Canada Graduate Scholarships-Master's (CGS M)
The CGS M program supports students who demonstrate a high standard of achievement in undergraduate and early graduate studies.
Tri-Agency Update
The tri-agencies have announced increased award values for all current and new master’s and doctoral student scholarships effective September 1, 2024, and have begun to release details regarding the increase in funding.
As individual student funding details are received, the Awards team will update the student, supervisor, and program.
**Please note: Given the volume of awards to adjust, this may take some time to advise each individual student.
For more information, please refer to the press release from the Government of Canada.
If you have questions regarding this update, please contact the Graduate Award Office.
Federal funding is made up of three granting agencies (CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC) that provide research funding for high-calibre master’s and doctoral students.
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.
CGS M application eligibility requirements
Tri-agency Recipient Eligibility
The Tri-agency research training award holder’s guide governs eligibility for CGS M, CGS D, PGS D, and Vanier funding offered through CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC.
If you are a recipient of tri-agency funding, you must review this guide prior to making any changes to your registration, employment etc. Contact gsaward@ucalgary.ca to inform the Faculty of Graduate Studies of any potential changes that may impact your funding.
Committee
The CGS M committee members will be drawn from the Graduate Scholarship Committee. The committee will be interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary in nature.
Selection process
Each CGS M application will be reviewed by three committee members 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).
Indigenous students who apply to this competition and self-identify as Canadian Indigenous (FNMI) and provide consent in their application will also be considered for the Canadian Graduate Scholarships-Master's (CGS M) - Indigenous Scholars Awards and Supplements
Black student researchers who apply to this competition and self-identify as Black and provide consent in their application will also be considered for the support for Black student researchers.
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
Transcripts
You are required to include official 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.
- If you are not currently registered as a master's student at the University of Calgary, university transcripts must be requested from the registrar.
- If you are currently registered as an undergraduate or master's student at the University of Calgary, and you are not applying for this award at other universities, you may request copies of your transcripts from the University Designate (gsaward@ucalgary.ca).
- Complete the Transcript Request form (Closed) and submit to gsaward@ucalgary.ca no later than end of day November 4.
- 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 CGS M 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 according to the application instructions.
It is your responsibility to ensure the transcripts provided to you 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
We are unable to respond to any emails requesting updates on the status of your request prior to November 25, as this delays the overall process. If there are any concerns with your transcripts, you will be contacted. If you have not received your transcripts as of November 26, contact gsaward@ucalgary.ca.
Transcript Criteria
All Official transcripts must be uploaded to the application (printed by issuing institution in either electronic or hard copy format). If printed as a hard copy, you must attach a high-quality scan of the document. Watermark security features are expected and allowed.
- If transfer credits are issued, they must either
- Have their own transcript uploaded to the application
or - Be clearly indicated on the degree granting transcript.
- Have their own transcript uploaded to the application
- Copies of transcripts provided by the UCalgary program in which you are registered or the UCalgary Record of Grades (as provided by the program or Grad Award Office) are accepted.
- Screenshots, Printouts from the Student Centre, and/or missing transcripts are not accepted and the application is automatically Ineligible.
Attend a workshop
Set yourself up for success and attend one of our workshops.
UCalgary workshops are hosted by the the Graduate Leaders Circle (GLC). The Graduate Leaders Circle is comprised of Vanier, Killam, and Doctoral tri-agency recipients, the most prestigious awards available to graduate students in Canada. Members serve as mentors to help other graduate students improve their chances for various awards.
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.