Important update: The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS) program is no longer accepting applications. The last Vanier competition ran in 2024–25, and the Government of Canada has replaced it with the new Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral (CGRS-D). If you were planning to apply for Vanier in 2027, the CGRS-D is the program you should apply to now.
This guide explains what changed, who can apply for the CGRS-D (including international students), how much it pays, the deadlines, and how to apply step by step.
What Happened to the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship?
The Vanier CGS was launched in 2008 to attract top doctoral students to Canadian universities. It paid CAD 50,000 per year for 3 years and was managed by Canada’s three federal research funding agencies:
- CIHR – Canadian Institutes of Health Research
- NSERC – Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council
- SSHRC – Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council
In 2025, these three agencies merged their separate student awards into one simpler system called the Canada Research Training Awards Suite (CRTAS). As part of this change, Vanier CGS (and the old CGS Doctoral awards) were replaced by the CGRS-D. The official Vanier website now states that applications are closed and directs students to the CGRS-D.
Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral (CGRS-D) at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Country | Canada |
| Funded by | Government of Canada (CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC) |
| Degree level | Doctoral (PhD) |
| Value | CAD 40,000 per year |
| Duration | 36 months (3 years) |
| Open to international students | Yes – up to 15% of awards |
| Agency deadline | October 17, 8:00 pm (ET) – next business day if it falls on a weekend |
| Results | By April 30 |
Vanier CGS vs CGRS-D: Key Differences
| Vanier CGS (closed) | CGRS-D (current) | |
|---|---|---|
| Value | CAD 50,000 per year | CAD 40,000 per year |
| Duration | 3 years | 3 years (36 months) |
| How to apply | Only through a nominating university | Through your university or directly to the agency |
| Selection criteria | Academic excellence, research potential, leadership | Research potential (50%) and relevant experience and achievements (50%) |
| Status | No longer accepting applications | Open – apply each fall |
CGRS-D Eligibility Requirements
Citizenship
- Canadian citizens, permanent residents and protected persons can apply.
- International students can also apply, but they must already be registered in a doctoral program at an eligible Canadian institution by the application deadline. Up to 15% of awards go to international applicants, and they must hold the award in Canada.
Program of Study
- You must be in a research-focused doctoral program with a thesis (or equivalent) reviewed by experts.
- Joint professional/PhD programs (such as MD/PhD) are eligible if they include a significant research component.
Months of Doctoral Study
- You must have completed no more than 36 months of full-time doctoral study by December 31 of the year you apply.
- All full-time months count, including summer terms.
- Two terms of part-time study count as one full-time term.
- For fast-track (master’s to PhD) programs, months are counted from the date you transferred into the PhD.
Other Rules
- You must not have already received a doctoral-level scholarship from CIHR, NSERC or SSHRC (including a Vanier CGS).
- You can apply a maximum of three times.
- You can apply to only one CRTAS program per academic year.
CGRS-D Benefits
- CAD 40,000 per year for 3 years (CAD 120,000 in total).
- The funding can be used for living expenses, tuition and research-related costs.
- Up to 10 extra awards per agency are reserved for Black student researchers.
- An Indigenous Scholars Supplement of CAD 5,000 (one year) is available to successful Indigenous applicants through NSERC or SSHRC.
- Some awards are given to strong applications in priority research areas, such as AI and digital technologies, health and biotechnology, clean technology, climate and the environment, and food and water security.
Which Agency Should You Apply To?
You apply to the one agency that best matches your research subject. Choosing the wrong agency can lead to your application being rejected.
- CIHR – health research (applications through ResearchNet)
- NSERC – natural sciences and engineering (NSERC online system)
- SSHRC – social sciences and humanities (SSHRC online system)
CGRS-D Deadlines 2027
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| University internal deadlines | Usually August–September (check your university) |
| Agency deadline | October 17, 8:00 pm (ET). In 2027 this falls on a Sunday, so the deadline moves to the next business day. |
| Results announced | By April 30 |
Note: If you apply through a university, its internal deadline can be weeks earlier than the agency deadline. Always confirm the exact dates with your university and the agency.
How to Apply for the CGRS-D: Step by Step
- Get admitted to a PhD program in Canada. International students must be registered in their Canadian doctoral program by the deadline.
- Find a supervisor whose research matches your proposal.
- Choose your agency (CIHR, NSERC or SSHRC) based on your research subject.
- Check how you must apply:
- Through your university – if you are registered at a Canadian institution that has a doctoral quota for your agency.
- Directly to the agency – if you are registered abroad, your institution has no quota for that agency, or you are not registered in the year you apply.
- Prepare your documents and submit them through the agency’s online system before the deadline.
- Ask your referees to submit their letters online before the deadline.
Documents You Will Need
- Completed online application form
- Research proposal
- Academic transcripts
- Reference letters (submitted by your referees through the online system)
- Certified translations for any documents not in English or French
Selection Criteria
Applications are judged on two equally weighted criteria:
- Research potential (50%) – quality and originality of your research proposal, its expected contribution, and your communication skills.
- Relevant experience and achievements (50%) – your academic record, awards, research experience, and activities within and beyond academia, such as volunteering, mentoring and community work.
Tips for a Strong Application
- Start at least 3–4 months before your university’s internal deadline.
- Write a clear, focused research proposal that explains why your work matters.
- Show concrete achievements: publications, conference presentations, teaching, volunteering and leadership roles.
- Choose referees who know your research well and give them plenty of time.
- Follow the formatting rules exactly and proofread everything.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship still available in 2027?
No. Vanier CGS is no longer accepting applications. It has been replaced by the Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral (CGRS-D).
Can international students apply for the CGRS-D?
Yes. International students can apply if they are registered in a doctoral program at an eligible Canadian institution by the deadline. Up to 15% of awards are reserved for them.
How much is the CGRS-D worth?
CAD 40,000 per year for 3 years.
Can master’s students apply?
Not for the doctoral award. Master’s students can look at the separate Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Master’s (CGRS-M). Students in a fast-track master’s-to-PhD program can apply once they are in the doctoral program.
Is IELTS required?
The scholarship itself does not require IELTS, but your university may ask for proof of English or French language skills for admission.
Do I need a supervisor?
Yes, in practice you need a supervisor at a Canadian university, because you must be admitted to a research-based PhD program.
Can I apply more than once?
Yes, you can apply up to three times, but only to one CRTAS program per academic year.
Official Sources
- Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral program (official page)
- Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (official website)