Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)

Canada Graduate Scholarships and NSERC Postgraduate Scholarships-Doctoral Program

The Canada Graduate Scholarships - Doctoral Program (CGS D) and the NSERC Postgraduate Scholarships - Doctoral (PGS D) provide financial support to high caliber scholars who are engaged in programs in the natural sciences or engineering. This support allows these scholars to fully concentrate on their studies and seek out the best research mentors in their chosen fields.

Value

$40,000 per year;

Deadline

October 7, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. EST

Where should I submit my application? See flowchart.

Please note that all the applications are processed through the NSERC portal even when it is indicated in the flowchart that you apply through the institution at which you were registered. In the instruction, you will have to select an option (see below) that correspond to your situation. Please note that University of Ottawa has a quota.

Options for applying directly to NSERC:

  • Option A: You are currently registered at an institution (Canadian or foreign) without a quota for NSERC.
  • Option B: You are not currently registered in a degree program and you were not registered during the calendar year of application in a degree program at a Canadian institution with a quota for NSERC.

Options for applying through an eligible Canadian institution:

  • Option C: You are currently registered in a degree program (including if you are on an approved leave of absence) at a Canadian institution with a quota for NSERC.
  • Option D: You are not currently registered in a degree program but were registered during the calendar year of application in a degree program at a Canadian institution with a quota for NSERC.

Important notice

Applicants complete and submit one application to be considered for both a CGS D scholarship and an agency doctoral award. CGS D scholarships are offered to top-ranked eligible applicants.

Please consult the description and application criteria for each of the scholarship (CGS D and NSERC PGS D) since there might be some differences.

The application form is completed and submitted online via NSERC's website.

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

CGS D and PGS D websites

The Canada Graduate Scholarships-Doctoral Program (CGS D)
NSERC Postgraduate Scholarships-Doctoral program (PGS D)

Result Notification

NSERC will inform candidates of the results by the end of April at the latest. You will receive an email inviting you to view your results on NSERC's secure extranet site.
 

Accepting the Scholarship

The candidate must accept or decline the scholarship and confirm the start date by sending an email to [email protected] 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

Activation of the payment process of an NSERC 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.


NSERC Doctoral Award Start Dates and Submission Timelines

Award start dateEarliest submission date for first instalment form
May 1stImmediately upon offer
September 1stMid-July
January 1stMid-November

Steps to arrange NSERC Doctoral Award Payment

1.    Complete 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).

2.    Obtain all required signatures 

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. 
 

3.    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 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 in the NSERC Extranet to Financial Aid and Awards Service by e-mail at [email protected] for activation.


4.    If you have requested and received approval from NSERC for a change in start date, please also include it with Request for the first instalment or reinstatement of award paid by Canadian institution.
 

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

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

* 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.