STEM Scholarships in Canada

Canada's highest-value scholarships for STEM students at the undergraduate and graduate levels:

• Schulich Leader Scholarships: $100,000 for students entering STEM programs — nominations through high schools
• NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA): ~$7,125 for a 16-week research placement — excellent for grad school applications
• Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Natural Sciences stream): $50,000/year for doctoral students
• NSERC Canada Graduate Scholarship – Master's (CGS-M): $27,000 for one year of master's study
• NSERC Canada Graduate Scholarship – Doctoral (CGS-D): $35,000/year for 3 years
• Waterloo President's Scholarship of Distinction: $10,000 for students entering STEM programs with 95%+ average

STEM co-op programs are a major financial advantage — earning money while building your resume:

• University of Waterloo Co-op: Typically earns $15,000–$25,000 per 4-month work term in tech/engineering
• UBC Science Co-op: 8, 12, or 16-month placements with competitive pay
• U of T PEY (Professional Experience Year): 12-16 month paid internship for engineering and computer science
• Most STEM co-op students graduate with less debt than peers in non-co-op programs

Practical advice for maximizing funding in STEM programs:

• Ask your high school guidance counsellor to nominate you for the Schulich Leader Scholarship — schools must submit nominations
• Apply for NSERC USRA in your 2nd or 3rd year — it's the gateway to graduate-level research funding
• Many STEM departments offer TA and RA positions that include tuition waivers for graduate students
• Women in STEM scholarships are widely available — check your university's equity office
• Don't overlook industry scholarships from companies like RBC, TD, Shopify, and engineering firms