Information on this page is subject to change pending updates from the agency.
Early July 2026:
- Program details are available on the Canada Graduate Research Scholarships – Doctoral (CGRS D) website and CIHR’s ResearchNET , NSERC’s online application portal and SSHRC’s applications are open.
As soon as possible and final deadline by September 10, 2026:
- Students who are applying for a tri-agency CGRS D through the University of Waterloo may obtain an official electronic copy of their Waterloo transcript at no charge by completing the CGRS D applicant transcript request form as outlined on our CGRS D web page.
- The deadline for applicants to submit their transcript request form is Thursday, September 10 (late forms will not be processed).
- Applicants are responsible for requesting all other official transcripts from all current and previous post-secondary institutions.
By Wednesday, September 16, 2026:
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The MyCreds link for your Waterloo transcript will be emailed to the applicant. The applicant must merge this Waterloo transcript with their other institutional transcripts to upload to their application.
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Note: Applications cannot be submitted until transcripts are uploaded.
September 22, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. (ET)*:
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Deadline to submit an application through the appropriate tri-agency application portal. Applications submitted after this deadline will not be considered, regardless if the portal accepts late submissions.
- Applicants are unable to submit their applications until they are complete (which includes transcripts and reference letters). Applicants must "submit" to complete the application process.
Note: This is prior to each agency's deadline for direct applicants; refer to step 2: Confirm where your application should be considered in the Critical steps section.
As soon as possible and by September 28, 2026:
- GSPA saves each CGRS D application to department folders in SharePoint.
- GSPA prepares spreadsheets for departments by end of day on September 28, 2026.
September 29 – October 14, 2026:
- Departments review and rank their applications in SharePoint.
- Note: GSPA will only be confirming eligibility for those applications recommended for endorsement by the university-wide scholarship selection committee.
- Departments complete and save a copy of their ranking sheets to SharePoint for GSPA use by October 14, 2026.
October 14, 2026:
- Deadline for departments to upload their completed spreadsheets with rankings to SharePoint.
October 19 – November 2, 2026:
- GSPA gives access to the institutional selection committee members in order to review the applications that will be discussed at the selection meeting on November 2, 2026.
- Selection committee members complete and save a copy of their ranking sheets to SharePoint for GSPA use by November 2, 2026.
November 6, 2026:
- Institutional selection committee meeting to determine applicants selected for endorsement.
November 9 - 20, 2026:
- GSPA to confirm the eligibility of endorsed applicants and notify applicants of corrections required (if applicable).
November 23, 2026:
- GSPA to forward recommended applications to each agency based on assigned quotas.
November 23 - December 2026:
- GSPA to notify department graduate co-ordinators and applicants of the application status.
By the end of April 2027:
- CGRS D to release results to applicants and institutions. If the applicant’s contact information (email) changes after submitting their application, they must inform the specific agency by contacting them.