NSERC
Master’s and PhD Students
Click here to view some useful tips from NSERC about applying for funding
Transcripts
Transcripts are a mandatory requirement to demonstrate eligibility and are an integral part of the material reviewed by selection committee members. Please refer to the Canada Graduate Scholarship – Doctoral program (CGSD) and Canada Graduate Scholarship – Master’s program (CGSM) websites for full application procedures and requirements. Applications that do not adhere to these instructions and guidelines may be rejected. Up-to-date official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate studies must be included in the application. Retain the paper copy of any uploaded transcripts, as you could be asked to provide it for verification purposes.
Up-to-date transcripts are defined as official transcripts dated or issued in the fall session of the year of application (if currently registered) or after the last term completed (if not currently registered). If you are registered in a degree program in the fall session of the year of application, you must provide a transcript that demonstrates registration in your program.
Official transcripts are defined as transcripts issued by the institution’s registrar’s office. Transcripts from other sources, such as those printed from the student’s account on the institution’s website, are not official and will not be accepted.
Electronic transcripts provided by an institution’s registrar’s office are considered to be official transcripts. You should check with your institution(s) to verify whether this option is available to you.
If a transcript includes transfer credits from another institution, the grades for these credits must be shown. If the grades are not shown, the original transcript from the other institution must be included in the application. This includes international exchange programs.
If you have transcripts written in a language other than English or French, you must provide a certified English or French translation.
Paper transcripts must be scanned and saved as a single PDF file (unprotected). You must include only one copy of the legend (for each transcript). Do not scan the legend multiple times. Opening and scanning a paper transcript will not render the transcript unofficial. Pay close attention to specific formatting requirements.
It is your responsibility to ensure that your transcripts are complete and legible once uploaded. This is particularly relevant for transcripts with security features in place to prevent duplication. In all cases, you are responsible for ensuring that your application is complete by reviewing and previewing the final version of the online application before it is submitted.
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
Expected Value: $27,000 for one year. Although the Tri-Agency still has the established amount posted on their website, funding levels are expected to be increased on the Tri-Agency website in the coming months as a result of Budget 2024.
Deadline
Online master’s applications must be submitted by December 1, 2024 before 8:00pm (ET)
Eligibility and Application Details
Go to the Tri-Agency website for the latest information. First-class average: you must have an A- in each of the last two completed years of study (full-time equivalent).
If you are successful, please fill in this acceptance form and send to Graduate Studies at graduate.awards@carleton.ca.
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: schol@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.
Value
Expected Values: CGS D – $40,000 per year for 36 months; NSERC PGS D – $40,000 per year for 36 months. Although the Tri-Agency still has established amounts posted on their websites, as a result of Budget 2024, funding levels are expected to be increased on the Tri-Agency websites in the coming months.
Deadline
September 26, 2024, 11:59 p.m. (ET) for the 2025-2026 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 online 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;
- are not applying in the same academic year to SSHRC or CIHR.
**Please note: Although there is no “first-class average” requirement for this competition, GPA calculations will be used as a tool to assist the reviewing committee with their evaluation of academic achievement.**
Additional Information
All additional information about completing an application form is available on the NSERC web page.
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 graduate.awards@carleton.ca.