The Canada Graduate Research Scholarship 2027 provides CAD $27,000 for 12 months to support eligible graduate students undertaking research-focused master’s studies at participating Canadian institutions. The scholarship is administered jointly 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 Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Master’s (CGRS M) is designed to help develop research skills and support highly qualified researchers who demonstrate strong academic performance, research potential, and the ability to contribute to Canada’s research ecosystem.
Applications are submitted through the Government of Canada’s Research Portal, with the application platform scheduled to open in early September. The application deadline is December 1 before 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
The CGRS M forms part of the Canada Research Training Awards Suite (CRTAS), which supports the development of Canada’s next generation of researchers and innovators.
The program supports up to 3,298 students annually across all disciplines. Awards are administered at the institutional level under the guidance of Canada’s three federal granting agencies: CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC.
Applicants may apply to up to three eligible Canadian institutions where they intend to hold the award. The proposed graduate program must be predominantly research-oriented and include a substantial research component such as a thesis, major research project, dissertation, scholarly publication, performance, recital or exhibit that is subject to institutional merit or expert review.
Coursework-only master’s programs are generally not eligible because they do not contain the required significant research component.
The scholarship can support research across a wide range of fields, including health, natural sciences and engineering, and social sciences and humanities. Interdisciplinary research is also supported where appropriate.
Funding and Benefits
Successful Canada Graduate Research Scholarship recipients receive:
- CAD $27,000 for 12 months
- Funding that is non-renewable
- Support for research training at an eligible Canadian institution
- The opportunity to develop advanced research skills and experience
- Recognition through a competitive federal research scholarship program
The award is intended to be held at the eligible Canadian institution where the offer originates, although changes may be possible in certain circumstances with the required approvals.
The CGRS M is a research scholarship rather than a general tuition-free study program. Applicants should therefore review their proposed institution’s graduate funding arrangements separately to understand how the scholarship may interact with tuition, other awards and institutional support.
Tasks and Research Opportunities
The scholarship supports students who are developing research expertise and preparing to contribute to Canada’s research community.
Successful applicants are expected to demonstrate research potential through their academic and research history and through the proposed research project. The application assesses factors such as:
- Quality and originality of previous research contributions
- Relevance of academic preparation and experience to the proposed research
- Significance and feasibility of the proposed research
- Critical thinking and sound judgment
- Ability to apply research skills and knowledge
- Initiative and autonomy
- Research experience and achievements relative to academic experience
- Potential contribution to knowledge in the chosen field
The program therefore provides an opportunity for graduate researchers to strengthen their academic profile while undertaking structured research at an eligible Canadian institution.
Qualifications
Education and Academic Requirements
Applicants must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents of Canada, or Protected Persons under subsection 95(2) of Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act as of the application deadline.
Applicants must also be enrolled in, have applied for, or plan to apply for full-time admission to an eligible graduate program at a Canadian institution with a CGRS M allocation.
The eligible program may include:
- A master’s program
- A direct-entry doctoral program entered immediately after a bachelor’s degree
- A combined master’s-doctoral program
- An eligible fast-track master’s-to-doctoral program
- Certain master’s programs that transition into an eligible doctoral program
As of December 31 of the application year, applicants generally must have completed between 0 and 12 months of full-time study or equivalent in the program for which funding is requested. Specific eligibility provisions also apply to applicants transitioning from a master’s program into an eligible doctoral program.
Applicants must normally have achieved a first-class average, as determined by their proposed host institution, during each of the last two completed years of study. Institutions may have discretion to accept applications from candidates who do not meet this criterion, so applicants should confirm the policy of their intended institution.
Experience and Research Potential
Applicants should demonstrate strong academic achievement and research potential. Selection considers academic records, scholarships and awards, previous research, research experience, proposed research quality, leadership, communication skills, volunteerism, community outreach and other relevant activities.
Applicants cannot have held or currently hold a master’s-level scholarship from CIHR, NSERC or SSHRC, subject to the program’s specific rules.
They may submit a maximum of one postgraduate or postdoctoral application per academic year to one of the three agencies.
Additional Information
The CGRS M selection process is conducted by the faculty of graduate studies or equivalent at participating institutions. Applications are evaluated using three principal criteria:
- Academic excellence – 50%
- Research potential – 30%
- Personal characteristics and interpersonal skills – 20%
Applications may be submitted in either English or French. Supporting documents prepared in another language must include a certified translation.
The Research Portal is expected to open in early September, within five business days of the launch of the competition. Applicants should also prepare a Canadian Common CV and review the application instructions before beginning their submission.
Results are scheduled to become available in the Research Portal from April 1, with alternate offers potentially continuing until January 31 of the following calendar year.
Applicants should contact the faculty of graduate studies at their intended institution first for questions about institutional admission requirements, allocations and the application process.
How to Apply
Applicants should identify eligible Canadian institutions offering graduate programs relevant to their proposed research and confirm that the institution has a CGRS M allocation in the appropriate research field.
They should then prepare their application through the Research Portal, complete the required Canadian Common CV and follow the official application instructions.
Applications must be submitted by December 1 before 8:00 p.m. ET. Applicants are encouraged to submit early because heavy traffic on the Research Portal near the deadline may cause delays.
The Canada Graduate Research Scholarship 2027 is particularly relevant for high-achieving researchers seeking financial support for a research-focused graduate program in Canada. Because eligibility is tied to Canadian citizenship, permanent-resident or Protected Person status, prospective applicants should carefully confirm their eligibility before preparing an application.
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