcripts that stand out in your field
• Research alignment — a clear fit between your research interests and the faculty’s expertise
• A compelling statement of purpose — why Laval, why this program, and why now
• Letters of recommendation that speak to your academic potential

For research-based programs, finding a faculty supervisor who agrees to support your application is often a practical prerequisite. Your admission application should reflect that alignment.

If you’re also considering doctoral funding in the humanities or social sciences, the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarships offer up to $210,000 over three years — a different scale of support, but a useful comparison point for long-term academic planning.

Other Top Canadian Scholarships to Consider

The Excellence Scholarship Program is one piece of a broader Canadian funding landscape. Depending on your level of study, these awards may be equally relevant:

• For undergraduate students: The Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship at the University of Toronto covers full tuition, books, incidental fees, and full residence support for four years. Like the Laval award, it is highly competitive and prestige-driven — but the Pearson is a full-ride opportunity, whereas Laval’s Excellence scholarship is a substantial contribution toward costs.
• For graduate students: The McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill offer full funding plus a leadership development program. If you’re weighing a research-focused master’s at Laval against a leadership-oriented master’s at McGill, understanding both funding models is essential.

 

FAQs about University of Laval Excellence Scholarship Program

Is there a separate scholarship application form?
For research master’s and doctoral programs, no. Selection is based on your admission application. For bachelor’s and professional master’s programs, check the specific scholarship directory listing for submission instructions.

Can I apply if I’m already enrolled at Laval?
No. This is an entrance scholarship for students submitting a new admission application.

Does the scholarship cover full tuition?
No. The $20,000–$30,000 CAD award is a contribution and does not cover all costs of studying in Quebec City. You will need additional funding for tuition and living expenses.

What happens if I’m awarded but don’t accept within 15 days?
The scholarship offer is automatically withdrawn. You must accept your admission offer, pay the deposit, and accept the scholarship within the 15-day window.

When are results announced?
Recipients are usually announced in early March.

 

Why You Should Act Now

The University of Laval Excellence Scholarship Program is deceptively simple: for research master’s and PhD applicants, there’s no extra form. Your admission application does the work. But that simplicity is exactly why you need to prepare carefully.

The $20,000–$30,000 CAD award is meaningful, the automatic consideration model is rare, and the prestige of being a “Citizen of the World” scholar carries weight beyond the dollar figure.

The 2027 application process opens in November 2026. The smartest move you can make right now is to start preparing your admission application — because for many applicants, that is the scholarship application.

Your next steps:

1. Identify the program you want to apply to at the University of Laval.
2. For research programs, reach out to potential faculty supervisors now.
3. Prepare your admission documents — transcripts, statements, and references.
4. Mark November 2026 in your calendar for the scholarship competition launch.
5. Submit your admission application as early as possible