NSERC and OGS Scholarship Competitions 2011-2012

CS Deadlines for NSERC and OGS Scholarship Application:

NSERC PDF (Post Doctoral Fellowship) applications:

There is no internal deadline as NSERC PDF applications are no longer evaluated by the School. Applications should be reviewed by your supervisor and submitted directly to NSERC, arriving no later than October 15, 2010. Electronic submission is required. Assistance is available in the CS Graduate Office if needed.

NSERC PGS/CGS Applications:

October 5, 2011
Final submission of on-line application to NSERC's application system. Please take advantage of the draft review available in the consultation appointments offered by the CS Graduate Office by appointment only. Details below.

Note: Internal Waterloo transcripts must be ordered on your on-line application by September 30th. See information about transcripts below.

OGS Applications:

October 3, 2011
SCS Graduate Office
DC 3317 and DC 3327

Scholarship Information Meetings:

Meeting with the NSERC Representative
There will be no meeting with the NSERC representatives this year. Please review the NSERC video presentation for information on the 2011-2012 NSERC postgraduate competitions.

Math Faculty Scholarship Information Session (NSERC and OGS)
Date: September 15, 2011
Time: 10:00 - 11:30
Location: DC 1302

SCS Workshop for NSERC and OGS Applicants
Date: September 26, 2011
Time: 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm
Location: DC 1302
Reservations Only

For those who could not attend the Math Faculty Scholarship Information Session. Bring your application forms and the guidelines for NSERC and OGS applications. We will go over the application forms and cover some of the typical problem areas and answer any questions to enable you to complete an effective application. As spaces are limited, please reserve a spot by emailing Paula Zister.

SCS Consultation Session for OGS Applicants
Date: September 27, 2011
Location: DC 2310
8:45 am to 5:00 pm
Email Paula Zister to reserve an appointment with Margaret Towell to review your draft copy.

SCS Consultation Session for NSERC Applicants
Date: September 29, 2011
Location: DC 2310
8:45 am to 5:00 pm
Email Paula Zister to reserve an appointment with Margaret Towell to review your draft copy.

For additional information, please contact Margaret Towell, Administrative Coordinator of Graduate Studies in the School of Computer Science.

NSERC Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship

Applicants for this prestigious scholarship must apply at the university where they will do their doctoral studies. Doctoral students applying for NSERC in the School are advised to complete the usual NSERC PGS application. Candidates will be invited to submit an application for the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship based on their potential for success. For more information on this scholarship, please check the NSERC web page on the Vanier and the GSO website .

NSERC PGS and PDF Application Forms

The application forms for NSERC Postgraduate Scholarships and NSERC Post Doctoral Fellowships are available only on the web. The forms can only be filled out on-line. Be sure to read the Form 201 instructions carefully for preparing a successful NSERC PGS or PDF application. See the NSERC Video Presentation which provides details on the NSERC programs, and how to use the on-line application form.

From the Graduate Studies Office Website:

Components of a Winning Scholarship Application

Eligibility for PGS/CGS-Master's and PGS/CGS-Doctoral:

Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada; hold (or expect to hold) a degree in science or engineering from a university whose academic standing is acceptable to NSERC; intend to pursue full-time postgraduate study and research at the masters or doctoral level in one of the areas of the natural science or engineering in the following year.

Candidates must have had a minimum first-class (A- or 80%) average in each of the last two completed years of study.

For more details about eligibility please see the NSERC website.

NSERC PGS/CGS Master's

Undergraduates must have completed as of December 31 of the year of application, no more than the full-time equivalent of 12 months of studies in the Master's program for which they are requesting funding. NSERC PGSM or CGSM support will not extend beyond the 28th month of Master's study.

If admitted into a doctoral program directly from the Bachelor's program, applicants must have completed, as of December 31 of the year of application, no more than 12 months of study.

Note: applicants currently in a doctoral program from bachelor's who have completed between 4 and 12 months of doctoral study, may be eligible to apply for a PGSM or a PGSD. If they are eligible, applying for a PGSM will maximize their potential period of funding.

When to Apply:

When students apply for an NSERC PGSM/CGSM, they will be:

NSERC PGS/CGS Doctoral

Students admitted to a doctoral program from master's can apply for an NSERC PGSD/CGSD if they have completed, as of December 31 in the year of application between 0 and 24 months of studies (full-time equivalent) in the doctoral program for which they are requesting funding.

If admitted to a doctoral program directly from bachelor's, applicants can apply if they have completed between 4 and 36 months of studies (full-time equivalent) in the doctoral program for which they are requesting funding.

When to Apply:

When students apply for the NSERC PGSD/CGSD they will be:

NSERC PDF (Post Doctoral Fellowship) Applications

Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada and hold or expect to hold a doctorate in one of the fields supported by NSERC. For more details see the NSERC web site.

Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS)

OGS now requires applicants to apply online. To apply on-line go to the main page and login. While still editing the application, you are advised to save your application and and print out a summary to be approved by the School. Once this has been approved, you can submit the application form to OGS. A submitted on-line application cannot be retrieved to make correction; a change form must be included in the hard copy application to correct errors. A signed hard copy of your final application form and additional pages must be submitted to the SCS Graduate Office by the deadline above. Further instructions can be found on the OGS website.

You are urged to use the OGS on-line application form because:

  • it is available 24 hours every day
  • it will "inform" you if you have missed anything, ensuring an accurate application
  • it is formatted to the exact formatting requirements specified by OGS
  • you can "save" your application and edit it as often as needed, "submit" only after it is reviewed and approved
  • you can print out a hard copy of your completed application to submit to the CS Graduate Office

    • Paper-based Application
    Visa students who do not yet possess a Social Insurance Number are advised to complete the paper-based application.

    Helpful tips and a Sample OGS Application can be found on the Graduate Studies Office website.

    General Instructions

    Transcripts