Application deadline: 1 December 2025 before 5:00 pm PT (8:00 pm ET). Note that the application deadline is set at the national level and is not flexible; late applications cannot be submitted in the system and extensions to the deadline are not possible. Revisions to applications are not allowed once submitted.
Applicants must complete and submit the online application using the Research Portal (make sure to follow the instructions).
Each applicant may apply to up to three eligible institutions in Canada. To be considered for a CGRS M at UBC, applicants must fill out one of "Proposed Host Organization" sections with the following information:
- Organization: select "The University of British Columbia"
- Faculty: select the disciplinary faculty (ex. 'Faculty of Arts') under which your current/proposed graduate program falls (look up your program if you are unsure)
- Department/Division: select your current/proposed graduate program if it is available on the list. If it is not available on the list, select the closest available department/division based on your research area.
A complete CGSM application includes the following documents:
- The application form in Research Portal (it consists of three parts: Identification, Summary of Proposal, and Activity Details)
- The outline of the proposed research (1 page) and bibliography and citations (1 page) - applicant uploads as a PDF to Research Portal
- Follow CGSM’s page limit (1 page for each of outline and bibliography) and presentation standards, as there will not be an opportunity to revise these documents after the application deadline. If the documents exceed the page limits or do not follow the presentation standards (ex. Too small font), the portion that exceeds the page limit will be blocked off from view in the university-wide stage of the award competition.
- The CGRS M Canadian Common CV (CCV) - applicant enters the confirmation number in their application form
- Applicants must create a Canadian Common CV (CCV) (make sure to follow the instructions)
- Special circumstances: if applicable, indicate special circumstances that may have affected your research, professional career, record of academic or research achievement or completion of degrees in the 'Leaves of absence and impact on research' section of the CCV.
- Two reference assessments - applicant invites two referees; referee completes an online form
- Per CGRS M, “You will not be able to submit your application until these assessments have been completed and linked to your application. It is your responsibility to ensure your references complete and submit their assessments early enough to allow you to submit your complete application in the research portal before the December 1 deadline. There are multiple steps to the reference assessment process. For this reason, it is strongly recommended that you clearly communicate an early deadline to your references for the completion and submission of their assessments.”.
- All up to date undergraduate and graduate transcripts - applicant uploads as a PDF to Research Portal
- Please pay attention to the transcript requirements outlined in the CGRS M Instructions for completing an application. This is imperative as it is the primary reason for the rejection of applications.
- UBC requires official, up to date transcripts for all post-secondary studies (including studies that did not lead to a degree, e.g. exchange/transfer course grades) as part of each application package. General guidance on preparing transcripts for submission as follows (see individual agencies application instructions for further details):
Transcript Guidelines
UBC transcripts:
- Either an official UBC transcript or a UBC Advising Transcript provided by graduate programs is acceptable.
- Students who are registered at UBC in 25W session: transcript must list 2025W1 registration in UBC program
- Students who were registered at UBC earlier in 2025 but are not registered at UBC in 25W session: transcript must be dated after the last term completed.
- Please include UBC transcript key. The current version is available on the Award Administration webpage.
Other transcripts:
- UBC requires official, up to date (complete) transcripts for all post-secondary studies.
- Acceptable:
- Official transcripts downloaded from UBC admission application (eVision system)
- Please note these must include the complete record from the previous institution(s)
- Be aware that transcripts uploaded by the applicant with their original admission application (e.g., in fall 2024) may not include final grades or degree completion and may now be out of date. Please ensure to double check before sharing with students.
- “Certified true copies” of official transcripts from the UBC graduate program’s own files. A certified true copy is defined as a copy of the original document (or of the original translated document if the official transcript is not in either English or French) that the graduate program has on file. It would typically have a stamp from the graduate program on it.
- Official transcripts sent directly from the issuing institution to the UBC graduate program.
- Applicant’s personal copies of official transcripts
- Not acceptable:
- Unofficial transcripts:
- No watermark, Registrar’s signature, Registrar's stamp;
- May note “unofficial” on each page
- Printed or copied from institution student account
Proof of Registration
- If an applicant is attending an institution that does not provide transcripts, they must submit, in lieu of a transcript, a letter bearing the official institution seal/stamp or a letter signed by the institution’s Dean of Graduate Studies confirming:
- their program of study
- their registration status
- the date on which they started the program of study
- the fact that the institution does not provide transcripts
Transcripts in a language other than English or French
If the transcripts are not presented in one of Canada’s two official languages (English or French), a certified translation must be provided, in addition to the official transcripts in its original language.
Transfer and Exchange Credits
- As noted above, applicants are to provide post-secondary (undergraduate and graduate) studies, including those undertaken but not completed. This includes transcripts from institutions where applicants completed transfer courses or exchange terms.
- Example: UBC transcript lists study abroad terms at “Sciences Po” institute in Paris. The courses are listed as transfer credit on the UBC transcript, but the grades are not listed. The official Sciences Po transcript must be provided.
Transcript Key/Legend
Indigenous Scholars Awards and Supplements Pilot Initiative
The Indigenous Scholars Awards and Supplements Pilot Initiative consist of a one-year, non-renewable supplement valued at $5,000 for all meritorious Indigenous CGRS M applicants and a one-year, non-renewable award valued at $27,000 for all alternate candidates, subject to the limit of available funding. If you self-identify as Indigenous you are eligible to apply for this initiative. For more information, see the pilot initiative webpage.
Affiliated Fellowships - Master's
All CGRS M applicants applying through UC will automatically be considered for 'un-restricted/open' Affiliated Fellowships. To be additionally considered for 'criteria-based/restricted' Affiliated Fellowships, students should submit a checklist of criteria-based Affiliated Fellowships to their program by the CGSM application deadline.
