Natural Sciences & Engineering Research Council (NSERC) | Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies

Natural Sciences & Engineering Research Council (NSERC)

Presentations

Information regarding the 2023/24 NSERC Doctoral, Master's and Post-doctoral Awards will be presented by NSERC personnel online, with event details to be confirmed soon. This session is intended for students who are enrolled in or planning to pursue graduate studies.

Please also reference the NSERC application playlist via Youtube for tips on applying for these awards.

Canada Graduate Scholarships-Master's (CGS M) Program

The objective of the Canada Graduate Scholarships-Master's (CGS M) Program is to help develop research skills and assist in the training of highly qualified personnel by supporting students who demonstrate a high standard of achievement in undergraduate and early graduate studies. The Tri-council allocates CGS M awards to universities specifying the number of awards that each may offer to their students annually. CGS M awards can only be offered to students pursuing graduate studies at eligible Canadian universities, and the award must be held at the university that has made the offer.

Find out how to apply to hold a CGS M at the University of Guelph here.

NSERC Doctoral Scholarships

NSERC Postgraduate Scholarships-Doctoral (PGS D) and Alexander Graham Bell Canada Graduate Scholarships-Doctoral (CGS D) provide financial support to high-caliber scholars who are engaged in a doctoral program in the natural sciences or engineering.  Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada are eligible to apply.

Value & Duration

PGS Doctoral - $21,000 per year for three years
CGS Doctoral - $35,000 per year for three years

Eligibility

Eligibility criteria vary for the PGS Doctoral and CGS Doctoral awards, so please carefully review both the PGS and CGS websites.

Quota

The University of Guelph is an institution with a quota from NSERC. For the 2023-24 competition, Guelph may forward 63 applications for consideration by NSERC.

NSERC 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.

There is a single application and selection process (Form 201) for the CGS-D and the PGS-D:

  • All applicants must submit their applications through the NSERC online application portal.
    • Access the application and instructions on the NSERC website.
  • 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 CGS website for directions on how to determine where you should submit your application.
    • If you are applying through the University of Guelph, enter University of Guelph in your application. When you submit the application it will be routed to the University of Guelph for consideration.
  • Complete applications will be reviewed and ranked by the institution:
    • Applications are first reviewed by the proposed or current academic department/school and 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.
  • If selected by NSERC, the top-ranked applicants will be offered a CGS D, and the next tier of meritorious applicants will be offered an NSERC PGS D.

Transcript Submission & Deadline

New for F22: Applicants are now able to upload their transcripts in the application portal. Please have all of your transcripts sent to your home mailing address or personal email. Do NOT send your NSERC transcripts to your academic department or to OGPS.

Applicants must upload their own official transcripts to the application. 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.

NSERC Doctoral Application Deadline

Complete applications are due online by 11:59 p.m. (Eastern) on September 28, 2022. 

  • 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 NSERC, and that the application is submitted prior to 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.