Summary
The Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral (CGRS D) program is part of the Canada Research Training Awards Suite (CRTAS), administered jointly by Canada’s three federal granting agencies (CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC). It provides high-value financial support to outstanding doctoral researchers, enabling them to focus fully on their research training, develop advanced skills, and work with leading mentors across health, natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, and humanities.
Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral Program (CGRS D)
Designation
- Title/Role: Doctoral Researcher / PhD Scholar (CGRS D Award Holder)
- Program Level: Doctoral / PhD degree (or eligible joint professional/PhD degree)
Key Program Overview
| Attribute | Details |
| Award Value | $40,000 per year |
| Duration | 36 months (3 years) |
| Target Audience | Doctoral students (Canadian citizens, permanent residents, protected persons, and up to 15% international students) |
| Administering Agencies | Tri-Agency: NSERC, CIHR, and SSHRC |
| Application Deadlines | Direct to Agency: October 17 Via Canadian Institution: Set internally by the institution (earlier than Oct 17) |
Research Area
The scholarship supports research across all academic disciplines covered by the Tri-Agency:
- Natural Sciences and Engineering (NSERC)
- Health and Life Sciences (CIHR)
- Social Sciences and Humanities (SSHRC)
- Interdisciplinary and Multidisciplinary Studies
Targeted Priority Research Areas
Additional awards are allocated to select meritorious projects aligning with national strategic priorities:
- Advanced digital technologies (AI, quantum, cybersecurity)
- Health, including biotechnology
- Clean technology and resource value chains
- Environment, climate resilience, and the Arctic
- Food and water security
- Democratic and community resilience
- Manufacturing and advanced materials
- Defence and dual-use technologies
Location of Tenure
- Canadian Institutions: Any eligible Canadian degree-granting institution.
- Institutions Outside Canada: Up to 20% of all doctoral awards may be held at eligible degree-granting institutions abroad (applicant must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or protected person and hold at least one prior degree from a Canadian institution).
Eligibility & Qualifications
Program Progress Limit
- Must have completed no more than 36 months of full-time equivalent study in the doctoral program (or joint PhD program) by December 31 of the calendar year of application.
- Fast-track programs: Months are counted from the transfer date to the PhD.
- Joint Master’s/PhD: Months are counted from initial registration in the joint program.
- Joint professional undergraduate/PhD (e.g., MD/PhD): Only months in the PhD portion are counted.
Program of Study
- Must be enrolled in or admitted to a predominantly research-oriented doctoral program requiring a thesis, dissertation, major project, scholarly publication, or equivalent peer-reviewed defense.
Citizenship & Demographics
- Domestic Applicants: Canadian citizens, permanent residents of Canada, or protected persons under subsection 95(2) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
- International Applicants: Eligible for up to 15% of awards; must be registered in an eligible doctoral program at a Canadian institution by the application deadline.
Program Restrictions
- Can submit only one CRTAS application (CIHR, NSERC, or SSHRC) per academic year.
- Maximum lifetime total of three applications to the CGRS D program.
- Cannot have previously held a doctoral-level scholarship from CIHR, NSERC, or SSHRC (including Vanier CGS).
- Cannot hold a tenure or tenure-track appointment concurrently (with narrow exceptions for SSHRC leaves).
Scholarship Description
The CGRS D aims to cultivate high-caliber researchers and creative thinkers contributing to Canada’s research ecosystem and global innovation. In addition to the base award of $40,000/year:
- Indigenous Scholars Awards & Supplements: Meritorious Indigenous candidates applying through NSERC or SSHRC can receive an additional $5,000 one-year supplement, alongside dedicated institutional quota flexibility.
- Black Student Researchers Initiative: Additional allocated awards are designated specifically for eligible applicants who self-identify as Black.
- Joint Initiatives & Supplements: Potential top-up funding through external partnerships across public, private, and non-profit sectors.
How to Apply
- Select the Appropriate Agency:
- NSERC: Physical sciences, natural sciences, and engineering.
- CIHR: Health, medical sciences, and clinical research.
- SSHRC: Social sciences, education, humanities, and arts.
- Determine Application Channel:
- Through an Institution: If currently registered in a degree program at a Canadian institution with a CGRS D quota during the calendar year, submit via the university’s internal review.
- Direct to the Agency: If not registered at an institution with a quota, submit directly to the federal portal.
- Submit via Designated Online Portals:
- CIHR: ResearchNet
- NSERC: NSERC Online System
- SSHRC: SSHRC Online System
- References and Transcripts:
- Provide all academic transcripts and register two referees who must upload letters of appraisal prior to the deadline.
Last Date to Apply
- Institutional Deadline: Contact your university graduate studies department (deadlines typically fall between late August and early October).
- Direct Submission to Agency Deadline: October 17 (by 8:00 p.m. ET, unless stated otherwise in the agency system).
