Information on this page is subject to change pending updates from the agency.
Early July 2025:
- Program details available on Canada Graduate Research Scholarships – Doctoral (CGRS D) website and CIHR’s ResearchNET , NSERC’s online application portal and SSHRC’s application are open.
As soon as possible and by September 8, 2025:
- Applicants request official Waterloo transcripts through the Canada Graduate Research Scholarship Doctoral (CGRS D) - CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC applicant transcript request form on The Centre's website. By submitting this form, Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA) will generate official Waterloo transcripts and send these to applicants.
- The deadline for applicants to request their Waterloo transcripts to be generated by GSPA is Monday, September 8. Late requests will not be processed.
- Applicants are responsible for requesting all other official transcripts from all current and previous post-secondary institutions.
September 8 - September 15, 2025:
- GSPA generates Waterloo transcripts. Transcripts will be emailed to applicants to merge with their other institutional transcripts to upload to their application.
- Note: Applications cannot be submitted until transcripts are uploaded.
September 16, 2025, at 8:00 p.m. (ET)*:
- 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 22, 2025:
- GSPA saves each CGRS D application to department folders in SharePoint.
- GSPA prepares spreadsheets for departments by end of day on September 22, 2025.
September 22 – October 6, 2025:
- 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 6, 2025.
October 6, 2025:
- Deadline for departments to upload their completed spreadsheets with rankings to SharePoint.
October 10 – October 24, 2025:
- GSPA gives access to the institutional selection committee members in order to review the applications that will be discussed at the selection meeting on October 31, 2025.
- Selection committee members complete and save a copy of their ranking sheets to SharePoint for GSPA use by October 24, 2025.
October 31, 2025:
- Institutional selection committee meeting to determine applicants selected for endorsement.
November 3 - 20, 2025:
- GSPA to confirm the eligibility of endorsed applicants and notify applicants of corrections required (if applicable).
November 21, 2025:
- GSPA to forward recommended applications to each agency based on assigned quotas.
November 22 - December 2025:
- GSPA to notify department graduate co-ordinators and applicants of the application status.
By the end of April 2026:
- 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.