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Tri-Council Master's Awards

The Canada Graduate Scholarships – Master’s Program (CGS-M) has a single, harmonized application process for the three federal granting agencies: the Natural Sciences & Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the Social Sciences & Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC), and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).

The Canada Graduate Scholarships Master's (CGS-M) program offers awards valued at $17,500 to students pursuing a master's degree. Applicants may want to familiarize themselves with agencies (see links below), the eligibility requirements, and Canadian Common CV before making a direct application through the Research Portal.

The University of Winnipeg will accept unofficial transcripts as part of the application for the initial review process. However, as CGS-M applicants can select up to three institutions at which they would like to hold the award, applicants should confirm the requirements of each institution.

Please note: The CGS-M awarded at one institution is not transferable to another.

Return to Tri-Council Awards Page

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC)

The Canada Graduate Scholarships Master's (CGS-M) program seeks to develop research skills and assist in the training of highly-qualified personnel by supporting students in the social sciences and humanities who demonstrate a high standard of achievement in undergraduate and early graduate studies. This program, together with the SSHRC Doctoral Awards and Postdoctoral Fellowships programs, helps train Canada's researchers and leaders of tomorrow. The CGS Master's program offers non-renewable twelve-month awards, valued at $17,500, and tenable only at recognized Canadian universities, to applicants who will be registered as full-time students at the master's level in a discipline supported by SSHRC. For more information, please visit the SSHRC website.

"I noticed the goals of my research was aligned with some of SSHRC’s challenge areas especially in the areas of shifting dynamic of privilege and marginalization, the pervasive contamination of the natural, envisioning governance systems that work and combating erosion of culture and history. I knew Manito Aki Inakonigaawin (sacred earth law) was the answer and that it was pertinent to bring this into the awareness of Canada’s consciousness, the important role that the Anishinaabe ancestral law and associated knowledge’s plays with healing the Earth by protecting Anishinaabe biocultural heritage. It was that spirit of unconditional love that Anishinaabe law brings that inspired me to move forward in applying for this award."

- Diana Cowley, 2020-21 Award Recipient, Indigenous Governance

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)

NSERC Canada Graduate Scholarships and Postgraduate Scholarships provide financial support to high-calibre scholars who are engaged in masters or doctoral programs in the natural sciences or engineering. The Canada Graduate Scholarships valued at $17,500 will be offered to the top-ranked applicants at each level (master's and doctoral) and the next tier of meritorious applicants will be offered an NSERC Postgraduate Scholarship valued at $17,300. For more information on eligibility and program requirements please visit the NSERC website.

"I applied for this award because I thought it would help support my development as a researcher. I am currently studying the effects of transgenerational acclimation and phenotypic variation on a freshwater fish species response to elevated carbon dioxide, under the supervision of Dr. Caleb Hasler. Ultimately, I hope this knowledge will be used to help advocate for more enforced protection of aquatic ecosystems. In addition to financially supporting the continuation of my research, this award contributes to my success by encouraging and propelling the continuation of my education and prospects."

- Jenna Fleet, 2020-21 Award Recipient, Bioscience, Technology, and Public Policy

Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)

The Canada Graduate Scholarships Master's Awards administered by CIHR are intended to provide special recognition and support to students who are pursuing a Master's degree in a health-related field in Canada. These candidates are expected to have an exceptionally high potential for future research achievement and productivity. For more information please visit the CIHR website.

Value

SSHRC: $17,500 for 12 months, non-renewable
NSERC: $17,500 for 12 months, non-renewable
CIHR: $17,500 for 12 months, non-renewable

Eligibility

Eligibility requirements:

  • Must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
  • Must be in a graduate program with a significant research component
  • Must not have received any other Tri-Agency funding for a master's program
  • Must have a first class GPA as defined by the University of Winnipeg (3.75 or higher) in each of the last two completed years of study (full-time equivalent)
  • Must have completed no more than 12 months of full-time studies in the graduate program as of December 31 of the year in which the application is being made (I.E. if you apply on December 1, 2020, you should have completed no more than 12 months of full-time study as of December 31, 2020)

For complete eligibility please consult the CGS-M website.

Application Procedures

Students apply online through the Research Portal.

Applicants are expected to carefully read and follow the Instructions for Completing an Application.

The deadline for students to submit their applications via the Research Portal is December 1 (or next business day).

A complete application must include the following materials:

  • An outline of proposed research (One page maximum plus one page maximum for citations)
  • Curriculum Vitae - to be completed on the Canadian Commons CV portal.
  • Two letters of reference (to be uploaded online by referees before December 1st)
  • Up-to-date transcripts showing current registration/courses in progress from all post-secondary institutions attended (scanned and uploaded) this includes (but is not limited to):
    • all foreign transcripts
    • all transfer credit transcripts (even those transferred to the University of Winnipeg)
    • University of Winnipeg transcripts (including current registration/grades in progress)
    • all transcripts of incomplete work/non-degree study/qualifying years, etc.
    • The University of Winnipeg will accept unofficial copies of transcripts
Deadline

Application deadline*: December 1, before 8:00 pm (ET). If the deadline falls on a weekend, applications must be submitted on the following business day before 8:00 pm (ET).

Results: Competition results will be available as of April 15 in the Research Portal.

*As the application deadline approaches, delays may occur due to a high volume of users, which may prevent the timely submission of your application. Ensure you leave sufficient time for possible delays in submitting your application. Late applications will not be accepted.