Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral Program | How to Apply

The Canada Graduate Research Scholarship — Doctoral (CGRS D) programme recognises and supports the next generation of outstanding innovators, knowledge workers, creative thinkers and researchers. By providing support for a high-quality research training experience to awardees, the programme strives to foster impacts within and beyond the research environment.

Application Deadline

Institutional deadline: varies by Canadian institution (often earlier than agency deadline).

Agency deadline (direct applications): 17 October 2026, 8:00 PM ET

Tell Me About The Award

The Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral (CGRS D) is part of the Canada Research Training Awards Suite (CRTAS), jointly administered by CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC. It supports outstanding doctoral students across health, natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, and humanities.

The program provides high-quality research training, fosters innovation, and empowers awardees to contribute to Canada’s research ecosystem and beyond.

Value & Duration

Value: CAD $40,000 per year

Duration: Up to 36 months (3 years)

Tenure: Eligible Canadian institutions; up to 20% of awards may be held abroad (for Canadian citizens/permanent residents).

Who can Apply?

Applicants must

Have completed no more than 36 months of full-time doctoral study by 31 December of the application year.

Be enrolled in a research-oriented doctoral program (including joint professional/PhD programs with a significant research component).

Not have previously received a doctoral-level scholarship from CIHR, NSERC, or SSHRC (including Vanier CGS).

Not hold a tenure-track appointment concurrently with the award.

International applicants

Up to 15% of awards are available to international students, but they must be enrolled in a doctoral program at a Canadian institution by the application deadline.

Selection Criteria

Applications are evaluated on two equally weighted criteria

Research Potential (50%)

Quality, feasibility, and significance of the research proposal.

Contributions to the field (publications, presentations, patents, etc.).

Originality, initiative, autonomy, and ethical conduct.

Communication of concepts clearly in written/oral formats.

Relevant Experience & Achievements (50%)

Academic record (transcripts, distinctions, scholarships).

Professional, academic, and extracurricular activities.

Community involvement, mentoring, project management, outreach.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI)

Additional measures support Indigenous student researchers (applications considered beyond institutional quotas).

Up to 10 additional awards per agency reserved for Black student researchers.

Applications may include self-identification data for priority funding opportunities.

Benefits of the Award

Financial support to focus on doctoral research.

Flexibility to hold the award part-time (with approval).

Opportunity to hold the award abroad (for Canadian citizens/permanent residents).

Access to joint initiatives and supplements offered by the agencies.

How to Apply

Select the appropriate agency (CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC) based on your research field.

Apply through your Canadian institution if it has a doctoral award quota for your agency.

Otherwise, apply directly to the agency.

Prepare documents: transcripts, CV, research proposal (merit-reviewed), references.

Submit via the agency’s online system

CIHR: ResearchNET

NSERC: Online system

SSHRC: Registration & login portal

Results announced: 30 April 2027

Visit the Application Webpage for Details

If you are not a Canadian citizen, permanent resident of Canada or protected person under subsection 95(2) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada), you must be registered in your doctoral program of study at an eligible Canadian institution by the application deadline. Up to 15% of awards will be available to international applicants.

Applicants must

Have completed no more than 36 months of full-time doctoral study by 31 December of the application year. Be enrolled in a research-oriented doctoral program (including joint professional/PhD programs with a significant research component). Not have previously received a doctoral-level scholarship from CIHR, NSERC, or SSHRC (including Vanier CGS). Not hold a tenure-track appointment concurrently with the award.

International applicants

Up to 15% of awards are available to international students, but they must be enrolled in a doctoral program at a Canadian institution by the application deadline.

Selection Criteria

Applications are evaluated on two equally weighted criteria

Research Potential (50%)

Quality, feasibility, and significance of the research proposal. Contributions to the field (publications, presentations, patents, etc.). Originality, initiative, autonomy, and ethical conduct. Communication of concepts clearly in written/oral formats.

Relevant Experience & Achievements (50%)

Academic record (transcripts, distinctions, scholarships). Professional, academic, and extracurricular activities. Community involvement, mentoring, project management, outreach.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI)

Additional measures support Indigenous student researchers (applications considered beyond institutional quotas). Up to 10 additional awards per agency reserved for Black student researchers. Applications may include self-identification data for priority funding opportunities.

of the Award

Financial support to focus on doctoral research. Flexibility to hold the award part-time (with approval). Opportunity to hold the award abroad (for Canadian citizens/permanent residents). Access to joint initiatives and supplements offered by the agencies.

Select the appropriate agency (CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC) based on your research field. Apply through your Canadian institution if it has a doctoral award quota for your agency. Otherwise, apply directly to the agency. Prepare documents: transcripts, CV, research proposal (merit-reviewed), references.

Submit via the agency’s online system

CIHR: ResearchNET

NSERC: Online system

SSHRC: Registration & login portal

Results announced: 30 April 2027

Visit the Application Webpage for Details