Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral Program: $40,000 Per Year for PhD Research in Canada

The Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral (CGRS D) Program provides substantial financial support to outstanding doctoral students conducting research in health, natural sciences and engineering, social sciences and humanities. The scholarship is jointly administered through Canada’s three federal research agencies: the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).

Successful scholars receive $40,000 per year for three years, allowing them to devote greater attention to doctoral research, work with leading research mentors and contribute to Canada’s research and innovation ecosystem.

The program also supports interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research and includes priority research areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, health, climate resilience, food and water security, democratic and community resilience, advanced manufacturing, and defence-related technologies.

Opportunity Details

• Opportunity: Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral (CGRS D)
• Category: Scholarship
• Study level: Doctoral / PhD
• Funding: $40,000 per year
• Duration: 36 months
• Application deadline: October 17, 2026, for applicants applying directly to an agency
• Institutional deadline: Varies by Canadian institution and may be significantly earlier
• Fields: Health, natural sciences, engineering, social sciences and humanities
• Eligible applicants: Canadian and eligible international doctoral students
• Study location: Eligible Canadian institutions and, under specific conditions, eligible degree-granting institutions outside Canada
• Administered by: CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC

About the Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral Program

The CGRS D is part of Canada’s Canada Research Training Awards Suite (CRTAS).

The broader suite includes:

1. Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Master’s (CGRS M)
2. Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral (CGRS D)
3. Canada Postdoctoral Research Award (CPRA)

The CGRS D is designed to recognize and support outstanding doctoral researchers and help develop the next generation of highly qualified innovators, knowledge workers and creative thinkers.

The scholarship provides recipients with financial support that can enable them to concentrate more fully on their doctoral studies and research activities. It also provides flexibility for scholars to seek strong research mentors and participate in Canada’s research ecosystem.

The program covers a broad range of academic disciplines, including research in:

• Health
• Natural sciences
• Engineering
• Social sciences
• Humanities
• Interdisciplinary research
• Multidisciplinary research

Scholarship Value and Duration

Successful CGRS D recipients receive:

$40,000 per year for 36 months.

This represents a total potential scholarship value of:

$120,000 over three years.

The funding is intended to support doctoral students while they undertake eligible research-oriented doctoral studies.

The financial support can allow recipients to dedicate more time to their research, develop their research skills, work with appropriate research mentors and contribute to research activities during and after the scholarship period.

Who Can Apply?

The CGRS D is intended for outstanding doctoral students who are undertaking eligible research-oriented doctoral programs.

Applicants must satisfy the program’s eligibility requirements, including requirements relating to their doctoral study progress and registration status.

Doctoral Study Requirement

By December 31 of the calendar year of application, applicants must have completed no more than 36 months of full-time equivalent study in the doctoral program for which they are requesting funding.

The calculation includes the applicable doctoral studies regardless of whether those studies were completed at the same institution or within the same program.

The agencies count:

• All months of full-time study, including summer months
• Two terms of part-time study as one term of full-time study
• Previous doctoral study toward the same degree, even if completed at another institution or in another program

Fast-Track Programs

For applicants who transferred from a master’s program into a doctoral program through a fast-track arrangement, the months of study are calculated beginning from the date of transfer into the doctoral program.

Joint Programs

For joint programs such as:

• MA/PhD
• MSc/PhD
• MBA/PhD

the calculation begins from the date the applicant officially registered in either portion of the joint program, including the master’s portion.

Joint Professional Undergraduate/PhD Programs

For programs such as:

• MD/PhD
• JD/PhD
• DVM/PhD

only the months completed in the PhD portion are counted.

Requirements for the Doctoral Program

The doctoral program must be predominantly research-oriented.

It must lead to a substantial research or scholarly requirement such as:

• A thesis
• A dissertation
• A major research project
• Scholarly publication
• Performance
• Recital
• Exhibit

The research or scholarly work must be subject to merit review by a panel of experts at the institution as part of the requirements for completing the program.

Certain joint professional doctoral programs can also qualify when they contain a significant autonomous research component.

This includes eligible joint programs involving professional degrees such as:

• MD/PhD
• DVM/PhD
• JD/PhD
• MBA/PhD

Clinically oriented programs can also qualify when they meet the program’s research requirements. Clinical psychology is specifically mentioned as an example.

International Applicants

International students can apply, but specific conditions apply.

If you are not a Canadian citizen, permanent resident of Canada or protected person under Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, you must be registered in your doctoral program at an eligible Canadian institution by the application deadline.

The program states that up to 15% of awards will be available to international applicants.

This is particularly important for international students considering the opportunity from outside Canada: simply being an international student is not enough. The applicant must meet the doctoral registration requirement at an eligible Canadian institution by the relevant deadline.

Can the Scholarship Be Held Outside Canada?

The CGRS D may be held at an eligible Canadian institution or, under certain conditions, at a degree-granting institution outside Canada.

However, holding the scholarship outside Canada is subject to additional eligibility requirements.

To hold the award at an eligible degree-granting institution outside Canada, an applicant must:

• Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident of Canada or protected person as of the application deadline; and
• Have completed at least one previous undergraduate or graduate degree at a Canadian institution.

The program indicates that up to 20% of all doctoral awards may be available to be held outside Canada.

Therefore, the rules for holding the award outside Canada are different from the rules governing international applicants who are studying in Canada.

Important Application Restrictions

Applicants should carefully review the restrictions before applying.

One CRTAS Application Per Academic Year

Applicants can apply to only one CRTAS program per academic year through CIHR, NSERC or SSHRC.

If an applicant submits applications to more than one program, only the first eligible application submitted to the agencies will be retained.

Maximum of Three CGRS D Applications

An individual can apply to the CGRS D program a maximum of three times.

Previous Doctoral Scholarships

Applicants cannot have already received a doctoral-level scholarship from CIHR, NSERC or SSHRC.

This includes the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship.

Tenure or Tenure-Track Positions

Additional restrictions apply to applicants who hold tenure or tenure-track appointments.

Recipients of CIHR or NSERC awards cannot simultaneously hold a tenure or tenure-track appointment or be on leave from such an appointment during their CGRS D award.

SSHRC has different provisions for approved leave from a tenure or tenure-track position when undertaking a first doctoral degree.

Applicants who are uncertain about their eligibility should contact the relevant agency.

Priority Research Areas

The Government of Canada has identified several priority research areas that may receive additional award offers for meritorious applications aligned with these areas.

These include:

1. Advanced Digital Technologies

Research may include areas such as:

• Artificial intelligence
• Quantum technologies
• Cybersecurity
• Other advanced digital technologies

2. Health and Biotechnology

This includes research connected to:

• Health
• Biotechnology
• Related scientific and medical research areas

3. Clean Technology and Resource Value Chains

Research addressing clean technologies and sustainable resource-related systems may align with this priority.

4. Environment, Climate Resilience and the Arctic

Research related to environmental challenges, climate resilience and Arctic issues is included among the priority areas.

5. Food and Water Security

Research addressing food systems, water security and related global challenges may align with this area.

6. Democratic and Community Resilience

Research examining issues related to democratic systems and community resilience is another identified priority.

7. Manufacturing and Advanced Materials

This includes research involving advanced manufacturing and materials science.

8. Defence and Dual-Use Technologies

Research related to defence and technologies with potential civilian and defence applications is also included.

Applicants whose research aligns with a priority area should consult the relevant agency’s application instructions for guidance on identifying that alignment.

Additional Funding Opportunities

CGRS D recipients may also be eligible for supplementary funding.

The three agencies may offer joint initiatives and supplements in collaboration with organizations from:

• The public sector
• Private sector
• Not-for-profit sector

These initiatives can support research training, networking and other activities connected with the strategic objectives of the participating organizations.

Additional funding opportunities may vary by agency and competition.

Support for Indigenous Student Researchers

The program includes specific measures supporting Indigenous student researchers and Indigenous research.

The Indigenous Scholars Awards and Supplements Pilot Initiative can provide additional support to eligible Indigenous students whose nations or communities are located in Canada.

Successful eligible CGRS D applicants may receive an Indigenous Scholars Supplement valued at $5,000 for one year, subject to available funding and the relevant conditions.

The program also includes measures designed to support Indigenous research and respectful relationships with Indigenous Peoples and communities.

These measures include provisions concerning:

• Indigenous research
• Self-identified Indigenous doctoral applicants
• Research review
• Special circumstances affecting academic or career paths
• Indigenous representation and expertise on review committees

Additional Support for Black Student Researchers

The Government of Canada has also provided additional funding intended to increase direct support for Black student researchers.

Meritorious CGRS D applicants who self-identify as Black and consent to being considered for designated funding may be selected for this additional support.

Each of the three agencies may have up to 10 additional awards reserved for Black student researchers.

These opportunities are subject to the program’s eligibility, selection and funding conditions.

How to Apply

Applicants must apply through the agency that is best aligned with the subject matter of their proposed research.

The three relevant agencies are:

• CIHR – Canadian Institutes of Health Research
• NSERC – Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
• SSHRC – Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council

Selecting the correct agency is important because applications are reviewed by experts whose disciplinary expertise should correspond to the applicant’s field of research.

CIHR Applicants

Applicants applying through CIHR should use the ResearchNET platform and follow CIHR’s specific application instructions.

NSERC Applicants

Applicants applying through NSERC should use NSERC’s online application system and follow the CGRS D application instructions.

SSHRC Applicants

Applicants applying through SSHRC should use the SSHRC registration and application system and follow the agency’s specific doctoral scholarship instructions.

Applicants who are uncertain about which agency is appropriate should review the federal guidance on selecting the appropriate granting agency or contact the relevant agency.

Where Should Applicants Submit Their Applications?

The correct application channel depends on the applicant’s registration status and, in some cases, whether the institution has a doctoral award quota.

Submitting through the wrong channel can result in rejection.

International Applicants

International applicants have specific submission rules.

An international applicant who is currently registered in a doctoral program at a Canadian institution with a doctoral award quota for the relevant agency generally applies through that Canadian institution.

An international applicant who is registered in a doctoral program at a Canadian institution without a doctoral award quota for the selected agency applies directly to the appropriate agency.

Applicants on an approved leave of absence from an institution are considered to remain registered at that institution for these purposes.

Canadian Applicants

For Canadian citizens, permanent residents and protected persons, the submission route depends on their registration status during the calendar year of application and the institution involved.

Depending on the circumstances, an applicant may need to apply:

• Through their current Canadian institution
• Through a Canadian institution where they were registered during the year
• Directly to the relevant federal agency

Applicants should carefully review the official submission tables and confirm their status with their faculty of graduate studies or equivalent office where necessary.

Understanding Institutional Quotas

A quota refers to the maximum number of applications that a Canadian institution can forward to a particular federal research agency.

Institutions have separate quotas for:

• CIHR
• NSERC
• SSHRC

If an applicant must apply through an institution, they should contact the relevant graduate studies office to determine:

• Whether the institution has a quota
• Which agency’s quota applies
• The institution’s internal deadline
• Any internal selection process
• Required institutional documents

Application Deadline

October 17, 2026

Applicants who are eligible to apply directly to an agency must submit their application before 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time on October 17, 2026.

If the deadline falls on a weekend, applications can be submitted on the following business day before 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

Applicants should not wait until the final hours because the agencies warn that high traffic on online application systems can cause delays.

Institutional Deadlines

Applicants applying through a Canadian institution must follow the institution’s own deadline.

The institutional deadline can be significantly earlier than October 17.

Therefore, applicants should contact their university’s faculty of graduate studies as early as possible rather than relying solely on the federal agency deadline.

Late applications are not accepted.

What Happens After Submission?

Applications undergo an evaluation process.

Institutional Review

Where applications are submitted through a Canadian institution, the institution’s faculty of graduate studies or equivalent body coordinates an institutional evaluation.

The institution then forwards applications according to its available agency quota.

Agency Review

Applications submitted directly to an agency, as well as applications forwarded by Canadian institutions, are evaluated by agency-specific review committees.

The reviewers assess the applications according to the CGRS D selection criteria.

How Applications Are Evaluated

The CGRS D uses two major selection criteria.

1. Research Potential – 50%

Research potential accounts for 50% of the assessment.

Reviewers consider factors including:

• Quality of the research proposal
• Specificity and focus of the research question or objectives
• Feasibility of the proposed research
• Quality of the methodology
• Significance of the proposed research
• Expected contribution to the relevant research field
• Potential to successfully conduct the proposed research
• Publications and other research outputs
• Reports
• Posters
• Abstracts
• Presentations
• Patents
• Scholarly and creative outputs
• Knowledge translation activities
• Community products
• Critical thinking
• Sound judgment
• Originality
• Initiative
• Autonomy
• Community involvement
• Outreach
• Responsible and ethical research conduct
• Ability to communicate research concepts clearly
• Overall quality and presentation of the application

Where relevant, applicants can also demonstrate how equity, diversity and inclusion considerations are integrated into their research.

2. Relevant Experience and Achievements – 50%

The second half of the assessment focuses on relevant experience and achievements obtained both inside and outside academia.

This criterion accounts for another 50%.

Relevant factors can include:

• Academic training
• Relevant professional training
• Lived experience
• Traditional teachings
• Scholarships
• Awards
• Academic distinctions
• Academic record
• Transcripts
• Duration of previous studies
• Courses completed
• Course load
• Relative academic standing where available
• Professional activities
• Academic activities
• Extracurricular activities
• Collaboration with supervisors
• Collaboration with colleagues and peers
• Teaching
• Mentoring
• Supervision
• Coaching
• Project management
• Science or research promotion
• Community outreach
• Volunteer work
• Civic engagement
• Committee leadership
• Conference organization
• Meeting organization
• Participation in academic or professional organizations, associations and clubs

This means the application is not assessed solely on the proposed research project. The applicant’s broader academic, professional and extracurricular record is also considered.

Notification of Results

Applicants will be notified of the results by:

April 30.

Successful award holders who accept the scholarship may have their names and basic award information published on the relevant agency’s website.

The agencies’ publication of award information is subject to applicable Canadian privacy and access-to-information legislation.

Official Language of the Application

Applicants can submit their application in either of Canada’s two official languages:

• English
• French

If supporting documents are written in a language other than English or French, applicants must provide a certified translation.

Canadian institutions must have mechanisms for reviewing applications in the official language in which they are submitted.

Career Development and Individual Development Plans

The agencies encourage applicants and award holders to actively plan their careers during their research training.

Individual Development Plans, or IDPs, can help doctoral researchers:

• Identify career objectives
• Identify skills gaps
• Develop professional skills
• Plan career development
• Reflect on strengths and values
• Prepare for future employment and research opportunities

However, the program explicitly states that IDPs are not a selection or evaluation criterion for the CGRS D.

Research Security and International Research

Applicants and award holders undertaking research activities outside Canada are encouraged to consult Canadian government resources concerning travel and research security.

Relevant resources include:

• Travel advice and advisories
• Travel health notices
• Registration of Canadians abroad
• Emergency assistance outside Canada
• Safeguarding Your Research
• Research security training resources
• Guidance concerning research organizations and sensitive technologies

The program also notes that the Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC Policy) does not apply to scholarship and fellowship programs such as the Canada Research Training Awards Suite.

Nevertheless, Canadian researchers are encouraged to follow applicable research-security guidance and exercise due diligence when conducting research activities.

Important Things Applicants Should Know

Before applying, prospective applicants should carefully verify the following:

1. Whether they are eligible for the CGRS D.
2. How many months of doctoral study they will have completed by December 31.
3. Whether they have previously received a doctoral-level scholarship from CIHR, NSERC or SSHRC.
4. Whether they have already applied to another CRTAS program during the academic year.
5. Whether they have previously applied to the CGRS D and how many applications they have made.
6. Which federal agency best matches their research subject.
7. Whether their Canadian institution has an applicable doctoral award quota.
8. Whether they need to submit through their institution or directly to the agency.
9. Their institution’s internal deadline.
10. Whether their doctoral program meets the research-oriented program requirements.
11. Whether they meet the special registration requirements applicable to international applicants.
12. Whether all required supporting documents and reference letters will be submitted on time.

Applicants should also avoid waiting until the final day because online application systems may experience heavy traffic near the deadline.

Category of the Opportunity

Scholarship

This is a doctoral research scholarship under Canada’s Canada Research Training Awards Suite.

Who Qualifies for This Opportunity?

The opportunity is primarily for:

• Current doctoral/PhD students
• Students in eligible research-oriented doctoral programs
• Applicants conducting research in eligible fields
• Canadian citizens, permanent residents and protected persons who meet the program requirements
• Eligible international doctoral students who are registered at an eligible Canadian institution by the application deadline
• Applicants who have completed no more than 36 months of full-time equivalent doctoral study by December 31 of the application year

Academic Qualifications

Applicants must be enrolled in an eligible doctoral program that is predominantly research-oriented and includes an appropriate thesis, dissertation, major research project or equivalent scholarly requirement.

Eligible Fields

Research may fall within:

• Health
• Natural sciences
• Engineering
• Social sciences
• Humanities
• Interdisciplinary research
• Multidisciplinary research

Countries and Regions

The program is administered by the Government of Canada and is open to eligible applicants internationally, but international applicants face specific Canadian doctoral-registration requirements.

For international applicants, the key requirement is that they must be registered in an eligible doctoral program at an eligible Canadian institution by the application deadline.

Therefore, applicants from Ghana, other African countries, Asia, Europe, the Americas, Oceania and other regions may potentially qualify as international applicants if they satisfy the applicable requirements and are registered in an eligible Canadian doctoral program.

Eligibility is not determined simply by nationality or continent. Applicants must satisfy the program’s academic, doctoral-study, registration and other eligibility requirements.

Application Link

Applicants should use the application platform corresponding to their research agency:

• CIHR: ResearchNET
• NSERC: NSERC Online Services
• SSHRC: SSHRC registration and application system

Applicants should first determine which agency best matches their research subject before starting the application.

Official Website

For the full eligibility requirements, application instructions, agency-specific guidance, deadlines and official updates, visit the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) official CGRS D funding opportunity page.

For more scholarships visit the OFY Website HERE

 

Conclusion

The Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral (CGRS D) is a major Canadian doctoral research funding program providing $40,000 annually for up to 36 months, for a potential total of $120,000.

The scholarship covers a broad range of research areas across health, natural sciences, engineering, social sciences and humanities. It also identifies priority areas including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, quantum technologies, biotechnology, climate resilience, food and water security, democratic and community resilience, advanced manufacturing, and defence and dual-use technologies.

International students can be considered, but they must pay particular attention to the requirement to be registered in an eligible Canadian doctoral program by the application deadline.

Applicants applying directly to an agency must submit their applications by 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time on October 17, 2026, while applicants applying through Canadian institutions must follow their institution’s earlier internal deadline where applicable.

Because the scholarship evaluates both research potential and relevant experience and achievements, prospective applicants should prepare a strong research proposal while also presenting a comprehensive record of their academic, professional, research, leadership, community and extracurricular achievements.