External Funding

Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR)

CIHR provides funding opportunities for four themes of health research:

  • Biomedical
  • Clinical
  • Health systems services
  • Social, cultural, environmental and population health

For more information, in the CIHR Grants and Awards Guide please see CIHR Research Themes.


Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)

NSERC supports the development of highly qualified Canadians in the natural sciences and engineering through a number of scholarships and fellowships programs.

These programs are intended to:

  • stimulate the interest of undergraduate students in research;
  • provide financial support to graduate students and postdoctoral fellows engaged in advanced studies and research; and
  • assist recent recipients of doctoral degrees in adding to their research experience.

Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS)

The Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) program encourages excellence in graduate studies at the master’s and doctoral levels.

An Ontario Graduate Scholarship is awarded for one academic year, which may consist of two or three consecutive terms. The value of the OGS is $5,000 per term. Thus, you may receive $10,000 for two consecutive terms or $15,000 for three consecutive terms. One-term awards are not granted. The province of Ontario contributes two-thirds of this amount and the university provides one-third.


Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)

OSAP offers a variety of loan, grant, bursary, and scholarship programs. Each program has its own rules and guidelines. The OSAP web site helps Ontario students by providing information about all of these programs in one place, making it easier to apply, receive funding, and repay loans. Through OSAP, students may qualify for:

  • A full-time student loan
  • A part-time student loan
  • A grant, scholarship or bursary
  • An Ontario Student Opportunity Grant that limits the amount of student loans you are required to repay.

Other scholarship and award websites

Visit these websites for up-to-date information about several available scholarships, bursaries, and awards:


Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)

SSHRC supports university-based research and graduate training in the social sciences and humanities. SSHRC grants and fellowships are awarded through an independent, national, peer-reviewed panel.

Graduate student applicants ust be affiliated with a Canadian postsecondary institution. Funding is applicable to graduate students, post-doctorals, faculty, community & not-for-profit organizations, and post-secondary institutions.


University of Guelph - External Awards Competition

Click here for further information (guidelines, selection criteria, ranking criteria) on External Awards Compentitions (NSERC, SSHRC, OGS, Vanier CGS):

External Awards Competitions