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The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) funds students and researchers in science and engineering at every level, from undergraduate summer research to postdoctoral fellowships. In 2025 NSERC and Canada’s two other research agencies renamed and merged their main awards, so many older guides now list programs that no longer exist. This guide covers the current NSERC awards, what each pays, and which are open to international students.
Key facts: NSERC awards at a glance
| Award | Level | Value | International students? |
|---|---|---|---|
| USRA | Undergraduate | $6,000 from NSERC, topped up by the supervisor | No |
| CGRS M | Master’s | $27,000 for 12 months | No |
| CGRS D | PhD | $40,000 per year for 3 years | Yes, if registered in a PhD in Canada (up to 15% of awards) |
| CPRA | Postdoctoral | $70,000 per year for 2 years | Yes, with a Canadian connection (up to 20% of awards) |
Last checked: November 2026.
What changed in 2025
NSERC, CIHR (health research) and SSHRC (social sciences and humanities) combined their student and postdoctoral awards into the Canada Research Training Awards Suite (CRTAS). The main changes:
- The Canada Graduate Scholarships, Master’s (CGS M) became the CGRS M.
- The CGS D, NSERC’s PGS D and the Vanier Scholarship were replaced by the CGRS D, which is now open to some international students.
- NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowships and the Banting Fellowship were replaced by the Canada Postdoctoral Research Award (CPRA).
You can apply to only one CRTAS program (CGRS M, CGRS D or CPRA) per academic year, across all three agencies.
NSERC undergraduate award: USRA
Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) pay students to spend a summer or term doing research with a professor. NSERC contributes $6,000 and the supervisor adds at least a set amount on top, so total pay depends on the university. Students apply through their university’s own competition, usually in January or February. USRAs are open to Canadian citizens, permanent residents and protected persons only.
NSERC master’s scholarship: CGRS M (formerly CGS M)
The CGRS M pays $27,000 for 12 months to research master’s students. It is open to Canadian citizens, permanent residents and protected persons. The deadline is 1 December each year. Read our full CGRS M guide.
NSERC postgraduate scholarship for PhD students: CGRS D (formerly PGS D)
The CGRS D pays $40,000 a year for three years. International students can apply if they are already registered in a PhD at an eligible Canadian institution by the deadline. Applicants at universities with a quota apply through their university, often in September or early October; direct applications to NSERC close on 17 October. Read our full CGRS D guide, or the official CGRS D page.
NSERC postdoctoral fellowship: now the CPRA
The CPRA pays $70,000 a year for two years to researchers who finished their doctorate no more than three years before 1 September of the year they apply. International researchers can apply if they studied for, completed, or are doing a postdoc at a Canadian institution. The NSERC deadline is 17 October. Read our full CPRA guide, or the official CPRA page.
Which agency should I apply to?
- NSERC: natural sciences and engineering, such as physics, chemistry, computer science, mathematics and engineering.
- CIHR: health research.
- SSHRC: social sciences and humanities.
If your research crosses fields, apply to the agency that matches most of your work. Your university’s graduate office can help.
Tips for international students
Most NSERC funding requires you to be in Canada already. The usual path is to secure admission with a funded offer from a Canadian university first, then apply for the CGRS D during your PhD or the CPRA after it. When you apply for admission, ask each department about guaranteed funding, assistantships and entrance awards.
Frequently asked questions
Can international students get NSERC funding?
Yes, at the PhD and postdoctoral levels: the CGRS D and the CPRA each reserve a share of awards for international applicants with a Canadian connection. The USRA and CGRS M are for Canadian citizens, permanent residents and protected persons only.
Does the NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship still exist?
Not under that name. Since 2025, NSERC postdoctoral funding is offered through the Canada Postdoctoral Research Award (CPRA), worth $70,000 a year for two years.
Does the NSERC PGS D still exist?
No. It was replaced by the CGRS D in 2025.
What does NSERC stand for?
The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the federal agency that funds research and training in science and engineering.
Related guides
Sources: NSERC, CGRS D; NSERC, CGRS M; NSERC, CPRA; McGill, Undergraduate Student Research Awards 2026.