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The PBEEE Merit Scholarship Program for Foreign Students is one of the major funding schemes in Quebec for international researchers and graduate students. It supports study and research at universities across the province, including Concordia University. The program is managed in coordination with Fonds de recherche du Québec – Nature et technologies (FRQNT).
The scholarship targets students at master’s, doctoral, postdoctoral, and short-term research levels. It is open to all disciplines and focuses on strengthening international research collaboration in Quebec.
WhatsApp ChannelWhat is the PBEEE Scholarship?
The PBEEE (Programme de bourses d’excellence pour étudiants étrangers) is a merit-based funding program designed to attract international talent to Quebec universities.
Its main objectives include:
- Supporting research collaboration between Quebec and international institutions
- Attracting high-performing international students and researchers
- Promoting academic partnerships across countries
- Strengthening global visibility of Quebec universities
The scholarship is competitive and requires nomination through a Quebec institution before final selection at the provincial level.
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Funding Amount and Duration
The scholarship provides financial support based on study level:
- Master’s research: CAD 20,000 per year (up to 2 years)
- Doctoral research: CAD 25,000 per year (up to 3 years)
- Postdoctoral research: CAD 35,000 for 1 year
- Short-term research: CAD 3,000 per month (up to 4 months)
Funding is paid directly to selected candidates after registration is confirmed by the host institution.
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Eligibility Criteria of PBEEE Merit Scholarship Program
Eligibility depends on academic level and research stage.
General requirements:
- Applicants must be international students or researchers
- Canadian citizens and permanent residents are not eligible
- Applicants must be preselected by a Quebec university
- Research must be conducted in Quebec
Academic conditions:
- Master’s applicants must be in the early stages of thesis-based programs
- Doctoral applicants must be within the first three years of study
- Postdoctoral candidates must have completed their PhD within the last two years
- Short-term research applicants must have completed their PhD within five years
The program is only available for thesis-based master’s programs, not professional coursework degrees.
Also Check: University of Otago Doctoral Scholarship 2026 in New Zealand
Participating Institutions and Fields
The scholarship is open to all academic disciplines, including:
- Engineering and applied sciences
- Natural sciences
- Social sciences
- Arts and humanities
- Health-related research fields
Institutions such as Concordia University and other Quebec universities act as nomination bodies for candidates.
Application Process
The application is not direct. It follows a two-stage system.
Stage 1: University nomination
Applicants must:
- Contact a graduate program director at a Quebec university
- Secure two academic references
- Submit internal application forms and transcripts
- Meet the internal deadline (typically July 31 at Concordia)
Stage 2: Provincial selection
If preselected:
- Candidates are entered into the FRQNet system
- Full application documents are submitted online
- The final review is conducted by the provincial funding body
Final decisions are announced after evaluation at the provincial level.
Key Deadlines
Typical timeline:
- University internal deadline: July 31
- Preselection results: early autumn
- Final submission: November 1
- Final results: following spring cycle
Deadlines may vary slightly depending on institutional coordination each year.
Why the Quebec PBEEE Merit Scholarship Matters
The PBEEE program helps attract international researchers to Quebec’s academic ecosystem. It supports long-term research projects and encourages collaboration between universities in Canada and abroad.
For students planning graduate studies in Quebec, it offers:
- Stable financial support during research
- Access to leading research labs and supervisors
- Opportunity to build international academic networks
- Recognition through a competitive provincial award system
Conclusion
The PBEEE Merit Scholarship Program remains one of the key funding pathways for international graduate researchers in Quebec. It is highly competitive and requires early preparation, strong academic references, and coordination with a host university.
For students pursuing research-based master’s, PhD, or postdoctoral work, early engagement with a Quebec institution is essential to improve their chances of selection.
