Canada Graduate Research Scholarships - Doctoral Program

Objective

The Canada Graduate Research Scholarships - Doctoral Program (CGRS D) recognizes and supports the next generation of outstanding innovators, knowledge workers, creative thinkers and researchers. By providing support for a high-quality research training experience to awardees, the program strives to foster impacts within and beyond the research environment.

Eligibility

Please refer to the Tri-Agency CGRS D program website for complete eligibility requirements.

Value

$40,000 per year;

Deadline

September 24, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. EST

Where to submit an application

You must apply either through a Canadian institution or directly to the appropriate agency, depending on your registration status on the application deadline date and/or your registration status during the calendar year of application. Where you intend to hold the award has no impact on the channel through which you must apply. If you fail to submityour application through the correct channel, your application will not be considered.

Please note that the University of Ottawa has a doctoral award quota.

uOttawa application deadline

Students registered in a uOttawa degree program at any time between January 1- December 31 of the year of application, or on an approved leave of absence must complete the appropriate agency’s online application form and submit through their current or proposed graduate program at the University of Ottawa. 

Application Deadline: September 24, 2025

Please note that all official transcripts are required, including for the internal competition.

As the application deadline approaches, the high volume of users accessing the online application systems may cause delays that prevent you from submitting your application on time. It is your responsibility to strictly follow the instructions for completing an application by the deadline. Late applications will not be accepted. We recommend that you apply in advance. 

Application process

To complete the application process, see the appropriate agency’s website and instructions:

• CIHR: ResearchNET and instructions.
• NSERC: Online system and instructions.
• SSHRC: Registration and login and instructions.

Your application must be complete to be considered in the competition.

Application instructions and other links will be available in July.

Result Notification

For internal evaluations, the faculties will inform their candidates of their results. 

For candidates recommended to advance to the national competition, the agency will notify them of results by April 30^th. These candidates will receive an email invitation to access their results online.

Accepting or declining the scholarship

The candidate must accept or decline the scholarship and, in the case of acceptance confirm the start date by sending an e-mail to the agency no later than the date indicated in the decision documents they received. They must accept the offer even if they intend to defer the scholarship start date.

Payment Process

1. Dates and submission timelines

• NSERC and SSHRC doctoral Award

Activation of the payment process of an NSERC or SSHRC doctoral award can only be requested up to six weeks in advance of the award start date. 

Timely submission of necessary documentation is crucial to avoid payment delays.

• CIHR doctoral award

Activation of the payment process of an CIHR doctoral award can only be requested up to 2 months in advance of the award start date.

Timely submission of necessary documentation is crucial to avoid payment delays.

2. Steps to arrange NSERC and SSHRC doctoral award payment

A.    Complete :

• NSERC & SSHRC doctoral award

The form Request for first instalment or reinstatement of award paid by Canadian institution. Fill out all required fields accurately (list University of Ottawa as institution).

• CIHRdoctoral award

The form Confirmation of Commencement form on ResearchNet and submit a signed copy to CIHR by e-mail at [email protected] and c.c. [email protected].

B.    Obtain all required signatures

• NSERC and SSHRC doctoral award

Part 4 from “an awards administration officer at the host institution” should be signed by the Financial Aid and Awards Service. You can send your form to [email protected] for a signature. 

Upload the completed Request for first instalment form or reinstatement of award paid by Canadian Institution to NSERC’s form and supporting documentation submission site or the SSHRC’s form and supporting documentation submission starting no earlier than six weeks in advance of the start of the award.

This will ensure your award funds are issued to the University of Ottawa for payment.

Send a print screen of the uploaded document to Financial Aid and Awards Service by e-mail at [email protected] for activation.

• CIHR doctoral award

After all required documents have been submitted to CIHR, an Authorization for Funding (AFF) document will be issued to you and the University, confirming that funding is being released. Forward the AFF to [email protected].
 

3. If you have requested and received approval from the agency for a change in start date, please also forward a copy of the approbation to the Financial Aid and Awards Service at [email protected].

Keep copies of all submitted documents for your records. Contact NSERC, SSHRC or CIHR promptly if you have any questions or if your circumstances change.

Resource: Tri-agency research training award holder’s guide

Note: The information on this page is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment from the University of Ottawa.

The selection committee’s decisions are final. The dean (or delegate) of the faculty offering the program will hear appeals only on procedural grounds.