The Killam International Research Scholarship 2026 is a prestigious funded opportunity for outstanding international PhD students who wish to gain short-term international research experience while pursuing their doctoral studies at Dalhousie University, one of Canada’s leading research institutions located in Canada.
This scholarship is specifically designed for Killam Doctoral Scholars who want to take their research beyond borders. It supports doctoral candidates in conducting high-quality research at a foreign university, research institute, or field site outside Canada, allowing them to build global academic networks, access unique resources, and enhance the international impact of their PhD work.
Unlike traditional long-term study scholarships, this award focuses on short but intensive international research stays, making it an ideal option for PhD candidates who need overseas exposure without interrupting their degree progress.
About the Killam International Research Scholarship
The Killam International Research Scholarship is funded through the Killam Alumni Fund and reflects the broader mission of the Killam Trust, which is to support excellence in advanced education and research. The program was created to remove the financial barriers that often prevent doctoral students from conducting research abroad, such as high travel costs, accommodation expenses, and living costs in foreign countries.
For Dalhousie University’s top Killam Scholars, this award represents a significant academic milestone. Only two scholarships are awarded each year, making it one of the most competitive and highly regarded international research funding opportunities at the university. Receiving this award signals exceptional academic merit, strong research potential, and a clear vision for international collaboration.
The scholarship allows recipients to spend up to three months overseas, during which they can collaborate with international supervisors, access specialized laboratories or archives, conduct fieldwork, or participate in research activities that are not available in Canada.
Killam International Research Scholarship 2026 Details
- University: Dalhousie University
- Degree Level: PhD (Short-term International Research)
- Scholarship Coverage: Funded
- Eligible Nationalities: All Nationalities
- Home Institution Country: Canada
- Research Destination: Outside Canada
- Maximum Research Duration: Up to 3 months
- Application Deadline: 20 February 2026
Financial Benefits
The Killam International Research Scholarship 2026 provides funding of up to $6,000, which may be used to cover a wide range of research-related expenses. These include international airfare and local travel, accommodation and meals during the research stay, daily living expenses, research-related materials and fees, study or travel visa costs, insurance, and other essential expenditures directly linked to the overseas research period.
This flexible funding structure allows scholars to focus fully on their research objectives without worrying about the financial burden of international mobility. By supporting short-term research stays, the scholarship enables meaningful global engagement while ensuring students return to Canada to complete their doctoral programs on time.
Documents Required
Applicants are required to submit a complete online application along with all supporting documents. These typically include academic transcripts, letters of support, a clear and well-structured outline of the proposed research to be conducted abroad, a detailed budget proposal explaining how the funds will be used, a valid passport, and an updated CV or resume highlighting academic achievements, research experience, and publications if applicable.
Strong documentation is essential, as the selection process is highly competitive and based on both academic excellence and the quality of the proposed international research.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Killam International Research Scholarship 2026, applicants must be current or incoming holders of a Level 2 Killam Predoctoral Scholarship. Candidates must not have previously received a Killam overseas research grant or similar international travel funding, such as the Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplement.
Applicants must be conducting PhD research at Dalhousie University that clearly requires physical presence in a foreign location, whether for collaboration, data collection, fieldwork, or access to specialized facilities. At the start of the overseas research period, applicants must hold an active Killam grant and be enrolled full-time in a PhD program.
Recipients are required to use the award within one year of receiving the notification and must return to Dalhousie University after completing the overseas research to finish their doctoral degree.
Application Deadline
The last date to apply for the Killam International Research Scholarship 2026 for international students is 20 February 2026. Late or incomplete applications are typically not considered due to the competitive nature of the award.
How to Apply for the Killam International Research Scholarship
Eligible candidates must apply through the official online application system provided by Dalhousie University. Applicants should carefully complete all sections of the application form, upload the required documents, and submit their application before the deadline. Early preparation is strongly recommended to allow sufficient time for securing letters of support and refining the research proposal.
Selection Criteria
Applications are assessed based on their alignment with the Killam Trust’s mission, the academic quality and feasibility of the proposed overseas research, and the potential value of the international experience for the applicant’s doctoral studies. Reviewers also consider the rationale for selecting the host institution or supervisor, the expected academic and professional benefits of the research stay, and how the proposed activities will contribute to the candidate’s long-term research and career goals.
The Killam International Research Scholarship 2026 in Canada is an exceptional opportunity for doctoral researchers who aim to elevate their PhD work through high-impact international research experience and global academic collaboration.
