Overview

The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) offers a range of postgraduate scholarships designed to support outstanding students pursuing advanced degrees in the fields of natural sciences and engineering. These scholarships not only provide vital financial assistance but also foster research excellence and innovation, making them a coveted opportunity for students in Canada.

NSERC offers two main types of scholarships for postgraduate students:

• NSERC Postgraduate Scholarships – Master’s (PGS-M): Designed for students pursuing a Master’s degree in natural sciences or engineering, this scholarship provides financial support to facilitate research and academic excellence.

• NSERC Doctoral Scholarships (PGS-D): Aimed at students enrolled in a doctoral program, this scholarship supports advanced research and promotes the development of new knowledge and technologies.

Who Can Apply?

• You must be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada or a Protected Person.
• Candidates must have achieved a minimum academic standing (usually a first-class average or equivalent) in their undergraduate studies.
• You must have completed no more than 24 months of full-time study in your doctoral program by December 31 of the calendar year of application (no more than 36 months if transferred directly from a bachelor’s to a PhD or enrolled in a joint program).
• You should not have already received a doctoral-level scholarship or fellowship from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) or the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).

Application Procedure

Concordia has an internal application deadline. Students registered in a Canadian university – including Concordia – during the calendar year (Jan 1 to Dec 31) of the application must apply by the internal deadline.

To apply to the NSERC Postgraduate Scholarship (PGS D) program, you must complete and submit an electronic application using the NSERC Online System and identify Concordia University as your ‘Organization to award the degree’. Concordia's internal adjudication committee pre-selects applications to be forwarded to the national competition.

What Financial Support is Available?

• For Master’s program: $27,000 for 12 months, non-renewable
• For Doctoral program: $40,000 per year, for up to three years (award value increased as of Fall 2024).

Hear from Alumni

The NSERC Postgraduate Scholarships have supported numerous scholars who have made significant contributions to their respective fields. Here are a few notable alumni:

Shayla Jackson
A graduate of The University of Winnipeg's Master of Science Program in BioScience, Technology, and Public Policy, Shayla received the prestigious NSERC Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship. She credits her mentor, Dr. Susan Lingle, for pushing her to achieve her best.

Arash Tajik
While pursuing his PhD at the University of Illinois, Arash was awarded the NSERC Postgraduate Scholarship. His research focused on developing nanoneedle-based probes to study biological events within living cells.

Annie Borch
Annie, a recipient of the NSERC Postgraduate Scholarship, is conducting research on the history and impact of volcanism and glacial systems on landscape evolution in the Garibaldi Volcanic Belt, British Columbia.

Other Details

The application deadlines for the NSERC Postgraduate Scholarships vary depending on the specific scholarship and the institution through which you are applying. For the Doctoral (PGS D) program, the general deadline is October 17. However, many Canadian institutions have internal deadlines that are significantly earlier to allow time for institutional review and nomination. For example, the University of Alberta has an internal deadline of October 3, 2024.

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