Canada Graduate Research Scholarship 2027: CGRS M Master’s Scholarship in Canada

The Canada Graduate Research Scholarship 2027 (CGRS M) is offering eligible graduate students $27,000 for 12 months of research-focused study at participating Canadian institutions.

The Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Master’s (CGRS M) is part of Canada’s federal Canada Research Training Awards Suite (CRTAS) and is administered jointly by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).

The program supports outstanding graduate researchers across a wide range of disciplines and is designed to strengthen research skills and Canada’s research capacity.

For the 2027 competition, the listed application deadline is December 1, 2026. Applicants should also check the internal deadline of their intended Canadian university because institutions may set earlier deadlines.

Canada Graduate Research Scholarship 2027: $27,000 for 12 months of eligible graduate research at participating Canadian institutions.

Canada Graduate Research Scholarship 2027 – Quick Overview

Scholarship Details	Information
Scholarship Name	Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Master’s
Short Name	CGRS M
Competition Year	2027
Host Country	Canada
Study Level	Master’s and eligible graduate research programs
Funding Amount	$27,000
Funding Duration	12 months
Number of Students Supported	Up to 3,298 annually
Research Areas	Health, Natural Sciences, Engineering, Social Sciences and Humanities
Application Deadline	December 1, 2026
Application Platform	Research Portal
Administered By	CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC

The CGRS M program supports up to 3,298 students annually across all disciplines, with applications submitted to eligible institutions through the Research Portal.

What Is the Canada Graduate Research Scholarship 2027?

The Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Master’s (CGRS M) is a federal graduate research funding program for eligible students undertaking research-based graduate studies in Canada.

The scholarship forms part of the Canada Research Training Awards Suite, which also includes the Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral (CGRS D) and the Canada Postdoctoral Research Award (CPRA).

Through these programs, Canada’s three federal granting agencies support the development of highly qualified researchers, innovators, knowledge workers and creative thinkers.

Canada Graduate Research Scholarship Benefits

The main financial benefit of the CGRS M 2027 scholarship is:

$27,000 for 12 Months

Successful applicants receive $27,000 for a 12-month award period.

The scholarship is intended to provide financial support while eligible graduate students develop their research skills and contribute to research at participating Canadian institutions.

Key Benefits

$27,000 scholarship value
12 months of financial support
Research opportunities at eligible Canadian institutions
Support for graduate-level research
Funding across a broad range of academic disciplines
Participation in Canada’s federal graduate research funding system

Who Is Eligible for the Canada Graduate Research Scholarship 2027?

Eligibility is an important part of the CGRS M application process.

To apply, candidates must meet the program’s requirements, including the following:

Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident of Canada, or Protected Person under subsection 95(2) of Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act as of the application deadline.
Be registered in, have applied for, or plan to apply for admission to an eligible graduate program at a participating Canadian institution.
Meet the admission and internal application deadline requirements of the selected institution.
Meet the program’s requirements concerning previous graduate study.
Have achieved a first-class average, as determined by the host institution, during each of the last two completed years of study on a full-time-equivalent basis.
Meet the requirements relating to previous master’s-level scholarships and designated Indigenous research funding.
Apply to only one CRTAS program per academic year through CIHR, NSERC or SSHRC.

Is the CGRS M Scholarship Open to International Students?

Based on the eligibility requirements provided for this program, international students who do not meet the Canadian citizenship, permanent-resident or Protected Person requirement are not eligible.

This is an important distinction for students searching for Canada scholarships for international students. Applicants should check their status carefully before preparing an application.

Academic Requirements for CGRS M

Applicants must generally have achieved a first-class average in each of their last two completed years of study, calculated on a full-time-equivalent basis.

However, the program information notes that individual institutions may, at their discretion, accept applications from candidates who do not meet the first-class average requirement.

Students should therefore contact the graduate studies office of their proposed Canadian institution for specific guidance.

What Programs Are Eligible for the CGRS M Scholarship?

The Canada Graduate Research Scholarship is intended for research-oriented graduate programs.

An eligible program should normally involve a significant research component and lead to an academic or creative research outcome, such as:

Master’s thesis
Major research project
Doctoral dissertation
Scholarly publication
Performance
Recital
Exhibition

The research component must be subject to appropriate academic evaluation.

Certain professional and research joint programs may also qualify when they contain a significant autonomous research component. Examples include MD/PhD, DVM/PhD, JD/MA, JD/PhD, MBA/PhD and MA/MBA programs.

Are Coursework-Only Master’s Programs Eligible?

Generally, coursework-only master’s programs are not eligible because the CGRS M requires a significant research component.

Fields of Research Covered by CGRS M

The scholarship supports research across broad academic fields associated with Canada’s three federal granting agencies.

Eligible research areas include:

Health Research

Research connected to health and related disciplines supported by CIHR.

Natural Sciences and Engineering

Research in areas supported by NSERC, including natural sciences and engineering.

Social Sciences and Humanities

Research in social sciences, humanities and related disciplines supported by SSHRC.

Interdisciplinary Research

The program also accommodates research that crosses disciplinary boundaries or requires expertise from multiple fields.

Applicants should confirm that their intended institution has an allocation for their proposed research field.

How Much Study Can You Have Completed?

The CGRS M has specific rules concerning previous study in the program for which funding is requested.

Depending on the applicant’s academic pathway, eligible situations can include:

A master’s program
A direct-entry doctoral program following a bachelor’s degree
A combined master’s-doctoral program
A master’s program transitioning to an eligible doctoral program
A master’s program whose requirements will be completed before the award is activated
Certain master’s-to-doctoral pathways that meet the program’s study-period requirements

Previous study can count toward the program even when it was completed at a different institution. Part-time study is calculated proportionally according to the equivalent full-time course load.

Where Can You Use the Canada Graduate Research Scholarship?

CGRS M awards are tenable only at eligible Canadian institutions.

Before applying, candidates should confirm that their intended university or institution:

Participates in the CGRS M program.
Has an allocation relevant to the applicant’s research area.
Meets the requirements for the applicant’s proposed program of study.

Canada Graduate Research Scholarship 2027 Deadline

The listed deadline for the CGRS M 2027 application is December 1, 2026.

However, students should not wait until the federal deadline to begin their application.

Canadian universities may establish their own internal deadlines for applications, admission and supporting documents. The program information specifically advises applicants to respect the internal admission deadline of their intended institution.

How to Apply for the Canada Graduate Research Scholarship 2027

Follow these steps to prepare your CGRS M application:

Step 1: Find an Eligible Canadian Institution

Identify a Canadian institution where you intend to conduct your graduate research.

Step 2: Choose a Research-Based Program

Make sure your intended master’s or graduate program contains the significant research component required by the CGRS M.

Step 3: Check Your Eligibility

Review the citizenship or status requirements, academic requirements, previous-study rules and scholarship restrictions.

Step 4: Contact the Graduate Studies Office

Contact your intended university’s graduate studies office to confirm:

Program eligibility
Research-field eligibility
Institutional CGRS M allocation
Internal application deadline
Admission requirements

Step 5: Prepare Your Application

Complete the required application materials and research information according to the program and institutional instructions.

Step 6: Submit Through the Research Portal

Applications are submitted to the institution where the applicant intends to hold the award using the Research Portal.

Canada Graduate Research Scholarship 2027 Application Portal

Eligible applicants can access the application portal here:

Research Portal:
https://portal-portail.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/

Apply here

Before submitting, applicants should carefully review the current requirements and confirm their institution’s internal application process.

Why You Should Start Your Application Early

Although the listed deadline is December 1, 2026, applicants may need to complete additional steps before submitting their CGRS M application.

These can include identifying an appropriate research program, confirming institutional eligibility, meeting admission requirements and completing the university’s internal application process.

Starting early also gives applicants time to check whether their proposed research area and graduate program meet the CGRS M requirements.

Canada Graduate Research Scholarship 2027 FAQs

What is the Canada Graduate Research Scholarship?

The Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Master’s (CGRS M) is a Canadian federal graduate research scholarship that provides eligible students with $27,000 for 12 months of research-focused graduate study.

How much is the CGRS M scholarship worth?

The scholarship provides $27,000 for 12 months.

When is the Canada Graduate Research Scholarship 2027 deadline?

The listed application deadline is December 1, 2026. Applicants should also check their university’s internal deadline.

Can international students apply for the CGRS M?

The eligibility information provided requires applicants to be Canadian citizens, permanent residents of Canada, or Protected Persons. Therefore, applicants who do not meet one of these status requirements are not eligible under the stated criteria.

Can I apply for a coursework-only Master’s degree?

Generally, no. The CGRS M is intended for graduate programs with a significant research component, and coursework-only master’s programs are typically not eligible.

Which fields of study are eligible?

The program covers broad research areas in health, natural sciences, engineering, social sciences and humanities, including interdisciplinary research.

Where can I use the CGRS M scholarship?

The award can only be held at eligible Canadian institutions.

What academic average is required?

Applicants are generally expected to have achieved a first-class average in each of their last two completed years of study on a full-time-equivalent basis. Institutions may have discretion to accept some applicants who do not meet this requirement.

Where do I apply for the CGRS M?

Applications are submitted to the institution where the applicant intends to hold the award through the Research Portal.

Final Thoughts

The Canada Graduate Research Scholarship 2027 provides $27,000 for 12 months to eligible graduate researchers pursuing qualifying research-based programs at participating Canadian institutions.

The program has specific eligibility requirements, so prospective applicants should verify their status, academic qualifications, proposed research program and institutional requirements before applying.

If you meet the requirements, begin preparing early and contact your intended Canadian institution to confirm its internal deadline and application process.