Toronto Connaught International Scholarship

Study Abroad Course Specialist | Updated on - Aug 26, 2025

University of Toronto’s Connaught International Scholarship is designed as a top-up program which supports international students, enrolling in a doctoral program at the institution. The scholarship is based on the nomination process conducted by the University of Toronto during the winter admission session.

Applicants must have an academic average of A- in last 2 years of studies and should be planning commence their program in September.
The cost of UHIP (University Health Insurance Plan) coverage is in addition to the cost of tuition and incidental fees and should be factored into the program’s funding for Connaught Scholars
The scholarship is provided as a $10,000 top-up, in addition to the program’s normal funding package (base amount + tuition and fees), to a combined total of no less than $50,000 annually
Connaught International Scholarship is renewable for up to 4-5 years, depending upon the terms.
Recipient’s graduate unit is responsible to ensure program’s normal funding, which can be in the form of internal scholarships, on-campus employment, or research assistanceship.

As the name suggests, the Connaught International Scholarship for Doctoral Students is only applicable for the international students beginning their doctoral program, studies in Canada, at the University of Toronto.

Highlights

Scholarship Type	College-Specific, Merit-Based
Offered by	Institution
Organization	N/A
Application Deadline	N/A
Number of Scholarships	N/A
Amount	₹874,300 ($10,000)
Renewability	Yes, Yearly
International Student Eligible	Yes
Scholarship Website Link	https://www.sgs.utoronto.ca/awards/connaught-international-scholarship/

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants seeking financial aid through Connaught International Scholarship for Doctoral Students must fulfill the eligibility criteria given below:

International applicants, present in Canada on student visa.
Conditional/unconditional offer of admission to UToronto Doctoral program.
Yet to begin a degree program at the University of Toronto.
- In September of upcoming academic year
Achieved an average grade of A- (85-87%) in each of the last 2 years of full-time program.

Applicants are not required to submit any additional scholarship application form. They will be nominated by their respective graduate units in the Winter semester. Please note that nominations will be based on applications submitted for admission to the University of Toronto.

Application Process

Nominations are made by graduate units in the Winter session .
Admission application deadlines are set by U of T’s individual graduate units and can be viewed on the graduate units’ websites.
Applicants interested in being considered for the Connaught International Scholarship for Doctoral Students are encouraged to contact their prospective graduate unit when applying for admission to the University of Toronto.

Selection Process

Selections of Connaught International Scholarship for Doctoral Students will be on several factors, apart from the fulfillment of eligibility criteria. Some of these factors include:

Exams taken to study in Canada
Academic achievements
Research Proposal
Publications

While these factors may not directly affect the scholarship selection, your nomination and committee’s decision is likely to be dependent on it. The reason for this being that your admission applications are analysed and evaluated at both stages. Results are announced by early March of every year.

Students do not have any authority to challenge the nominations or the shortlisted recipients. However, those who are unable to secure the scholarship can explore other University of Toronto offers scholarships available for doctoral and postdoctoral programs.

NOTE : A recipient who is first registered as a master’s student (in a doctoral-stream program) must successfully transfer, without obtaining a master’s degree, to the graduate unit’s doctoral program within the standard reclassification time period (max. 24 months).

Grant Details

Recipients of the Connaught International Scholarship are required to satisfy the following ongoing eligibility criteria to renew their scholarships:

Remain eligible by maintaining a good academic standing and an A- average grade.
- Must remain enrolled in the same UToronto doctoral program.
Adhere to the terms and conditions of the Connaught International Scholarship for Doctoral Students.
Continue as a full-time student (a change in status might lead to suspension or termination of payments and/or returning funds already awarded).
The Graduate Awards Office at the School of Graduate Studies (SGS) will distribute the top-up portion of the Connaught International Scholarship in two equal instalments, each of $5,000.
- Once registered for the fall session, recipients can expect their first instalment within the first few weeks of September.
- The second instalment will be issued within the first few weeks of the winter session and automatically applied to tuition and/or any outstanding balance on the student’s invoice. Any remaining funds will be refunded to the student.

Applicants must note that their change in the legal status of residency, after first year, will not affect the reception of the award. Those fulfilling the ongoing eligibility will receive the due payment/funds.

For further information, please contact

Tara Lock
Graduate Awards Officer (Internal)
School of Graduate Studies
416-978-2386
tara.lock@utoronto.ca