Learn how to develop your doctoral scholarship (CGRS D) application from the pros!

Join CGPS' Awards & Scholarships team for all the tips and tricks on developing a great Tri-Agency scholarship application. Tuesday, Sept 9th 1:30-3:00 PM (Agri 2C61) Registration Now Open

Launch of the Harmonized Tri-Agency Scholarship and Fellowship programs

As announced in Budget 2024, the scholarship and fellowship programs administered by the three federal research funding agencies – the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) – have been streamlined into a new harmonized talent program called the Canada Research Training Awards Suite (CRTAS). 

The annual value of Tri-Agency scholarships has increased to $27,000 at the master's level and $40,000 at the doctoral level. The Canada Postdoctoral Research Award (CPRA) is valued at $70,000 per year for two years. All master's recipients receive an additional $6,000 from CGPS and all doctoral recipients receive an additional $7,500/year top-up from CGPS. 

Canada Graduate Research Scholarship - Doctoral

The doctoral funding program has been renamed the Canada Graduate Research Scholarship - Doctoral (CGRS D). The CGRS D is a federal program for scholarships awarded by the CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC granting agencies providing research funding for high-calibre doctoral students in all academic disciplines. 

Notable changes to the CGRS D include: 

  • International students are now eligible to apply.
    • International students must be enrolled in a doctoral program of study at an eligible Canadian institution at the time of application. 
    • Up to 15% of all doctoral awards will be awarded to international students. 
  • Students beyond their 2nd year in program are now eligible to apply.
    • Students must have completed no more than 36 months of full-time equivalent study in the doctoral program that is requesting funding by December 31 of the calendar year of your application. 

For USask's internal Tri-Agency deadlines, visit Graduate Student Funding. 

Canada Graduate Research Scholarship - Master's

The master's funding program has been renamed the Canada Graduate Research Scholarship - Master's (CGRS M). The CGRS M is a federal program of scholarships awarded by the CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC granting agencies providing research funding for high-calibre doctoral students in all academic disciplines. 

The Indigenous Scholars Awards and Supplements Pilot Initiative runs along the CGRS M. Qualifying Indigenous applicants will receive a $27,000 award as well as a $5,000 supplement as part of the current Canada Graduate Research Scholarship - Master's program. 

The agencies' deadline to apply is December 1, 2025. 

About

"Tri-Agency" is the umbrella term used to describe the three Canadian government scholarship funding agencies:

  • Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
  • Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)
  • Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)

Both master’s and doctoral students can apply for the appropriate Tri-Agency scholarship before and during their graduate program.  

Did you know?

The Canada Graduate Scholarships – Doctoral (CGRS D) program is now open to international students for the first time. This prestigious federal funding opportunity supports high-caliber domestic and international doctoral students engaged in research in the social sciences, humanities, natural sciences, and engineering. Applicants whose submissions proceed to the national adjudication stage but are not selected for the CGRS D are automatically considered for the CGPS Dean’s Scholarship.

Get started

Each competition has unique eligibility criteria; potential applicants should refer to each scholarship program website for comprehensive eligibility information. 

I want to apply for:

Scholarship How do I apply
Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral
I am currently registered in a graduate program at a university, or I was registered in a graduate program within the past 12 months Applicants must apply to the university* where they are currently registered or were recently registered within the past 12 months
I was registered in a graduate program more than 12 months ago. Applicants must apply directly to the appropriate Tri-Agency.
Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Master’s
I am currently registered in a graduate program at a university, or I was registered in a graduate program within the past 12 months Applicants must apply to the university* where they are currently registered.
I am currently registered in an undergraduate program or have not yet started a graduate program. Applicants may apply to up to three separate universities*.

Departments may have internal deadlines and/or preliminary review procedures in place. Contact your department's Graduate Chair to find out.

cholarship recipients get a top-up!

This funding is made possible by the Government of Saskatchewan’s Innovation & Opportunity Scholarship program.

For Master's Students

The Honourary SIOS Master's Scholarship is available to graduate students holding CGRS M funding. Students will automatically be topped up by $6,000 in the first month that their CGRS M funding starts.

For PhD Students

The Honourary SIOS Doctoral Scholarship is available to graduate students holding CGRS D funding. Funding recipients will automatically be topped up each year they hold Tri-Agency funding by $7,500. 

Questions?

For a list of frequently asked questions about the Canada Graduate Research Scholarship - Doctoral (CGRS D) program, visit Knowledge Base (SSO log-in required). 

For all other questions and concerns, contact Graduate Awards Services.