Ontario Trillium Scholarship Ph.D. Program to Study in Canada

Pursuing academic study in a foreign country is very expensive, especially if you are there for your Ph.D. Research expenses, tuition fees, and living all by yourself in a foreign country can be heavy on the pockets of a student. As a result, universities, governments, and charitable funds all across the globe offer research grants, stipends, and scholarships for Ph.D. students. Ontario Trillium Scholarship is one such initiative taken by the government of Ontario in Canada. Ph.D. Students studying in the province of Ontario can apply for a competitive scholarship.

The Ontario Trillium Scholarship Ph.D. is an initiative to attract top international students to study in Canada for a fully funded Ph.D. program. The scholarship, with a value of $40,000 per year and renewable for up to 4 years, is targeted at top international students to Ontario for Ph.D. studies. Continue reading to learn more about this exciting scholarship program.

In this article, we will explain in full detail everything you need to know about the Ontario Trillium Scholarship, from the eligibility requirements to the scholarship benefits, how to apply, and any other important information you need to know about the scholarship program.

About the Ontario Trillium Scholarship Ph.D.

The Ontario Trillium Scholarships (OTS) program is an important initiative to attract top international students to Ontario for Ph.D. studies. The Ontario Trillium Scholarship is offered by the government of Ontario to 75 doctorate candidates across the world. It was introduced in the year 2010 to give financial aid to international students pursuing their Ph.D. degrees. The scholarship is funded by a 2/3 to 1/3 government to institution ratio. Around 15 Ontario Trillium Scholarships are awarded annually to Ph.D. students at the University of Toronto.

Moreover, the University of Toronto, University of Waterloo, and many such research universities partner with the government of Ontario to provide international Ph.D. students with the Ontario Trillium Scholarship of $40,000 per year.  Students interested in the Ontario Trillium Scholarships are encouraged to express their interest in the competition to the graduate program chair when applying for admission to Western University. A qualified international applicant must be nominated for the scholarship by the Graduate Chair of the admitting program.

About the University

The University of Western Ontario (UWO; branded as Western University, commonly shortened to Western) is a public research university in London, Ontario, Canada. It is one of the oldest and most beautiful universities in the country. The main campus is located on 455 hectares (1,120 acres) of land, surrounded by residential neighborhoods and the Thames River bisecting the campus's eastern portion. The university operates twelve academic faculties and schools. It is a member of the U15, a group of research-intensive universities in Canada.

Furthermore, Western is a co-educational university, with more than 24,000 students, and over 306,000 living alumni worldwide. Notable alumni include government officials, academics, business leaders, Nobel Laureates, Rhodes Scholars, and distinguished fellows. Western's varsity teams, known as the Western Mustangs, compete in the Ontario University Athletics conference of U Sports. Western University attracts students with a broad worldview seeking to study, engage with, and lead in international communities.

Scholarship Summary

Moreover, here's an overview of the Ontario Trillium Scholarship Ph.D.

Scholarship Sponsor(s):

Government of Ontario and Western University, Canada.

Host Institution(s):

Western University, Canada

Level of Study:

Postgraduate (Ph.D.)

Field(s) of Study:

Available Ph.D. programs offered at the university

Scholarship Value:

See the scholarship benefits section below for details

Number of Awards:

Not specified

Eligible Nationalities:

International students

Scholarship Benefits

Furthermore, the Ontario Trillium Scholarship Ph.D. recipients will be provided with the following inclusions:

• $40,000 per year renewable for up to 4 years, and will begin concurrently with the start of the recipient’s Ph.D. program.
• See the OTS Terms and Conditions

Eligibility Requirements for the Ontario Trillium Scholarship Ph.D.

Moreover, applicants must meet the following criteria below to be eligible to apply for the scholarship program.

Academic Eligibility: An eligible applicant must have achieved a minimum of 80% in each of the last two most recently completed years of full-time university study, or equivalent to full-time study. Eligibility averages for the competitive scholarship are rounded ONLY to the nearest decimal place. 

To Be Eligible for Nomination by the Graduate Chair, an applicant must also:

• Be an international student at the time of application and when taking up the award
• Intend to be present on campus to undertake full-time Ph.D. studies in any discipline at Western at the start of either Summer Term or Fall Term immediately following the annual call for nominations
• Not be currently registered in a university degree program at an Ontario university at the time of nomination
• Have exceptional research experience and potential, combined with an outstanding university academic record

However, to be eligible to hold the award, the recipient must have received a valid temporary resident visa as a member of the student class under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada) by the start date of the Ph.D. program and also meet other eligibility conditions for renewals.

How to Apply

Meanwhile, interested applicants can follow the step-by-step guide below to apply for Ontario Trillium Scholarship Ph.D.

To begin with, interested students must apply for a postgraduate study at Western University, Canada, and express their interest in Ontario Trillium Scholarship to be considered for the scholarship. Then, attach the essential documents required in the online application for your university admission as well as the Ontario Trillium Scholarship. 

• All university transcripts in English or French
• A valid Canadian student permit
• Proof of tests taken (SAT, GMAT, IELTS, TOEFL, etc)
• Proof of identity
• Updated CV
• Letters of Recommendation
• Information of previous grants or scholarships (if received)
• Letter of Support from a proposed supervisor

If you are a high-performing candidate, the eligible university will award you the scholarship automatically without having to go through the OTS application process. After the university receives your application, the board will review your application. They review your merit and the Ph.D. program details. If you are an ideal candidate for the OTS, you will receive your award via mail. The process may take up to 3 to 4 weeks. However, the application process is updated yearly.

Official Website

In conclusion, please refer to the official website of the scholarship provider using the link below for more detailed information on the eligibility requirements and application instructions for the Ontario Trillium Scholarship Ph.D.