Fully Funded SFU Grad Scholarship 2026 (Up to $30K/Year)

Introduction

Are you searching for a fully funded opportunity to study and live in Canada for free? Relax, The 2026 Simon Fraser University Scholarship is one of the most talked about graduate funding opportunities this year, offering successful applicants up to $30,000 CAD per year to pursue a Master’s or PhD in Canada.

If you’ve been searching for a legitimate, well paying graduate research opportunity at a top Canadian university, this guide breaks down exactly what the 2026 Simon Fraser University Scholarship involves, who is Eligible, and how to apply, based on verified information straight from SFU portal itself.

Scholarship Overview

Here’s something most scholarship blogs won’t tell you upfront: this isn’t a general, apply on a portal type university scholarship. It’s a fully funded graduate research opportunity offered through the Synthetic Aperture Radar Laboratory (SARlab) at Simon Fraser University’s School of Engineering Science, led by Prof. Bernhard Rabus. It’s a competitive, lab based funding package for Master’s and PhD students conducting research in remote sensing and SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) technology.

SFU is one of Canada’s leading research intensive universities, and SARlab was established through an NSERC Industrial Research Chair, partnering SFU with MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates (MDA) and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). Recipients don’t just get funding. They get access to real satellite data, cutting edge equipment, and potential industry connections.

Scholarship Summary

Category	Details
Host Country	Canada
Host University	Simon Fraser University (SFU), Burnaby, British Columbia
Study Level	Master’s (MSc) and PhD
Funding Type	Fully funded (Research Assistantship plus Graduate Fellowship or Teaching Assistantship)
Eligible Countries	All countries
Deadline	None specified, rolling admissions

Host Country

Canada, specifically at SFU’s Burnaby campus in the Greater Vancouver area.

Study Level

This opportunity is open to Master’s (MSc) and PhD candidates only. It does not fund undergraduate study.

Funding Type

The package is fully funded through a Research Assistantship, with an additional Graduate Fellowship or Teaching Assistantship layered on top.

Eligible Countries

Applicants from any country can apply, provided they meet the academic and English language requirements.

Deadline

There is no fixed deadline. SARlab accepts applications year round on a rolling basis.

Scholarship Benefits

The funding package for this Simon Fraser University scholarship is genuinely competitive by graduate research standards:

Research Assistantship (RA): a 4 year funded position starting at CAD $20,000/year (MSc) or CAD $24,000/year (PhD), increasing up to CAD $25,000/year (MSc) or CAD $30,000/year (PhD), for example after publishing a first paper
Additional Graduate Fellowship (GF) and/or Teaching Assistantship (TA): typically an extra CAD $13,000/year or more, often enough on its own to cover tuition fees
Free access to RADARSAT 2 satellite data and other exclusive remote sensing datasets
Top tier equipment, including a high powered experimental GPU server and SFU’s own airborne SAR sensor
Creative research freedom and opportunities to collaborate across SFU departments and partner institutions
Optional industry collaboration with MDA, with potential future career pathways

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for the 2026 Simon Fraser University Scholarship, applicants should have:

A bachelor’s degree in Physics, Geophysics, Engineering, or a closely related field
A genuine research interest and background in remote sensing
Solid programming skills, including C++ and Python
Strong scientific writing skills and motivation to produce publishable research
A strong command of English, both written and spoken

Available Courses and Fields of Study

This scholarship supports graduate research in areas connected to Synthetic Aperture Radar and remote sensing, including:

Maritime applications, such as vessel detection and characterization, and ocean parameter derivation
Land applications using advanced interferometric and polarimetric time series analysis
Radar signal processing and SAR imaging techniques
Geospatial data science and satellite based Earth observation

Candidates from Physics, Geophysics, and Engineering backgrounds tend to be the strongest fit for these research areas.

Required Documents

Before reaching out, make sure you have the following ready:

Updated CV or resume
Academic transcripts
A tailored cover letter outlining your research interests and how they align with SARlab’s work
English proficiency test scores, where applicable
Examples of prior research, publications, or programming projects, if available

English Language Requirements

Applicants need to demonstrate a strong command of English through one of the following:

Internet based TOEFL: 93 overall, with a minimum of 20 in each category
Paper based TOEFL: 580, with TWE 5
IELTS Academic: overall band score of 7.0, with a minimum of 6.5 in each section

Applicants from English speaking countries or with prior English medium education may be exempt from this requirement. It’s best to confirm your individual case with SFU directly.

How to Apply (Step-by-Step Guide)

Just like standard scholarship portals, this opportunity works through direct email inquiry. Here’s how to do it properly:

Prepare your documents: CV or resume, academic transcripts, and a cover letter explaining your research interests
Identify your research fit by reviewing SARlab’s focus areas, including maritime applications and land applications using interferometric and polarimetric time series analysis
Email Prof. Bernhard Rabus directly at [email protected], attaching your CV, transcript, and a tailored cover letter
Follow up professionally if you don’t hear back within a few weeks

Tips to Strengthen Your Application

Tailor your email specifically to Prof. Rabus’s current research focus instead of sending a generic, mass produced message
Highlight any prior research experience, publications, or relevant coursework
Showcase Python or C++ project examples if you have them
Reach out early in the intake cycle rather than waiting until the last minute

Application Deadline

As mentioned above, there is no verified fixed deadline for this scholarship. SARlab reviews applications continuously, so applying early gives you a real advantage for the next available intake, rather than waiting for a specific cutoff date.

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Selection Process

Because this is a lab based research position rather than a centrally administered scholarship, the selection process works differently than a typical application:

Prof. Rabus reviews inquiries as they arrive, rather than in a single batch
Applicants whose research interests and technical background align with current SARlab projects are more likely to be invited to discuss the opportunity further
Successful candidates typically go through informal discussions or an interview before being offered a position
Funding and formal admission are then processed through SFU’s graduate program requirements

Reasons Why You Should Apply

Beyond the funding itself, choosing SFU for graduate study comes with broader advantages that make studying and living in Canada genuinely appealing:

A world class research environment with strong ties to Canada’s space and engineering sectors
Post graduation work opportunities through Canada’s Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program
A high quality of life in the Vancouver metropolitan area, consistently ranked among the most livable cities in the world
A realistic pathway to permanent residency through Canadian immigration programs for skilled graduates
Direct exposure to real satellite data and equipment that most graduate programs simply don’t offer

Most Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2026 Simon Fraser University Scholarship open to all countries? Yes. Applicants from any country are eligible to apply, as long as they meet the academic and English language requirements.

Does the scholarship cover tuition fees? Yes. Combined with the Graduate Fellowship or Teaching Assistantship, the funding package is typically enough to cover both tuition and living expenses.

Is this a general SFU scholarship or specific to one department? It’s specific to the Synthetic Aperture Radar Laboratory (SARlab) within SFU’s School of Engineering Science, so it’s best suited to students with a background in remote sensing, physics, geophysics, or engineering.

How do I apply? Is there an online application form? There’s no formal portal. You apply by emailing Prof. Bernhard Rabus directly with your CV, transcript, and cover letter.

What English test scores are required? A minimum IELTS Academic score of 7.0 overall, with 6.5 in each section, or the equivalent TOEFL score, unless you qualify for an exemption.

CONCLUSION

The 2026 Simon Fraser University Scholarship offers a rare combination of solid graduate funding, hands on access to satellite technology, and a genuine pathway into Canada’s growing space and engineering industry. For students with the right academic background in remote sensing or engineering, this fully funded opportunity to study and live in Canada is well worth pursuing.

If you meet the eligibility criteria, don’t wait. Put together a strong CV and cover letter, and reach out directly to secure your spot for the next intake.

Apply Now: Official SFU SARlab MSc and PhD Positions Page

Disclosure: This scholarship is a lab funded research assistantship, not a centrally administered SFU wide scholarship program. Always verify current funding amounts and openings directly with SARlab before applying.