Canada Graduate Research Scholarships - Doctoral (formerly CGS-D)
Presentations
Information regarding the 2026/27 Tri-Agency Doctoral Awards will be presented by OGPS Graduate Award Officers online, date to be confirmed. This session is intended for students who are enrolled in or planning to pursue graduate studies, faculty advisors and/or departmental award administrators are welcomed.
Past information sessions can be found under the Tools and Resources tab.
Please also reference the NSERC application playlist via Youtube, the CIHR Webinar listings, and/or SSHRC website for tips on applying for these awards.
Canada Graduate Research Scholarships - Doctoral
The Canada Graduate Research Scholarships - Doctoral (CGRS-D) provide financial support to high-caliber scholars who are engaged in a doctoral program in the fields of health, natural sciences and engineering, and social sciences and humanities, including interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research.
Value & Duration
CGRS Doctoral - $40,000 per year for three years
Eligibility
Eligibility criteria vary for the CGRS-D is available on the NSERC website, please carefully review.
Major Changes to the 2026/27 competition:
- Applicants of any citizenship are now eligible to apply, but non-Canadians not holding "protected persons status", must be registered in their doctoral program for Fall 2025.
- Eligibility window extended. Number of months in program is now up to 36 months for all applicants.
Quota
The University of Guelph is an institution with a quota from CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC. For the 2026/27 competition, Guelph may forward for consideration in the national competition:
- CIHR: 3 applications
- NSERC: 64 applications
- SSHRC: 31 applications
Indigenous student researchers
Institutions may recommend applications from self-identified Indigenous student researchers to the doctoral awards competition beyond their application quota. Self-identified Indigenous student researchers must agree to their personal information being used for this purpose by making the appropriate selection in the application form.
Black student researchers
The Government of Canada has deployed additional funds to increase direct support for Black student researchers. CGS D applicants who self-identify as Black and provide consent to be considered for funds targeted towards specific groups may be selected to receive this funding. Each agency has a limited number of additional CGS D awards reserved for this initiative.
For more information, consult the Frequently asked questions about the new Black scholars funding.
CGRS Doctoral Application Process
Please note that this information is specific to those students submitting their applications through the University of Guelph only. Refer to the detailed instructions on NSERC's website to ensure that you are submitting your application to the correct institution - it is the applicant's responsibility to ensure this step is completed correctly.
Applications for the CGRS-D are required to be submitted to the appropriate agency's application.
- All applicants must submit their applications through the appropriate online application portal.
- The online application will prompt you to indicate if you are applying through a university or if you are applying directly to the agency.
- Please refer to the CGRS-D website for directions on how to determine if you must apply through an institution or if you may apply directly to an agency.
- If you are applying through the University of Guelph, enter the University of Guelph in your application. When you submit the application, it will be routed to the University of Guelph.
- If you are applying through the University of Guelph, you must submit your complete application by the institutional deadline listed below.
- Submitted applications will be reviewed and ranked by the institution:
- Applications are first reviewed by the proposed or current academic department/school then forwarded to the Office of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies (OGPS).
- The OGPS Awards Committee reviews the applications and selects those that will be forwarded to the national competition. The university is given a quota for applications that can be forwarded each year.
- The applicable Tri-Agency then reviews nominated applicants. If selected, the applicant will be notified by the applicable agency with an offer of award and details regarding acceptance.
Transcript Submission & Deadline
Applicants are required to upload a scan of their transcripts in the appropriate application portal:
- Official up-to-date transcripts/proofs of registration for all undergraduate and graduate programs must be submitted.
- Up-to-date transcripts are defined as transcripts dated or issued in the fall session of the year of application (if currently registered) or after the last term completed (if not currently registered).
- If the applicant is already registered in their program of study at the time of application, they must submit a transcript for this program regardless of the number of months completed in the program or whether the transcript contains any marks. This requirement also applies to programs of study started in the fall session of the year of application.
- Certified copies will be accepted only for transcripts from foreign locations where official transcripts cannot be obtained (normally only considered for transcripts from outside of North America). If an applicant cannot obtain official transcripts, they need to provide verification from the institution to demonstrate its inability to provide official transcripts.
- If a university’s policy is not to provide transcripts, then a letter bearing the official university seal/stamp or a letter signed by the Dean of Graduate Studies confirming i) the applicant’s program of study and registration status, and ii) that the university does not provide transcripts must be submitted in lieu of a transcript.
- Please have all of your transcripts sent to your home mailing address or personal email. Do NOT send your transcripts for this application to your academic department or to OGPS.
- Current Guelph students may be able to obtain their Guelph transcripts at no charge; please refer to “Ordering Transcripts” under Tools and Resources on our website.
NOTE: Students are responsible for verifying the completeness and accuracy of transcripts uploaded to their application. Failure to do so may result in the disqualification of the application from consideration.
CIHR Only - Print/Upload Signature Page
Although the page for the institutional signatures is part of the signature page document, institutional signatures are not required at the time of application. The only signature required at the time of application is your advisor's signature (see the Print/Upload Signature Pages instructions). Please note that applicants must first enter their supervisor's information in the Identify Participants section of the ResearchNet application. Once this step is complete, applicants must go to the Print/Upload Signature Page section and click the "Signature Page" link to generate a page requiring the supervisor's signature. After collecting the signature, the applicant must scan and upload all three pages into the application.
CGRS Doctoral Application Deadlines
Complete applications for CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC submitted through the University of Guelph are due online by:
11:59 p.m. (Eastern) on TBD
- Applications submitted online after this date will not be considered.
- It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that their entire application, including transcripts and all attached files, is complete and in adherence to all guidelines set by the Tri-Agencies, and that the application is submitted before the deadline.
- Applicants will be notified whether or not their application has been selected to be forwarded to the national competition by late November.
Contacts & Resources
If you have questions, please contact the Graduate Awards Officers by email.