Canada Graduate Scholarships – Doctoral Program

Deadline:

September 12, 2023 at 12:00 noon PT


Eligibility of Citizenship: Canadian and Permanent Residence
Degree Level: Doctoral
Award Status: Open
Applicant Status: Incoming Students and Continuing Students

Description

Quick Facts

The objective of the Canada Graduate Scholarships-Doctoral (CGS-D) Program is to promote continued excellence in Canadian research by rewarding and retaining high-calibre doctoral students at Canadian institutions. By providing support for a high-quality research training experience to awardees, the CGS-D program strives to foster impacts within and beyond the research environment.

Note: In addition to the CGS-D, each agency has its own doctoral awards. Refer to the appropriate literature for CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC for further details.  Meritorious CGS-D applicants may also be eligible for agency-specific doctoral awards. Applicants complete and submit one application to be considered for both a CGS-D scholarship and an agency doctoral award (exception: CIHR DFSA). CGS-D scholarships are offered to top-ranked eligible applicants.  Some eligibility requirements for CGS-D differ from those of the agency-specific doctoral awards.

Annual Value: $35,000
Duration: up to 3 years

Eligibility

To be eligible to hold this award an applicant must:

  • be enrolled in a program of study (by the time the award is administered) that includes a significant research component that leads to the completion of a thesis, major research project, dissertation, scholarly publication, performance, recital and/or exhibit that is merit/expert-reviewed at the institutional level and is a requirement for completion of the program
  • be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada, as of the application deadline date
  • have completed no more than 24 months of full-time study in their doctoral program by December 31 of the calendar year of application if previously enrolled in a master’s program
  • have completed no more than 36 months of full-time study in their doctoral program by December 31 of the calendar year of application if enrolled in a joint program; for example, MD/PhD, MA/PhD
    • applicants who fall into this category have access to the 36-month window whether or not they were previously enrolled in a master’s program
  • have completed no more than 36 months of full-time study in their doctoral program by December 31 of the calendar year of application if enrolled directly from a bachelor’s to a PhD program (with no time spent in a master’s program)
    • direct-entry applicants must be enrolled in their doctoral program at the time of application
  • submit only one doctoral award application in a given academic year. Nominations to the Vanier CGS program do not count towards this limit
  • not have already received a doctoral-level scholarship or fellowship from CIHR, NSERC or SSHRC

Number of months

Eligibility for CGS-D is based on the number of months of full-time study in the degree for which you are requesting funding by December 31 of the calendar year of application. Two terms of part-time study count as one term of full-time study.

Note: In general, the agencies count all studies toward the doctoral degree for which funding is requested, whether or not they were completed at the degree-granting institution.

Fast-track and joint programs

For those registered in a master’s program and subsequently transferred to a doctoral program (fast-track), the months of study completed are calculated starting from the date on which an applicant transfers into the doctoral program.

For those registered in a doctoral program, if a master’s degree is obtained as part of the program (for example, MA/PhD), the months of study are still calculated starting from the date on which an applicant is officially registered in the joint program (including the master’s portion of the program).

Selecting the appropriate funding agency

Potential applicants should be sure that they are submitting their application to the most appropriate of the three federal funding agencies (CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC). If applicants are unsure whether they should submit their application to CIHR, NSERC, or SSHRC, they should consult their Research Supervisor and/or Graduate Advisor. In cases where clarification is still needed, applicants should send a half-page summary of their intended research proposal to the appropriate agency for an assessment, rather than guess or assume incorrectly.

Important Note: Some eligibility requirements for CGS-D differ from those of the agency-specific doctoral awards. Refer to the appropriate literature for CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC for further details.

Complete eligibility criteria are available on the CGS-D program page.

Evaluation Criteria

  • Research ability and potential: 50%
  • Relevant experience and achievements obtained within and beyond academia: 50%

Complete details (including description and indicators) are available on the CGS-D program page.

Application Procedures

Students registered in a UBC degree program (or on an approved leave of absence from UBC) between January 1st and December 31st of the competition year must complete their application by the application deadline indicated above.

  1. Confirm eligibility
  2. Confirm subject matter: Select the appropriate funding agency. Applicants should complete the agency application that is best aligned with their research subject matter
    • Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
    • Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)
    • Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)
  3. Determine where to submit an application (through a Canadian institution such as UBC or directly to the appropriate agency). See the CGS-D program page for guidance. If applying via UBC, complete the application by the UBC application deadline indicated above
  4. Read the instructions and apply online

General guidance on preparing transcripts for submission (see individual agencies application instructions below for further details)

  • UBC transcripts: Applicants can request the “Academic History” document from the College of Graduate Studies instead of ordering an official UBC transcript.  The “Academic History” must include the 2023W1 (Fall 2023) registration and must be ordered after September 1st.
  • Other transcripts:
    • Must be official and up to date (include degree conferral, if applicable) as of August 31, 2023
    • Required even from institutions in cases of transfer credit or exchange terms
    • The College of Graduate Studies may already have some of the transcripts on file in eVision.  The “COGS Official” stamped transcripts from eVision are acceptable
    • Applicants may still need to order some of their transcripts to complete their transcript package.  Given current uncertainties related to COVID-19 and the difficulty of obtaining/processing paper transcripts, it is recommended that applicants order official transcripts that can be sent electronically from their previous institutions to themselves or UBC, rather than by mail, where possible
    • Foreign transcripts: if the transcripts are not presented in one of Canada’s two official languages (English or French), a certified translation must be provided, in addition to the official transcripts in its original language
    • The transcript key/legend for each institution must be included
    • Regarding COVID-19 and potential transcript delays: Students should contact the College of Graduate Studies first if they have any concerns about obtaining official transcripts in time for the application deadline

CIHR: ResearchNet | application instructions

  • Online submission of transcripts: Applicants are required to upload their up-to-date official transcripts of their complete academic record as 1 single PDF file under “Transcripts” in the “Attach Other Application Materials” task. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that they submit their complete, official, up to date transcript package in their online application, even if some of the transcripts were obtained from the College of Graduate Studies. For more details about the transcript requirement, see this CIHR link.
    • The College of Graduate Studies may have extra copies of official transcripts on file from previous applications which may be utilized for the CGS-D application. If official transcripts are on file, the College of Graduate Studies is able to supply applicants with certified true copies of official transcripts if requested. Please ensure this request is made early as some universities do not allow redistribution of their transcripts to the student, in which case applicants will be required to order an official copy from the issuing institution. Questions regarding transcripts should be directed to graduateawards.ok@ubc.ca
  • The required “Doctoral Studies Timelines” form is located here. This form must be included with your transcript package
  • Online submission of sponsor’s assessment: Applicants invite their referees via ResearchNet. Applicants must enter the sponsors’ names within their application, update the Assessment Required Deadline Date* and press on “Click and Send Sponsor Request”. (*Applicants can manage the deadline by which sponsors must submit their assessments. By default, the Sponsor Required Deadline in ResearchNet is set for two days before the application deadline.) Assessment forms are to be submitted by referees via ResearchNet. These assessments should come from people under whom the applicant has trained and/or who have had a good opportunity to assess their potential for research
  • Signatures are not required before UBC’s application deadline (TBA):
    • Not required: Signatures (include supervisor’s signature**, signature of institution paid, and signature of research institution) are not required for the Signature Page (or Routing Slip)
      • Applicants may upload an unsigned copy of the Signature Page (or Routing Slip) to complete the “Print/Upload Signature Page” task on ResearchNet
      • The signature page/routing slip document should be 3 pages.  If your document is 2 pages, it is because you have not added your primary supervisor in the “Identify Participants” task in the online application.  Note: The supervisor’s CIHR PIN is required to complete the “primary supervisor” participant details
    • Not required: Supervisor’s signature** is not required for the Confirmation of Scientific Area Form
      • Applicants may upload a blank copy of the Confirmation of Scientific Area Form to complete the “other” document type of the “Attach Other Application Materials” task on ResearchNet
    • **If an applicant already obtained signature from their supervisor, the signed form will be accepted
    • Not required: Research Project Information Form (RPIF)
      • Applicants do not need to complete and submit the RPIF to the Office of Research Services before the application deadline
      • Applicants do not need to contact the Office of Research Services for signatures before the application deadline
    • In November, the highest-ranked applicants (i.e., UBC’s nominees) will be contacted to submit the signed forms required to complete their CIHR CGS-D application
  • Indigenous applicants: Applicants who would like to self-identify as Indigenous to be considered beyond their institutions quota (i.e., the institution’s cap on total nominees that can be selected) must complete the Frederick Banting and Charles Best Canada Graduate Scholarship Doctoral Awards (CGS-D): Voluntary Self-Identification Form for Indigenous Applicants. Once completed, the form must then be uploaded as a single PDF document under “Other” in the “Attach Other Application Materials” task

NSERC: Online application system | application instructions

  • NOTE: If you are applying through your institution, the College of Graduate Studies is no longer responsible for uploading your transcripts. It is your responsibility to scan and upload all transcripts required for your application, according to the instructions below.
  • Applicants are required to upload their up-to-date official transcripts of their complete academic record as 1 single PDF. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that they submit their complete, official, up to date transcript package in their online application, even if some of the transcripts were obtained from the College of Graduate Studies. For more details about the transcript requirement, see this NSERC link.
    • The College of Graduate Studies may have extra copies of official transcripts on file from previous applications which may be utilized for the CGS-D application. If official transcripts are on file, the College of Graduate Studies is able to supply applicants with certified true copies of official transcripts if requested. Please ensure this request is made early as some universities do not allow redistribution of their transcripts to the student, in which case applicants will be required to order an official copy from the issuing institution. Questions regarding transcripts should be directed to graduateawards.ok@ubc.ca.
  • Online submission of reports on the applicant: Applicants invite their referees via the NSERC online application. Reports are to be submitted by referees using the online system. Applicants are responsible for inviting two referees: one referee should be very familiar with their research and abilities (i.e., current or previous research supervisor) and the other should be sufficiently familiar with their research and abilities to provide a meaningful commentary. Applicants will not be able to verify their application until each referee form has been successfully verified and completed. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure their referees complete and submit their assessments in advance of the application deadline
  • Note: ‘Form 201’ (the NSERC PGS-D application form) only lists the NSERC PGS-D in its materials; however, ‘Form 201’ is also for applying to the CGS-D. The highest-ranked PGS-D applicants will automatically be considered by NSERC for a CGS-D

SSHRC: Online application system | application instructions

  • Online submission of transcripts: Applicants are required to upload their up-to-date official transcripts of their complete academic record as 1 single PDF file. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that they submit their complete, official, up to date transcript package in their online application, even if some of the transcripts were obtained from the College of Graduate Studies.  The transcript requirements are outlined in the application instructions
    • The College of Graduate Studies may have extra copies of official transcripts on file from previous applications which may be utilized for the CGS-D application. If official transcripts are on file, the College of Graduate Studies is able to supply applicants with certified true copies of official transcripts if requested. Please ensure this request is made early as some universities do not allow redistribution of their transcripts to the student, in which case applicants will be required to order an official copy from the issuing institution. Questions regarding transcripts should be directed to graduateawards.ok@ubc.ca
  • Online submission of letters of appraisal: Applicants invite their referees via the SSHRC online application. Letters of appraisal are to be submitted by referees using the online system. Applicants are responsible for inviting two referees: one referee should be very familiar with their research and abilities (i.e., current or previous research supervisor) and the other should be sufficiently familiar with their research and abilities to provide a meaningful commentary. Applicants will not be able to verify their application until each referee form has been successfully verified and completed. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure their referees complete and submit their assessments in advance of the application deadline

Complete application procedures are available on the CGS-D program page.

Killam Doctoral Scholarships application: CGS-D applicants applying through UBC Okanagan do not need to submit a separate Affiliated Fellowships-Doctoral (Killam) application. For students who would like to be considered for the Killam Doctoral Scholarships but have not submitted a CGS-D application, they must submit the Affiliated Fellowships-Doctoral (Killam) application to the College of Graduate Studies by the application deadline.

Nomination Procedures for Graduate Programs

  • The College of Graduate Studies will provide electronic copies of applications/transcripts submitted by their current and prospective students to UBCO graduate programs shortly after the applicant deadline. Graduate programs review their applications for eligibility and completeness, rank their applications, and select their nominees.

Adjudication Procedures

  • The College of Graduate Studies Scholarship and Awards Committee will convene an adjudication committee composed of UBC faculty members to review nominations submitted by graduate programs and select UBC’s nominees to the national competition.
  • Canadian universities each have a limit to the number of nominations they may submit to the CGS-D competition.
  • Results of the national competition are released to applicants in Spring 2024.

Additional Resources

Questions about this award? Email graduateawards.ok@ubc.ca