The Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral (CGRS D) program aims to support the next generation of innovators, knowledge workers, creative thinkers, and researchers. This scholarship provides funding and high-quality research training to foster impacts within and beyond the research environment.

Objective and Description

The primary objective of the CGRS D program is to recognize and support outstanding doctoral students in Canada. It aims to provide awardees with a high-quality research training experience, fostering impacts within and beyond the research environment.

The CGRS D is part of the Canada Research Training Awards Suite (CRTAS), administered by CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC. The CRTAS supports the next generation of innovators by providing funding and high-quality research training.

This program supports research excellence in a wide variety of disciplines, including health, natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, and humanities. The scholarship allows scholars to concentrate on their doctoral studies and contribute to the Canadian research ecosystem.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible, applicants must have completed no more than 36 months of full-time equivalent study in their doctoral program by December 31 of the application year. This includes the PhD portion of joint programs (e.g., MD/PhD) or joint programs (e.g., MA/PhD).

Eligibility is based on the number of months of full-time study toward the doctoral degree, including summer months. Two terms of part-time study count as one term of full-time study.

International applicants must be enrolled in their doctoral program at an eligible Canadian institution by the application deadline. Up to 15% of awards are available to international applicants.

• Canadian citizenship, permanent residency, or protected person status is required for holding the award at an international institution.

• Applicants must have completed at least one previous degree at a Canadian institution to hold the award abroad.

Application Process and Deadlines

Applicants must apply to the agency best aligned with their research subject matter: CIHR, NSERC, or SSHRC. It is the applicant's responsibility to select the appropriate funding agency.

The application process involves submitting an electronic application through the relevant agency’s platform. Applications must be complete to be considered.

The application must be submitted either through a Canadian institution or directly to the appropriate agency, depending on the applicant's registration status. The agency deadline for direct applications is October 17 before 8:00 pm (ET).

Selection Criteria and Priority Areas

The evaluation of applications is based on two main criteria: Research Potential (50%) and Relevant Experience and Achievements (50%). These criteria assess the quality of the research proposal and the applicant's overall academic and professional background.

Priority funding areas may be identified by the agencies to support federal or agency-specific research priorities. These priorities reflect aspects of contributing sectors and research areas across all three agency mandates.

The three agencies are committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion in the Canadian research enterprise. Self-identification data may be used to determine eligibility for additional awards or priority funding opportunities for underrepresented groups.

Award Details and Conditions

The value of the scholarship is $40,000 per year for a duration of 36 months. The tenure location can be at eligible Canadian or international institutions.

Award holders must comply with the policies and guidelines set out in the Tri-agency research training award holder’s guide. The agencies reserve the right to interpret and enforce these policies.

Applicants will be notified of the results by April 30. If an award is accepted, the agency will publish the awardee's name and basic award information on its website.