Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

For eligibility, please read the “Number of months of doctoral studies” carefully here.

DEADLINE: 12:00pm (PDT - Vancouver time) on Thursday, AUGUST 29, 2024 via ResearchNet

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

Eligibility, application procedures, nomination procedures: click here.

Step-by-Step Application Instructions: click here.

The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (CGS) program is designed to attract and retain world-class doctoral students by supporting students who demonstrate both leadership skills and a high standard of scholarly achievement in graduate studies in the social sciences and humanities, natural sciences and engineering, and health-related fields. Canadian citizens, permanent residents of Canada, and international students are eligible to be nominated for a Vanier Scholarship, which is valued at $50,000 per year for up to three years.

Note: Per changes to Tri-Agency award values announced in June 2024, the Vanier CGS program is expected to continue under its current parameters of $50,000 per year for this competition year. Further information on the future of the program will be shared as it becomes available.

ELIGIBLE: Canadian citizens, permanent residents (PR) of Canada, and international students are eligible to be nominated.

*INELIGIBLE: past or present recipients of CIHR, NSERC or SSHRC Doctoral fellowships are NOT eligible.*

Transcripts:

• Vanier CGS requires official transcripts - unofficial transcripts are not accepted for non-UBC transcripts.  For details on transcript requirements, applicants are recommended to review our Vanier webpage (“Application Procedures”).

 Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)

The Vanier CGS program encourages equity, diversity and inclusion, as part of the Tri-Agency’s broader commitment to excellence in research and research training in Canada. Resources for applicants, institutions, referees and the selection committees are available here.  Applicants are encouraged to review Vanier’s EDI resources before writing their applications and to incorporate EDI considerations in their application package.

Self-Identification of Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, and/or Métis) Applicants

Additional funding allocations may be made available to the University to accommodate applicants who self-identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, and/or Metis). Applicants who choose to self-identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, and/or Metis) should complete the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship (Vanier CGS) Voluntary Self Identification Form and upload it within their application.

Application

To apply, applicants must do the following:

1. Notify the ISGP (isgp.office@ubc.ca) that you intend to apply for the Vanier Scholarship.
2. Check with the ISGP to ensure we have all your official transcripts for ALL post-secondary studies up to August 31, 2024:
   - Confirm ISGP has all your official non-UBC transcripts on file (i.e. scanned copies of official transcripts sent/mailed to Grad Studies and uploaded to your UBC admission file as “official”)
   - Your UBC transcripts will be downloaded by the ISGP to be appended to your application. Your UBC record must show 2024 Winter registration. No need to order UBC official transcripts.
   - DO NOT mail transcripts to the ISGP office.
3. Request letters of support from four referees:
   - two letters from referees assessing the applicant's academic excellence, research potential and demonstrated and potential leadership ability are submitted electronically through ResearchNet by the referee
   - two Leadership Reference Letters (in PDF) are provided to the applicant, who uploads the letters to their electronic application file
   - Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI): Referees are encouraged to review Vanier’s EDI resources to incorporate EDI considerations in their reference letters.
   - applicants should provide potential referees with Information for Referees and the Vanier selection criteria guidelines (4.1.).
4. Create a “Vanier-Banting Academic” CV
5. Prepare the other required documents (Research Contributions, Personal Leadership Statement, Special Circumstances [if applicable], Research Proposal, Project References, and Voluntary Self-Identification Form for Indigenous Applicants [optional]).  The presentation standards and page limits set by Vanier must be followed.
6. Submit a completed Vanier CGS application via ResearchNet by 12:00pm (PDT - Vancouver time) on Thursday, AUGUST 29, 2024.

Sample Proposal 1 - Vanier
Sample Proposal 2 - Vanier
Sample Proposal 3 - Vanier

Tri-Agency Canada Graduate Scholarships - Doctoral (CGS-D)
(*domestic students only)

APPLICATION TIPS
Instructions: Prior to starting online application, be sure to read ALL instructions: SSHRC / CIHR / NSERC, G+PS, ISGP, as well as instructions within the applications!

Formatting: Ensure free-form documents such as “Research Proposal” adhere strictly to formatting requirements (12pt Times New Roman, ¾”/1.87cm margin, single-spaced).

Transcripts: Email ISGP to obtain a PDF copy of all your UBC and non-UBC transcripts to ensure they are the most updated version, official and accepted.

UBC Affiliated Fellowships: Email ISGP the AFF checklist in order to be considered.

Months of Master’s studies: Email ISGP your total months of Master’s studies.

Indigenous/Disability: Email ISGP if you self-identify as indigenous or person with disability, as students who indicated are not counted towards nomination quota.

 UBC-specific Info on detailed application instructions, nomination, and adjudication procedures can be found on the G+PS webpage, which includes guidance on transcripts requirement.

Transcripts (PDF file) can be obtained by emailing the ISGP Office.

IMPORTANT: SSHRC/NSERC/CIHR Applicants must email this checklist to the ISGP Office to be considered for the UBC Affiliated Fellowships.

Deadline for SSHRC, NSERC, CIHR, and UBC Affiliated Fellowships: FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 13 @ 12:00 PM noon PDT

Sample Application of successful proposals can be found on the ISGP web site (“Tri-Agencies CGS-D & UBC Affiliated Fellowships – Doctoral”).

Resources for award applicants here (“Applying For An Award"-->”Tips and best practices for award applicants”).

Eligibility

• currently registered in, or are on an approved leave of absence from, a degree program at UBC
• not currently registered in but was registered at any other time during the year of application (2024) in a degree program at UBC
• Not sure? Consult the CGSD chart "Where should I submit my application?"
• be enrolled in a program of study that includes a significant research component that leads to the completion of a thesis, major research project, dissertation, scholarly publication, performance, recital and/or exhibit that is merit/expert-reviewed at the institutional level as a requirement for completion of the program
• be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada, as of the application deadline date;
• have completed no more than 24 months of full-time study in their doctoral program by December 31 of the calendar year of application if previously enrolled in a graduate program
• have completed no more than 36 months of full-time study in their doctoral program by December 31 of the calendar year of application if enrolled in a joint program; for example, MD/PhD, MA/PhD
  • applicants who fall into this category have access to the 36-month window whether or not they were previously enrolled in a master’s program
• have completed no more than 36 months of full-time study in their doctoral program by December 31 of the calendar year of application if enrolled directly from a bachelor’s to a PhD program (without having completed or enrolled in another graduate program)
  • direct-entry applicants must be enrolled in their doctoral program at the time of application
• submit only one doctoral award application in a given academic year. Nominations to the Vanier CGS program and application to Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships program do not count towards this limit.
• not have already received a doctoral-level scholarship or fellowship from CIHR, NSERC or SSHRC.
• value of all Tri-Agency doctoral fellowships has increased to $40,000 per annum, though it might not yet be reflected on all Tri-Agency websites.
• Tri-Agency Doctoral applicants (ie. CIHR CGS-D, NSERC PGS-D, NSERC CGS-D, SSHRC CGS-D, SSHRC Doctoral Fellowship) must submit applications (click submit in the application system) by the application deadline (FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 13 @ 12:00 PM noon PDT).  This step is required in order for application to be considered.  Late application submissions will not be considered and will be ruled ineligible.

Application Submission: Application will be submitted via each of the agency platforms. The application portals are now open and applicants may begin preparing their applications.

CIHR: Online Application System (application instructions)

• On the task list page, go to “Consent and Submit” and click on “Submit to Research Institution”.
• The system will not allow the application to be submitted until both references are submitted.  It is the applicants responsibility to check in with their referees (“sponsors”) in advance of the application deadline if references are missing. Late references will not be accepted.
• CIHR: No signatures needed for “Institution Paid”
• ResearchNet will not permit the application to be submitted if UBC’s application deadline of Friday September 13 at 12:00 noon PDT has passed.

NSERC: Online Application System (application instructions)

• On ‘Portfolio’ page, click “Verify”.  This step will indicate if there are any incomplete sections in the application.  Then, click “Submit”.
• The system will not allow the application to be submitted until both references (“Reports on the Applicant”) are submitted.  It is the applicants responsibility to check in with their referees in advance of the application deadline if references are missing.  Late references will not be accepted.
• Note: The NSERC system is not able to list UBC’s application deadline, but the date and time of submission is recorded (i.e., every application is time-stamped).  To be eligible, applicants are required to submit their application in the system by Friday September 13 at 12:00 noon PDT.

SSHRC: Online Application System (application instructions)

• On ‘My Portfolio’ page, click “Verify” for both ‘Curriculum Vitae’ and ‘Form’.  This step will indicate if there are any incomplete sections in the application.  Then, click “Submit”.
• The system will not allow the application to be submitted until both references are submitted.  It is the applicants responsibility to check in with their referees in advance of the application deadline if references are missing.  Late references will not be accepted.
• Note: The SSHRC system is not able to list UBC’s application deadline, but the date and time of submission is recorded (i.e., every application is time-stamped).  To be eligible, applicants are required to submit their application in the system by Friday September 13 at 12:00 noon PDT.

CIHR 2021 Info Session for Students
NSERC Scholarships & Fellowships program application tutorials (English)
Sample Proposal 1 - CIHR
Sample Proposal 2 - CIHR
Sample Proposal 1 - SSHRC
Sample Proposal 2 - SSHRC
SSHRC Doctoral Award Application - With annotations & Notes - SAMPLE (may look different this year)
NSERC Postgraduate (Doctoral) Scholarships Application (Form 201) - SAMPLE (may look different this year)

UBC Affiliated Fellowships (*open to int’l students)

The UBC Affiliated Fellowships doctoral competition runs in concert with the university-adjudicated Tri-Agency CGS-D competition.

Students who submit a CIHR, NSERC or SSHRC application to the ISGP are automatically considered for “unrestricted” Affiliated Fellowships and do not need to submit a separate Affiliated Fellowships application: to be considered for “criteria-based” affiliated fellowship(s), students must submit this checklist to the ISGP Office by FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 13 @ 12:00 PM noon PDT.

NOTE: Those applying only for the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship must submit a complete Affiliated Fellowships application in order to be considered for the Affiliated Fellowships.

- Check with ISGP that all your non-UBC post-secondary transcripts are in file.

- No need to order official UBC transcripts.

- Application form must be emailed to ISGP

- 2 references (must be on correct Affiliated Fellowships Reference Forms for applicant’s discipline) emailed directly from referees to ISGP

- MUST provide your own signature (e-signature OK) (pg. 1)

- MUST list both months of Master’s study and doctoral study (pg. 2)

- MUST include current PhD degree in ISGP (pg. 3)

Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarship

***Application deadline: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2023 @ 2:00 PM PST (5:00 EST) on Trudeau Foundation online portal***

Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarships

The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship Program offers a three-year leadership program designed to train Engaged Leaders, equipping doctoral candidates with the skills to translate their ideas into action, for the betterment of their communities, Canada, and the world.  At least 12 doctoral Scholars are selected each year and receive generous funding for their studies.

The Foundation welcomes applications from candidates across a wide range of disciplines in the humanities and social sciences, in business schools, public health and law. Candidates’ research must be related to one or more of the Foundation’s four central themes: Human Rights and Dignity; Responsible Citizenship; Canada and the World; and, People and their Natural Environment.

• Value: Up to $40,000 stipend plus up to $20,000 research and travel allowance per year for three years
• Application Deadline: 1 December 2023 at 2:00 pm PT (5:00 pm ET)

Reminder: As of the 2020 award competition year, interested applicants apply directly to the Trudeau Foundation to be considered in the national competition; all interested and eligible applicants may apply.  The University of British Columbia no longer nominates a subset of applicants to the national competition (there is no department-level or university-level adjudication).

Further Details
G+PS
Trudeau Foundation
FAQ
Questions? Email scholarships@trudeaufoundation.ca.

How to apply

Eligibility

• Doctoral students already accepted into or in year one or two of a full-time doctoral program and expected to complete in 2027 or later
• Field of study broadly related to humanities or human sciences of direct relevance to the future of Canada
• Doctoral work must relate to at least one of the Foundations’ four themes: Human Rights and Dignity, Responsible Citizenship, Canada and the World, People and their Natural Environment
• Canadian citizens studying at Canadian or an international institution; non-Canadians (permanent residents or foreign nationals) enrolled in a doctoral program at a Canadian institution

Applications are submitted via the Trudeau Foundation application portal:

• Before you begin, please review the step-by-step application procedure
• Create an account online at the Foundation Portal:

• For University Name, enter "The University of British Columbia"
• For Faculty or Department, enter the chosen UBC graduate program

• Registrants will receive a username and password in 4 business days (applicants should check their spam/junk folder)
• Once account access is granted: Complete the application form, request two letters of reference, and upload transcripts provided by the ISGP Office

If you are applying:

- Email Enid for “certified true copies” of your transcripts on file.

- No need to order UBC official transcript.

- ISGP will email you a PDF file of all your transcripts.

- Alert your two referees and remind them to fill out the predetermined referral forms (NOT free-form reference letter!) by Friday, December 1^st @ 2pm PST

CGS-M / UBC Affiliated Fellowships (Master's)

*for Master’s students only

Application Deadline (both CGS-M and Affiliated Fellowships): FRIDAY December 1, 2024 before 5:00pm PST

DEADLINE NOTE: The CGS-M application deadline is set nationally by the CGS-M funding agency and is not flexible. Applications cannot be submitted or edited after the application deadline.  Late applications will be ruled ineligible. 

CGS-M

• For domestic students (Canadian/PR) only
• Detailed Competition Information and on G+PS web site
• Application Instructions
• Research Portal (online application) (NOTE: Applicants please use same email used in the UBC online admission system!)
• After the deadline, the Research Portal will close, and there will be no opportunity to re-open the application. This is the deadline for all application materials, including reference letters. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that their references are submitted on time. CGS-M applications cannot be submitted or edited after the application deadline.  Late applications will be ruled ineligible.
• When identifying UBC as your institution, the official name is “The University of British Columbia”
• Video tutorial for Referees completing the online references
• NOTE: Once the Reference Assessment Form is saved and validated (all mandatory fields completed), it will automatically be attached to the student’s application. A status change in the applicant's portal – Invitation accepted and completed—will advise applicant that the assessment is complete. However, the applicant will not be able to view the assessment's content. The referee can modify the Reference Assessment Form as long as the application has not been submitted.
• Email ISGP Office a list of UBC Criteria-Based fellowships to be considered (No need to submit full UBC Affiliated Fellowship application)

Indigenous Scholars Awards and Supplements Pilot Initiative (NSERC and SSHRC)

The Indigenous Scholars Awards and Supplements Pilot Initiative consist of a one-year, non-renewable supplement valued at $5,000 for all meritorious Indigenous CGS M applicants and a one-year, non-renewable award valued at $17,500 for all alternate candidates, subject to the limit of available funding. If you self-identify as Indigenous you are eligible to apply for this initiative.  Note: CIHR is not participating in this initiative.  For more information, see the Tri-Agency's pilot initiative webpage.

UBC Affiliated Fellowships (Master’s)

• For domestic and international students
• If you are not eligible to apply to the Tri-Agencies CGS-M, you may still apply to the UBC Affiliated Fellowships (Master’s)
• Competition Information
• Application form & Instructions
• Reference form
• ONLY electronic submission (by email) will be accepted
• Referees must use designated reference forms. No free-form letters will be accepted
• 2 references must be signed (e-signature OK) and emailed to ISGP Office directly from referees by FRIDAY December 1, 2024 before 5:00pm PST

What you need to do now:

• Ask for CGSM references early; let them know deadlines, and send instructions and video tutorial to referees
• email ISGP Office to request a scan of all academic transcripts: No need to order official UBC transcripts. Check if all official transcripts for all previous studies (including transfer credits) are on file
• Before you begin your online application, prepare the following:

1) Outline of Proposed Research (1 pg. max) + bibliography/citation (1 pg. max)

2) Have the transcript scan ready (from ISGP)

3) Create/update your Canadian Common CV (CCV) and have the confirmation # ready. A complete CCV must be linked to the application by following the instructions provided in the Canada Graduate Scholarships – Master’s program: Instructions for completing a Canadian Common CV page.

UBC Spring Graduate Awards Competition

Full details: https://www.grad.ubc.ca/awards/spring-graduate-awards-competition

Deadline

ISGP Internal Deadline: FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2025 at 4:00pm (email applications to ISGP Office)

Eligibility

Students must be registered, full-time graduate students during the period of the award (Sep 2025-Aug 2026). Incoming students (ie. will start in September 2025 or January 2026) are also eligible to apply (ex. a successful Spring Awards applicant starting in January 2026 could receive funding covering January to August 2026).

Additional eligibility criteria differ between awards, and students might be eligible for multiple awards. The list of awards is available in the Application Form - PART 2. In the Application Form - PART 2, students must clearly address their eligibility as specifically to the award description as possible. To be eligible to receive funding, applicants must meet all the criteria for each award they apply for.

In addition to eligibility requirements specified by each available award, the following criteria apply:

Please note that all previous studies at the graduate level, regardless of institution and discipline, will be included in determining eligibility. For example, a previous Master's degree at UBC or another institution would count towards your total Master's months of study.

Selection

While award recipients will be selected based on evaluation criteria, priority will be given to eligible candidates who do not hold significant scholarship funding (i.e., $16,000 or higher) for the 2025/26 academic year (September 2025 to August 2026).  If a student is offered Spring Awards funding, and later receives other scholarship funding of $16,000 or higher for the same period, the Spring Awards funding offer would normally be rescinded.

*Exception: Some of the Spring Graduate Awards have very niche award descriptions (eligibility requirements).  For example, the #6362 award ‘James and Setsuko Thurlow Scholarship in Peace and Disarmament Studies’.  If a Spring Graduate Award receives a very low number of eligible applications, it may be awarded to a student who already has significant scholarship funding.

Procedure

Application Instructions

Applicants must submit (via email) the following materials to the ISGP:

1. completed application form - PART 1

2. completed application form - PART 2

3. Canadian CCV – CGS-Master’s version

1. 1. applicants are required to complete the CCV from the Canadian Common CV Web site as part of their application. Refer to the Canadian Common CV – How to Complete the Canada Graduate Scholarships-Master's Version for details.
   2. applicants should access the .pdf version of their CCV by clicking “History” in the top menu bar when logged into the CCV website and download the .pdf version of their CCV, rather than the .xml version.

4. (ISGP will provide) academic records for all university-level studies (including studies undertaken but not completed) up to December 31, 2024. Official transcripts are preferred. These may be original or certified true copies provided by the ISGP. For UBC, the applicant's "UBC Advising Transcript" provided by the ISGP will be accepted. Please note that students must request certified true copies of transcripts from their graduate program (ISGP), not from the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. ISGP Office should be able to retrieve official/unofficial transcripts in the online admission portal. Please check with the ISGP for your transcripts on file.

5. One letter of recommendation/form. In some cases, a reference letter submitted for a previous scholarship competition may be used; see the application instructions for details. NOTE: Referees must use reference form instead of free-form letter on letterhead.