Tri-Agency Update

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). Beginning this fall (2025), up to 15% of all doctoral awards may be awarded to international students.

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. 

The current Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (results released mid-April 2025) and the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships (results released mid-February 2025) will not be continued and are in their final cycle. 

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.  Starting Fall 2025, doctoral international students are now eligible to apply.

Master's Students (CGS-M)

Provides financial support to high-calibre scholars engaged in eligible Master’s programs in Canada. $27,000/year

Indigenous Scholars Awards and Supplements Pilot Initiative

Qualifying Indigenous applicants will receive a $27,000 award as well as a $5,000 supplement as part of the current Canada Graduate Scholarships—Master’s program offered by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC).

Learn more and apply here:

Doctoral Students (CGS-D)

Supports high-calibre students engaged in doctoral programs in all academic disciplines, allowing scholars to fully concentrate on their studies. Starting Fall 2025, doctoral international students are now eligible to apply. $40,000/year

Learn more and apply here:

Students who apply for a Tri-Agency doctoral scholarship and are not selected to compete at the national level are automatically considered for a Dean's Doctoral Scholarship offered by the College of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies. Both domestic and international students are considered.

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 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 to the appropriate Tri-Agency directly.
Canada Graduate 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 to 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 confirm.

cholarship recipients get a top-up!

For Master's Students

The Honourary CGPS 75th Anniversary Scholarship is available to graduate students holding CGS-M funding. Students will automatically be topped up by $6,000 (made in two installments) in the first year of their holding a CGS-M. 

For PhD Students

The Honourary SIOS Doctoral Scholarship is available to graduate students holding CGS-D and/or PGS-D funding. Students will automatically be topped up each year they hold Tri-Agency funding by $7,500. This funding is made possible by the Government of Saskatchewan’s Innovation & Opportunity Scholarship program.

FAQs

I’m not sure which Tri-Agency my research falls under.
If it seems like your research could fall under more than one Tri-Agency mandate, visit the Selecting the Appropriate Federal Granting Agency website. If you’re still not sure, speak to your supervisor or Graduate Chair. 

I supplied my transcripts from previous universities as part of my degree program application package. Can those be used or do I have to order new ones?
We should be able to use the ones from your degree application. If you send us an email with your name and BID or NSID, we will see what transcripts we can access and use. When you send the email, please put “Requesting transcripts for scholarship competition”.

My reference isn’t able to log in using the link he was provided. What do I do?
Go into your application, delete the reference’s information, then re-enter it. This will trigger a new e-mail to your reference, which should allow them to access the reference section. If they still have trouble, they will need to contact ResearchNet for assistance.

I’m getting an error message when I try to upload my attachments.
Make sure your attachments follow the attachment standards required by Vanier. Even a small deviation in page size or file size can render your attachments invalid.

I still have questions!

Contact the Scholarships and Awards Services Team at gradstudies.awards@usask.ca.