Indigenous Scholars Awards and Supplements Pilot Initiative
Indigenous Scholars Awards and Supplements Pilot Initiative supports First Nations, Inuit and Métis graduate scholars with research training funding to develop research skills and focus on their studies.
Funder: University of British Columbia - Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
Due Dates: December 1, 2026, before 5:00 pm PT / 8:00 pm ET (Application) | January 20, 2027, at 4:00 pm PT (UBC program nominations)
Funding Amounts: $5,000 supplement; alternate candidates may receive a $27,000 award plus $5,000 supplement; one year, non-renewable, subject to available funding
Summary: Supports meritorious Indigenous students applying to the Canada Graduate Research Scholarships–Master’s program through NSERC or SSHRC.
Key Information: Applicants must self-identify as Indigenous; successful applicants must provide Indigenous citizenship or membership documentation.
Description
The Indigenous Scholars Awards and Supplements Pilot Initiative provides financial support to meritorious First Nations, Inuit and Métis students whose nations or communities are located in Canada. It is linked to applications to the Canada Graduate Research Scholarships–Master’s (CGRS M) program through NSERC or SSHRC. Successful CGRS M applicants may receive a supplement, while alternate candidates may receive both an award and a supplement, subject to available funding.
At UBC, Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies coordinates the institutional scholarship competition. The underlying CGRS M program supports research training in eligible master’s and certain doctoral programs in Canada, helping scholars develop research skills and concentrate on their studies. The pilot covers NSERC- and SSHRC-supported research; CIHR provides Indigenous scholar funding through a separate agency-specific mechanism.
