Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Graduate Research Scholarship - Master's program 2026/27

The Canada Graduate Research Scholarships – Master’s (CGRS M) is a scholarship in the Canada Research Training Awards Suite (CRTAS) 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). The CRTAS includes the following programs: the CGRS M, the Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral (CGRS D) and the Canada Postdoctoral Research Award (CPRA). The CRTAS recognizes and empowers the next generation of highly qualified innovators, knowledge workers and creative thinkers. It supports outstanding graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in developing their research skills and provides the funding and flexibility needed to support their contributions to building world-class research capacity and to Canada’s prosperity and competitiveness.

The CGRS M program supports up to 3,298 students annually in all disciplines and is administered jointly by Canada’s three granting agencies. The selection process and post-award administration are carried out at the institutional level under the guidance of the three agencies. Students submit their application to the institution(s) at which they intend to hold their award using the Research Portal .

Table of Content

• Summary
• Benefits
• Requirements
• Application Documents
• Application Deadline
• How To Apply

Summary

• Application DeadlineDecember 1, 2026
• Value$27,000 for 12 months
• Study LevelMasters
• SponsorNatural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
• Course to studyResearch
• Eligible CountryCanada

Benefits

$27,000 for 12 months

Requirements

Applications must be complete and meet all the eligibility criteria to be considered.

To be eligible to apply, you must:

• be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada or a Protected Person under subsection 95(2) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada) as of the application deadline date
• be registered in, have applied for or will apply for admission to an eligible graduate program at the master’s or doctoral level that can be started within the eligible dates of the competition year at a Canadian institution with a CGRS M allocation
• respect the internal deadline to apply for admission for your intended program of study—contact the faculty of graduate studies (or its equivalent) at the selected Canadian institution(s) for more detailed information
• have completed, as of December 31 of the year of application
  • either between 0 and 12 months of full-time study (or equivalent), including summer months, in the program for which you are requesting funding, which may be one of the following:
    • a master’s program
    • a doctoral program that you are entering directly from a bachelor’s program without having ever been registered in any graduate programs (direct-entry)
    • a combined master’s-doctoral program
    • a master’s program that will transition to an eligible doctoral program, either before or after award activation, with no master’s degree conferred (fast-track)
    • a master’s program for which the degree requirements will be completed before the end of the award, allowing the award to continue into an eligible doctoral program

  • or between 4 and 12 months of full-time study (or equivalent), including summer months, in an eligible master’s program for which the degree requirements will be completed before activation of the award at that same institution, allowing it to be activated during the first 12 months of the subsequent doctoral program for which you are requesting funding

    Note:

  • The agencies count all studies toward the program for which funding is requested, whether or not they were completed at the same institution.
  • Part-time studies are calculated proportionally according to the percentage of the full?time course load. For example, two terms of part-time study where the course load is 50% of a full course load count as one term of full-time study.
• not have held or be currently holding a Master’s-level scholarship from CIHR, NSERC or SSHRC
• not have held or be currently holding an Indigenous Scholars Award and/or Supplement
• not have held or be currently holding designated funding for Indigenous researchers at the Master’s level at CIHR
• have achieved a first-class average as determined by the host institution(s), in each of the last two completed years of study (full-time equivalent)
  • Note: Institutions may, at their discretion, accept CGRS M applications from individuals who have not obtained a first-class average; contact your proposed host institution(s) to determine their use of this eligibility criterion
• apply to only one CRTAS program per academic year through CIHR, NSERC or SSHRC. If you apply to more than one program, only the first eligible application submitted to the agencies will be retained

Application Documents

Academic Excellence – 50%

As demonstrated by past academic results, transcripts, awards and distinctions.

Indicators of academic excellence:

• Academic record

• Scholarships and awards held

• Duration of previous studies

• Type of programme and courses pursued

• Relative standing, if available

Research Potential – 30%

As demonstrated by your research history, your interest in discovery, the proposed research, its potential contribution to the advancement of knowledge in the field and any anticipated outcomes.

Indicators of research potential:

• Quality and originality of contributions to research and development

• Relevance of work experience and academic training to the field of proposed research

• Significance, feasibility and merit of proposed research

• Sound judgment and ability to think critically

• Ability to apply skills and knowledge

• Initiative and autonomy

• Research experience and achievements relative to expectations of someone with your academic experience

Personal Characteristics and Interpersonal Skills – 20%

As demonstrated by your past professional and relevant extracurricular interactions and collaborations.

Indicators of personal characteristics and interpersonal skills:

• Work experience

• Leadership experience

• Project management, including organising conferences and meetings

• Ability or potential to communicate theoretical, technical or scientific concepts clearly and logically in written and oral formats

• Involvement in academic life

• Volunteerism and community outreach

Check also:
Free Ongoing Fully Funded Scholarships Guide 2026 (Download Now)

Application Deadline

How To Apply

To apply to the CGRS M program, you must complete and submit an application to up to three institutions using the Research Portal.

For more information on how to apply, consult the Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Master’s program: Instructions for completing an application web page.