Scholarships

Students enrolled in this program are eligible to receive $27,000 for one year (non-renewable).

• Must be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada, as of the application deadline date
• Must be enrolled in, have applied for or will apply for full-time admission* to an eligible graduate program at the master’s or doctoral level at a Canadian institution with a CGS M allocation.
• Must have completed no more than 12 months of full-time studies in a graduate program as of December 31 of the year of application
• Must not have previously held a CGS M
• Must have achieved a first-class average**, as determined by the host institution, in each of the last two completed years of study (full-time equivalent)
• Must submit a maximum of one scholarship application per academic year to either CIHR, NSERC or SSHRC
• For complete eligibility requirements, please consult the CGS-M website

*Refer to the Tri-agency research training award holder’s guide for details regarding part-time admission.

**Institutions may, at their discretion, offer a CGS M award to applicants who have not obtained a first-class average.

Students apply online through the Research Portal. Within your application you must include:

• An outline of your proposed research
• Up to date official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate studies. Important information regarding transcripts from NSERC:
  • Transcripts serve to confirm the number of months of graduate studies completed, determine your first-class average and confirm your current registration, if applicable.
  • If your transcripts include transfer credits from another institution, the original transcript with the grades shown should be included, or your application may be deemed ineligible. Contact the faculty of graduate studies (or its equivalent) at the institution(s) selected in your application to determine their requirements.
  • If you have not provided the up-to-date official transcripts needed to determine whether you have achieved a first-class average in each of the last two completed years of study (full-time equivalent), your application will be deemed ineligible.
  • Retain the paper copy of any uploaded transcripts, as you may be asked to provide it for verification purposes.
• Canadian Common CV (CCV)
• Two Reference Assessments

December 1st, before 8:00p.m. (ET), 6:00pm (MST).

Complete applications must be submitted by the deadline using the research portal. If the deadline falls on a weekend, applications must be submitted by the following business day before 8:00pm (ET)/ 6:00pm (MST).

Prospective students must apply for Admission to the program by Concordia’s Program Admission Deadline in order to be considered for a CGS-M at Concordia University of Edmonton.

Useful Timelines:

September 1st: Application opens

December 1st at 6:00pm (MST): Application Deadline

January – March 31st: Committee Review

April 1st: Decisions are announced via research portal

Applications are reviewed for eligibility and completeness then forwarded to the department for review. The department makes recommendation to the Scholarship and Awards Committee for selection of recipients to receive Concordia’s allocations. Official notification to applicants takes place through the Research Portal and is available on April 1st.

Prior to applying to the CGS-M Program, view the videos listed below. It is important for you to ensure you are eligible for the program before starting your application. Each video will walk you through important steps in the application process.

CGS-M Program Information

How to Apply using the Research Portal

Instructions for Completing the Reference Assessment Form

Instructions for Completing a Canadian Common CV

Written Instructions for applicants and references

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

NSERC Program Updates

Step 1: Ensure you are FULLY eligible before starting an application

Step 2: Start thinking of who you will ask to write your letters of reference

Step 3: TODAY, order every transcript from any post secondary institution you have attended. You will need a transcript for any post secondary class you have taken. This includes institutions you have only taken one course from and/or all transfer credit. Missing one transcript can make you ineligible. All transcripts must be OFFICIAL.

Step 4: Ask two referees if they can provide you with STRONG Letters of Reference. If they say yes, provide them with full information about the competition. Send your referees the link to completing the reference assessment video will be helpful. Be sure to give your referee a deadline of at least 1 week (or more) ahead of yours to ensure they submit on time. You cannot submit your application until your reference has submitted their letter.

Step 5: Submit your application on the portal well ahead of the December 1st deadline. The online portal traffic is very heavy near the deadline and delays can occur. No late applications are accepted. Be sure to submit early!

Step 6: Contact the Financial Aid and Awards Office at finaid@concordia.ab.ca should you have any questions.

CGS M Fall 2024 Info Session Handout

Winning Research Proposal