Want to know what separates a rejected file from a winning one? This guide gives you a clear, step-by-step start so you can prepare with confidence for the 2026 cycle.
You’ll learn what to gather, where to submit, and how to avoid common errors. The award is worth $5,000 per session and can total up to $15,000 for three consecutive sessions. The unit you apply to adds one-third of the cost, so availability differs by program and campus.
We explain required documents: a one-page study plan, one page of citations, two academic assessments, and a single PDF transcript with a grading legend. You’ll also get timing notes (results usually arrive mid‑July) and tips to brief your referees effectively.
Start smart: follow the checklist we give you, tailor your plan to each unit, and avoid portability pitfalls when you apply to more than one school. Ready to prepare? Keep reading for the full timeline and a concise checklist you can use today.
Why the Ontario Graduate Scholarship matters for your graduate studies
For many candidates, this award is the difference between juggling jobs and full‑time research. It offsets tuition and research costs, so you can focus on your study and your progress.
Merit-based selection means the prize rewards academic strength, research promise, and leadership. That prestige helps your CV and signals readiness to supervisors and hiring committees.
The funding is a joint effort by the province and participating universities, and yearly allocations shape how many awards each program can offer. This affects competition across colleges universities and individual graduate units.
«Receiving recognized merit funding often opens doors to larger national awards later in your career.«
- Use the award to reduce work hours and increase research output.
- Show alignment between your study plan and your chosen program.
- Leverage the prize when talking to potential supervisors and committees.
OGS 2026 at a glance: value, duration, and who funds it
Know the numbers: what the award pays per session, how long it runs, and where the money comes from.
Value per session and total award
The award pays $5,000 per session. You can receive two or three consecutive sessions, for a total of $10,000 or $15,000 in one academic year.
One-year tenure across sessions
Tenure is limited to one year and must be taken across back‑to‑back sessions. Single‑term holds are not permitted.
Who pays and how the split works
The Province covers two‑thirds while the hosting university provides one‑third. That split affects how many awards each unit can offer.
- Read your offer letter carefully: your unit sets the final value and start term.
- Results usually arrive mid‑July, helping you plan a September start (May or January may be possible).
- Funding is non‑transferable and non‑renewable; reapply in future cycles if eligible.
«If you’re also competitive for QEII‑GSST, compare values and hold rules—some STEM awards mirror these amounts.«
Purpose and fit: Is OGS right for your proposed graduate program?
Start by confirming program eligibility with your graduate unit. Units set their own rules, so not every program accepts competitors for this award. You should verify that your proposed graduate program is listed in the unit’s competition.
Full‑time registration in 2025–2026 is mandatory. Holders must stay full‑time for the award period. Check how your program’s timeline maps to two or three consecutive sessions.
Think about structure: course‑based, research‑based, or professional. Show how your plan of study will demonstrate research ability and yield clear milestones.
- Align your plan with faculty strengths and available tools, labs, or archives.
- If your program has co‑op or practicum elements, explain how they strengthen your profile.
- Discuss milestones comprehensive exams, fieldwork, thesis drafts with prospective supervisors.
- Tailor the page and materials if you apply to multiple units so each plan fits local methods and priorities.
«A focused, feasible plan tied to program resources convinces reviewers you can deliver during the award period.«
Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) application: your step-by-step game plan
Begin by mapping each department’s internal timeline this is where many applicants stumble. Confirm eligibility early, pick a realistic start term, and give referees clear deadlines so nothing is late.
Confirm eligibility and start term
Check status and registration before you begin. You must meet citizenship or study‑permit rules, be full‑time for 2025–2026, and respect lifetime award limits.
Choose a start term that fits your program. Most starts are in September; May or January are possible only if your unit allows them.
Prepare documents and referees
Gather transcripts early and combine them into a single PDF with a grading legend. Keep that file under 10 MB and include any exchange transcripts that lack clear grades.
Draft a focused one‑page plan of study and a separate one‑page citations list. Line up two academic referees and brief them with your CV, transcripts, and your page plan.
Submit to each unit or institution
Use U of T’s SGS centralized online form if you apply there, and select the correct Faculty and graduate unit in the form. Your submission routes only to that unit.
- Complete the online form carefully and attach your single‑PDF transcript.
- Ensure referees submit their assessments on time.
- Submit separate files to each department or institution where you want to be considered.
«Track each unit’s internal deadline closely; missing components can make your file ineligible.«
Eligibility criteria you must meet before you apply
Before you file, confirm you meet the basic eligibility checks that determine if your file can be considered. These rules shape whether your submission advances to review.
Citizenship and status
Applicants must be Canadian citizens, Permanent Residents, or Protected Persons. International students may compete under a limited quota if they hold a valid study permit by the unit’s international deadline.
Registration and program
You must register full‑time in an eligible graduate program in 2025 2026. Check your unit’s definition of full‑time and confirm your projected graduation date allows two consecutive sessions.
Academic performance
Meet the minimum academic standard: an A‑ average in each of your last two full‑time equivalent years. If you have two or more years of graduate study, an overall A‑ is required. Units may allow exceptions for exceptional cases.
Limits and unit rules
- Respect lifetime caps: up to two years at master’s, four at doctoral, six years across government-funded awards.
- You cannot hold this award concurrently with tri‑agency or other specified prizes.
- Clear any OSAP restrictions within 30 days if selected.
Action step: Start assembling proof of status and transcripts now, and ask your unit about any extra criteria on the page so you aren’t caught off guard.
Selection criteria: how your application will be evaluated
Reviewers score every file against clear criteria that balance past achievement and future promise. Committees look for evidence you can complete the project and add value to your department.
Academic excellence: transcripts and prior awards
Weighting: many units give 40–50% to academic records. Clear, complete transcripts and a record of honours or prizes make a difference.
List competitive awards and honours on your page and CV. Ensure transcripts show course codes, grades, and a grading legend so reviewers can compare results fairly.
Research ability and potential
Weighting: typically 30–40% for plan quality and outputs. Your one‑page plan must be focused, feasible, and aligned with supervisor expertise.
Highlight publications, posters, and methods that prove you can deliver. Show milestones and realistic timelines to strengthen perceived feasibility.
Communication and leadership
Weighting: often 10–20% for teaching, outreach, and service. Describe mentoring, committee work, event roles, and outreach that show initiative.
Ask referees to speak to your clarity, collaboration, and project management. Consistent praise across your plan, CV, and assessments improves your standing in the competition.
«A consistent narrative across your page, CV, and references makes it easy for reviewers to award trust and fundability.«
- Make transcripts readable and include a grading legend.
- Align your plan with available resources and supervisor skills.
- Use referees to confirm originality, completion, and communication.
- Tailor your file to known department weightings where published.
Build a winning plan of study for OGS
Open your one‑page plan by describing a specific problem and the real‑world impact your study will seek. Be concise: name the gap, cite one or two key works, and state why the timing matters.
Motivation and significance. Explain who benefits and how the program study setting gives you access to the right resources. Tie your goals to supervisor expertise, labs, datasets, or community partners.
Methods and feasibility. Outline methods, key milestones across two or three consecutive sessions, and simple contingency steps for common risks. Use a short timeline so reviewers see you can finish within the award period.
Expected contributions. State expected outputs papers, policy notes, creative pieces, or applied reports and attach a one‑page citations list. Keep language clear and evidence‑driven.
Tip: ask mentors to review drafts until aims, methods, and evaluation measures are tight and well aligned with the unit’s strengths.
«A focused, feasible page of study shows reviewers you will deliver during the award period.»
Nailing the application platform and login basics
Before you click ‘Start’, make sure you know which account will carry your entire submission. Choosing correctly up front avoids lost drafts and broken links between accounts.
Use UTORid if you are a current or past U of T user. Non‑U of T users begin with JOINid. If JOINid gives trouble, set up a BlueAccount and start there.
UTORid, JOINid, and BlueAccount: which to use and when
Don’t switch accounts mid‑process. If you start with BlueAccount, finish with it. Accounts are not linked or transferable.
Browser compatibility and troubleshooting common login errors
Use updated Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge. Avoid Internet Explorer.
If the portal loops on «Proceed to Log In», do a hard refresh (Ctrl+F5 on Windows, Cmd+Shift+R on Mac), clear cache and cookies, then reopen in private/incognito mode.
Saving drafts, navigating My Forms, and tracking status
Save the first page to create a draft; unsaved work is lost if you close the browser.
Use the My Forms dashboard to view statuses: draft, ready, submitted, completed. You can resend referee invitations and unsubmit if a department requests changes.
«Record the email address tied to your sign‑in all notifications and results will arrive there.«
- Select the correct Faculty and graduate unit so your form routes properly.
- Save each page; do not exit without saving.
- Log out and close your browser to protect your session when finished.
Complete application components you must submit
Start by confirming which forms and documents your department must receive, then assemble them into a single, readable package.
Applicant form and two academic assessments
Complete the applicant form fully: personal details, program choice, and status must be correct. Invite your two academic referees early and confirm they received the Academic Assessment request. Follow up so both references upload well before the deadline.
Transcripts package standards and legend requirements
Combine all post‑secondary transcripts into one PDF under 10 MB and include a grading legend. Add transfer or exchange transcripts when home‑institution grades do not appear. Keep file names clear and ensure pages display upright and legibly on screen.
Plan of study length and citations
Limit your plan to one page plus one page of citations. Tailor the page to your unit’s research strengths and align claims with transcript evidence. Remember: official transcripts from outside the host may be required later to hold the award.
«Submit early so you can correct any missing items before the unit deadline.«
- Verify degree dates and current registration in your transcript file.
- Keep consistency between your plan, CV, and grades.
- Ask a mentor to proofread and then submit before the deadline.
Domestic vs. international OGS competition details
Your visa timing and departmental deadlines decide if you can enter the international pool. Read your unit rules early so you know whether you are assessed as domestic or international at the department deadline.
Valid study permit and limited international quotas
International applicants must hold a valid study permit by the unit’s international application deadline—no exceptions. Some institutions restrict the international quota to current registrants or those on approved leave.
Example: at Waterloo, only students registered or on approved leave by Feb 1, 2025 were considered.
Unit deadlines, non-portability, and multiple submissions
Internal deadlines usually fall in late January or early February. If Feb 1 lands on a weekend, some departments accept documents until the next business day mid‑afternoon; confirm specifics with your department.
- OGS is non‑portable: you cannot transfer the award to another institution, and often not to another unit.
- Submit a separate application to each institution and each graduate unit where you want consideration.
- Tell your referees if you file to multiple departments and share each application deadline.
Plan ahead: limited international quotas and tight unit deadlines mean you should confirm status and submit early to avoid being excluded.
For a practical checklist and deadlines at one participating university, see this resource: OGS at Wilfrid Laurier University.
Transcripts that meet OGS standards
A clear transcript package makes review simple. Upload a single PDF that combines all post‑secondary records and include one copy of the grading legend for each institution you attended.
Unofficial, student‑issued, or web transcripts are accepted for the application, but official copies may be required to hold the award later. If your host transcript lists transfer or exchange credits without grades, append the original transcript from the issuing institution.
PDF formatting and file rules
- Combine everything into one PDF under 10MB; use print‑to‑PDF if needed.
- Ensure pages display upright and are readable on screen; include your name and student number if possible.
- U of T ACORN transcripts do not need a grading legend; others do—add screenshots or PDF prints as needed.
- Avoid digitally signed PDFs that cannot be merged; label the file clearly (e.g., “Lastname_Firstname_OGS_Transcripts.pdf”).
Tip: Keep consistent date formats and verify degree completion or expected graduation dates match the form and the page of study you submit to each department. Save a backup in cloud storage so you can re‑upload quickly if an issue appears near the deadline.
References that strengthen your case
Strong references turn a good file into a competitive one by filling gaps other documents cannot. Choose two academic referees who know your work well and can speak to mastery, research potential, and communication.
Choosing referees who cover the evaluation areas
Pick referees who can give specific examples of your academic excellence, research ability, and leadership or teaching. Prefer supervisors or instructors who supervised major projects or publications.
What referees should include and how to brief them
Brief each referee with your CV, transcripts, the one‑page page of study, and a short list of outputs and roles. Ask them to address originality, feasibility, and your ability to finish the proposed work.
- Confirm how the reference is submitted: online Academic Assessment via the form or emailed letters to the department coordinator.
- Request institutional affiliations, signatures, and letterhead where possible to boost credibility.
- Tell referees if you are sending multiple files so they can reuse content without repeating identical wording.
- Track sent dates in My Forms and follow up politely if a reference is still missing before the deadline.
«A vivid, signed reference that links past outputs to future feasibility often tips the award in your favour.«
Deadlines and timing: what to expect for 2025-2026 and beyond
Unit deadlines tend to cluster around the winter months, so build a backward schedule to meet them reliably.
Common domestic and international timelines
- Unit cut‑offs: expect internal department deadlines in late January or early February; some units allow the next business day when the date falls on a weekend.
- Domestic vs international: competitions often run on the same winter timeline, but international eligibility hinges on a valid study permit by the unit’s international deadline.
- Start terms: common holding start terms include Spring 2025, Fall 2025, and Winter 2026—align starts with your program milestones and other funding.
- Prepare referees: give referees 3–4 weeks’ notice and build extra buffer time for transcripts and reviews.
Result windows and the next competition launch
Results for the 2025 2026 cycle commonly arrive in mid‑July, which gives you time to plan fall registration and funding activation.
The 2026‑2027 competition typically updates in Fall 2025; monitor your unit’s memo pages and central announcements. If you want a quick reference for broader planning, see this next competition guide: next competition guide.
Tip: keep a shared calendar for multiple submissions, save confirmation emails, and check whether your department runs pre‑screenings or ranking meetings that shift internal dates earlier.
Maximum support, concurrent funding rules, and QEII-GSST
Know your cap before you accept. Track how many years of government support you’ve used so you do not exceed limits that affect eligibility for future awards.
Key limits: you may hold up to two years at the master’s level and four years at the doctoral level, with a lifetime ceiling of six years of years government-funded support.
You cannot hold this award at the same time as Tri-Agency funding (SSHRC, NSERC, CIHR), QEII-GSST, or another identical prize. Avoid overlapping start terms when you plan offers.
QEII-GSST: how it compares
QEII-GSST mirrors value and duration but is reserved for STEM and Canadian/PR students. Committees use similar criteria, so your competition strategy may be comparable.
Practical tips
- Sequence awards to maximise support across degrees.
- Coordinate start dates if you transfer from MSc to PhD.
- Keep clear records of all tenure periods and declined offers.
- Talk with your supervisor about which award to accept if you win both; many prefer Tri-Agency prizes.
«Plan your funding timeline early so you can choose the best award without breaching holding rules.»
OSAP standing and other conditions to hold your award
Your right to the award hinges on registration status, OSAP standing, and prompt administrative steps. You must remain enrolled full‑time in the program and in the same department that nominated you for the entire award period.
If you withdraw, drop to part‑time, or finish early, you may need to repay funds for any incomplete session. Act quickly if a hold appears on your student account.
Clear any OSAP restrictions within 30 days of notification to accept and keep the award. Applicants must resolve holds or the award may be rescinded.
- You may take RA/TA work or part‑time roles that do not compromise full‑time study and that follow unit policy.
- Full‑time paid employment typically disqualifies you check with your graduate office before accepting such roles.
- Avoid holding another major award (Tri‑Agency, QEII‑GSST, or a second identical award) at the same time.
Practical steps: keep your contact and direct‑deposit info current, submit the Payment Activation Form quickly, and tell your unit and awards office immediately about any registration changes.
«Inform your department the moment your status changes small delays can trigger repayment rules.«
Review unit rules and deadlines for specific holding conditions; some departments add extra requirements. For a sample unit memo and deadline reference, see this resource: unit rules and deadlines.
Inclusive pathways: Indigenous and Black student opportunities
If you identify as Black or Indigenous, ticking the self‑ID box can open access to extra awards the university runs alongside the main competition.
Inclusive Excellence Graduate Scholarship and Indigenous Scholar Awards
At some institutions, Black and/or Indigenous applicants who self‑identify are placed into a parallel pool for the excellence graduate award streams. These awards may top up funding and can be valued up to $15,000.
In many cases no separate form is required. Results for parallel awards are often issued by late July along with the main outcomes. Check with your unit whether you are automatically considered and whether the award can be held with other funding.
Self‑identification and verification aligned with the Constitution Act, 1982
The term “Indigenous peoples” follows the Canadian Constitution Act definition and includes First Nations (Status/Non‑Status), Métis, and Inuit. Some schools ask for verification to protect the integrity of awards.
- Complete the self‑ID section accurately and keep contact details current.
- If verification applies, assemble documentation early to meet unit deadlines.
- Highlight community engagement and leadership on your page and in referee briefs.
«Ask your graduate unit about additional Indigenous or Black student awards and how they interact with other funding.«
After you’re awarded: activating, start dates, and maintaining eligibility
Once you receive notice that your award is confirmed, act promptly to activate payment and pick a start term that fits your program. Delays can slow instalments or clash with other funding.
Accepting via Payment Activation Form and choosing a start term
Submit the SGS Award Payment Activation Form (PAF) through your institution’s forms tool as soon as you accept. Keep a copy of the confirmation for your records.
Coordinate with your department to select May, September, or January as your start. Align that choice with program milestones and avoid overlaps with other awards.
Full-time status, unit policies, and employment considerations
Remain full‑time at the awarding unit for the award period. Notify your department immediately of any status changes to prevent repayment obligations.
RA/TA roles and part‑time work are usually allowed if they comply with unit rules and do not reduce your full‑time registration. Check instalment posting rules if you register without payment or use fee deferrals; early instalments often clear tuition first.
Tip: keep your banking and contact details current and review the award holder’s guide for session deadlines and payment schedules.
- Retain copies of your offer and PAF confirmation.
- Align award start if you transfer programs or begin a PhD.
- Plan for early completion unfinished sessions can trigger repayment.
Avoid these common OGS application pitfalls
One overlooked transcript or the wrong department choice can undo weeks of work. Follow a short checklist so your file stays eligible and easy to review.
Key routing and file checks. Double-check the Faculty and graduate department before you submit. Submissions route only to the selected unit, so a misrouted form may never be seen by the right reviewers.
Missing or incomplete documents
Combine all transcripts and grading legends into a single PDF. Missing legends or exchange transcripts are common reasons files become ineligible.
References and the plan of study
Applicants must provide two academic assessments. Verify both referees uploaded their reports well before the deadline.
Keep your plan to one page plus one page of citations. Overlength pages risk disqualification.
«Please review your My Forms dashboard and confirm statuses like ‘Ready for submission’ and ‘Received by Administrator’.«
- Do not assume you can clone the same submission across departments—create tailored files for each department and program.
- Confirm citizenship/status and study permit dates relative to unit deadlines.
- Avoid last-minute uploads; save drafts and brief referees early with clear due dates.
Final tip: align your one‑page research plan with the unit’s resources so reviewers find your project feasible and relevant to the graduate unit’s strengths.
Your next steps to get 2026-ready
Start your 2026 plan today with a clear checklist and firm deadlines.
Please review your unit’s internal memos and application instructions, then map the full application process to the department deadline. Confirm your eligibility criteria now, including citizenship/status and that a valid study permit will be in place for any ogs international pool you enter.
Draft one saved page in your form, tailor each program study page to the proposed graduate unit, and line up two academic referees. Verify your email address, assemble transcripts into one PDF, and track years government-funded to avoid overlap with qeii-gsst awards.
Final step: submit early, monitor your page statuses, and keep copies of confirmations so you’re ready to receive OGS funding if selected.