External funding includes federal and provincial financial support externally managed.The GSPA office can provide support for students on behalf of government agencies. Federal and provincial scholarship competitions are merit-based and normally occur in the fall term. The results are released the following spring term (March/April).
Students are evaluated based on criteria such as grades, research proposals, referee assessments, leadership skills, and more. In some cases, successful scholarship recipients wishing to pursue doctoral studies at another institution may be able to use their scholarships abroad.
The University of Waterloo is pleased to provide the President's Graduate Scholarship (PGS) valued at up to $10,000 to outstanding graduate students who hold major federally and provincially funded competition-based scholarships.
Examples of external awards include:
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Canada Graduate Scholarships- Master’s program (CGS M)- Tri-Agency (NSERC, SSHRC, CIHR): $27,000/year for 1 year.
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Canada Graduate Scholarships – Doctoral program (CGS D) Tri-Agency (NSERC, SSHRC, CIHR): $40,000/year for 3 years.
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Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) and the Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship in Science and Technology (QEII-GSST): $15,000/year for 1 year. (Renewable)
Federal and Provincial award competitions
For the awards listed below, they are paid out over 3 terms.
Tri-Agency (CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC) Canada Graduate Research Scholarship - Master's (CGRS M)
The Tri-Agency scholarships are a federal awards competition for students in a masters or doctoral program. This scholarship is valued at $27,000 per year for master’s students. It is available to students who are Canadians and Permanent Residents of Canada. If you are a master's student, refer to the Tri-agency (CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC- CGRS M) scholarship details for more information.
Canada Graduate Research Scholarship - Doctoral (CGRS D)
The Tri-Agency scholarships are a federal awards competition for students in a masters or doctoral program. This scholarship is valued at $40,000 per year for doctoral students.It is available to students who are Canadians or Permanent Residents of Canada.
If you are a doctoral student, please refer to the scholarship details for more information on the Canada Graduate Research Scholarship - Doctoral (CGRS D).
Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) and the Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship in Science and Technology (QEII-GSST)
The OGS and the QEII-GSST are provincial award competitions. The QEII-GSST is only eligible for Canadians or Permanent Residents of Canada. The OGS is available to Canadians, Permanent Residents, and international students. Each scholarship is valued at a maximum of $15,000 per year. With the PGS and additional funds by the Faculty of Engineering and the supervisor, the recipient will receive more than the minimum funding. Refer to the scholarship details for more information.
Vector Scholarships
The Vector Scholarships in Artificial Intelligence are externally adjudicated, merit-based awards for new incoming students pursuing AI-related studies in master’s programs recognized by the Vector Institute or who are following an individualized study path that is demonstrably AI-focused in Ontario, Canada. Awards are valued at $17,500 for 1 year. Eligibility criteria can be reviewed here.
Students interested in applying for this scholarship must complete a Vector Scholarship in AI Application form by department deadline.
Funding that replaces the minimum funding
Any funding that is considered a major award (over $15,000/year in value) replaces the minimum funding. Awards that replace the minimum funding include but are not limited to the Tri Agency Scholarships (CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC), IBET Momentum Fellowship, and the OGS-QEII (GSST).
Students who receive a major doctoral scholarship (i.e. Tri-Agency or OGS/QEII-GSST) will receive the minimum funding amounts:
| Scholarship | Ministry/Agency | Top-up | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| CGSR-D | $40,000 | $10,000 | $50,000 |
| CIRTA-D | $40,000 | $10,000 | $50,000 |
| OGS | $15,000 | $25,000 | $40,000 |
| QEII/GSST | $15,000 | $25,000 | $40,000 |
This table is provided for guidance only. The amounts listed are subject to change. For further details, please contact your graduate coordinator.