The NSERC Postgraduate Scholarships – Doctoral (PGS D) program provides financial support to high-calibre students who are engaged in an eligible doctoral program (see Eligibility criteria for students and fellows) in the natural sciences or engineering. This support allows these scholars to fully concentrate on their studies and seek out the best research mentors in their chosen fields.
Applications to the PGS D program will automatically be considered for the Canada Graduate Scholarships – Doctoral (CGS D) award. If your application is one of the highest scored applications, you will be offered a CGS D; if your application is among the next tier of meritorious applications, you will be offered a PGS D; and if your application is one of the lower scored applications, you will not be offered an award.
NSERC supports research whose major challenges lie in the natural sciences and engineering (NSE), other than the health sciences. Research primarily in the NSE that advances NSE knowledge is eligible for NSERC support, even if it may have potential future applications in human health—such as diagnosis or treatment. Proposals that include the use of methodologies, tools, techniques and knowledge from the NSE are not automatically considered eligible. Additionally, research involving clinical trials or research related to human health or nutrition that focuses on collecting data to support regulatory requirements or marketing needs is not eligible. Research in animal health and veterinary medicine is eligible. In cases where the proposed research is deemed to fall within the mandate of either CIHR or SSHRC, NSERC will reject the application.
The NSERC PGS D provides:
- 3 years of support
- $CAD 21,000/ year
The NSERC PGS D is due October 17.
Eligibility
- Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada or a protected person under subsection 95(2) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada), as of the application deadline date.
- The PGS D can be taken at any eligible foreign institution, provided you have received a previous degree from a Canadian institution.
Application Requirements
- Please contact the Office of Fellowships and Scientific Writing (OFSW) in the Graduates School to inform the grants administrator of your intent to submit an application
- Applications must be routed to the OFSW via Weill Research Gateway (WRG) 7 business days before the sponsor deadline for Pre-Review and 2 business days before the sponsor deadline for final review
- PhD Students