Global Affairs Canada International Scholarships (ELAP | SEED | SICS)

Global Affairs Canada's EduCanada International Scholarships program provides a unique opportunity for talented senior Bachelor, Master, and Doctoral degree-seeking full-time students who are studying at universities around the world to conduct fully-funded research in Canada for 4 months (undergraduate-level) or 5-6 months (graduate-level).

Please review our information about visiting researcher Eligibility, How to Apply, Important Dates / Deadlines, as well as Information for U of A Host Supervisors.

Aspiring researchers are kindly encouraged to consult the answers to our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) by clicking on the little plus (+) sign beside each question. The answers to these FAQs will help guide whether you wish to proceed with applying for a Global Affairs Canada (ELAP/SEED/SICS) International Scholarship to conduct research at University of Alberta.

Scholarships for international applicants are available through the following three programs to support research performed by undergraduate and graduate students who are citizens of the following countries/territories, under the expert supervision of academic University of Alberta faculty members.

• Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program (ELAP)
  
  • Caribbean: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos;
  • Central America: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama;
  • North America: Mexico;
  • South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela.

• Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development – Phase 2 (SEED-2)
  
  • ASEAN Member States: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos (Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR)), Malaysia, Myanmar, The Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam;
  • Pacific Island Countries: Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu;
  • Mongolia.

• Study in Canada Scholarships (SICS)
  
  • 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.

Individual research projects are initiated and arranged by the prospective student researcher. Please allow us to help you with this process by reviewing our How to Apply steps for detailed information and guidance related to independently finding a U of A professor who can provide you with a Letter of invitation from a Canadian supervisor. 

Once a willing and able U of A research supervisor is arranged, University of Alberta International Education and Enrolment staff members facilitate applying to EduCanada on behalf of Selected applicants, as per Global Affairs Canada's updated program delivery model.

Are you interested in coming to U of A on exchange to study or take academic courses, not perform research?

Hoping to come to University of Alberta through Global Affairs Canada's International Scholarships Program with funding to study as part of a course-based exchange program where you will enroll in classes for credit? If yes, the information you will need to view is on the Global Learning section of our website, not on this page. While we work closely together, there are differing requirements and procedures that you must be aware of in order to submit an eligible application for either the study or research exchange. 

Photo of new visiting researchers participating in a Campus Tour as part of a Welcome Session for international visitors. Many were ELAP participants. Taken in February 2024 at Quad, North Campus in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

University of Alberta International Student & Visitor Services (ISVS) provides research interns with full support before, during, and after their placement:

• Coordination of immigration processes and documents
• Creation of a U of A ID & CCID
• Campus registration including academic visitor liability waiver and Person of Interest (POI)
• In-person intern orientation and optional North Campus tour
• Professional development seminars
• Academic networking opportunities
• An opportunity to participate in a research symposium as a presenter, volunteer, or engaged observer

Each intern also has the option to participate in activities like the following (exact offerings and timing vary depending on the seasons):

• Group trips to Alberta landmarks such as the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller and/or Elk Island National Park and/or the Rocky Mountains (Banff or Jasper), which are offered on a cost-recovery basis to participants
• Weekly social programming such as English Conversation Club and/or health and wellness workshops and/or games to meet new friends from around the world
• Cultural events offered in Canada's "Festival City" such as the annual U of A Round Dance, Flying Canoë Volant, Silver Skate, JazzFest, KDays, Heritage Festival, and many more!