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.

Degree Level

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.

Available Subjects

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.

Benefits

Successful applicants receive:

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

Eligible Canadian universities
Eligible international institutions (conditions apply)

Allows scholars to:

Focus fully on research
Work with top research supervisors
Build strong academic and professional networks

Enhances career prospects in academia, industry, and policy sectors

Eligible Nationalities

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)

Eligibility Criteria

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:

A doctoral-level scholarship from CIHR, NSERC, or SSHRC
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

Application Procedure

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

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is the Canada Graduate Research Scholarship Doctoral fully funded?

Yes, the CGRS Doctoral Scholarship provides $40,000 per year for up to three years, making it one of the most generous PhD scholarships in Canada.

Can international students apply for the CGRS Doctoral Scholarship?

Yes, international students are eligible, but they must be enrolled in an eligible Canadian institution, and only a limited number of awards are available to non-Canadians.