Canada Expands Global Education Ties Through SICS Short-Term Scholarships
Canada is opening new doors for international academic exchange through the Study in Canada Scholarships (SICS) program, a federally funded initiative designed to connect Canadian post-secondary institutions with students from across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East for short-term study or research opportunities.
Administered by Global Affairs Canada under its Academic Relations program, the scholarship scheme serves a dual purpose: strengthening Canada’s global education partnerships while fostering cultural and people-to-people connections. The exchanges are part of a broader diplomatic effort to diversify and deepen bilateral ties through academic collaboration.
A Platform for International Academic Exchange
SICS allows Canadian colleges and universities to host international students from eligible countries for a period of up to six months. The program targets both undergraduate and graduate students and is fully supported by Canada’s Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD).
The program encourages Canadian institutions to actively promote this opportunity among faculty and staff, while also urging international partner institutions to formalize or expand exchange agreements. Interested students must go through their home institution’s international office for details and to verify eligibility.
Only Canadian institutions can submit scholarship applications on behalf of students, and must do so before the deadline of 11:59 p.m. EDT on March 18, 2025. Kindly check back for updates yearly.
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Who Can Apply?
To qualify, students must:
- Hold citizenship in one of the eligible countries or territories:
- 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
- Be enrolled full-time in a recognized post-secondary institution within their home country
- Be paying tuition fees to their home institution for the full duration of their scholarship period
Ineligible Applicants
Students are not eligible if they:
- Are Canadian citizens or permanent residents, or have a pending application for either
- Are currently benefiting from any other Canadian government-funded scholarship
- Are already enrolled in a Canadian diploma, degree, or certificate program
Host Institution Requirements
Canadian post-secondary institutions must meet the following criteria:
- Be designated as a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)
- Maintain a valid student exchange agreement with the applicant’s home institution—required for college and undergraduate levels, but not for graduate students
Scholarship Awards
| Academic Level | Value | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| College/Undergrad | $10,200 | 4 months / 1 term | Requires an active tuition-waiver exchange agreement |
| Graduate | $10,200 | 4 months / 1 term | Exchange agreement not required |
| Graduate | $12,700 | 5–6 months | Extended stay for eligible graduate research |
What’s Covered?
Recipients can use the funds for:
- Visa or study/work permit fees
- Airfare (most direct and economical route)
- Health insurance
- Daily living costs (housing, food, utilities)
- Local transportation, including public transit
- Required books and academic supplies (excluding electronics)
Canadian institutions will also receive:
- $500 per student to support administrative costs
- Reimbursement for certain Immigration Canada employer compliance fees (if applicable)
Disbursement and Refund Policy
Funding is transferred directly to Canadian institutions via a non-negotiable agreement with DFATD. Institutions are responsible for distributing funds to students. If a scholarship is declined or withdrawn, both the award and the administrative fee must be returned to DFATD.
Key Dates and Notification
- Application Deadline: March 18, 2025 (Canadian institutions only) – Kindly check back for updates yearly.
Institutions should establish internal deadlines well in advance to ensure all documents are gathered. - Results: Announced to Canadian institutions in Spring 2025
Results will not be shared directly with students. Institutions must inform candidates of their status.
Travel Timeline and Visa Processing
Successful recipients can arrive in Canada no earlier than August 1, 2025 for fall intake and no later than February 1, 2026 for winter/spring. Late arrivals risk having their scholarship revoked.
Students are encouraged to begin visa or permit applications as early as possible to avoid processing delays.
Scholarship Terms and Responsibilities
Recipients must:
- Engage in full-time academic or research activities as determined by the host institution
- Refrain from clinical training or any patient-related research
- Focus on their studies while in Canada and return to their home institution afterward
Failure to adhere to these terms may lead to the cancellation of the scholarship.
