CGRS-D 2026

[pollenpixie]

I did not see a topic for this year's CGRS-D, so I figured I would start one! This is my first year applying for the doctoral scholarship (SSRHC--first-year PhD student). Not feeling super hopeful, as no one in my department has gotten it in a while, but I think I have a strong application. We will see! The countdown is on. 

[HawkerHunter7]

Hi, I also applied for this year's NSERC CGRS-D for the first time. Do you think the results will be out before April 30 this year?

[RickyZ]

20 hours ago, HawkerHunter7 said:

Hi, I also applied for this year's NSERC CGRS-D for the first time. Do you think the results will be out before April 30 this year?

I dunno. Last time I applied when it was PGS D, they said ``end of April" which turned out to be April 24. But now the website says ``April 30" as the announcement date (not by April 30th). But we can hope...

[plumprabbit]

Does anyone know the chances for alternate at McGill for SSHRC master's ? I know this forum's about the doctoral award, but felt like people here might know!

[pollenpixie]

23 hours ago, g2323 said:

Does anyone know the chances for alternate at McGill for SSHRC master's ? I know this forum's about the doctoral award, but felt like people here might know!

It's difficult to say. It depends on your ranking on the alternate list and whether people turn down the funding from that institution. I believe some people have had success finding out their rank by reaching out to those in charge of the scholarships at their institution. I know people who were offered SSHRC the following January as an alternate. So it could be a while, if you are successful eventually! 

[plumprabbit]

11 hours ago, pollenpixie said:

It's difficult to say. It depends on your ranking on the alternate list and whether people turn down the funding from that institution. I believe some people have had success finding out their rank by reaching out to those in charge of the scholarships at their institution. I know people who were offered SSHRC the following January as an alternate. So it could be a while, if you are successful eventually! 

Thanks for this! McGill's grad department has said they don't disclose info.....is there really no way for me to know if they're one of the institutions who don't divulge? I have no idea if I should realistically expect movement or whether it's basically a lost cause, and it is complicating my decision process. 

[pollenpixie]

8 hours ago, g2323 said:

Thanks for this! McGill's grad department has said they don't disclose info.....is there really no way for me to know if they're one of the institutions who don't divulge? I have no idea if I should realistically expect movement or whether it's basically a lost cause, and it is complicating my decision process. 

I don't think so, unfortunately. My institution also does not disclose ranking. Even if you did know your ranking, it's difficult to predict how many people will turn down the scholarship for you to move up the list/receive the award. Not sure if you can reach out to someone to get advice on the situation? Perhaps a graduate advisor? Perhaps check out Reddit for insight into similar experiences. Goodluck!

 

[RickyZ]

9 hours ago, g2323 said:

Thanks for this! McGill's grad department has said they don't disclose info.....is there really no way for me to know if they're one of the institutions who don't divulge? I have no idea if I should realistically expect movement or whether it's basically a lost cause, and it is complicating my decision process. 

I would expect no movement on this. Alternate just means meritorious application and I don't think it makes it far down the list of alternates and very few get rejected in the first place. 

[Cheesecake77]

Does anyone know when we will get access to the portal to see results on April 30th? Only 20 days left! 
My last name is near the end of the alphabet so I am also curious about whether I have to wait longer :/

Also, supposedly this is the first year where the amalgamated Vanier, CGS-D, PGS-D etc. scholarships are combined into the CGRS-D application. I am hoping and praying this means I can possibly get an award this year, I really need it!... (we all do)

Edited April 10 by Cheesecake77
additional info

[RickyZ]

On 4/10/2026 at 11:25 AM, Cheesecake77 said:

Does anyone know when we will get access to the portal to see results on April 30th? Only 20 days left! 
My last name is near the end of the alphabet so I am also curious about whether I have to wait longer :/

Also, supposedly this is the first year where the amalgamated Vanier, CGS-D, PGS-D etc. scholarships are combined into the CGRS-D application. I am hoping and praying this means I can possibly get an award this year, I really need it!... (we all do)

I think usually they come out the same day, just it's rolling by last-name. So you may only have to wait a few extra hours.

[trixielllyyy]

Would someone like to share their stats and the applied committee?

# of pubs, conferences, GPA, etc.? 

I'm applying to the NSERC committee 201 with 8 journal pubs, 7 confs, but my GPA sucks, and committee 201 seems competitive... so I am super anxious...

Edited April 13 by trixielllyyy

[LordBanana]

Good luck everyone! Committee 195 for me, second time trying. 

[hatetowait2025]

how do you know which committee?

[LordBanana]

You select it when you apply. Not sure about the others, but NSERC has a website for all their committee codes and even the members who sit on these committees. I am specifically subject 5504 (animal physiology & metabolism) within committee 195 (animal & plant biology)

[hatetowait2025]

Ah okay! I applied for CIHR, I dont think this applies. My understanding is that there are only 2 committees. Good luck!!

[jsilly]

On 4/12/2026 at 8:10 PM, trixielllyyy said:

Would someone like to share their stats and the applied committee?

# of pubs, conferences, GPA, etc.? 

I'm applying to the NSERC committee 201 with 8 journal pubs, 7 confs, but my GPA sucks, and committee 201 seems competitive... so I am super anxious...

Also committee 201 (but in the weird little niche field of agricultural engineering)!! No PR publications, one conference presentation, 93.5% MSc average / 82% undergrad average, and tonnssss of technology transfer / industry + govt collaboration on practical projects lol. But NO PUBLICATIONS 😭 which are king apparently so fml. Good luck ❤️ 

[trixielllyyy]

12 minutes ago, jsilvs said:

Also committee 201 (but in the weird little niche field of agricultural engineering)!! No PR publications, one conference presentation, 93.5% MSc average / 82% undergrad average, and tonnssss of technology transfer / industry + govt collaboration on practical projects lol. But NO PUBLICATIONS 😭 which are king apparently so fml. Good luck ❤️ 

It's my first time applying to any big scholarship so I do not know how much publications matter... I guess even if someone has 100+ publications, it would only count for 50%, correct? Maybe some profs are more biased, but who knows? lol

[RickyZ]

On 4/12/2026 at 8:10 PM, trixielllyyy said:

Would someone like to share their stats and the applied committee?

# of pubs, conferences, GPA, etc.? 

I'm applying to the NSERC committee 201 with 8 journal pubs, 7 confs, but my GPA sucks, and committee 201 seems competitive... so I am super anxious...

8 Journal pubs? Why are you applying for CGRS-D and not graduation lol

[trixielllyyy]

14 minutes ago, RickyZ said:

8 Journal pubs? Why are you applying for CGRS-D and not graduation lol

I worked for a few years before my phd. so I have time to wait for my 6 pubs from masters. 2 from phd so far by the time I applied for CGRS. 3rd did not make it on time…

[jsilly]

17 hours ago, trixielllyyy said:

It's my first time applying to any big scholarship so I do not know how much publications matter... I guess even if someone has 100+ publications, it would only count for 50%, correct? Maybe some profs are more biased, but who knows? lol

It’s also my first time applying, but I haven’t even started my PhD yet (starting in May lolololol) 😭

If it brings you some comfort to know though, a senior PhD student at my lab also had bad grades (didn’t even get into his PhD the first time around despite it being with the same lab/advisor as his MSc) and he got an NSERC CGS-D 😊 so grades definitely aren’t all they care about! 
 

And in case anyone else is in the same boat as me (lacking publications), other people from my lab who didn’t have any publications have still gotten it too. 
 

THERE IS HOPE FOR ALL OF US IDIOTS ❤️

Edited April 14 by jsilly

[HawkerHunter7]

This year, doctoral awards availabile to the three agencies were increased by 1200 awards so the chance of landing a CGRS-D would be way higher this year. Hope this adds a bit of relief for everyone while we are waiting.

[hatetowait2025]

3 hours ago, RickyZ said:

8 Journal pubs? Why are you applying for CGRS-D and not graduation lol

I had more than 10 publications, several first author, still didn't get it last year (CIHR). I think publications are a factor, but the clarity of your proposal, signs of motivation and hard work all count, as well as luck (who will be the reviewers). Good luck!

[RickyZ]

16 minutes ago, HawkerHunter7 said:

This year, doctoral awards availabile to the three agencies were increased by 1200 awards so the chance of landing a CGRS-D would be way higher this year. Hope this adds a bit of relief for everyone while we are waiting.

Where do you find this information?

[HawkerHunter7]

8 minutes ago, RickyZ said:

Where do you find this information?

https://nserc-crsng.canada.ca/en/news/launch-new-harmonized-tri-agency-scholarship-and-fellowship-programs

[RickyZ]

2 minutes ago, HawkerHunter7 said:

https://nserc-crsng.canada.ca/en/news/launch-new-harmonized-tri-agency-scholarship-and-fellowship-programs

Cool thanks. I thought that applied for last year's competition.