Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral Program 2026 (CGRS D)

CIHR / NSERC / SSHRC Doctoral (PhD) Canada (or International for Canadians)

Scholarship Description

The Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral (CGRS D) program recognizes and supports the next generation of outstanding innovators, knowledge workers, creative thinkers, and researchers. Administered by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), this prestigious scholarship provides $40,000 per year for up to 36 months of doctoral studies.

The CGRS D is part of the Canada Research Training Awards Suite (CRTAS), which aims to support the next generation of innovators by providing funding and high-quality research training. The program supports research excellence in a wide variety of disciplines across health, natural sciences and engineering, and social sciences and humanities, including interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research.

Scholarship Location

The scholarship can be held at eligible Canadian degree-granting institutions. Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and protected persons may also hold the award at international degree-granting institutions if they have completed at least one previous undergraduate or graduate degree at a Canadian institution. Up to 20% of all doctoral awards are available to be held abroad.

Scholarship Deadline

The application deadline for applications submitted directly to the agencies is October 17, 2026 (8:00 p.m. ET).

Direct-to-Agency Deadline: October 17, 2026 (8:00 p.m. ET)

Through an Institution: Contact your institution — deadlines are often significantly earlier than the agency deadline

Results Announced: April 30, 2027

Recommendation: Submit your application well before the deadline. Late applications will not be accepted.

Host Organization

The scholarship is administered jointly by Canada's three federal granting agencies:

Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) – for health research
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) – for natural sciences and engineering
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) – for social sciences and humanities

Level and Fields of Study

Level: Doctoral (PhD) program.

Fields of study: The scholarship supports research in a wide variety of disciplines across three broad fields:

Health (CIHR): Biomedical, clinical, health services, and population health research
Natural Sciences and Engineering (NSERC): Natural sciences, engineering, mathematics, computer science, physical sciences
Social Sciences and Humanities (SSHRC): Social sciences, humanities, education, law, business, arts, and related disciplines

Interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research is encouraged.

Target Group

The scholarship is open to:

Canadian citizens
Permanent residents of Canada
Protected persons under subsection 95(2) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada)
International students (up to 15% of awards available) — must be enrolled in their doctoral program at an eligible Canadian institution by the application deadline

Special initiatives: The program includes measures to support Indigenous student researchers and Black student researchers, with additional awards reserved for these groups.

Scholarship Duration & Amount

Value: $40,000 per year

Duration: 36 months (up to three years of funding)

Special Initiatives:

Black Student Researchers: Up to 10 additional CGRS D awards per agency reserved
Indigenous Student Researchers: Opportunity for self-identified Canadian Indigenous doctoral applicants to have their application considered beyond their institution's quota

📊 Summary of Scholarship:
Amount: $40,000/year
Duration: 36 months
Eligibility: Canadian citizens, permanent residents, protected persons, international students (up to 15%)
Fields: Health, Natural Sciences, Engineering, Social Sciences, Humanities

Scholarship Eligibility

Essential criteria:

Citizenship: Canadian citizen, permanent resident, protected person, or international student enrolled at an eligible Canadian institution.
Program of study: Must be enrolled in an eligible doctoral program (predominantly research-oriented, leading to a thesis, dissertation, or major research project).
Study duration: Must have completed no more than 36 months of full-time equivalent study in the doctoral program by December 31 of the application year.
Application limit: Maximum of three applications to the CGRS D program.
Previous awards: Cannot already hold a doctoral-level scholarship from CIHR, NSERC, or SSHRC (including Vanier CGS).
Institutional affiliation: Must apply through the correct channel (Canadian institution or directly to the agency).

Selection criteria (50% each):

Research potential: Quality of research proposal, demonstration of potential, originality, initiative, and ability to communicate concepts.
Relevant experience and achievements: Academic record, scholarships, awards, professional activities, extracurricular involvement, and community engagement.

✅ Eligible Candidates

Canadian citizens, permanent residents, protected persons, or international students (up to 15%).
Enrolled in an eligible doctoral program.
Completed no more than 36 months of doctoral studies.
Research in health, natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, or humanities.
Strong research potential and academic record.

❌ Ineligible Candidates

Non-Canadians not enrolled in a Canadian institution.
More than 36 months of doctoral studies completed.
Already hold a doctoral-level scholarship.
More than three applications to CGRS D.
Program not predominantly research-oriented.

Application Procedure

Determine your application channel – Check your registration status to determine if you apply through a Canadian institution or directly to the agency.
Select the appropriate granting agency – Apply to the agency best aligned with your research subject matter (CIHR, NSERC, or SSHRC).
Prepare your application – Complete the application using the appropriate agency's platform:
- CIHR: ResearchNET
- NSERC: Online system
- SSHRC: Registration and login
Prepare required documents – Gather the following:
- Research proposal (quality and feasibility are key)
- Academic transcripts
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Reference letters
- List of publications, presentations, and awards
Submit by the deadline – If applying through an institution, contact your faculty of graduate studies for their deadline. If applying directly, submit by October 17, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. ET.
Application review – Applications are evaluated based on research potential (50%) and relevant experience and achievements (50%).
Notification – Results are announced by April 30, 2027.

Important notes: You may submit your application in either of Canada's official languages (English or French). Self-identification data may be used to determine eligibility for additional awards or priority funding opportunities for Indigenous and Black student researchers. Late applications will not be accepted.

Official Website & Application Links

CGRS Doctoral Program – Official Page

CIHR Application Portal: ResearchNET

NSERC Application Portal: Online System

SSHRC Application Portal: Registration and Login

Contact: For more information, contact the agency closest to your field of study (CIHR, NSERC, or SSHRC).

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💡 Final Thoughts and Key Requirements

The Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral Program provides $40,000 per year for up to 36 months, making it one of the most significant sources of doctoral funding in Canada. With support from CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC, this merit-based scholarship recognizes the next generation of research leaders across all disciplines.

Key strategies for a successful application:

Select the correct granting agency (CIHR, NSERC, or SSHRC) for your research area.
Apply through the correct channel — Canadian institution or directly to the agency.
Ensure your research proposal is clear, focused, and feasible — it accounts for 50% of your evaluation.
Highlight your academic record, scholarships, awards, and extracurricular involvement — these make up the other 50%.
Submit your application by the deadline — if applying through an institution, their deadline is often earlier than the agency's.
Self-identify if you are an Indigenous or Black student researcher to be considered for additional awards.

Important reminders: You can apply a maximum of three times to the CGRS D. You cannot already hold a doctoral-level scholarship from the agencies. International students are eligible (up to 15% of awards) and Canadian citizens can hold the award abroad (up to 20% of awards). Results are announced by April 30, 2027.

Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral Program 2026 – FAQ

What is the value of the CGRS Doctoral Scholarship?

The scholarship provides $40,000 per year for up to 36 months of doctoral studies.

Who is eligible to apply?

Canadian citizens, permanent residents, protected persons, and international students enrolled at an eligible Canadian institution (up to 15% of awards).

What is the application deadline?

Direct-to-agency applications must be submitted by October 17, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. ET. Institutional deadlines are often earlier.

Which granting agency should I apply to?

Apply to the agency best aligned with your research subject matter: CIHR (health), NSERC (natural sciences/engineering), or SSHRC (social sciences/humanities).

What are the selection criteria?

Research potential (50%) and relevant experience and achievements (50%).

Can international students apply?

Yes, up to 15% of awards are available to international students who are enrolled in their doctoral program at an eligible Canadian institution by the application deadline.

Are there special initiatives for specific groups?

Yes. The program includes measures to support Indigenous student researchers and Black student researchers, with additional awards reserved for these groups.