Canada Graduate Research Scholarship - Doctoral (CGRS-D)

Benefit

You get about 26,000 EUR per year (CAD 40,000) for up to 36 months while you work on your PhD. That is roughly 78,000 EUR over three years to focus on your doctoral research. Canada's three federal research agencies run the scholarship jointly: the health research council (CIHR), the natural sciences and engineering council (NSERC) and the social sciences and humanities council (SSHRC). Some applicants get extra money on top. Indigenous scholars (First Nations, Inuit and Métis) can receive an added CAD 5,000 for one year, and each agency reserves up to 10 extra awards for applicants who identify as Black.

Eligibility

• Level: You are in a doctoral programme that is mainly research-based and leads to a dissertation. Research-heavy joint or clinical programmes (such as MD/PhD or clinical psychology) also qualify.
• Field of study: Any subject across health, natural sciences and engineering, and social sciences and humanities, including interdisciplinary research.
• Timing: By 31 December of the year you apply, you have completed no more than 36 months of full-time PhD study.
• Nationality: Canadian citizens, permanent residents and protected persons can apply. International students can too, as long as they are enrolled in a doctoral programme at an eligible Canadian institution. Up to 15% of awards go to international applicants.
• No prior doctoral award: You have not already held a doctoral scholarship from CIHR, NSERC or SSHRC, including the Vanier CGS.
• Attempts: You may apply for the CGRS-D at most three times in total.

How to apply

If you are enrolled at a Canadian institution, you apply through that institution. It sets its own deadline, often well before the agency date. If you have no current institution, you apply directly to the relevant agency by 17 October. There is no interview. Your institution reviews and ranks applications first, and only nominated candidates reach the agency for the final national selection.

How realistic are your chances?

This is a national award for doctoral students across every field, so the applicant pool is large. Selection rests on academic excellence and the strength of your research proposal. Getting nominated by your own institution is the first real hurdle, since only ranked candidates pass to the agencies. If you have a strong track record and a clear project, and you meet your institution's early internal deadline, you have a genuine shot. Indigenous and Black applicants benefit from reserved and additional places.