University of Waterloo Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) & QEII-GSST 2026–2027, Canada
The Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) and Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship in Science and Technology (QEII-GSST) are two of the most competitive and prestigious graduate funding programs offered at publicly funded universities in Ontario, Canada. For the academic year 2026–2027, the University of Waterloo has updated its process, deadlines, and important requirements for applicants.
These scholarships aim to support exceptional graduate students who demonstrate outstanding academic excellence, research potential, and leadership ability.
About the OGS & QEII-GSST Scholarships
Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS)
- Open to domestic and international students
- Eligible for all fields of study
- Available for Master’s and PhD students
- Applicable to research-based or course-based programs
Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship in Science and Technology (QEII-GSST)
- Open only to domestic students (Canadian citizens, PRs, Protected Persons)
- Restricted to research-based graduate programs
- Open for STEM disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)
Degree Level
- Master’s Degree (research-based or course-based)
- Doctoral (PhD) Programs
Available Subjects
Eligible Subjects
OGS:
All academic disciplines including:
- Arts
- Humanities
- Engineering
- Computer Science
- Environment
- Health Sciences
- Social Sciences
- Mathematics
- Sciences
QEII-GSST:
Only research-based STEM fields:
- Physics
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Engineering
- Computer Science
- Mathematics
- Earth & Environmental Sciences
- Technology & Applied Sciences
Benefits
Both OGS and QEII-GSST offer the same funding structure:
Scholarship Value
- $5,000 per term
- Up to $15,000 for one academic year
Additional Benefit
- All successful recipients also receive a President’s Graduate Scholarship (PGS) from the University of Waterloo.
Duration
- Awards last one academic year
- Not renewable (must re-apply each year)
- Up to 2 years of OGS/QEII support for Master’s
- Up to 4 years for PhD
- Lifetime maximum: 6 years of government-funded graduate scholarships (including Tri-Agency)
Eligible Nationalities
Eligible Nationalities
OGS:
- Canadian citizens
- Permanent Residents
- Protected Persons
- International students (with valid study permit)
QEII-GSST:
- Domestic applicants only
Eligibility Criteria
1. Citizenship Requirements
- International applicants: Must hold a valid study permit
- Domestic applicants: Canadian citizen, PR, or Protected Person
2. Academic Requirements
- Minimum A- / 80% average in the last two full-time academic years
- Competitive applicants usually have:
a. 85%+ average
b. Publications
c. Conference presentations
d. Previous scholarships
3. Program Requirements
- OGS: Open to research & course-based programs
- QEII-GSST: Restricted to research-based STEM programs
4. Registration Requirements
- Must be full-time at time of holding the award
- International students must already be enrolled at Waterloo
- Domestic students may apply as incoming students (must apply for admission by Feb 1, 2026)
5. Other Requirements
- Cannot hold OGS/QEII concurrently with Tri-Agency awards
- Must meet program time limits (students exceeding limits may still apply)
- Students with OSAP restrictions must clear them before disbursement
Application Procedure
Important Dates (2026–2027 Competition)
January 14, 2026 – 4:00 PM ET
- OGS/QEII Intent to Apply Form deadline (mandatory)
February 1, 2026
Final deadline to submit:
- Application form
- Official transcripts
- Reference letters
February 2, 2026
- (Extended one day because Feb 1 is a Sunday)
February 1, 2026
- Domestic applicants must apply for graduate program admission (if applicable)
Application Process – Step-by-Step
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility
Review academic, citizenship, and program-based requirements.
Step 2: Select Department
- Submit your complete package to the department where you plan to hold the award.
Step 3: Apply for Admission (Domestic Applicants Only)
- Submit your graduate admission application by Feb 1, 2026.
Step 4: Submit Intent to Apply Form
- Mandatory for all applicants by Jan 14, 2026.
Step 5: Collect Official Transcripts
- New rule: Applicants themselves must gather all official post-secondary transcripts
- Includes exchange-term transcripts even if grades do not appear on Waterloo transcript
Step 6: Choose Referees
- Two academic referees must email signed letters directly to the department
- Max 2 pages, on letterhead
Step 7: Complete OGS/QEII-GSST Application Form
- Include research proposal, CV, contributions, leadership roles
- Indigenous applicants must complete verification process
Step 8: Submit Application Package
Email the completed form + transcripts to your graduate department by Feb 1–2, 2026.
Selection and Ranking
International Competition
- Departments rank applicants
- Faculty selects top 3 to send to university-level committee
- University awards 5 international OGS scholarships
Domestic Competition
Varies by faculty, but generally:
- Departments review and rank applicants
- Faculty committees allocate awards
- Indigenous applicants are reviewed separately for reserved awards
