The Canada Graduate Research Scholarship Master’s (CGRS M) 2027 is a $27,000 annual grant offered jointly by Canada’s three federal granting agencies — CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC — to support up to 3,298 master’s-level students annually across all academic disciplines. Open to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and Protected Persons, the scholarship runs for 24 months and supports research training at eligible Canadian institutions. No IELTS is required. The application deadline is 1 December 2026, before 8:00 PM ET.
Program Highlights
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opportunity Type | Master’s Research Grant |
| Organising Body | Government of Canada — CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC |
| Mode | On-Campus (Offline) |
| Duration | 24 Months |
| Location | Eligible Canadian Institutions with a CGRS M Allocation |
| Last Date to Apply | 1 December 2026, before 8:00 PM ET |
About the Program
The Government of Canada administers the Canada Graduate Research Scholarship Master’s program as part of the Canada Research Training Awards Suite (CRTAS), a joint initiative of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council. Together, these three agencies fund up to 3,298 master’s-level awards annually, reflecting a coordinated national strategy to cultivate the next generation of Canadian researchers across health sciences, natural sciences, engineering, and the social sciences and humanities.
Furthermore, the CRTAS aims explicitly to build research capacity and creativity among emerging scholars, positioning the CGRS M as a foundational stepping stone toward Canada’s broader research ecosystem and economic innovation goals. Consequently, the scholarship serves not merely as financial support but as formal recognition of strong academic potential, with institutions independently conducting merit-based review of all eligible applications received within their allocation.
Eligibility Criteria
Academic Qualification
- Applicants must be enrolled in, have applied for, or intend to apply for full-time admission to an eligible master’s or doctoral graduate program at a Canadian institution holding a CGRS M allocation.
- As of 31 December of the application year, applicants must have completed between 0 and 12 months of full-time study in the programme for which funding is requested, including master’s, direct-entry doctoral, combined master’s-doctoral, or fast-track programmes.
- Alternatively, applicants may have completed between 4 and 12 months of full-time study in an eligible master’s programme transitioning into a doctoral programme at the same institution.
- Applicants must achieve a first-class average, as determined by the host institution, in each of the last two completed years of full-time equivalent study; institutions may at their discretion waive this requirement.
Experience & Other Conditions
- Applicants 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 as of the application deadline.
- Applicants must not have held or currently hold a master’s-level scholarship from CIHR, NSERC, or SSHRC.
- Applicants must not have held or currently hold an Indigenous Scholars Award and Supplement.
- Applicants may submit a maximum of one postgraduate or postdoctoral application per academic year to CIHR, NSERC, or SSHRC; if multiple applications are submitted, only the chronologically first eligible application is retained.
- Applicants must respect the internal admission deadline of their intended Canadian institution; the relevant faculty of graduate studies should be contacted directly for institution-specific details.
Stipend, Salary & Benefits
The Canada Graduate Research Scholarship Master’s provides sustained financial support over the full duration of the award.
| Component | Detail |
|---|---|
| Annual Grant | $27,000 CAD per year |
| Award Duration | 24 months |
| Number of Awards Available | Up to 3,298 annually across all disciplines |
| English Proficiency Test | IELTS not required |
Selection Process
- Application submitted to up to three eligible Canadian institutions via the Research Portal
- Merit review conducted independently by each institution holding a CGRS M allocation
- Evaluation based on three criteria: academic excellence, research potential, and personal characteristics and interpersonal skills
- Institutions confirm award recipients based on internal ranking within their allocation
- Final award notification issued through the Research Portal
How to Apply
- Visit the official Canada Graduate Research Scholarship Master’s webpage and review the program instructions in full.
- Confirm your eligibility against all stated criteria, including citizenship/residency status, academic standing, and programme enrolment timeline.
- Contact the faculty of graduate studies (or equivalent) at your selected Canadian institution(s) to confirm internal admission deadlines for your intended programme of study.
- Complete and submit your application to up to three eligible institutions using the official Research Portal.
- Consult the official “Instructions for Completing an Application” webpage for detailed guidance on completing the CGRS M application correctly.
- Submit the completed application through the Research Portal before the deadline of 1 December 2026, 8:00 PM ET.
Important Dates & Links
Key Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Deadline | 1 December 2026, before 8:00 PM ET |
| Award Duration | 24 Months |
Official Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| Official Website | Click Here |
Contact
For programme-specific enquiries, applicants should contact the faculty of graduate studies (or its equivalent) at their selected Canadian institution. For general programme information, applicants may consult the official CIHR, NSERC, or SSHRC websites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the Canada Graduate Research Scholarship Master’s?
Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and Protected Persons enrolled in or admitted to an eligible master’s or doctoral programme at a Canadian institution with a CGRS M allocation, who maintain a first-class academic average, are eligible.
What is the value of the Canada Graduate Research Scholarship Master’s?
The scholarship provides an annual grant of $27,000 CAD for a duration of 24 months, supporting up to 3,298 students annually across all academic disciplines.
Can international students apply for the Canada Graduate Research Scholarship Master’s?
No. The scholarship is restricted to Canadian citizens, permanent residents of Canada, and Protected Persons under subsection 95(2) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act; international students residing outside this category are not eligible.
How many institutions can I apply to for the Canada Graduate Research Scholarship Master’s?
Applicants may complete and submit an application to up to three eligible Canadian institutions through the official Research Portal within the same academic year.
When is the deadline for the Canada Graduate Research Scholarship Master’s?
The application deadline is 1 December 2026, before 8:00 PM ET. Applicants should confirm their selected institution’s internal admission deadline well in advance, as this may fall earlier than the national CGRS M deadline.