Dalhousie University is one of Canada’s leading research-intensive universities and attracts thousands of students from around the world each year. Located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Dalhousie offers undergraduate, master’s and doctoral programmes across engineering, computer science, business, medicine, agriculture, health sciences, law, arts, science and many other disciplines.
To help talented students finance their education, Dalhousie provides millions of dollars in scholarships, bursaries and fellowships every year. Some awards are available to undergraduate students entering directly from high school, while others support master’s and PhD students through tuition funding, living stipends or research scholarships.
Many websites describe Dalhousie scholarships as “fully funded.” In reality, there is no single scholarship that automatically covers every international student. Instead, Dalhousie administers numerous funding opportunities with different eligibility requirements and award values. Some graduate awards provide funding that covers tuition and includes a substantial annual stipend, while many undergraduate awards are entrance scholarships based on academic merit, leadership and financial need.
This guide explains the major Dalhousie scholarships available for the 2026–2027 academic year, eligibility requirements, award values, application procedures and practical tips for international applicants.
Does Dalhousie University Offer Fully Funded Scholarships?
Yes—but only for certain categories of students.
Several doctoral scholarships provide generous annual funding that can cover tuition and contribute significantly toward living expenses. Examples include:
- Killam Predoctoral Scholarship
- President’s Awards
- Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship
- Program-specific doctoral funding packages
For undergraduate students, Dalhousie mainly offers entrance scholarships rather than complete funding packages. These awards can substantially reduce tuition costs but usually do not cover all living expenses.
Why Study at Dalhousie University?
- Top Canadian research university
- Over 200 degree programmes
- Internationally recognised faculty
- Strong graduate research funding
- Excellent co-op opportunities
- Beautiful Atlantic Canada location
- Support for international students
- Scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students
Top Dalhousie University Scholarships for 2026
1. Killam Predoctoral Scholarship
The Killam Predoctoral Scholarship is one of Dalhousie’s most prestigious doctoral awards.
Award Value
The scholarship has a base value of CAD 42,000 per year for up to three years. Students who also receive a Tri-Agency CGRS-D award may receive a top-up, increasing the value to up to CAD 48,000 per year.
Who Can Apply?
- Outstanding doctoral applicants
- Canadian students
- International students
- Students in any discipline
Selection Criteria
- Academic excellence
- Research potential
- Publications where applicable
- Leadership
- Strong references
2. President’s Awards
The President’s Awards are designed for exceptional doctoral students.
Coverage
The award covers the value of tuition fees for up to two years and may be combined with other eligible graduate funding packages.
Eligibility
- Doctoral students
- Canadian applicants
- International applicants
Students are generally considered through Dalhousie’s graduate scholarship process rather than through a completely separate admission route.
3. Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship
This internationally recognised doctoral scholarship supports outstanding research in the humanities and social sciences.
Award Value
Successful scholars may receive funding of up to CAD 60,000 per year for up to three years.
Who Can Apply?
- Doctoral students
- Canadian students
- International students
The scholarship is administered by the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation and is available through participating Canadian universities, including Dalhousie.
4. General Entrance Scholarships
Dalhousie awards more than 2,000 entrance scholarships every year to undergraduate students.
Eligibility
- Domestic students
- International students
- Applicants entering directly from high school
Applicants generally need an admission average of at least 80% (or the equivalent International Baccalaureate requirement) to be considered for the General Entrance Awards programme.
Selection Factors
- Academic achievement
- Leadership
- Community involvement
- Extracurricular activities
- Financial need
5. Schulich Leader Scholarship
Dalhousie participates in Canada’s prestigious Schulich Leader Scholarship programme.
Award Value
- Engineering: CAD 120,000
- Science, Technology and Mathematics: CAD 100,000
Applicants must be nominated by their Canadian high school before applying.
6. Killam International Research Award
This award supports doctoral students conducting international research activities.
Award Value
CAD 6,000 (one-time).
Who Can Apply?
- Killam Scholars
- Doctoral students
7. International Graduate Scholarships
Dalhousie administers several scholarships specifically open to international graduate students.
Examples include:
- Abdul Majid Bader Graduate Scholarship (up to CAD 40,000 per year for eligible Iranian students)
- Olivia Lewis and Michael Lonardo Graduate Scholarship
- Mitacs Globalink Research Award
- Travel Grants
- Woman Life Freedom Scholarship
The value, eligibility and duration differ by scholarship.
Graduate Funding at Dalhousie
Dalhousie states that thesis-based graduate students collectively receive more than CAD 24 million in scholarships, stipends and bursaries each year.
Typical funding packages in the early stages of a graduate programme range from approximately CAD 16,500 to CAD 24,000 or more per year, depending on the programme and funding source.
Programmes Eligible for Scholarships
- Engineering
- Computer Science
- Business
- Medicine
- Health Sciences
- Agriculture
- Arts
- Science
- Law
- Social Sciences
- Architecture
General Eligibility Requirements
Requirements vary depending on the scholarship, but applicants generally need:
- Admission to an eligible Dalhousie programme
- Excellent academic performance
- Supporting documents
- Reference letters for many graduate awards
- Research proposal for research-based programmes
- English-language proficiency where required
English-Language Requirements
International students whose first language is not English generally need approved proof of English proficiency unless they qualify for an exemption.
Accepted tests commonly include IELTS, TOEFL and other recognised examinations according to Dalhousie’s admission policies.
How to Apply
Step 1
Choose an undergraduate or graduate programme.
Step 2
Submit your admission application.
Step 3
Complete the scholarship application where required.
Most undergraduate applicants complete the General Entrance Award Application. Graduate students may apply through faculty-specific or harmonized scholarship processes, depending on their programme.
Step 4
Upload all required documents before the deadline.
Step 5
Wait for scholarship decisions.
Documents Commonly Required
- Passport
- Academic transcripts
- Degree certificate
- English-language test results
- Curriculum vitae
- Statement of purpose
- Research proposal (graduate)
- Reference letters
Can Scholarships Be Combined?
Some graduate awards may be held together, while others cannot. For example, the President’s Award is designed to complement certain prestigious graduate scholarships by covering tuition. Applicants should carefully review the conditions attached to each award before assuming they can combine multiple scholarships.
How to Improve Your Chances
- Maintain outstanding academic results.
- Apply early.
- Develop a strong research proposal.
- Obtain excellent reference letters.
- Highlight leadership and community service.
- Prepare a well-written statement of purpose.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Missing scholarship deadlines.
- Submitting incomplete applications.
- Ignoring programme-specific funding opportunities.
- Using generic statements of purpose.
- Failing to request recommendation letters early.
Scholarship Scam Warning
Applicants should be cautious of websites promising guaranteed Dalhousie scholarships or admission.
Never pay anyone claiming they can secure a scholarship or admission offer. Always use Dalhousie’s official admissions and scholarship pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Dalhousie University offer fully funded scholarships?
Some doctoral scholarships provide substantial funding that can cover tuition and living expenses, but there is no single fully funded scholarship available to every student.
Can international students receive Dalhousie scholarships?
Yes. Many undergraduate entrance awards and several graduate scholarships are open to international students.
What is the highest-value Dalhousie scholarship?
Among Dalhousie’s internal awards, the Killam Predoctoral Scholarship can reach up to CAD 48,000 per year when combined with the eligible Tri-Agency top-up. External awards such as the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship can provide up to CAD 60,000 per year.
Do undergraduate students need a separate scholarship application?
Yes. Most applicants must complete the General Entrance Award Application after applying for admission.
Are graduate scholarships still open?
As of late July 2026, the main entrance scholarship opportunities for students beginning in the 2026–2027 academic year have closed. Dalhousie states that the next funding cycle will open in late summer 2026 for future intakes.
Conclusion
Dalhousie University remains one of Canada’s strongest choices for students seeking generous scholarship opportunities. Undergraduate students can compete for thousands of entrance awards, while graduate students have access to prestigious funding such as the Killam Predoctoral Scholarship, President’s Awards and numerous research fellowships.
Although there is no single universal fully funded scholarship, many doctoral funding packages provide enough support to cover tuition and make graduate study significantly more affordable. Undergraduate applicants can also receive substantial entrance scholarships based on academic achievement, leadership and financial need.
To maximise your chances, apply early, prepare a strong application package and carefully review the eligibility requirements for each scholarship before submitting your application.