Canada Graduate Research Scholarship 2026 | Fully Funded Scholarship in Canada

The Canada Graduate Scholarship is one of Canada’s top doctoral awards, which offers $40,000 annually for three years to exceptional PhD students. It is designed to attract and retain world-class doctoral candidates.

The CGRS program supports individuals who demonstrate outstanding academic performance, proven leadership skills, and high research potential. It is open to both Canadian and international students, this scholarship provides funding to pursue doctoral studies at Canada’s leading research institutions.

With the 2026 application cycle now open, it is an ideal opportunity for future scholars to begin preparing a strong, competitive application.

Scholarship Summary

• Host Country: Canada
• Scholarship Category: PhD Scholarship
• Eligible Country: All Countries
• Scholarship Benefits: $40,000 per year for three years (totaling $120,000)
• Application Deadline: October 17, 2025

Scholarship Benefits

The Canada Graduate Scholarship offers:

• $40,000 per year for three years (totaling $120,000)
• Funding is for doctoral studies at Canadian universities
• Open to both Canadian and international PhD students
• Covers living expenses, tuition fees, and research costs
• Aims to attract and retain world-class doctoral students and establish Canada as a global center of excellence in research and higher learning

Eligibility Requirements for Canada Graduate Research Scholarship 2026

To be eligible for the CGS, you must:

• Be nominated by a Canadian institution with a Vanier quota
• Be pursuing your first doctoral degree (including joint programs like MD/PhD, JD/PhD, etc., as long as they have a significant research component)
• Have completed no more than 20 months of full-time doctoral studies as of May 1, 2026
• Have achieved a first-class average in each of the last two years of full-time study or equivalent
• Not currently hold or have held a doctoral-level scholarship or fellowship from CIHR, NSERC, or SSHRC

Documents Required for Canada Graduate Research Scholarship 2026

To apply for the Scholarship, you will need:

• A research proposal
• A Canadian Common CV (CCV)
• Academic transcripts
• Two leadership reference letters
• Two academic reference letters
• A personal leadership statement
• A project-specific research contributions document
• A nomination letter from the institution

Each document must follow strict formatting and submission guidelines outlined by the scholarship.

Scholarship Deadline

• Deadline to apply to nominating institutions: Usually early September 2025
• Final nomination deadline to Vanier CGS: October 17, 2025

How to Apply for Canada Graduate Research Scholarship

Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility
You need to verify that you meet all the eligibility requirements, including citizenship, academic standing, research experience, and leadership potential. You must also be nominated by a Canadian university with a Vanier quota.

Step 2: Identify a Canadian Institution
Choose a Canadian university that has a Vanier quota and offers a doctoral program in your research area. Contact a potential supervisor or department to express your interest.

Step 3: Prepare Your Application Documents
Start working on the required documents early. These typically include:

• Research proposal
• Personal leadership statement
• Two leadership reference letters
• Two academic reference letters
• Research contributions
• Academic transcripts
• Canadian Common CV (CCV)

Step 4: Create a ResearchNet Account
Register on ResearchNet, the platform used for Vanier CGS applications. This is where you will upload and organize your application materials.

Step 5: Link Your CCV to ResearchNet
Complete the Vanier-specific version of the Canadian Common CV and link it to your ResearchNet account. Ensure accuracy and consistency across all documents.

Step 6: Submit Application to Institution
Submit your complete application package to the institution you are applying to. Each university has its own internal deadline, typically between August and early September.

Step 7: Institutional Nomination
If your application is selected by the institution, they will officially nominate you and forward your application to the Vanier-Banting Secretariat by October 17, 2025.

Step 8: Final Selection and Results
Nominated applications go through national-level review. Final results are usually announced between March and April 2026.

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