PhDPartial

Killam International Research Scholarship

Last verified 21 May 2026 by the Scholarships for Africans editorial team

The Killam International Research Scholarship offers Killam Doctoral Scholars at Dalhousie University up to $6,000 to conduct research outside Canada for up to three months, fostering global academic connections and enhancing doctoral studies.

Provider: Dalhousie University (Killam Alumni Fund)
Host country: Canada
Deadline: 20 February 2026 at 4:00pm AST
Region: North America

Official source

Topics

Research grants

Eligibility & requirements at a glance

Killam International Research Scholarship is open to African students applying to study in Canada at the PhD level, with partial funding. Below is a quick summary of who can apply, what's covered, and the key dates — full details are further down the page.

Who can apply: PhD · applicants for Canada
Funding: Partial
Study level: PhD
Deadline: 20 February 2026 at 4:00pm AST

Key eligibility criteria

Applicants must be current Killam Doctoral Scholarship holders at Dalhousie University, holding a Level 2 Killam Predoctoral Award, and plan to conduct research requiring physical presence abroad. They must remain registered full-time in a PhD program and return to Dalhousie to complete their degree.

What the partial award covers

Accommodation
Return airfare

About the Killam International Research Scholarship (2026)

## Overview Dalhousie University, supported by the Killam Alumni Fund, offers the Killam International Research Scholarship to provide exceptional Killam Doctoral Scholars with global research opportunities. This prestigious award supports short-term research stays abroad, enabling scholars to build international academic connections, enhance their doctoral work, and gain valuable global experience. Only two awards are available, making it a highly competitive and distinguished supplement for Dalhousie’s top Killam Scholars. ## Benefits Successful applicants receive up to **$6,000** to cover a range of expenses associated with their international research, including: * International travel costs * Accommodation and meals abroad * Living expenses during the research period * Research-related fees and supplies * Study or travel visas * Insurance and other necessary expenditures The scholarship supports research stays of up to **3 months**. ## Eligibility To be considered for the Killam International Research Scholarship, applicants must meet the following strict criteria: * Be current **Killam Doctoral Scholarship holders** at Dalhousie University. * Have accepted or currently hold a **Level 2 Killam Predoctoral Award**. * Not have previously received a Killam International Research Award or any other international travel supplement (e.g., Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplement). * Propose to conduct research that requires **physical presence abroad**. * Remain **registered full-time in a PhD program** throughout the entire research period. * Hold an active Killam award when the international research commences. * Commit to utilizing the award within **one year of receiving the notification**. * Agree to return to Dalhousie University to complete their degree program after the research stay abroad. ## Required documents Applicants are required to prepare and submit the following documents as part of their application: * A detailed **budget proposal** outlining how the up to $6,000 request will be utilized. * An **outline of the proposed research abroad** (maximum 2 pages, in plain language). This document should cover: * The objectives, significance, methodology, and expected outcomes of the research. * The direct relation of the proposed international research to the applicant's doctoral research at Dalhousie. * Clear timelines and milestones for the research period. * **Two letters of support**: * One from the applicant's current Dalhousie research supervisor. * One from the potential host supervisor abroad, confirming available resources and support for the applicant's research. ## Application steps To apply for the Killam International Research Scholarship, follow these steps: 1. **Prepare all required documents** including the budget proposal, detailed research outline, and both letters of support. 2. **Submit your complete application** via the FGS Online Scholarship Portal. 3. Ensure your submission is made by the deadline: **20 February 2026, 4:00 PM AST**. 4. Await the outcome notification, which will be communicated after the review process. ## Key dates * **Application Deadline:** Friday, 20 February 2026 at 4:00 PM AST. * **Award Utilization:** The award must be used within one year of receiving notification. ## Selection criteria Applications are rigorously reviewed based on the following criteria: * The **significance, feasibility, and overall merit** of the proposed research activities. * The comprehensive **justification for the choice of host institution(s)** and/or supervisor(s) abroad. * The **relevance and anticipated benefits** of the proposed international activities to the applicant’s current doctoral training at Dalhousie. * The extent to which the proposal aligns with the core mission of the Killam Trusts, which is to advance Canada’s future through scholarly excellence. ## Tips * Start preparing your application early, especially the research outline and budget proposal, to ensure all details are well-conceived and clearly articulated. * Engage with both your Dalhousie supervisor and your potential host supervisor promptly to secure strong letters of support. * Clearly demonstrate how the international research will significantly contribute to your doctoral studies and align with the Killam Trusts’ mission. ## Official source For more detailed information and to access the application portal, please visit the official Dalhousie University page: [Killam International Research Scholarship – Dalhousie University](https://www.dal.ca/faculty/gradstudies/finance-your-studies/scholarships-bursaries/killam-intlresearch.html)

What the Partial Killam International Research Scholarship covers

The award components below were extracted from the sponsor's published description. Always cross-check the exact figures, ceiling amounts and conditions on the official site before you budget around them.

Accommodation
Return airfare

Killam International Research Scholarship eligibility for Canada applicants

Always cross-check eligibility against the sponsor's official site before applying — sponsor rules can change between intakes.

Applicants must be current Killam Doctoral Scholarship holders at Dalhousie University, holding a Level 2 Killam Predoctoral Award, and plan to conduct research requiring physical presence abroad. They must remain registered full-time in a PhD program and return to Dalhousie to complete their degree.

Documents required for the Killam International Research Scholarship application

A planning baseline drawn from how 90%+ of African scholarship sponsors structure their checklist. The sponsor's portal is the source of truth for any single application.

Valid international passport (bio page scan)
Most recent academic transcripts (sealed or e-verified copies)
Curriculum vitae / résumé (1–2 pages, reverse-chronological)
Personal statement or motivation letter (500–1,000 words, tailored to the sponsor)
Two to three reference letters (academic for students, professional for working applicants)
Proof of English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo) — Medium-of-Instruction letter may substitute for Anglophone-Africa graduates
Passport-sized photograph meeting ICAO biometric standards
Research proposal or statement of purpose (500–2,000 words for PhD)
Published or unpublished writing sample (PhD and research-led Masters)
Country-of-origin proof (national ID or birth certificate) — required by many Africa-focused funders

How to apply for the Killam International Research Scholarship 2026

A practical, sponsor-agnostic sequence used by >95% of international scholarship applicants. Adapt to the sponsor's specific portal — the order rarely changes.

1
Confirm eligibility on the official site
Open https://reddit.com/submit?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.afterschoolafrica.com%2F108412%2Fkillam-international-research-scholarship%2F&title=Dalhousie%20University%20Killam%20International%20Research%20Scholarship%202026%20in%20Canada and verify the sponsor's stated criteria match your profile — currently: "Applicants must be current Killam Doctoral Scholarship holders at Dalhousie University, holding a Level 2 Killam Predoctoral Award, and plan to conduct research requiring physical presence abroad. They must remain regist…". Sponsor rules change between intakes, so always confirm against the live call.
2
Secure a study place or admission offer
Identify a supervisor whose research aligns with yours, exchange emails, and either obtain a conditional offer or confirmation that they will host your project. Many Dalhousie University (Killam Alumni Fund) awards require this before the funding application opens.
3
Sit required tests and gather documents
Register for IELTS / TOEFL / Duolingo (or SAT / GRE where required), request official transcripts, brief two or three referees, and prepare passport and identity documents at high resolution.
4
Draft your essays and statements
Write a focused 1,000–2,000-word research proposal and a separate personal statement. Tailor every paragraph to the sponsor's stated priorities — generic recycled essays are the most common reason strong applicants are rejected.
5
Complete the online application
Create an account on https://reddit.com/submit?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.afterschoolafrica.com%2F108412%2Fkillam-international-research-scholarship%2F&title=Dalhousie%20University%20Killam%20International%20Research%20Scholarship%202026%20in%20Canada, fill in every field, and upload the required documents in the formats specified (PDF, max file size, single-file vs multi-file). Save progress frequently — most portals time out after 30–60 minutes.
6
Submit by 20 February 2026 at 4:00pm AST (aim 7 days early)
Sponsor portals routinely slow or fail in the final 24 hours. Submit early, download the confirmation receipt, and screenshot the submission timestamp. Late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.
7
Prepare for shortlist interviews
If shortlisted, Dalhousie University (Killam Alumni Fund) will contact you within 4–12 weeks. Re-read your essays, rehearse 3–5 likely questions out loud, and confirm your time zone for any video interview.

Killam International Research Scholarship deadline & application timeline

The sponsor has not published a fixed deadline yet. Use the milestones below as a generic 12-month plan; substitute dates once the intake window opens.

12 months out
Register for tests (IELTS/TOEFL/SAT/GRE), shortlist 3–5 universities, identify referees.
6 months out
Sit your tests, draft a personal statement, request transcripts and confirm reference letters.
3 months out
Finalise essays, upload supporting documents, complete the online application portal.
1 month out
Final review, double-check uploaded files, submit a week before the deadline to avoid portal issues.
Application deadline
Submit by 23:59 in the sponsor's stated time zone — usually local to the sponsor, not your country.

Ready to apply?

Cross-check the latest eligibility rules and deadline on the sponsor's official portal before you start your application.

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Editorial verification note

Imported from afterschoolafrica.com editorial listing.

Last checked 5/21/2026

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for the Killam International Research Scholarship?+

Applicants must be eligible African nationals applying at the PhD level, meet the academic and English-language requirements set by Dalhousie University (Killam Alumni Fund), and be able to relocate to Canada for the duration of the programme.

Is the Killam International Research Scholarship fully funded?+

Funding model: Partial. Where listed as fully funded, the award typically covers tuition, monthly stipend, health insurance and round-trip airfare. Always confirm the latest funding breakdown on the sponsor's official page.

When is the application deadline?+

The application deadline is 20 February 2026 at 4:00pm AST. Submit at least one week early — sponsor portals frequently slow or fail in the final 24 hours, and late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.

What documents do I need to apply?+

At minimum: passport bio page, academic transcripts, CV, personal statement, two to three references, and an English-language test score (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo). Research-led Masters and PhD applications also require a research proposal and a writing sample.

How can I improve my chance of winning?+

Apply early, tailor every essay to the specific sponsor (do not recycle a generic statement), secure at least one reference who knows your work in detail, and apply to two or three additional scholarships in parallel — never rely on a single application.

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