Government funding external awards programs may be offered by the federal or provincial government to exceptional graduate students. Often the government and external agencies provide the University with a set allocation which stipulates how many applications may be forwarded for further consideration in the provincial or national competition. Applications are first adjudicated by college and/or university level awards committees.
Federal Awards
Students are enthusiastically encouraged to seek out funding from one of the Tri-Council government research granting agencies: Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). The University of Guelph is pleased to offer a top-up of $5,000 per year to all CGS-M and many CIHR Doctoral, NSERC Doctoral, and SSHRC Doctoral scholarship recipients for the duration that the scholarship is held. Note that Vanier CGS and CIHR/NSERC/SSHRC CGS-D recipients are not eligible.
Prospective and in-course students are encouraged to apply, keeping in mind that most external applications are due in the fall and early winter semesters each year and provide funding for the following academic year. Get a head start by scoping out opportunities in late August and early September each year!
Note: Competitions are announced by the agencies at different times throughout the year. The University of Guelph competition details for each competition are updated yearly after the tri-agencies have made their announcement.
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (CGS) [2]
Natural Sciences & Engineering Research Council (NSERC) [3]
Social Sciences & Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) [4]
Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR) [5]
Provincial Awards
Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) Program [6]
Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship in Science and Technology (QEII-GSST) Program [7]
OMAFRA Highly Qualified Personnel (HQP) Scholarship [8]