Citizens of the World Scholarships
Applications will reopen in December 2024
The information on this page for guidance only and is subject to change without notice.
This program aims, among other things, to attract the world’s top talent with international student scholarships to help them become the leaders of tomorrow.
For a new, globally-minded generation of students committed to transforming society and taking a hopeful approach to living better together
International students have two options:
- Excellence scholarships (for undergraduate, master’s and PhD programs)
- Commitment scholarships (for undergraduate, master’s and PhD programs)
Excellence scholarships (for undergraduate, master’s and PhD programs)
The Citizens of the World Excellence scholarship is intended for international students who have submitted a new application for admission for the summer or fall 2025 semester. The objective of this scholarship is to promote academic excellence.
Bachelor’s degree and professional master’s programs
- Scholarships worth $20,000*
Research master’s with thesis and PhD programs
- Research master’s programs with thesis: Total value of $20,000 ($5,000 per semester, up to four semesters)
- PhDs: Total value of $30,000 ($5,000 per semester, up to six semesters)
No forms required
Learn more
You have questions about this program? Contact us by email at: [email protected].
Commitment scholarships (for master’s and PhD programs)
The Citizens of the World Commitment scholarship is intended for international students who have submitted a new application for admission for the next summer or fall semester in a regular master’s or PhD program at Université Laval.
The objective of this scholarship is to support talented university students who demonstrate outstanding commitment and leadership, in various fields and who inspire their community.
- Master’s: Total value up to $20,000 ($5,000 per semester)
- PhD: Total value up to $30,000 ($5,000 per semester)
You have questions and cannot find the information you are looking for in the Frequently Asked Questions below? Contact us by email at: [email protected].
Frequently asked questions
1. Who can apply for this scholarship?
International students who submit a new application for admission to a regular graduate program at Université Laval in the summer or fall term may apply for this scholarship.
2. Are students admitted to a certificate, postdoctoral, advanced graduate diploma, or short program eligible?
No. Only students admitted to a regular master’s or PhD program are eligible for this scholarship.
3. Are students who have already started their degree programs eligible?
No, because it is an admission scholarship.
4. Are part-time students eligible for the scholarship?
No. One of the eligibility criteria is that students must be registered full-time in all terms (fall and winter) for which their scholarship is awarded.
5. Are Capsule transcripts accepted?
Capsule transcripts are accepted only for students who must provide a transcript from Université Laval.
The transcript must be scanned and combined into a single PDF file and submitted with the application form.
6. How do you apply?
You must complete the online form and submit a complete application by the deadline. Paper forms will not be accepted, and documents sent by email will not be considered.
To access the application form, you must have previously submitted a complete application for admission to Université Laval, and this application must have been processed. Allow a few days for processing.
7. What are the selection criteria?
Recipients are selected based on the following criteria: commitment and involvement, academic excellence, and leadership.
8. Can students request a deferral of a scholarship offer?
Although this scholarship is available only to students who apply for admission in the summer or fall semesters, the offer may be deferred to the winter semester, provided that the student starts the program of study in that semester. Students are responsible for making the necessary arrangements and ensuring that they are able to start their programs during the eligible period.
9. Does this scholarship cover the recipient’s tuition and living expenses?
No, the scholarship does not cover the full cost of a year of study in Québec City. Students are advised to consult the page on fees to properly plan their budget.
The value of each scholarship is as follows:
- Master’s: Total value up to $20,000 ($5,000 per semester)
- PhD: Total value up to $30,000 ($5,000 per semester)
10. Can the Citizens of the World Commitment Scholarship be combined with other scholarships?
Yes. This scholarship can be combined with other scholarships, specifically with the Citizens of the World Excellence scholarships.
11. Can instalments be issued in the summer to students registered year-round?
Yes, a payment will be issued to the students who are registered full-time during the summer semester, if of course they meet the other eligibilty critera.
12. How are scholarships paid out?
Scholarships are paid out directly to students after the deadline for withdrawing from courses with a refund, in instalments of $5,000 per term. They are not applied to the payment of tuition fees.
Scholarships may be conditional on recipients attending a scholarship ceremony or their participation to an activity acknowledging the donator.
Scholarships are not paid out before the tuition fee payment deadline. Recipients are therefore responsible for paying their tuition fees by the university’s deadline in order to avoid additional costs.
To retain their scholarship, students must continue to meet the eligibility requirements of the scholarship.
13. If a scholarship recipient becomes a permanent resident, are they still eligible to receive the scholarship?
Yes.
14. Is a student eligible for scholarship instalments if qualifying courses are required?
Yes. However, the scholarship will not be increased and will be paid out for a maximum of two years for a master’s degree or three years for a PhD, i.e., the expected length of the program.
15. Who can act as a sponsor for an applicant?
The sponsor may be a professor, employer, supervisor, coach, etc. They do not have to be a professor at Université Laval or reside in Québec. The applicant’s family members, friends, or roommates are not allowed to act as sponsor. The sponsor must not be related to the applicant.
The sponsor will need Internet access to complete an online form attesting to the applicant’s various leadership activities and involvement and explain how the applicant is a committed citizen of the world.
The sponsor has the option of completing the form in English or French. A sponsor may refuse to support a candidate either because he or she does not have sufficient knowledge about the candidate or does not have enough time to proceed.
16. When are the results announced?
The results are sent by email in April. All applicants receive a response.
17. What is the procedure for renewing a scholarship?
Each winter semester, scholarship recipients who are eligible for renewal will receive an email containing the necessary information. They must complete the online renewal form and submit it by the specified deadline. The coordinates of a sponsor will be mandatory to validate information, but the sponsor will not have to submit a completed form.
Eligible applicants must demonstrate that they maintained their commitment throughout the past year. Renewal applications are reviewed by a committee, and the results are sent by email in late April.
Note: A scholarship cannot be renewed for any degree level. Students who change degree levels must reapply for the scholarship by the deadline after submitting a new application for admission to Université Laval.
18. Are cotutelle students eligible?
Cotutelle students may be eligible to these scholarships, under certain conditions. Please contact us directly for further details at: [email protected]