The Canada Graduate Scholarships - Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplements (CGS-MSFSS) Program supports high-calibre Canadian graduate students in building global linkages and international networks through the pursuit of exceptional research experiences at research institutions abroad. By accessing international scientific research and training, CGS-MSFSS recipients will contribute to strengthening the potential for collaboration between Canadian and foreign institutions.
This program is available to Canadian citizens or permanent residents who hold a Tri-Agency Canada Graduate Scholarship (CGS) at the Master's or doctoral level or a Vanier CGS from CIHR, NSERC or SSHRC. Note that international students who hold a Vanier CGS are not eligible for this competition. SSHRC Doctoral Fellowship holders and NSERC PGSD holders are also not eligible (as they do not hold a 'CGS').
Note: The CGS-MSFSS typically has two main competitions per year, in September (Fall competition) and May (Spring competition), as well as an occasional special competition (3rd call) in January.
Travelling outside of Canada: When students are planning travel outside of Canada for university purposes, they have obligations under UBC’s Student Safety Abroad Policy (SC12). Students are required to have adequate travel medical insurance, to register their travel on UBC’s Safety Abroad Registry, and to use the resources provided by UBC to support safe travel planning and risk management. In locations where the Government of Canada has official travel advisories in place, students are required to request High-Risk Authorization before travelling. For more information, see: https://safetyabroad.ubc.ca or email safety.abroad@ubc.ca.
Note: The content of this webpage currently reflects details of the MSFSS-Fall (September 2022) competition. It will be updated to the details of the MSFSS-Spring (May 2023) competition in spring 2023.
For complete eligibility criteria and program details, please review the harmonized program description hosted on NSERC’s website: http://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Students-Etudiants/PG-CS/CGSForeignStudy-BESCEtudeEtranger_eng.asp
Applications will be evaluated on the basis of the linkage between the CGS research goals, the activities outlined for the proposed research study period abroad, and the applicant’s future research/career goals, considering:
For reference, the program objectives are as follows:
Applicants submit their application materials directly to Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies via online submission (see application submission link below) by 4:00 pm PT on 9 September 2022. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the following materials are submitted by the deadline:
1. Signed and dated CGS-MSFSS application form
Each agency has its own application form and instructions, and care should be taken to ensure that the appropriate form is used. Please obtain the application form from the website of the funding agency from which you received your CGS award. For example, an NSERC award holder (CGSM, Doctoral, Vanier) would apply for the MSFSS via NSERC.
Note: The budget proposal is a part of the application form.
2. Outline of proposed research (maximum two pages)
3. Two signed letters of support (maximum one page each)
4. Signed consent form(s)
Please obtain the required form(s) from the appropriate funding agency website:
CIHR
NSERC
SSHRC
All application materials should be submitted as 1 PDF document via online submission (see link below). Applicants are strongly encouraged to collect letters from their supervisors and include all PDF documents in one online submission.
If a referee would prefer not to submit their letter to the applicant, they can email their letter to Joanne Tsui (Graduate Awards Clerk) at joanne.tsui@ubc.ca. The referee should clearly indicate in the subject line of the email "MSFSS application - [applicant name] letter of support". If a referee is emailing their letter directly, it remains the applicant's responsibility to ensure that their complete MSFSS application (including reference letters) has been submitted by the application deadline.
The PDF document should adhere to the file naming convention as specified below. AGENCY represents the funding agency from which you received your CGS award (i.e., CIHR, NSERC or SSHRC). File naming convention:
Applicants: It is your responsibility to ensure that your application is complete by the deadline. Please follow up with your referees before the deadline as appropriate.
The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies will review applications for eligibility and completeness and forward eligible applications to the participating funding agencies.
Results of the MSFSS Spring competition are announced by the funding agencies in mid-August. Results of the MSFSS Fall competition are announced by the funding agencies in mid-December.
Please review the harmonized program description hosted on NSERC’s website: http://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Students-Etudiants/PG-CS/CGSForeignStudy-BESCEtudeEtranger_eng.asp
The CGS-MSFSS Award Holder's Gulde: http://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Students-Etudiants/Guides-Guides/CGSMSFSSRegs-BESCSEEMSRegs_eng.asp
For questions about UBC's MSFSS application and review procedures, please contact Joanne Tsui at joanne.tsui@ubc.ca.
