Applications are now open for the Simon Fraser University (SFU) Scholarship 2026 in Canada. This fully funded graduate research opportunity is offered through the Synthetic Aperture Radar Laboratory (SARLab) at Simon Fraser University for outstanding international students seeking to pursue Master’s (MSc) or Doctoral (PhD) studies.

Successful applicants will receive a competitive research assistantship, additional graduate funding, access to world-class research facilities, and the opportunity to work on cutting-edge remote sensing projects under the supervision of leading researchers.

Scholarship Summary

Details	Information
Host Country	Canada
University	Simon Fraser University (SFU)
Study Level	Master’s & PhD
Scholarship Type	Fully Funded
Eligible Applicants	International Students
Funding	Full Scholarship + Annual Stipend
IELTS	Required (waived for eligible applicants)
Application Deadline	Not Specified

About the Scholarship

The scholarship is offered by the Synthetic Aperture Radar Laboratory (SARLab), headed by Prof. Bernhard Rabus. The laboratory conducts advanced research in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technologies, with a focus on:

• Maritime applications.
• Advanced land applications.
• Interferometric SAR.
• Polarimetric time-series analysis.
• Remote sensing innovation.

Students will participate in internationally recognized research projects while collaborating with researchers and industry partners, including MDA, Canada’s leading space technology company.

Scholarship Benefits

Selected candidates will receive:

• Research Assistantship (RA) of:
  • CAD $20,000–$25,000 per year for Master’s students.
  • CAD $24,000–$30,000 per year for PhD students.
• Additional Graduate Fellowship (GF) and/or Teaching Assistantship (TA) worth approximately CAD $13,000 or more per year, which is generally sufficient to cover tuition fees.
• Opportunity to work on internationally recognized research projects.
• Access to exclusive RADARSAT-2 satellite data and other remote sensing datasets.
• Use of high-performance computing facilities, including an experimental GPU server and the laboratory’s airborne SAR sensor.
• Close mentorship from experienced researchers.
• Potential project collaboration with MDA, creating future career opportunities in the Canadian space and remote sensing industry.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Hold a Bachelor’s degree in:
  • Physics.
  • Geophysics.
  • Engineering.
  • Or another closely related discipline.
• Have a strong interest in remote sensing research.
• Possess good programming skills, particularly in:
  • C++
  • Python
• Demonstrate excellent scientific writing ability.
• Show strong motivation to conduct publishable research.
• Meet the English language requirements.

English Language Requirements

Applicants should have one of the following:

• Internet-based TOEFL: 93 (minimum 20 in each section).
• Paper-based TOEFL: 580 with TWE 5.
• IELTS Academic: Overall 7.0, with at least 6.5 in each band.

Applicants whose previous education was completed in English or who come from eligible English-speaking countries may be exempt from submitting English test scores.

Required Documents

Applicants should prepare:

• Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• Academic transcripts.
• Cover letter.
• Bachelor’s degree certificate.
• Proof of English language proficiency (if required).
• Any additional supporting documents requested by the supervisor.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should:

1. Prepare all required application documents.
2. Send an email inquiry directly to Prof. Bernhard Rabus.
3. Attach your:
   • CV.
   • Academic transcripts.
   • Cover letter.
4. Await further communication if shortlisted.

Official application contact:

Prof. Bernhard Rabus
Email: btrabus@sfu.ca

Applicants can also learn more through the official SFU Graduate Studies website: https://www.sfu.ca/gradstudies.html.

Application Deadline

No application deadline has been specified.

Interested candidates are encouraged to contact the supervisor and submit their application documents as early as possible since positions are filled on a rolling basis.

Conclusion

The Simon Fraser University Scholarship 2026 is an outstanding opportunity for aspiring researchers to pursue a fully funded Master’s or PhD in Canada. With annual funding of up to CAD $30,000, additional fellowship support, access to world-class research facilities, and opportunities to collaborate with Canada’s leading space technology organizations, this scholarship provides an excellent pathway for students seeking advanced research training and international career opportunities.