Most students look for one big scholarship and stop there. But Laurentian University in Sudbury, Canada, shows a smarter path. It offers many graduate scholarships at the same time. Some come from the school itself. Some come from big Canadian research groups. Some come from outside foundations.
If you are planning a Masters or PhD in Canada, this list is worth your full attention. Each award has its own rule and its own date. Missing one date can cost you real money.
At a Glance
| Award | Value | Level | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dean’s Entrance Scholarship | $1500 Master’s / $3000 Doctoral | Master’s & PhD | Automatic (Fall term) |
| Fall 2026 Graduate Donor-Funded Awards | Varies | Graduate | 31 October 2026 |
| CIHR NSERC SSHRC Doctoral | $40000 per year up to 3 years | Doctoral | 17 October 2026 |
| Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation | Competitive | Doctoral | 6 November 2026 |
| CIHR NSERC SSHRC Master’s | $27000 for 12 months | Master’s | 1 December 2026 |
| Ontario Graduate Scholarship OGS | Up to $15000 | Master’s & PhD | 31 January 2027 |
Money You Get Without Even Applying
Let us start with the easiest one. Laurentian gives a Dean’s Entrance Scholarship to some strong students. You do not need to fill out a form for this one. It is given automatically.
The amount is:
Master’s level gets 1500 dollars Doctoral level gets 3000 dollars
The number of awards can change each year. It depends on how much funding is open. These awards usually go out during the Fall term.
Fall 2026 Graduate Donor-Funded Awards
This is a group of awards paid for by the university and by outside donors. If you are already registered in a graduate program during this period you can apply.
Deadline: October 31, 2026
The value changes based on the exact award. So read each award listing closely before you apply. Do not assume every award pays the same amount or has the same rules.
Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) 2027 to 2028
This is a strong merit based scholarship. It is open to Master’s and doctoral students who are, or will be, studying full time during the 2027 to 2028 school year.
Laurentian has already opened its own application system for this round. You need to pick the right form based on your status. This means your form will differ if you are a Canadian student or an international student.
Deadline: January 31, 2027
You will also need two references. Your referees must fill out a special form directly. Do not wait until the last week to ask them.
At the province level this award can be worth up to 15000 dollars. This covers three terms of study, depending on the award period you receive.
External Master’s Scholarships
Laurentian also points students toward Canada’s three big research funding bodies. These are strong names in the research world:
CIHR Master’s award NSERC Master’s award SSHRC Master’s award
Each one pays 27000 dollars for 12 months. They support different fields:
CIHR supports health related research NSERC supports natural sciences and engineering SSHRC supports social sciences and humanities
Here is something very important. These three Master’s level awards are mostly limited to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. If you are an international student check this very closely before you spend time on the application.
Deadline: December 1, 2026
External Doctoral Scholarships
The same three groups also fund doctoral scholarships. These pay much more.
CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC doctoral awards each pay 40000 dollars per year. This can run for up to 36 months, which is three full years.
The subject areas stay the same as the Master’s awards:
CIHR covers health related doctoral research NSERC covers natural sciences and engineering SSHRC covers social sciences and humanities
Deadline: October 17, 2026
Here is some good news for international students. Unlike the Master’s awards, these three doctoral awards can include international applicants. This depends on each agency’s detailed rules, so always check the full requirements. Also note that each group runs its own separate application system. You do not apply through one single portal for all three.
Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship
This is a major doctoral funding opportunity outside the three research councils. It supports research in the humanities and social sciences, linked to themes such as:
Human Rights and Dignity, Responsible Citizenship, Canada and the World, People and their Natural Environment
Both Canadian and international students can apply here, subject to the Foundation’s own rules.
Application window: September 1 to November 6, 2026
Other Special Graduate Awards
Laurentian’s funding page lists more specific awards too. These include:
Autism Scholars Award, Ontario Women’s Health Scholars Award, John Charles Polanyi Prizes, Research travel supplements, Architecture-related scholarships
As one example, the Ontario Women’s Health Scholars Award supports Canadian and permanent resident researchers studying women’s health. It pays 25000 dollars at the Master’s level. It pays 50000 dollars at the postdoctoral level. It also adds extra research funding on top.
Why This Matters for Graduate Students
What makes Laurentian’s system strong is choice. You are not stuck with one single scholarship option. You may even be able to combine university funding with an external scholarship, depending on each award’s own rules.
This also means you need to plan early. Eligibility rules, application steps and deadlines are different for almost every award on this list.
Key Deadlines
CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC Doctoral Scholarships Deadline: October 17, 2026 Value: 40000 dollars per year for up to three years
Fall 2026 Graduate Donor-Funded Awards Deadline: October 31, 2026
CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC Master’s Scholarships Deadline: December 1, 2026 Value: 27000 dollars for 12 months
Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship 2027 Deadline: November 6, 2026
Ontario Graduate Scholarship 2027 to 2028 Deadline: January 31, 2027
How to Actually Apply
Follow these simple steps:
- Check which awards match your subject, your study level and your residency status.
- Read the full instructions for each award.
- Some go through Laurentian directly.
- Some go through an outside agency.
- Start your research proposal or personal statement early.
- Pick strong referees early and ask them with enough time to write a good letter.
- Submit every document before its own deadline
International students should pay extra attention to citizenship and residency rules. Some awards here are closed to international applicants. Some are open to them. Do not assume either way without checking.
The Bottom Line
Laurentian University gives graduate students a real chance to build strong financial support from more than one place at once. Some money comes automatically. Some needs a full scholarship application. Some needs you to apply through outside Canadian research groups.
The most important move right now is simple. Make a list of every award you may qualify for. Mark each deadline on your calendar today. The earliest deadline on this whole list is just weeks away, so do not wait to start.
