Ontario Graduate Scholarship for International Students 2027: $15,000 Award in Canada

Looking for graduate funding in Canada? A scholarship offering up to $15,000 CAD could help ease the cost of pursuing a Master’s or Doctoral degree in Ontario. Applications are currently open—but who is eligible, what does the award cover, and how can you apply? Find out what you need to know before the opportunity closes.

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Ontario Graduate Scholarship for International Students

Award: Up to $15,000 CAD
Academic Level: Master’s and Doctoral
Application Status: Open
Location: Ontario, Canada

The Ontario Graduate Scholarship is one of Canada’s oldest and most prestigious graduate merit awards. Since 1975, this program has rewarded academic excellence across all disciplines at publicly funded universities in Ontario.

For international students, there’s a limited quota; the scholarship comes with a nuanced process that most guides don’t often talk about:

The Province of Ontario jointly funds the program and the partnering university. Each participating institution receives a set number of awards, and a portion of those are allocated specifically for international students holding valid study permits. At some universities, that international allotment is small. At others, it is fiercely contested.
The value is meaningful but not comprehensive. At $10,000 for two terms or $15,000 for three consecutive terms, the scholarship provides substantial support — but it will not cover the full cost of a year of graduate study in Ontario, particularly for international students paying differential tuition. Treat it as a significant contribution, not a full ride.

If you are also exploring nomination-based graduate funding, the University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowships offer up to $100,000 for doctoral students through a departmental nomination model.

Who Can Apply for this Scholarship?

To be considered for the Ontario Graduate Scholarship as an international student for the 2027 cycle, you must meet all of the following criteria:

Hold a valid Canadian study permit under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act at the time of application. If you do not have a valid permit at application, you must provide proof of one before taking up the award.
Be enrolled or intend to enroll full-time in a master’s or doctoral program at a participating Ontario university for the 2027–28 academic year.
Study for a minimum of two consecutive terms — the scholarship cannot be held for a single term.
Achieve a minimum A- average in each of your last two completed years of full-time study. Students entering their third year or beyond of graduate studies must have an overall A- average on all graduate courses completed.
Not be in default on any Canadian government-sponsored loan.
Not hold a concurrent government-funded award — including SSHRC, NSERC, CIHR, QEII-GSST, or another OGS.

The Ontario Graduate Scholarship is not a single, centrally administered application. Each participating university manages its own scholarship competition, sets its own internal deadlines, and allocates its international quota according to its own selection process. Your application goes to your university’s graduate studies office — not to the provincial government.

Benefits of Ontario Graduate Scholarship

You’ll receive $10,000 CAD for two consecutive terms, or $15,000 CAD for three consecutive terms
The cash will be disbursed $5,000 per term directly to you
Beyond the financial aid, you also get the recognition as an Ontario Graduate Scholar
The scholarship be combined with certain non-government awards, depending on your university’s stacking rules

However, this scholarship is not renewable. It does not cover full tuition for international students. And it does not guarantee admission to your program — it is an award you apply for alongside (or after) your graduate admission.

If you are comparing graduate funding models, the University of Laval Excellence Scholarship Program offers a similar merit-based structure for master’s and doctoral students — but with a notable difference: for research master’s and PhD applicants, no separate scholarship application is required.

How to Apply for Ontario Graduate Scholarship

Application windows for this scholarship vary by institution. Based on previous cycles, most participating universities open their applications between August and December.

Official OSAP OGS Program Page: https://osap.gov.on.ca/OSAPPortal

Contact your specific university’s graduate studies office for their OGS application portal and internal deadline. A full list of participating institutions is available on the OSAP page.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Confirm you are applying to a participating Ontario university. The scholarship is only available at the 19 publicly assisted institutions listed on the OSAP page.
Check your university’s deadline immediately. These deadlines are strict and vary widely — from November to February. Missing it means waiting another full year.
Ensure your study permit is valid. International applicants must hold a valid study permit at the time of application, or provide proof before taking up the award.
Prepare your academic documents. You will typically need transcripts, a current CV, a research statement or plan of study, and academic references.
Submit your application through your university’s OGS portal. Do not apply to OSAP directly — the OGS is administered by each university’s graduate studies office.
Request your referees early. Many universities set a separate referee deadline. Give your referees ample notice.
Wait for your university’s selection committee to review and rank applications. Results are typically communicated by the graduate studies office.

Because the international quota is limited, your academic record is the single most important factor. The Ontario Graduate Scholarship selection criteria are merit-based, and your GPA in your last two years of full-time study carries the most weight.

How to Win the Ontario Graduate Scholarship

The scholarship program is a merit-based, and the selection criteria are determined by your university. That means there is no single winning formula — but there are clear patterns:

A strong academic record: Your A- average in the last two years is the baseline. Competitive applicants often exceed it.
A clear research statement: For research-based programs, your statement of research intent should demonstrate focus, feasibility, and alignment with your department’s strengths.
Strong academic references: Choose referees who know your academic work well and can speak to your potential as a graduate researcher.
A well-structured CV: Highlight publications, conference presentations, research assistantships, and teaching experience.
Early submission: Because the international quota is limited, submitting early does not give you an advantage in ranking — but it ensures you do not miss the deadline due to technical issues.

If you are also considering large undergraduate entrance awards for a future degree, the University of Calgary International Entrance Scholarship offers $20,000 per year renewable for up to four years — a useful comparison if you are mapping out a long-term academic pathway that includes both graduate and undergraduate funding.

Other Top Canadian Graduate Funding in 2027

The Ontario Graduate Scholarship is a strong option for graduate study in Ontario, but it is not the only one worth pursuing:

For doctoral research in the humanities and social sciences: The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarships provide up to $210,000 over three years, plus a leadership development program and a network of over 500 alumni shaping policy and research across Canada.
For master’s and professional degree students: The McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill University offer full tuition, a monthly living stipend, and a leadership development program. Unlike the OGS, this requires a direct application and emphasizes leadership and community impact alongside academics.
For nomination-based graduate funding: The University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowships offer up to $100,000 for doctoral students through departmental nomination — a completely different application pathway, but a valuable comparison for students exploring multiple funding models.

Reviewing these programs can help you map out a long-term scholarship strategy — whether you are entering graduate studies now or planning ahead.

FAQs About Ontario Graduate Scholarships

Are international students eligible for the OGS?
Yes. International students studying in Ontario with a valid study permit under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act are eligible for the allotted OGS international student awards. However, the number of awards for international students is limited.

What is the deadline for the OGS?
There is no single deadline. Each participating university sets its own internal deadline. Carleton University’s deadline for the 2027 cycle was November 16, 2026. Ontario Tech University’s deadline was December 1, 2026. Trent University’s deadline is February 16, 2027. Check with your university’s graduate studies office immediately.

What GPA do I need for the OGS?
You need a minimum A- average (approximately 80% or 3.7/4.0) in each of your last two completed years of full-time study. Students entering their third year or beyond of graduate studies must have an overall A- average on all graduate courses completed.

Can I hold the OGS with another scholarship?
No. The OGS cannot be held concurrently with SSHRC, NSERC, CIHR, QEII-GSST, another OGS, or any other award that overlaps within the same award year. However, you may be able to hold certain non-government awards alongside the OGS, depending on your university’s stacking rules.

What if my study permit expires before the award is taken up?
You must have a valid study permit at the time of application. If you do not have one at application, you will be required to provide proof of a valid permit before taking up the award.

Can I defer the OGS if I take a leave of absence?
No. Recipients must hold the award for a minimum of two consecutive terms. Backdated leave of absence requests are not considered, and students in extension terms are not eligible to hold an OGS.

Save the Time and Act Now

The Ontario Graduate Scholarship is one of Canada’s most established graduate merit awards — and for international students, it represents a rare opportunity to access provincial funding that is often reserved for domestic students. But the OGS comes with a structural reality: the international quota is limited. You are not just competing against your classmates; you are competing for a designated number of spots that vary by institution.

That means two things: your academic record must be strong, and your deadline awareness must be sharp. With application windows opening as early as August 2026 and deadlines ranging from November 2026 to February 2027, the students who win are the ones who start preparing months in advance.

The $10,000–$15,000 value is meaningful. The prestige is real. And the eligibility window — requiring a valid study permit and full-time enrolment — makes this an award you can only pursue if you are already committed to graduate study in Ontario.

Your next steps:

Confirm that your target Ontario university participates in the OGS program.
Contact your university’s graduate studies office today to confirm their OGS deadline and international quota.
Ensure your study permit is valid and will remain valid through the award period.
Prepare your transcripts, CV, research statement, and referee contacts.
Submit your OGS application well before the deadline — late applications are not accepted.