Government of Quebec Merit Scholarship Program 2026

In support of the Québec government’s science policy, the Merit Scholarship for Foreign Students program has the following objectives:

• Support the internationalization of research activities in Québec’s higher education institutions;
• Attract top foreign researchers and students and promote international recognition of Québec universities and College Centres for the Transfer of Technologies (CCTT);
• Create cultural links and pave the way for the setting up of joint scientific research projects.

The Fonds de recherche du Québec – secteur Nature et technologies (FRQ) is responsible for managing the program. It was commissioned by the Ministère de l’Enseignement supérieur du Québec (MES) which provides the funding.

All-countries scholarships

• Master’s research scholarships (VM)
• Doctoral research scholarships (V1)
• Postdoctoral scholarships (V2)
• Short-term research or professional development scholarships (V3)

• Table of Content
• About Government of Québec
• Government of Quebec Merit Scholarship Program
• Aim and Benefits of Government of Quebec Merit Scholarship Program
• Requirements for Government of Quebec Merit Scholarship Program Qualification
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About Government of Québec

Government of Quebec Merit Scholarship Program

Aim and Benefits of Government of Quebec Merit Scholarship Program

• The annual value of a Master’s research scholarship is $20,000. The maximum amount that can be awarded is 6 instalments (6 semesters) totalling $40,000.
• The annual value of a Doctoral research scholarship is $25,000 for the first 9 sessions, and $12,000 for the last 3 sessions if an extension is requested. The total duration of the scholarship is a maximum of 12 sessions (12 installments), with a maximum allowable amount totaling $87,000.
• The annual value of a Postdoctoral scholarship is $35,000. The maximum amount that can be awarded is 3 instalments (one year) totalling $35,000.
• The value of a Short-term research or professional development scholarship is $3,000 per month. The maximum amount that can be awarded is 4 instalments (4 months) totalling $12,000.
• In addition to the scholarship, MES offers all scholarship recipients an exemption from paying the higher tuition fees required for foreign students and the medical insurance coverage offered by the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ).

Requirements for Government of Quebec Merit Scholarship Program Qualification

Candidates must meet all eligibility requirements in effect at the time of application as set out in the program rules and the CGR.

This competition is open to all candidates who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada and who have not applied for permanent residence under Canadian immigration laws.

Target group and eligibility period

These scholarships are intended for foreign students or researchers from all research sectors (health, humanities and social sciences, arts and letters, natural sciences, and engineering) 

• Candidates are eligible for master’s research scholarships for the first six semesters of their master’s studies. To apply, candidates must have been enrolled in a master’s program for up to three full-time semesters (1?year) or less before May 1, 2026.
• Semesters already completed in a master’s program (or equivalent) at the time the scholarship takes effect are subtracted from the funding period.
• Candidates who have obtained a first master’s degree by research but wish to pursue a second one in another discipline may submit an application if their first master’s degree was not funded under the PBEEE program. 

Doctoral research component

Candidates are eligible for doctoral merit program scholarships for the first nine semesters of their doctoral studies. All doctoral semesters, funded or unfunded, completed before the scholarship takes effect, are subtracted from the eligibility period.

Candidates who have obtained a first doctoral degree in research but wish to undertake a second one in another discipline may submit an application if their first doctorate was not funded under the PBEEE program.

Postdoctoral component 

Postdoctoral scholarships are intended for researchers who have obtained their PhD no more than two years before the competition deadline or who submitted their doctoral dissertation by January 15, 2026.

The postdoctoral research must be conducted in an institution other than the one that granted the doctoral degree. A candidate’s doctoral supervisors and co-supervisors may not act as their postdoctoral supervisor, even if they have changed institutions.

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Application Deadline

How to Apply

For more details, visit Government of Quebec Scholarship webpage