CGS M - Indigenous Scholars Awards and Supplements
Supporting Indigenous students who demonstrate a high standard of achievement in undergraduate and early graduate studies.
The Indigenous Scholars Awards and Supplements Pilot Initiative provides financial support to meritorious Indigenous students who have applied to the Canada Graduate Scholars—Master’s program (CGS M).
At a glance
Preparing your application
You are encouraged to apply for awards when you have submitted your admissions application and received your University of Calgary student number (UCID). You are not required to meet the eligibility requirements in the terms of reference of an award when you apply, but if successful, you must meet the eligibility requirements at the time the award is paid.
Please ensure that you have completed the following two steps before submitting your application:
Read the terms of reference
Awards are based on merit. It is important to read and understand the award terms of reference listed on this page and/or on the agency, or donor website.
Know your eligibility
Read our guide to discover the polices and regulations that determines a student's award eligibility at the University of Calgary.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the Canada Graduate Scholarships-Master’s Program (CGS M) students must have achieved a first-class average, as determined by the university issuing the transcripts, in the last two completed years of study (full-time equivalent). At the University of Calgary, a student must have achieved a grade point average of 3.5 or higher in the last 2 years of study. Each institution has their own definition of first-class average. The University of Calgary does not convert scales.
Committee
The CGS M committee members will be drawn from the Graduate Scholarship Committee. The committee will be interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary in nature.
SSHRC and NSERC will not share self-identification information with institutional selection committees.
Selection process
Each CGS M application will be reviewed by three committee members at the institutional level and assessed according to the Selection Criteria. Committee members will be assigned to applications based on field of research (health, natural sciences and engineering and social sciences and humanities).
SSHRC and NSERC staff will review the self-identification documentation to ensure that applicants have provided the requested information.
While the CGS M merit review process is used to determine funding recipients under the Indigenous Scholars Awards and Supplements Pilot Initiative, should there be more applications than funds available, a selection committee will be formed by SSHRC and NSERC to rank the CGS M applications eligible for the award and supplement using the CGS M selection criteria.
Conflict of Interest
Committee members will declare a conflict of interest if their relationship with the student is other than an academic one; if they supervise or have provided a letter of reference for the applicant; or if they have a direct or indirect financial interest in the application being reviewed.
Note: An administrator in the student’s program or on the student’s supervisory committee (excluding the supervisor) is not considered a conflict unless they have provided a letter of reference for the applicant.
Application
Research Portal opens September 1. Applications are submitted electronically through the Research Portal.
The Tri-agency portal list of programs available at the University of Calgary includes research units and administrative offices as well as graduate programs. To ensure correct processing of your application, choose a graduate program available at the University of Calgary. If you need assistance, please contact us at gsaward@ucalgary.ca
Applicants select “Indigenous Scholars Award and Supplement Pilot Initiative” in the drop-down menu in the “Supplements/Joint Initiatives” section of the application form, under the “social sciences and/or humanities” or “natural sciences and engineering” field of research.
Applicants must also submit a personal statement. In their personal statement, applicants must describe how their proposed research project, career and/or education goals have been informed by their experience as a First Nations, Inuit and/or Métis person. If appropriate, applicants can discuss their existing connection, or efforts to develop or re-establish a link, with their Indigenous community.
Transcripts
You are required to include transcripts from all post-secondary institutions that you have attended, including the University of Calgary, even if no grades were assigned or you did not complete the degree.
The deadline to request transcripts has passed. Requests will no longer be accepted.
- If you have not yet requested transcripts from FGS, you must request official copies form each institution you have attended and upload them according to the application instructions.
- If you have requested transcripts, the Graduate Scholarship Office will compile all your listed transcripts from your UCalgary Student File and format them into one file as required by the application portal.
Student responsibility
We will email the PDF file to you by November 25, and you will have to upload it to your application by the December 1st application deadline.
It is your responsibility to ensure the transcripts attached here are correct, complete, legible once uploaded and in the correct format. Review the final version of your online application before it is submitted.
If you have not received your transcripts
If you made a request using the Transcript Request Form on or before November 7 and do not receive transcripts by November 25 you may contact us on November 26.
We are unable to respond to any emails requesting updates on the status of your request prior to this date, as this delays the overall process. If there are any concerns with your transcripts, you will be contacted.
Attend a workshop
Set yourself up for success and attend one of our workshops
One-on-one mentoring
The Graduate Leaders Circle (GLC) is hosting scholarship cafes, dedicated one-on-one mentoring sessions for students applying for Tri-agency master's scholarships. Scheduled sessions are available.
If you have eligibility questions or you experience difficulties with the portal, please contact the Faculty of Graduate Studies office (gsaward@ucalgary.ca) or contact the research portal directly.