CCanadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), NSERC and SSHRC (Tri-agency)
Partially funded
Canada Graduate Research Scholarship - Doctoral (CGRS D)
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), NSERC and SSHRC (Tri-agency), Canada
Scholarship overview
The CGRS D is a doctoral scholarship in the Canada Research Training Awards Suite, administered by CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC. It replaces the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships and the Canada Graduate Scholarships - Doctoral program, which no longer accept applications.
It supports research excellence across health, natural sciences and engineering, and social sciences and humanities, including interdisciplinary research.
Award Information
- No more than 36 months of full-time equivalent study in the doctoral program (or the PhD portion of a joint program) by December 31 of the application year
- Canadian citizens, permanent residents and protected persons may apply; international applicants must be registered in an eligible doctoral program at an eligible Canadian institution by the deadline (up to 15% of awards)
- Apply to only one CRTAS program per academic year; maximum of three applications to CGRS D
- No prior doctoral-level scholarship from CIHR, NSERC or SSHRC (including Vanier)
- Program must be predominantly research-oriented, leading to a thesis, dissertation or equivalent
- Up to 20% of awards may be held outside Canada (Canadian citizens, permanent residents and protected persons with a prior degree from a Canadian institution)
- $40,000 per year for 36 months
- Indigenous Scholars Supplement: $5,000 for one year for successful Indigenous students (NSERC or SSHRC)
- Up to 10 additional awards per agency reserved for Black student researchers
- Additional awards for select applications aligned with priority research areas
- Through a Canadian institution: contact your institution (often significantly earlier than the agency deadline)
- Directly to the agency: October 17 (the October 2026 SSHRC competition lists 2026-10-19, 8:00 p.m. ET)
- Results by April 30
- Choose the agency (CIHR, NSERC or SSHRC) best aligned with your research subject matter.
- Determine the correct channel (through your institution or directly to the agency) based on your registration status and the institution's quota.
- Complete the application in the agency's online system (ResearchNET, NSERC online system or SSHRC registration and login).
- Ensure referees submit their letters before the deadline.
- Submit by the deadline.
Official links
Documents you will need
- Application form and CV
- Transcripts
- Reference letters
How selection works
- Research potential (50%): quality of research proposal, methodology, significance, contributions, judgment, originality and communication
- Relevant experience and achievements within and beyond academia (50%): training, scholarships and awards, academic record, professional, academic and community activities
