Canada Graduate Scholarships – Master’s Program Selection Process 2026
How Candidates are Selected
The selection process for the Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Master’s (CGRS M) is primarily merit-based and carried out at the university level under the guidance of the three granting agencies (CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC).. Applications are evaluated based on the following criteria: - **Academic excellence (50%)** - **Research potential of the candidate (30%)** - **Skills and experiences (20%)** Adjudication committees composed of faculty members review and rank nominated applications to select award recipients. Offers of awards are typically made available in the Research Portal around April 1.
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 Canada Graduate Scholarships – Master’s Program
Q.Who is eligible to apply for the Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Master’s (CGRS M)?
The CGRS M program is open to Canadian citizens, permanent residents of Canada, or Protected Persons under subsection 95(2) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada). Applicants must be pursuing or intending to pursue a master's or, in some cases, a doctoral degree at an eligible Canadian institution and meet specific academic achievement criteria, typically a first-class average.
Q.What is the scholarship amount and duration?
The scholarship provides a non-renewable grant of $27,000 CAD for one year. This funding is designed to allow recipients to focus on their research and studies.
Q.Can I apply if I am an international student?
No, the Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Master’s (CGRS M) is specifically for Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or Protected Persons. International students are not eligible for this program.
Q.What is the application deadline for the 2026/2027 academic year?
The national application deadline is typically December 1, 2026, by 8:00 PM (ET). If December 1 falls on a weekend or federal holiday, the deadline is the following business day. It is crucial to submit your complete application, including referee assessments, by this date.