Canada Graduate Research Scholarship - Doctoral (CGRS-D)
The Canada Graduate Research Scholarship - Doctoral (CGRS-D) is Canada's premier doctoral scholarship, providing $40,000/year for 3 years to outstanding PhD researchers. It replaced the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships in March 2025 as part of the harmonized Canada Research Training Awards Suite (CRTAS). International students enrolled at Canadian institutions may apply.
Quick info
Application status
Open · agency deadline 17 Oct 2026Opens the provider's official website
Info sourced from official providers. Always verify deadlines, requirements, and eligibility directly before applying.
What you get
- CAD $40,000 per year (non-taxable scholarship)
- Duration: 36 months (3 years)
- Can be held at Canadian institutions or international institutions (Canadian citizens/PRs only for international hold)
- Supplement funding may be available for priority research areas
- Travel supplements may be available via CRTAS-RTS
Requirements
Detailed requirements
- - Must be enrolled in or applying to a doctoral program (predominantly research-oriented)
- - Must have completed no more than 36 months of full-time equivalent doctoral study by December 31 of application year
- - International applicants: must be enrolled at an eligible Canadian institution by the application deadline
- - Up to 15% of awards available to international applicants
- - International applicants can only apply through a Canadian institution (not directly to agency)
- - Cannot have previously received a doctoral-level scholarship from CIHR, NSERC, or SSHRC (including old Vanier)
- - Can apply maximum 3 times
- - Selection criteria: Research Potential (50%) + Relevant Experience and Achievements (50%)
- - Apply to the agency matching your research field: CIHR (health), NSERC (science/engineering), SSHRC (social sciences/humanities)
Who can apply
Outstanding Canadian and international doctoral students in health sciences, natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, and humanities, seeking funding for their PhD research at Canadian universities.
Fields of study
Application window
Agency deadline: October 17 annually
Results announced: April 30
International students must apply through their Canadian institution. Institution deadlines are typically earlier than October 17.
Dates are based on data sourced from official providers (2025–2026 cycle). Deadlines may shift between intake years. Always verify on the official website before applying.
Important dates
How to apply
- 1Determine your research field agency: CIHR (health), NSERC (science/engineering), SSHRC (social sciences/humanities)
- 2International applicants must apply through their Canadian institution (NOT directly to agency)
- 3Contact your faculty of graduate studies for institutional deadline (well before October 17)
- 4Submit application through the relevant agency online portal (CIHR: ResearchNET, NSERC/SSHRC: online systems)
- 5Applications reviewed by institution, then forwarded to agency review committee
- 6Results announced: April 30
- 7Contacts: CIHR: support-soutien@cihr-irsc.gc.ca | NSERC: nsercscholarships-boursesCRSNG@NSERC-CRSNG.GC.CA | SSHRC: fellowships@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca
Provider
Government of Canada / CIHR / NSERC / SSHRC
Canada