U15: an association, not a ranking
U15 Canada is an association of Canadian research universities. It takes part, among other things, in discussions about research and innovation policies and programs.
Membership in the group does not rank its members by quality or demonstrate that each of their programs is superior to those at institutions outside the group. It also does not tell you whether a team works on your subject, whether it is accepting new students, or whether an opportunity is available to you.
So use U15 as a starting point, not a definitive answer. The more useful question is not “Is this university in the group?” but “What could I find there for my level, field and circumstances?”
Which 15 universities are members?
The list displayed by the association on November 5, 2026 includes the following institutions, in no order of merit:
| U15 members | U15 members | U15 members |
|---|---|---|
| University of Alberta | The University of British Columbia — UBC | University of Calgary |
| Dalhousie University | Université Laval | University of Manitoba |
| McGill University | McMaster University | Université de Montréal |
| University of Ottawa / Université d’Ottawa | Queen’s University | University of Saskatchewan |
| University of Toronto | University of Waterloo | Western University |
To narrow down the list, start with the discipline and credential that interest you. Then note what you want to check at each institution: a program, a research team, a method or an experience available to undergraduate students. You can also keep an option outside the group in your comparison.
At the undergraduate level: can you take part in research?
A university may conduct research without every student automatically having a place on a project. If you are considering a bachelor’s degree, look for opportunities that someone at your level and with your profile can actually access.
For example, at UBC Vancouver, the Work Learn International Undergraduate Research Awards support paid summer research experiences for eligible international undergraduate students. International exchange and visiting students are not eligible for this program, which has other conditions as well. The schedule displayed when consulted concerned summer 2026; it cannot be used to infer dates for a later academic year.
Whether you are a Canadian or international student, ask the same questions about the programs that interest you: from what year can you take part? What tasks are offered? Is the experience paid or credited? How are applications assessed? Then check the conditions specific to your status; a program intended for international students does not necessarily describe the opportunities available to Canadian students, or vice versa.
This example concerns Vancouver. It does not describe all UBC campuses or all U15 members.
At the graduate level: compare the research team, not just the university
For a master’s or doctoral degree, start with a field or question that interests you, even if your project is not yet fully defined. Look for the teams’ work and methods, and for people who could supervise you. A university’s reputation in your field is not enough to establish that a suitable supervisor is available for your subject.
Application procedures vary by program. In biology at UBC Okanagan, the department asks prospective students to contact a potential supervisor before starting the application. It outlines the research interests of potential supervisors, while noting that some are not accepting new students.
To prepare an initial message, briefly describe your background and question, then explain how they relate to the work of the person you are contacting. Ask whether they expect to supervise new projects. An encouraging response is not a substitute for confirmation of supervision or an admission decision.
Funding: read the conditions behind the amount
The personal support you might receive cannot be inferred from the university’s name alone. Ask for a written offer and compare its components, duration and conditions, then budget separately for tuition and living expenses.
The UBC Okanagan example shows why these details matter. Since September 1, 2026, its policy has announced a minimum funding package of 40,000 Canadian dollars per year for eligible full-time doctoral students, domestic and international, for up to the first four years. Unsatisfactory progress affects eligibility; in some cases where a student transfers from a master’s to a doctorate without a master’s degree, the remaining period may be reduced.
This amount is not necessarily a single scholarship: the package may include scholarships and assistantships. If a student declines a teaching assistantship, the policy specifies that the program is not required to replace that funding. It applies to UBC Okanagan and does not automatically extend to other U15 members.
| What to compare | Question to ask |
|---|---|
| Amount and duration | What funding is confirmed for each year? |
| Components | What share comes from scholarships and what share from assistantships? |
| Conditions | What progress requirements and duties apply? |
| Personal budget | What tuition and expenses will I still have to pay? |
| Extended studies | What happens if my studies take longer than expected? |
Universities and programs
These examples allow you to compare two programs at U15 member institutions and one option outside the group. They are not a ranking. StudyCanada profiles can serve as a starting point; then check the official requirements for the academic year that interests you. A program’s presence in a profile does not guarantee your admission.
UBC Okanagan — Doctor of Philosophy in Biology (PhD). This doctorate is research-focused. The department page lets you identify research interests and potential supervisors; the availability of supervision and the fit with your subject still need to be confirmed. See the University of British Columbia profile.
Université Laval — Doctorat en actuariat. This program leads to a PhD, consists of 90 credits and has an estimated duration of four years of full-time study. Applicants must contact a faculty member before submitting their application; a supervisor must then agree to supervise them before an offer of admission can be made. A master’s degree in actuarial science or a degree deemed equivalent is normally required, with specific arrangements for an accelerated transfer. These conditions are specific to the program. See the Université Laval profile.
Institut national de la recherche scientifique — outside U15. INRS is not on the list of members, but offers master’s and doctoral programs, among others. It is a reminder that comparing options by subject and research team can usefully take you beyond the association’s 15 institutions. See the INRS profile.
From the list to your decision
Use the same framework for each option to help you decide:
- Your goal: Do you want to explore research as an undergraduate or pursue a question in greater depth at the graduate level?
- Actual access: What opportunities are open to someone at your level and with your profile, on the campus and during the period you have in mind?
- Supervision: Who could supervise you, and do you need to make contact before applying?
- Conditions: What funding is confirmed, for how long and with what duties? What expenses should you expect?
Then compare one or more U15 options with an option outside the group. If an answer is unclear, ask the institution for clarification. The group is a useful starting point, but it guarantees neither admission, funding nor employment: your choice depends on the program and conditions that fit your plans.