Canada Graduate Scholarship - Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplement (CGS-MSFSS)

This foreign study supplements program is open to eligible master's or doctoral Canada Graduate Scholarship (CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC CGS) holders or Vanier CGS holders who wish to undertake research outside of Canada for a defined period of time. There are multiple rounds in a year; refer to the deadline section for more information.

Value

The value of the CGS-MSFSS award is up to $6,000, based on the information and budget justification provided by the applicant. Supplements are non-renewable. The related research study period abroad normally lasts between two to six months, but must be for a minimum of two months.

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for this funding opportunity, students must:

  • Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada by the application deadline
  • Be registered at an eligible Canadian institution at the time of application
  • Undertake your proposed trip abroad no earlier than the competition deadline date. Be travelling for a minimum of two months and a maximum of six months
  • Not hold or have held any other CGS-MSFSS during the course of their graduate studies
  • Have accepted or currently hold one of the following CGS awards (Master's or PhD-level):
    • CIHR Canada Graduate Scholarships formerly the Frederick Banting and Charles Best Canada Graduate Scholarship
    • NSERC Canada Graduate Scholarships formerly the Alexander Graham Bell Canada Graduate Scholarship
    • SSHRC Canada Graduate Scholarships formerly the Joseph-Armand Bombardier Graduate Scholarship
    • Vanier (if eligible)
  • NSERC Postgraduate Scholarship - Doctoral Program (PGS D), SSHRC Doctoral Fellowship, and CIHR Doctoral Research Award - Priority Announcement holders are ineligible for this funding

To remain eligible during the research study period abroad, students must:

  • Hold an active CGS award at the time the research study period abroad starts
  • Be registered full-time in the graduate program at a Canadian Institution for the duration of the research study period abroad
  • Take up the award within one year of receiving the notice of award for the CGS-MSFSS
  • Return to complete their degree in Canada

For complete eligibility requirements, consult the CGS MSFSS website.

Application Procedures

Students must notify their Department of their intention to apply. It is the student's responsibility to read all instructions and be familiar with the application process before applying.

Candidates applying for the CGS-MSFSS are to access the application from a single harmonized program description hosted on NSERC's website. Click the CGS-MSFSS (NSERC; SSHRC; CIHR) link under our "Additional Information" section on the right side of this page to access the application form. Each agency has its own application form and instructions; care should be taken to ensure that the appropriate form is used.

Applicants are to contact the respective granting agency if they are unsure about the eligibility of a particular host supervisor or host institution.

Eligible applicants must complete the appropriate web-based application form online; a printed copy of the form, and all other required documentation is to be submitted to their home department. A complete application includes the following:

  • Application form, which includes a budget proposal (available on the websites of the respective granting agencies)
  • your intended research activities during your research study period abroad (including objectives, methodology, timelines and expected outcomes) and how they relate to your main graduate research topic, and a description of the potential benefits you will derive from the host institution in relation to your current research objectivesA maximum two-page description of your intended research activities during your research study period abroad and a description of the potential benefits of this travel opportunity
  • Letter from current research supervisor detailing their support for your research study period abroad and confirming that your proposed research aligns with the research from your CGS award (maximum one page)
  • Letter from host supervisor detailing their support for your research study period abroad and the resources they have available—financial (if any), supervision time, equipment, library access, etc.—to support your planned research activities (maximum one page)
    • Note: non-academic host supervisors must demonstrate they have
      experience supervising graduate student researchers.
  • Terms and Conditions of Applying Form (NSERC only)
  • Consent to Disclosure of Personal Information Form (SSHRC and CIHR)
  • Applicant Consent form for Use and Disclosure of Personal Information Provided to CIHR for Peer Review (CIHR only)

GPS will facilitate any revisions to student's applications if they occur following the submission of their application to GPS. Winners must apprise GPS of any changes to their outlined itineraries.

Nomination Procedures

Students must contact their department to notify their intent to apply and be considered for the CGS-MSFSS awards.

2023/24 CGS MSFSS Memo to Departments - Fall 2023 Competition

Adjudication Procedures
Once received at GPS, nominations are reviewed for eligibility and completeness and are adjudicated. Recommended applications are forwarded to NSERC/SSHRC/CIHR for consideration. Once the granting agencies complete the review processes, they will announce the results to candidates, and to each institution by posting the list of all successful applicants by institution on the Tri-Agency Awards Extranet.
Deadlines

Students are to consult with their department regarding their internal application process and deadline.

Deadline for departments to submit applications to GPS via grad.awards@ualberta.ca: Monday, September 18, 2023 before 4 pm.

U of A deadline to submit recommended applications to Tri-Agencies: October 10, 2023