Master’s and PhD Students
Click here to view some useful tips from NSERC about applying for funding
Master’s Students
Master’s students submit a common application form for all three Tri-council agencies (NSERC, SSHRC, CIHR). You will want to watch this video on instructions on how to complete a reference assessment form.
Value
$17,500 for 12 months, non-renewable
Deadline
Online master’s applications must be submitted by December 1.
Eligibility and Application Details
Go to the Tri-Agency website for the latest information. You must have at least an A- average to apply. Carleton University students who hold an NSERC award are permitted to work a maximum of 520 hours during their award period. If you begin your award:
- in the summer term, your 520 hours are from May 1-April 30.
- in the fall term, September 1 – August 31.
- in the winter term, January 1 – December 31.
- If you hold a multi-year award, your hours will begin at the beginning of a new award cycle
If you are successful, please fill in this acceptance form and send to Jenna McConnell at FGPA.
PhD Students
If you are uncertain about whether to send your application to SSHRC, NSERC or CIHR, please visit this website. If you would like a ruling from NSERC, please email scholfin@nserc-crsng.gc.ca. If you have a degree in a field other than science or engineering, NSERC may accept the application at its discretion. Please click here for more information about your registration status at time of application, eligibility requirements and maximum duration of scholarship support.
Value
Alexander Graham Bell Canada Graduate Scholarships Doctoral: $35,000 a year (for two or three years)
NSERC Postgraduate Scholarships-Doctoral: $21,000 a year (for two or three years)
Deadline
Sept 27, 2021 11:59 p.m. (Eastern) for the 2022-2023 academic year via the NSERC Online Portal. Referee letters must be attached to your application before you can submit. Applicants must ensure their application is complete and submitted prior to the deadline. Applications submitted on-line after this date will not be considered.
Eligibility
You may be eligible for a NSERC award if you:
- are a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada
- hold, or expect to hold at the time the award begins, a degree in science or engineering from a university whose standing is acceptable to NSERC
- intend to pursue (in the following year) full-time graduate studies and research at the master’s or doctoral level in one of the areas of natural sciences and engineering supported by NSERC
- have obtained a grade of A- in each of the last two completed years of study, regardless of the number of credits you completed
- are not applying in the same academic year to SSHRC or CIHR.
Maximum Hours of Work for NSERC Award Holders
Carleton University students who hold an external award are permitted to work a maximum of 520 hours during their award period. If you begin your award:
- in the summer term, your 520 hours are from May 1-April 30.
- in the fall term, September 1 – August 31.
- in the winter term, January 1 – December 31.
- If you hold a multi-year award, your hours will begin at the beginning of a new award cycle
Applications
Applications for NSERC awards are completed online through the NSERC website (PhD). Your online application will then be evaluated by your department which will rank applications and forward them to the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs for further evaluation. The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs will submit the top-ranked applicants from all Faculties to NSERC for consideration. Students are responsible for obtaining originals of all post secondary transcripts, including Carleton, and should send them to the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs. The “University Designate” for Carleton University is Jenna McConnell.
Additional Information
All additional information about completing an application form is available on the NSERC web page.
You can also view the slides for the Sept. 12, 2017 NSERC information session by clicking here.
Doctoral Student Annual Progress Reports
Any student who holds a NSERC multi-year award at the doctoral level must fill out an annual progress report in order to receive the next three terms of the award.
When completing the report form, please note your student number. These reports need to be submitted each year as per the following schedule:
April 1 – May anniversaries
July 1 – September anniversaries
December 1 – January anniversaries
Completed forms and questions can be directed to Jenna McConnell at FGPA.