There are several funding options available for graduate students in Canada, including the Canada Graduate Scholarships (CGS) – Master’s Program.
Successful applicants receive $17,500 in funding for up to 12 months of study, and the funds can be used to cover various expenses, including tuition fees, living expenses, and research-related costs. Additionally, the CGS-M program aims to support diversity and equity for graduate students in Canada by providing additional funding to eligible students from underrepresented groups, such as Indigenous students, students with disabilities, and women in STEM fields.
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The eligibility criteria for the Canada Graduate Scholarships – Master’s Program (CGS-M)
- Citizenship: Applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada at the time of application.
- Academic Standing: Applicants must have obtained a first-class average in each of the last two completed years of study (full-time equivalent).
- Program of Study: Applicants must be enrolled in a full-time master’s degree program in an eligible Canadian institution at the time of application.
- Field of Study: The CGS-M program is open to students in all fields of study, except for health-related fields that fall under the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) mandate. CIHR has its own funding programs for health-related research.
- Research Proposal: Applicants must prepare and submit a research proposal that is relevant to their field of study, demonstrates originality, and aligns with the objectives of the CGS-M program.
- Supervisor: Applicants must have secured a supervisor and obtained their support for their research proposal.
- Academic Transcripts: Applicants must provide transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended, including the most recent two years of study.
The application process for the Canada Graduate Scholarships – Master’s Program (CGS-M) consists of the following steps:
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- Review the eligibility criteria: Before beginning the application process, make sure to review the eligibility criteria carefully to ensure that you meet all the requirements.
- Choose a federal granting agency: The CGS-M program is administered by three federal granting agencies: the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). Applicants must choose the agency that aligns with their field of study.
- Create an account: Applicants must create an account on the Research Portal, which is the online portal used to submit CGS-M applications.
- Complete the application form: The application form includes personal information, academic transcripts, and research proposal details. Applicants must ensure that all the information provided is accurate and complete.
- Obtain supervisor support: Applicants must obtain support from a supervisor who is responsible for supervising their research. The supervisor must complete and submit a separate online form that confirms their support for the research proposal.
- Submit the application: Once the application and supervisor support form are completed, applicants must submit their application online via the Research Portal before the deadline.
- Review and update application: After submission, applicants can log in to their Research Portal account to review and update their application until the deadline.
It is essential to note that the application process and deadlines may vary depending on the federal granting agency chosen. Therefore, graduate students in Canada intending to apply should carefully review the program-specific instructions and deadlines provided by the agency. The application deadline for the CGS-M program is usually in December or January, and successful applicants are notified in April or May.
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Benefits of Canada Graduate Scholarships
The value of the scholarship is $17,500 for up to 12 months of study, and it is not renewable. The scholarship is paid in installments throughout the award period and can be used to cover various expenses, including:
- Tuition fees: The scholarship can be used to pay for tuition fees associated with the master’s program.
- Living expenses: The scholarship can be used to cover living expenses such as accommodation, food, and transportation.
- Research-related expenses: The scholarship can be used to cover expenses related to research, such as travel, equipment, and materials.
In addition to the monetary value of the scholarship, the CGS-M program also provides recipients with the opportunity to gain valuable research experience and to network with other scholars in their field. Recipients of the scholarship are also eligible for additional funding opportunities from the federal granting agencies.
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How to Apply for the Canada Graduate Scholarships
The Canada Graduate Scholarships – Master’s Program (CGS-M) is administered by the three federal granting agencies that fund the program: the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). Applicants must choose the agency that aligns with their field of study and review the specific guidelines and application procedures provided by that agency.