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Faculty of Graduate Studies

Canada Graduate Scholarships Doctoral (CGS D) Program

The Canada Graduate Scholarships – Doctoral (CGS D) program is a federal program of scholarships awarded through national competitions by the granting agencies: 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 of Canada (SSHRC).

The CGS D program supports and promotes research excellence in a wide variety of disciplines and broad fields of health, natural sciences and engineering, and social sciences and humanities, including interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research. This support allows scholars to fully concentrate on their doctoral studies, to seek out the best research mentors in their chosen fields and to contribute to the Canadian research ecosystem during and beyond the tenure of their awards.  

Students currently registered at UVic, on an approved leave from UVic or who were registered in a degree program at UVic in this calendar year (Jan – Dec 2023) must be nominated by UVic and therefore are required to participate in the UVic internal adjudication process.

Amount

$40,000 *Effective September 01, 2024

Application deadline

Thursday, October 3, 2024 by 12:00pm (noon, PT)

Applying for the CGS D

Please refer to the CGS D program page for complete eligibility requirements. Eligibility requirements are strictly enforced; verify eligibility before starting your application.

In addition to the CGS D, each agency has its own doctoral awards. Some eligibility requirements for CGS D differ from those of the agency-specific doctoral awards. Refer to the appropriate literature for CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC for further details as well as information on doctoral awards tenable at foreign institutions.

1. Confirm your eligibility to participate.

2. Choose the appropriate funding agency to apply to. Select the Federal Granting Agency that best suits the research subject area of your application. General Guidelines for the Eligibility of Subject Matter for each of the SSHRC, NSERC and CIHR can assist in determining where to apply. For applications related to health and applications related to psychology, see specific guidelines.

3. Determine where to submit your application. Consult the CGS D program page to determine whether you should submit your application through a Canadian Institution, such as UVic, or directly to the appropriate agency. UVic receives an annual quota for each of the agencies. The "Where should I submit my application?" flowchart can guide you through this decision. 

 4. Transcripts:  UVic requires official, up-to-date transcripts for all post-secondary studies, including any studies that did not lead to a degree (i.e., transfer course grades, study exchange courses, etc.) Consult the instructions for the appropriate agency.

UVic Transcripts

  • Official UVic transcripts are preferred, however, unofficial UVic transcripts will be accepted.
  • Unofficial transcript can be downloaded through a student's Online Tools, Student Services.
  • It is the student's responsibility to ensure a UVic legend is included.
  • The UVic transcript must be issued in the fall session of the year of application and if the applicant is currently registered it must display current registration for the fall. 
Other institution transcripts:
  • Applicants must submit up-to-date, official transcripts, including a transcript legend; unofficial transcripts will not be accepted.
  • If the transcript is not presented in one of Canada's two official languages (English or French), a certified translation must be provided, in addition to the transcripts in their original language.
  • Up-to-date official transcripts are defined as transcripts issued by the Registrar's Office and dated or issued in the fall session of the year of the application (if currently registered) or after the last term completed (if not currently registered). Opening the envelope to scan the transcript to upload will not render it unofficial.
General transcript information:
  • All programs of study listed in the application, even if not completed, must be accompanied by up-to-date transcripts. This includes any program in which your are currently registered, even if you do not have any marks for the course yet (i.e., fall term courses you are currently enrolled in must be included on your transcript), as these are proof of your enrolment.
  • Where transcripts include transfer credits from another institution, the grades for these credits must be shown. If the grades are not shown, the original transcript from the other institution must be included in the application. This includes international exchange programs.
  • All transcripts and proof of registration should be uploaded as a single PDF document. Retain all original transcripts as they may be requested at a later date.
  • Official transcripts are defined as transcripts issued by the institution’s registrar’s office. Transcripts from other sources, such as those printed from the student’s account on the institution’s website, are not official.
  • Opening the transcript envelope and scanning the transcript will not render the transcript unofficial.
  • You must include one copy of the legend (for each transcript). Do not scan the legend multiple times.

5. Academic References: You will need two academic references and one referee must be your current graduate supervisor. 

6. Complete your application by accessing the website for the appropriate agency (CIHR, NSERC or SSHRC).

7. Continue to monitor your email after submitting your application. UVic Faculty of Graduate Studies will contact you to advise of any required changes.

Complete applicaton procedures are available on the CGS D program page. 

The evaluation of CGS D applications, whether by institutions or the agencies, is based on the following criteria:

Research ability and potential (50%) and Relevant experience and achievements obtained within and beyond academia (50%)

Complete evaluation criteria (including description and indicators) are available on the CGS D program page.

CGS D applications will first be reviewed and ranked by your academic department at UVic. The department will then forward its top-ranked applicants to a UVic Faculty review committee, which oversees the campus-wide adjudication.  The committee members will review and rank applications and will select applications to be forwarded to the national committee. All applicants will be advised in late fall whether they have been chosen by UVic to participate in the national competition. Results are announced by CGS D in April.

Please note, due to the large number of applications under review, the faculty committee members do not provide written appraisals or records of their deliberations. As such, FGS cannot provide any specific information regarding the application review. 

The information in this section is specific to CIHR applications.

CIHR CGSD, Part 1:  Learn about the scholarship

Learn about the scholarship in this 9-minute recorded presentation (Microsoft PowerPoint):  Am I eligible?  How do I apply?  What can I expect at the fall workshop?

Play the audio recording for each slide or watch in Slide Show format for a continuous recording.  A transcript for Part 1 (Microsoft Word) is available and alternate formats are available upon request.

CIHR CGSD, Part 2:  Application advice and support

Learn about the CIHR CGSD application components in this 20- minute recorded presentation (Microsoft PowerPoint): selection criteria, advice for developing your application strategy, how to prepare your outline of proposed research, training expectations, CCV, and how to demonstrate your qualifications to create a compelling application.  This presentation will also provide the contact for the CIHR faculty coach Dr. Ryan Rhodes, Department of Exercise Science, Physical & Health Education, as well as providing other resources and next steps for your application. 

Play the audio recording for each slide or watch in Slide Show format for a continuous recording. A transcript for Part 2 (PDF) is available and alternate formats are available upon request. 

APPLICATION WORKSHOP
Date:  Monday, August 26, 2024
Time:  1:00 to 2:00pm
Location:  Clearihue D130

Registration is not required.  Bring your questions and join us at the workshop!

CIHR resources: 

Contacts: 

The information in this section is specific to NSERC applications.

UVic resources and contacts

NSERC CGSD, Part 1:  Learn about the scholarship

Learn about the scholarship in this 9-minute recorded presentation (Microsoft PowerPoint):  Am I eligible?  How do I apply?  What can I expect at the fall workshop?

Play the audio recording for each slide or watch in Slide Show format for a continuous recording.  A transcript (Microsoft Word) is available and alternate formats are available upon request.

NSERC CGSD, Part 2:  Application advice and support

APPLICATION WORKSHOP
Date:  Wednesday, September 4, 2024
Time:  1:00 to 2:20pm
Location:  Cornett A225

Workshop slides are available as an 18-minute recorded presentation (Microsoft PowerPoint).  Play the audio for each slide or watch in Slide Show format for a continuous recording.  A transcript (Microsoft Word) is available and alternate formats are available upon request.

 Contacts

NSERC resources and contacts

Live Q&A

NSERC has announced live question-and-answer sessions for CGSD applicants.  Join any of the MS Teams events listed below to speak directly with an NSERC program officer.

Contacts

The information in this section is specific to SSHRC applications.

UVic resources and contacts

SSHRC CGSD, Part 1:  Learn about the scholarship

Learn about the scholarship in this 10-minute recorded presentation (Microsoft PowerPoint):  Am I eligible?  How do I apply?  What can I expect at the fall workshop?

Play the audio recording for each slide or watch in Slide Show format for a continuous recording.  A transcript (Microsoft Word) is available and alternate formats are available upon request.

SSHRC CGSD, Part 2:  Application advice and support

APPLICATION WORKSHOP
Date:  Friday, September 6, 2024
Time:  1:30 to 3:30pm
Location:  David Strong, C118

Workshop slides are available as a 15-minute recorded presentation (Microsoft PowerPoint).  Play the audio for each slide or watch in Slide Show format for a continuous recording.  A transcript (Microsoft Word) is available and alternate formats are available upon request.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

SSHRC Instructions

SSHRC Online Application System

UVic SSHRC contact: Kathy McCarthy, Scholarship Officer, fgsaward@uvic.ca

UVic SSHRC faculty coaches: Dr. James Rowe (jkrowe@uvic.ca) and Dr. Mary-Elizabeth Leighton (mleighto@uvic.ca)

SSHRC contact: fellowships@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca

The CGS D program page contains detailed information relevant to applications to all Agencies.

The FGS scholarship application help page has tips on writing a strong research proposal, as well as providing helpful advice on reference letters for students and their referees.

Information for Indigenous applicants: As part of the tri-agency commitment to strengthening Indigenous research capacity, there is no limit on the number of CGSD applications from Indigenous students that may be recommended for the CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC national competitions. In order to be included in this process, Indigenous students are invited to self-identify in their application according to the different instructions provided by each research council. CIHR applicants must complete the Voluntary Self-Identification Form for Indigenous Applications and upload to their application. NSERC applicants should refer to the Collection of Self-Identification Data section of the Form 201 instructions. SSHRC applicants must self-identify as Indigenous in the Application Profile Section under the heading 'Option for Self-Identified Indigenous Applicants'. 

Black Scholars Initiative:  The Tri-agency Black Scholars initiative aims to strengthen equity, diversity, and inclusion in Canada's research culture by increasing support for Black Scholars. CGSD applicants who would like to be considered for funding under this initiative are invited to self-identify in their application. 

Contact information: Students should contact the Faculty of Graduate Studies for assistantance or guidance well in advance of the application deadline. Students can also contact any of the three federal council agencies for information about the program. Students should contact the council whose mandate corresponds with the applicant's field of research.

Tri-Agency:

UVic Faculty of Graduate Studies:

Tri-Agency Doctoral Awards (CGSD, PGSD or SSHRC doctoral fellowships) may be taken up in May, September or January in the year following the competition, provided the student meets all eligibility criteria for the award.

  • All students must provide FGS a copy of their Offer Letter/Notice of Award from the tri-agency
  • CIHR awardees must also provide their Response to Offer form (FGS will send to CIHR) and a copy of their Confirmation of Commencement Form (available 60 days prior to the start date of their award through their ResearchNet account)
  • NSERC and SSHRC awardees must also provide a Request for First Installment Form (FGS will send to NSERC)

Doctoral students who wish to activate their tri-agency funding in May must submit their documents as soon as possible to avoid delays in their payment. Students who are activating their tri-agency funding in September or January must provide documentation by July 15/November 15 to avoid delays in payment in the fall/winter terms.

Please note, students cannot hold a UVic Fellowship or British Columbia Graduate Scholarship concurrently with tri-agency funding.