Canada Graduate Scholarships Master’s (CGS M) Program

Application deadline: 1 December 2023 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.

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 CGS 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.
• 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 CGS 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):
  • UBC Transcripts:
    • Official UBC transcripts are preferred.
    • The "Academic History" document (provided by graduate programs - not available on SSC) is acceptable.
    • The UBC transcript or Academic History should show 2023W1 (Fall 2023) course registration.
  • ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Other Transcripts:
    • ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Only official transcripts will be accepted.
    • ​​​​​​​Transcripts must be authentic, complete, and up to date.
  • “All undergraduate and graduate transcripts” includes transcripts from transfer credit courses and exchange or study abroad terms.  The transcripts from those institutions must be provided.
  • Up-to-date transcripts are defined as transcripts dated or issued in the fall session of the year of application (if currently registered) or after the last term completed (if not currently registered).
  • Foreign transcripts: For applicants including foreign transcripts, 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.
  • Grading key/legend: All transcripts must include one copy of the transcript key/legend (typically found on the back of each paper transcript page)
  • If an institution does not provide transcripts, applicants can submit, in lieu of a transcript, a letter bearing the official institution seal/stamp or a letter signed by the dean of graduate studies or an equivalent confirming 1) the program of study, 2) the registration status and 3) the fact that the institution does not provide transcripts.
  • The UBC graduate program may have some of the applicant's transcripts on file already; if so, well in advance of the application deadline, the applicant must confirm with their UBC graduate program which transcripts the program has on file and can provide to support the CGSM application, and which transcripts the applicant must still order from their prior institutions.  Note: The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies is unable to provide transcripts.
  • It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that they are submitting a complete transcript package in their CGSM application.  Transcript submissions cannot be revised after the application deadline.
• The CGS 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 CGSM, “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.”.

Indigenous Scholars Awards and Supplements Pilot Initiative (NSERC and SSHRC): The Indigenous Scholars Awards and Supplements Pilot Initiative consist of a one-year, non-renewable supplement valued at $5,000 for all meritorious Indigenous CGS M applicants and a one-year, non-renewable award valued at $17,500 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.  Note: CIHR is not participating in this initiative.  For more information, see the pilot initiative webpage.

Affiliated Fellowships-Master's: All CGS M applicants applying through UBC 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.