Ontario Graduate Scholarship 2027 in Canada (Funded)

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Ontario Graduate Scholarship

Ontario Graduate Scholarship 2027 in Canada (Funded)

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The Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) 2027 is a merit-based award for master’s and doctoral students at 19 participating Ontario universities in Canada. It provides CAD $10,000 for two consecutive study terms or CAD $15,000 for three consecutive study terms. It’s primarily for Canadian citizens, Permanent Residents, and Protected Persons, though a limited number of awards are set aside each year for international students with a valid Canadian study permit.

INTRODUCTION

Planning graduate studies in Ontario and looking for merit-based funding to help cover the cost? The Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) 2027 is one of Canada’s longest-running and most respected provincial scholarship programs for master’s and PhD students.

Established in 1975, OGS is a partnership between the Government of Ontario and the province’s universities, jointly funding awards that recognize academic excellence across every discipline — from the sciences and engineering to the humanities and social sciences. Each award is funded two-thirds by the Province of Ontario and one-third by the host university.

Here’s an important nuance many scholarship guides get wrong: OGS is primarily reserved for Canadian citizens, Permanent Residents, and Protected Persons. International students studying in Ontario with a valid study permit can apply, but only for a limited, separately allotted number of international student awards at each participating university — not the full open competition. Some universities award only a handful of international OGS spots each year, alongside well over a hundred for domestic students.

This guide walks you through exactly how the Ontario Graduate Scholarship 2027 works — eligibility, award values, the application process, and what genuinely improves your chances. Use the Table of Contents below to jump to what matters most to you.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

QUICK OVERVIEW TABLE

Item Details
Scholarship Name Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS)
Host Country Canada
Host University 19 participating Ontario universities
Degree Level Master’s, PhD
Funded By Province of Ontario (two-thirds) and the host university (one-third)
Scholarship Type Merit-Based, Partially Funded
Coverage CAD $10,000 (2 terms) or CAD $15,000 (3 terms) per academic year
Eligible Applicants Primarily Canadian citizens, PRs, and Protected Persons; a limited number of awards go to international students with a valid study permit
Application Deadline Set individually by each university; applications typically open around October
Study Mode Full-time graduate study
Duration 1 academic year per award; renewable up to lifetime maximums
IELTS Required International applicants must generally demonstrate English proficiency; requirements vary by university
Application Fee No separate OGS application fee

About the Ontario Graduate Scholarship

The Ontario Graduate Scholarship has been recognizing academic excellence in graduate studies since 1975, making it one of the longest-standing scholarship programs in Canada. It’s a merit-based award — meaning selection depends entirely on your academic record and research potential, not financial need.

What makes OGS distinctive is how it’s administered: rather than a single centralized application, each of the 19 participating Ontario universities runs its own OGS competition, sets its own internal deadline, and applies its own ranking criteria within the province’s overall rules. That means your experience applying to OGS at the University of Toronto will look somewhat different from applying at, say, Trent University or Lakehead University.

The award itself is jointly funded, with the Province of Ontario providing two-thirds of the value and the host university contributing the remaining third. This structure has allowed OGS to remain a stable, dependable funding source for master’s and doctoral students across virtually every academic discipline for decades.

Because eligibility and award allocation differ from Canadian/PR applicants to international applicants, it’s worth understanding exactly where you fit before you apply — the next section breaks this down clearly.

Benifits of Ontario Graduate  Scholarship

The Ontario Graduate Scholarship 2027 provides:

✔ CAD $10,000 for students holding the award over 2 consecutive study terms.

✔ CAD $15,000 for students holding the award over 3 consecutive study terms.

✔ Renewable Funding — Each OGS award is issued for a minimum of 1 academic year and can extend up to a maximum of 2 years (6 consecutive academic terms) per award cycle, subject to renewal and reapplication.

✔ Lifetime Access — Master’s students can hold OGS funding for up to 2 academic years total, doctoral students for up to 4 academic years total, with an overall lifetime maximum of 6 academic years across all government-funded graduate awards.

✔ Recognition of Academic Merit — OGS carries genuine prestige as a mark of academic achievement on your CV and graduate record.

✔ Access to Ontario’s Graduate Research Community — Funding at any of 19 respected Ontario universities, spanning virtually every academic discipline.

Note that OGS does not cover living expenses beyond the award amount itself, doesn’t fund travel or health insurance, and cannot be held at the same time as certain other government-funded awards, including SSHRC, NSERC, CIHR, Vanier, or QEII-GSST scholarships.

AVAILABLE PROGRAMS

OGS funds graduate study — master’s and doctoral programs — across all academic disciplines at its participating universities, including:

  • Sciences and Engineering
  • Health Sciences and Medicine
  • Humanities and Social Sciences
  • Business and Economics
  • Arts, Design, and Media
  • Education and Public Policy

Since OGS isn’t tied to a specific field, your eligibility depends more on your enrollment status and academic standing than your subject area.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

To be eligible for the Ontario Graduate Scholarship 2027, you generally need to:

For Canadian citizens, Permanent Residents, and Protected Persons:

  • Be a Canadian citizen, Permanent Resident, or Protected Person under subsection 95(2) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada) at the time of the application deadline
  • Be enrolled, or planning to enroll, full-time in an eligible master’s or doctoral program at a participating Ontario university
  • Meet your university’s academic threshold, typically a first-class average (often around 80% or A-) in your last two completed years of study
  • Not be in default on any Canadian government-sponsored loan
  • Not hold an OGS award concurrently with a SSHRC, NSERC, CIHR, Vanier, QEII-GSST, or another OGS award in the same term

For international students:

  • Hold a valid Canadian study permit under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada), effective as of your university’s OGS international application deadline
  • Be enrolled, or planning to enroll, full-time in an eligible master’s or doctoral program at a participating university
  • Meet the same academic performance standards as domestic applicants
  • Understand that international applicants compete for a separate, limited allocation of OGS awards at each university — not the full open competition (some universities award only a handful of international OGS spots per year)
  • Demonstrate English proficiency as required by your specific university

International applicants are not eligible for the related QEII-GSST award, which is restricted to Canadian citizens, Permanent Residents, and Protected Persons only.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

To apply, you’ll typically need:

  • Completed OGS application form (via your university’s graduate studies portal)
  • Two Confidential Academic Assessment Reports from academic referees
  • Academic transcripts from all previously attended post-secondary institutions
  • Proof of Canadian citizenship/Permanent Resident status, or copies of your study permit/visa documentation (for international applicants)
  • A plan of study or research proposal (character limits vary by university, often around 3,950 characters)
  • CV or academic resume
  • Social Insurance Number (SIN) on file — this requirement does not apply to international students

APPLICATION PROCESS

Step 1: Confirm your eligibility category. Determine whether you’ll be applying as a Canadian citizen/PR/Protected Person or as an international student, since the process and award pool differ.

Step 2: Choose your participating Ontario university and programme. Review the list of 19 participating schools and confirm your target master’s or doctoral programme is eligible.

Step 3: Check your university’s specific OGS deadline. Deadlines are set individually by each university’s Graduate Studies Office, so confirm the exact date for your school and programme — applications typically open around October.

Step 4: Gather your documents. Prepare your transcripts, CV, plan of study/research proposal, and identify two academic referees for your Confidential Academic Assessment Reports.

Step 5: Submit your OGS application through your university’s portal. If you’re applying to more than one graduate programme at different schools, submit a separate OGS application for each one.

Step 6: Await your university’s internal review. Each university’s graduate unit evaluates and ranks OGS applications using criteria they determine, within the province’s overall rules.

Step 7: Check your application status. You’ll be notified directly by your university if your application is successful — contact the Graduate Studies Office with any questions.

IMPORTANT DATES

Milestone Timing
Applications Open Typically around October, varies by university
Application Deadline Set individually by each participating school (commonly December–February)
Notification of Results Following each university’s internal review period
Academic Year Funding Begins Aligned with your enrollment term

Since deadlines vary significantly by institution, always confirm the exact date directly with your target university’s Graduate Studies Office.

IMPORTANT LINKS

SELECTION PROCESS

  1. Application submission — You submit your OGS application through your target university’s graduate studies portal.
  2. Eligibility screening — The university confirms your citizenship/study permit status and enrollment eligibility.
  3. Academic assessment — Two Confidential Academic Assessment Reports and your transcripts are reviewed.
  4. Internal ranking — Each university’s graduate unit ranks applications based on academic merit, research potential, and criteria they determine.
  5. Award allocation — Awards are distributed from the university’s OGS allotment, with a separate, smaller pool reserved for international applicants.
  6. Notification — Successful and unsuccessful applicants are notified directly by their university.

HOW TO INCREASE YOUR CHANCES

  • Maintain the strongest possible academic average in your last two years of study, since most universities look for a first-class (A-) standing
  • Choose academic referees who know your research and coursework well, since Confidential Academic Assessment Reports carry significant weight
  • Write a focused, specific plan of study or research proposal within your university’s character limit
  • Apply as early as possible once your university opens applications, typically around October
  • If applying as an international student, confirm your study permit will be valid by your university’s specific OGS international deadline
  • Apply to more than one eligible programme or university if your academic profile allows, since each requires a separate application
  • Check whether your university reserves specific OGS spots for Indigenous applicants or other designated groups, if relevant to you

COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID

  • Assuming OGS is a single, centralized national application rather than a university-specific process
  • Missing your specific university’s internal deadline, which can differ significantly from other schools
  • Applying as an international student without confirming your study permit will be valid by the correct deadline
  • Submitting a generic plan of study that isn’t tailored to your specific research interests
  • Forgetting that OGS cannot be held simultaneously with SSHRC, NSERC, CIHR, Vanier, or QEII-GSST awards
  • Assuming international applicants compete on equal footing with domestic applicants for the same award pool (they don’t — it’s a separate, smaller allocation)
  • Not confirming your Social Insurance Number is on file, if you’re a domestic applicant (this doesn’t apply to international students)

LIVING IN ONTARIO

  • Cost of living: Varies significantly across Ontario — Toronto is considerably more expensive than smaller university towns like Peterborough (Trent), Sudbury (Laurentian), or Thunder Bay (Lakehead)
  • Accommodation: Graduate student housing and off-campus rentals are both common; availability and cost vary widely by city
  • Food: A wide range of affordable options near most campuses, alongside diverse dining in larger cities
  • Transport: Toronto and Ottawa have strong public transit; smaller university towns tend to be more walkable or bike-friendly
  • Part-time work: OGS recipients may accept research assistantships, part-time teaching, or other paid work that doesn’t affect their full-time graduate student status
  • Weather: Cold, snowy winters and warm summers, typical of central Canada
  • Student life: Ontario is home to some of Canada’s largest and most research-active graduate communities
  • Safety: Ontario is generally considered a safe province for graduate students and researchers

VISA INFORMATION

  • International OGS applicants must hold a valid Canadian study permit under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada)
  • Your study permit must be valid as of your university’s specific OGS international application deadline
  • Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) manages study permit applications; requirements include proof of admission, financial means, and other standard documentation
  • Processing times vary by country, so apply for your study permit well ahead of your university’s OGS deadline
  • International students on a valid study permit are generally permitted to work part-time under current Canadian immigration rules

Always confirm the latest study permit requirements directly through the official IRCC website, since immigration rules can change.

WHY STUDY IN ONTARIO

  • Home to some of Canada’s most research-active universities, including U of T, Waterloo, Queen’s, and McMaster
  • A long-standing, well-established scholarship system with decades of institutional experience supporting graduate students
  • Strong research funding ecosystem, with OGS complementing federal awards like SSHRC, NSERC, and CIHR
  • Diverse academic and cultural communities across both large cities and smaller university towns
  • Strong post-graduation career pathways in research, industry, and the public sector across Canada

IMPORTANT FAQs

1. Is the Ontario Graduate Scholarship fully funded? No, it’s a merit-based award worth CAD $10,000–$15,000 per academic year, not a fully funded package covering all costs.

2. Who can apply? Primarily Canadian citizens, Permanent Residents, and Protected Persons; international students with a valid Canadian study permit can also apply for a separate, limited allotment of awards.

3. Can European students apply? Yes, as international students with a valid Canadian study permit, though only for the limited international allocation, not the full open competition.

4. Can African students apply? Yes, under the same international student allocation rules.

5. Can Asian students apply? Yes, under the same international student allocation rules.

6. Can Pakistani students apply? Yes, as an international student with a valid Canadian study permit.

7. Can Indian students apply? Yes, as an international student with a valid Canadian study permit.

8. Can American students apply? Yes, as an international student with a valid Canadian study permit.

9. Is IELTS mandatory? This varies by university; international applicants generally need to demonstrate English proficiency, though the specific test accepted depends on your school.

10. Can I apply without IELTS? Possibly, depending on your university’s specific English proficiency policy — confirm directly with your target school.

11. Is there an application fee? There’s no separate OGS application fee, though your university’s graduate programme application may have its own fee.

12. Can married students apply? Yes, marital status doesn’t affect eligibility.(Ontario Graduate Scholarship)

13. Can I bring my family? This depends on your study permit and visa category; check with IRCC and your university’s international office.

14. What GPA is required? Most universities look for a first-class average, often around 80% (A-), in your last two completed years of study.

15. Can I work while studying? Yes, OGS recipients may hold research assistantships, part-time teaching, or other paid work that doesn’t compromise their full-time student status.

16. How many OGS awards are available each year? This varies by university — most schools award well over a hundred OGS spots to domestic applicants, with a much smaller, separate allocation (sometimes only a handful) for international students.

17. Can I apply to multiple universities? Yes, if you’re applying to graduate programmes at more than one participating university, you’ll need to submit a separate OGS application for each.

18. Is there an age limit? No age limit is stated; eligibility depends on enrollment status and academic standing.

19. What happens after I’m selected? Your university will notify you directly, and the award will be processed according to your enrollment terms.

20. How competitive is this scholarship? Very competitive, particularly for international applicants, given the small, separate allocation of awards set aside for that category.

21. Can I apply with a degree still in progress? Yes, you can apply while planning to enroll, provided you meet your university’s academic and enrollment requirements by the deadline.

22. What expenses are not covered? Living costs beyond the award amount, travel, and health insurance are not covered by OGS.

23. Can I defer my scholarship to a later year? Deferral policies vary by university; confirm directly with your school’s Graduate Studies Office.

24. Can I apply if I already hold another scholarship? You cannot hold OGS concurrently with certain other government-funded awards, including SSHRC, NSERC, CIHR, Vanier, or QEII-GSST, in the same term.

25. How will I know if I’ve been selected? Your university will notify you directly of your application outcome; contact your Graduate Studies Office with any questions.

FINAL SUMMARY

The Ontario Graduate Scholarship 2027 remains one of Canada’s most established merit-based funding options for master’s and doctoral students, offering CAD $10,000–$15,000 per academic year at 19 respected Ontario universities. The key detail every applicant — especially international students — needs to understand is that OGS isn’t one single open competition: it’s administered separately by each university, with a distinct, smaller allocation reserved for international applicants.

Because deadlines, academic thresholds, and international quotas vary by school, the most important first step is contacting your target university’s Graduate Studies Office directly to confirm exactly how their OGS competition works.

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