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Canada Announces $100 Million Scholarship Program and New Academic Partnerships for Indian Students
On March 2, 2026, Canada announces $100 Million Scholarship Program, the office of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a new Canada–India talent strategy aimed at strengthening educational collaboration between the two countries.
Indian students planning to pursue higher education in Canada may soon benefit from expanded opportunities, including major scholarship funding, new academic partnerships and hybrid learning campuses in India.
The initiative includes millions of dollars in scholarship funding, new research partnerships and improved pathways for Indian students to access Canadian education.
$100 Million Scholarship Program Funding
As part of the initiative, the University of Toronto has committed $100 million in funding to support Indian students studying in Canada.
The funding will provide up to 200 fully funded scholarships for eligible Indian students pursuing higher education in Canada.
This scholarship initiative is expected to attract high-achieving students from India and strengthen academic ties between the two countries.
New Hybrid Study Locations in India
The talent strategy also includes the development of new hybrid academic centers in India that will allow students to participate in collaborative research and academic programs.
A new innovation campus will be established through a partnership involving Dalhousie University, the Indian Institute of Technology Tirupati and the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Tirupati.
In addition, two new research centers will be launched:
- A Centre of Excellence led by the University of Toronto
- A Centre of Excellence led by McGill University
These centers will focus primarily on research and innovation in artificial intelligence and advanced technologies.
Thirteen New University Partnerships
As part of the Canada–India talent strategy, 13 new memorandums of understanding (MOUs) have been signed between Canadian and Indian institutions.
These agreements aim to support:
- Student mobility and exchange programs
- Faculty collaborations
- Joint academic programming
- Research partnerships
- Transnational education initiatives
Some of the key partnerships include collaborations between the University of British Columbia and O.P. Jindal Global University, as well as agreements involving Simon Fraser University, the University of the Fraser Valley and Algoma University with various Indian institutions.
Additional agreements include partnerships with Panjab University, Parul University and Chandigarh University.
These partnerships will facilitate academic collaboration in areas such as computer science, management, public health, agriculture, nursing and clean energy research.
Specialized Academic Programs
One notable initiative involves a dual-degree nursing program between Dalhousie University and the SRM Institute of Science and Technology.
The program will include:
- 25 additional nursing seats approved by the Indian Nursing Council
- Dual academic credentials from both institutions
- Clinical training opportunities in Canada
- Potential pathways to nursing practice in Nova Scotia
Other collaborations will support research in digital agriculture, climate-resilient farming, hydrogen energy and artificial intelligence.
Cultural and Creative Industry Collaboration
Alongside academic initiatives, Canada and India have also signed a memorandum of understanding to expand cooperation in cultural and creative industries.
This agreement will promote institutional collaboration and exchanges in fields such as:
- Performing arts
- Visual arts
- Music
- Publishing
- Entertainment technology
- Creative media industries
Strengthening Canada–India Education Ties
The new agreements follow a February 2026 visit by more than 20 Canadian university presidents to India, representing the largest Canadian academic delegation to the country.
The rapid expansion of partnerships reflects a shift toward more structured and long-term collaboration between Canadian and Indian universities and research institutions.
India continues to be one of Canada’s largest source countries for international students and immigrants. Canada is home to more than 1.8 million residents of Indian origin, highlighting the strong educational and migration ties between the two nations.