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TRI-Agency & Government Awards
Canada Graduate Research Scholarship - Doctoral (CIHR, NSERC & SSHRC)
The Canada Graduate Research Scholarship - Doctoral Program (CGRS D) supports Canadian students in all disciplines and is administered jointly by Canada's three federal granting agencies.
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The Tri-Agencies
The Tri-Agencies refer to the three federal granting agencies that support research in Canada:
- CIHR the Canadian Institutes for Health Research
- NSERC the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
- SSHRC the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada
SFU Deadline to Apply: Award Value: |
Candidate Eligibility:
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| Note that only 15% of awards will be allotted to international applicants, so only competitive international applicants are encouraged to apply. International applicants must be enrolled at SFU at time of application. | |
Know your deadline: you must apply either through a Canadian institution or directly to an agency, depending on your registration status. The application form should prompt options, depending on your entries. Learn more:
Canadian Graduate Scholarships
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How to Apply
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Check eligibilityConfirm that you meet all the criteria before you apply.
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Review evaluation criteriaApplications are adjudicated, and available funds awarded, through a merit review process. |
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Prepare your applicationEach agency has their own application system and instructions:
You may be eligible for supplements and initiatives, which you can self-identify and apply for directly within the application. |
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Complete your applicationFollow the application instructions.
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Questions about eligibility or application process?
Attend an Award Information Session
Competition Timeline (2025)
| October 1 4:30 PM (PST) |
Student deadline to submit the full application. If the deadline falls on a weekend or federal holiday, applications must be submitted before 4:30 p.m. (PST) the following business day. |
| November |
Departments rank applications and the University Scholarship Selection Committee (USSC) makes final decisions. |
| November | Graduate Studies forwards selected applications to Tri-agencies. |
| April -May | Students are contacted by CIHR, NSERC or SSHRC with results. |
CGRS Doctoral Acceptance & Setup Process at SFU
1. Awardees are notified by CIHR, NSERC or SSHRC
- Awardees must accept by the deadline given by the agency.
- Awardees must read the for terms and conditions.
2. Accept/Decline award offer
- CIHR: awardees must send Response to Offer form to Graduate Studies for signature before completing the Response to Offer task in
- NSERC and SSHRC: Award recipients must accept or decline by sending an email to the appropriate , stating whether they accept or decline, and confirming the start date.
3. Activate Award Payment (Request 1st installment)
- CIHR: award recipients must complete the Confirmation of Commencement form on and submit a signed copy to the by email. Graduate Studies (gradawards@sfu.ca) should be cc'd on the email.
- NSERC and SSHRC: awardee must send to Graduate Studies for signature. The signed form must be uploaded to the appropriate .
4. Accept SFU Payment Offer
- Graduate award staff creates and sends an award payment offer through the Graduate Awards System.
- If you are new to SFU you will receive the offer approximately 1 month prior to your start term.
- You must accept the award in SFU's system to receive payment.
5. Receive Payments
- Awards are paid according to the timing and process outlined on Payment & Policies
6. Changes and Leaves
- Awardees must follow the processes outlined in the and inform Graduate Studies of any changes to their research and/or enrollment status.