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Faculty of Graduate Studies

Canada Graduate Research Scholarship - Doctoral (CGRSD) program

 The CGRSD is awarded through 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 (SSHRC).  The CGRSD supports research excellence in a wide variety of disciplines.

Refer to the CGRSD for complete program information including eligibility, application instructions, and selection criteria.

Amount

$40,000 per year for up to 3 years

Application deadline

September 22, 2026 (SSHRC); September 24, 2026 (NSERC & CIHR) by noon Pacific time

Applying for the CGRSD

Select the granting agency below to find application instructions, resources, workshop dates, and contacts for application support.

Please review the slideshow CIHR CGRS D PART 1: Learn about the scholarship for introductory information about this year's competition. You can also download a transcript of the audio.  

Application information sessions:

Online and in-person information sessions are being held in August 2026. Information sessions address selection criteria, the application timeline and adjudication process. A copy of the slideshow used in the sessions is available below.

CIHR CGRS D Part 2: Application advice and support

A transcript of the audio is also available for download.

  • In-person information session: Tuesday, August 25, 2026 from 9:00am to 10:00am (Pacific time) in the Clearihue building, room A225, UVic campus, with CIHR  coach Dr. Ryan Rhodes
  • A Zoom video conferencing information session was held Wednesday, August 12; there are no additional online sessions planned for 2026. 
UVic Faculty Coaches - for advice and feedback on your Training expectations and Research project summary:  
  • Dr. Ryan Rhodes, Department of Exercise Science, Physical & Health Education, 
  • Dr. Brian Christie, School of Medical Sciences, brain64@uvic.ca

Resources:

Contacts: 

NSERC CGRS D Part 1:  Learn about the scholarship.  Review this 10-minute recorded presentation for information about the new CGRS D program and how to begin your application.  Download a transcript of the audio in Microsoft Word.

NSERC CGRS D Part 2:  Application advice and support.  Review this 12-minute recorded presentation shared in our application workshops held August 19 and 20, 2026.  Download a transcript of the audio in Microsoft Word.

UVic faculty coaches:  Contact a coach for application advice and feedback on your research proposal.  Coach availability may vary; contacting a coach in advance is recommended.

  • Dr. Alexandra Branzan Albu, Electrical and Computer Engineering aalbu@uvic.ca
  • Dr. Caetano Dorea, Civil Engineering caetanodorea@uvic.ca
  • Dr. Kurt Smith, School of Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education (EPHE) and School of Medical Sciences k2jsmith@uvic.ca

Contacts
UVic NSERC contact: Lisa Pender, Scholarship Officer, fgsaward2@uvic.ca
NSERC program officers: schol@nserc-crsng.gc.ca
NSERC On-line System accessibility helpdesk:  webapp@nserc-crsng.gc.ca or telephone 1-855-275-2861

NSERC Live Q&A sessions:  Join a session on MS Teams to ask questions to NSERC program officers.

Please review the powerpoint presentation SSHRC CGRS D PART 1: Learn about the scholarship (fall 2026) for introductory information about this year's competition. You can also download a transcript of the audio.  

Application information sessions:

Online and in-person information sessions are being held in August 2026. Information sessions address selection criteria, the application timeline and adjudication process.

SSHRC CGRS D Part 2: Application advice and support

A written transcript of the session is also available for download.

  • In-person information session: Tuesday, August 25th, 10am to 11:30am, Jamie Cassels Centre, Room A180 (Senate Chambers) 

  • Coaches: Dr. Frederick Grouzet and Dr. Alison Shields

  • Student CGRS D Guest Speaker: Elias del Valle
  • A Zoom video conferencing information session was held Wednesday, August 12th, 10am to 11:30am with coaches, Dr. Loren McClenachan and Dr. Athena Madan

The Applicant Self-Checklist may be helpful in completing your application. 

Contact information:

To ensure every applicant receives the appropriate support, your assigned coach will depend on the spelling of your surname:

Surnames A – G ⇒ Contact SSHRC coach: Dr. Frederick Grouzet (fgrouzet@uvic.ca)

Surnames H – M ⇒ Contact SSHRC coach: Dr. Alison Shields (ashields@uvic.ca)

Surnames N – S ⇒ Contact SSHRC coach: Dr. Loren McClenachan (lorenm@uvic.ca)

Surnames T - Z ⇒ Contact SSHRC coach: Dr. Athena Madan (athenam@uvic.ca)


Equity initiatives

The Indigenous Scholars Awards and Supplement Pilot Initiative provides financial support to meritorious Indigenous students who have applied to the CGRS-D through NSERC or SSHRC.  CIHR also provides designated funding for Indigenous doctoral researchers.  Visit CGRS-D Funding for information.

As part of the Tri-Agency commitment to supporting research by and with Indigenous peoples, there is no limit on the number of CGRS-D applications from Indigenous students that institutions may recommend for the CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC national competitions.

In order to be considered for these initiatives, Indigenous students are invited to self-identify in their application according to the instructions provided by each granting agency.  The granting agencies have established new processes and options for affirmation of Indigenous citizenship and membership based on consultation with Indigenous advisory groups.  Please refer to the Tri-Agency Policy on Indigenous Citizenship and Membership Affirmation.

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

 Important information:  please read carefully

Applicants currently registered at UVic, on an approved leave from UVic, or who were registered in a degree program at UVic during the calendar year of application must be nominated by UVic and therefore are required to participate in the UVic application process.

Review the CGRS D Where to submit an application instructions to confirm that you should submit your application to the UVic competition.

How do I submit my application to the UVic competiton?

  • When you initiate your online application, select the option that reflects your current registration status at a Canadian institution with a quota, then select University of Victoria from the list of institutions.
  • Submit your application by the UVic internal deadline provided above.

Following the UVic internal deadline, applications are reviewed by departments who forward the most competitive applications to the campus-wide review.  Applications are then scored by a multi-disciplinary committee, with top-scoring applications forwarded to the national competition in November.

UVic is an institution with a quota, which means that CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC set a maximum number of applications that we may forward to the national competition.

Select the granting agency that best suits the research subject area of your application.  Review the CGRS D Select the appropriate agency instructions.  For applications related to health and psychology, see specific guidelines.

Applicants must meet the transcript requirements of their granting agency and the UVic transcript requirements listed below.

Applications submitted with transcripts that do not meet the requirements may be deemed ineligble.

UVic Transcripts

  • Official UVic transcripts are preferred, however, unofficial UVic transcripts (also referred to as administrative transcripts) will be accepted.
  • Order an official transcript or download an administravtive transcript through your Online Tools, Student Services.
  • It is the student's responsibility to ensure a UVic transcript legend is included.
  • The UVic transcript must be issued in the fall term of the year of application and if the applicant is currently registered it must display current registration for the fall term. 

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.
  • Carefully review the granting agency's transcript requirements for transfer credit, international exchange credit, and college/CEGEP credit as the instructions may differ for each granting agency.
  • 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.
  • Opening the transcript envelope and scanning the transcript will not render the transcript unofficial.
  • Include one copy of the legend (for each transcript). Do not scan the legend multiple times.

The CGRS-D 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.

  • Successful applicants (referred to as award holders) must provide the Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS) with a copy of their Offer Letter/Notice of Award from the granting agency.
  • CIHR award holders must also provide their Response to Offer form 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 award holders must also provide a Request for First Installment Form to FGS.

Award holders who wish to activate their CGRS-D funding in May should submit their documents as soon as possible to avoid payment delays.  Students who are activating their award in September or January should provide documentation within 4 to 6 weeks of the start date.