Ontario Graduate Scholarship Selection Process 2026
How Candidates are Selected
The selection process for the Ontario Graduate Scholarship is primarily based on academic merit and achievement. Universities also consider factors such as the quality of the research proposal or study plan, intellectual judgment, inventiveness, initiative, autonomy, interaction with supervisors and peers, and the ability to complete projects within allocated timeframes, especially for doctoral-level applicants. Strong GPAs, professional/academic backgrounds, and compelling research proposals contribute to a successful application. Application results are typically announced by universities in April of each year.
Verification Flow
Institute Nodal Officer Verification
Your college/school checks your bonafide status, fees paid, and marks cards against the database.
District Welfare Officer / State Board Sanction
The state/central department approves the budget release for verified records based on category quotas.
Fund Disbursement via DBT
The bank issues direct fund credits to Aadhaar-seeded accounts using treasury payment systems.
FAQs for Ontario Graduate Scholarship
Q.Are international students eligible to apply for the Ontario Graduate Scholarship?
Yes, international students who are studying or plan to study at a participating Ontario university under a valid temporary resident visa (study permit) are eligible to apply for a limited number of OGS awards.
Q.Is the Ontario Graduate Scholarship renewable for subsequent years of study?
No, the OGS is a non-renewable scholarship awarded for up to one year (2 or 3 terms). Students must re-apply annually to be considered for funding in subsequent academic years, and a successful second application is not guaranteed.
Q.What is the minimum academic average required to be eligible for the OGS?
Applicants must generally have achieved a first-class average, which is typically defined as a minimum of A- or 80%, in each of their last two completed years of full-time academic study. For those entering the third year of graduate studies, an A- average across all completed graduate courses is required.
Q.Can I hold the OGS concurrently with other major scholarships or awards?
No, OGS recipients cannot hold an OGS award in the same term or award year as a scholarship from other major government-funded programs such as SSHRC, NSERC, CIHR, Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships, or the Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship in Science and Technology (QEII-GSST). There is also a lifetime maximum of six years for all government-funded graduate awards combined.