Government of Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral 2026 , Canada (Fully Funded)

The Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral (CGRS D) is one of the most prestigious fully funded PhD scholarships in Canada. Jointly administered by CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC, this scholarship supports outstanding doctoral students by providing generous financial assistance to pursue high-quality research at eligible Canadian or international institutions.

Successful applicants receive:

• $40,000 per year
• Duration: up to 36 months (3 years)
• Funding can be held at:

1. Eligible Canadian universities
2. Eligible international institutions (conditions apply)

• Allows scholars to:

1. Focus fully on research
2. Work with top research supervisors
3. Build strong academic and professional networks

• Enhances career prospects in academia, industry, and policy sectors

• PhD / Doctoral Degree

Joint doctoral programs such as MD/PhD, JD/PhD, MSc/PhD, MA/PhD, MBA/PhD (with a strong research component) are also eligible.

The CGRS Doctoral Scholarship supports a wide range of disciplines, including:

• Health Sciences (CIHR)
• Natural Sciences
• Engineering
• Technology
• Mathematics
• Environmental Sciences
• Social Sciences
• Humanities
• Interdisciplinary and Multidisciplinary Research

Applicants must apply through the funding agency (CIHR, NSERC, or SSHRC) that best aligns with their research area.

• Open to all nationalities
• Canadian citizens, permanent residents, protected persons, and international students are eligible
• Up to 15% of awards are reserved for international students

Canadian applicants may hold the award outside Canada (up to 20% of total awards)

To be eligible for the CGRS D, applicants must:

• Be enrolled in or applying to a research-based doctoral program
• Have completed no more than 36 months of full-time doctoral study by December 31 of the application year
• Not have previously held:

1. A doctoral-level scholarship from CIHR, NSERC, or SSHRC
2.  Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship

• Submit only one CGRS/tri-agency scholarship application per academic year
• International applicants must be: Enrolled at an eligible Canadian institution by the application deadline
• The doctoral program must include: A thesis, dissertation, or major research project evaluated at the institutional levelA

The CGRS Doctoral application process involves several steps:

Choose the Correct Agency

• CIHR (Health-related research)
• NSERC (Natural sciences & engineering)
• SSHRC (Social sciences & humanities)

Prepare Required Documents

• Research proposal
• Academic transcripts
• Canadian Common CV
• Letters of reference

Submit Application

• Through your Canadian institution (if it has a quota), or
• Directly to the funding agency via its online system

Deadlines

• Institutional deadlines: Often earlier (check with your university)
• Agency deadline: October 17
• Results announced: By April 30

Selection Process

• Institutional review (if applicable)
• Final review by agency-specific expert committees