Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) Overview

Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) Overview

Award Details

• Categories: Admission Awards, Doctoral Awards, Government-Funded Awards, In-Course Awards, Indigenous Student and Postdoc Awards, International Awards, Master’s Awards, Professional Master’s Awards
• Student Deadline: Set by the graduate unit
• Application Dates: Determined by the graduate unit
• Graduate Unit Deadline: Refer to SGS Memo (for internal use only)
• Level of Study: Master’s, Doctoral
• Eligibility: Domestic and International Students
• Results: Announced mid-July

Value and Duration
The OGS is valued at $5,000 per session, with a total possible value of $10,000 for two sessions or $15,000 for three sessions. The graduate unit funds one-third of the award.

• Duration: One year (two or three consecutive sessions)
• Award specifics, including value and duration, are outlined in the offer letter.

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Purpose

The OGS program promotes academic excellence in graduate studies at Ontario universities. Established in 1975, it provides merit-based funding for top graduate students across all disciplines. At the University of Toronto, the program is co-funded by the Province of Ontario and the university.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants Must:

1. Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or protected person. International students with a valid study permit are eligible for a limited number of awards.
2. Register or intend to register full-time in an eligible graduate program at the University of Toronto for the 2025–2026 academic year.
3. Not have exceeded the lifetime limits of government-funded or OGS/QEII-GSST support.
4. Maintain a minimum academic average of A- (or equivalent) in the last two completed years of study. Exceptions may apply for highly meritorious applicants who do not meet the GPA requirement, subject to the discretion of the graduate unit.

Eligibility to Hold an OGS

Award Recipients Must:

• Maintain full-time enrollment in the program for which the award was granted.
• Remain in good standing with the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP).
• Not hold overlapping awards from OGS, SSHRC, NSERC, CIHR, QEII-GSST, or other similar programs.

Maximum Support

• Master’s Students: Max of 2 years of OGS/QEII-GSST funding.
• Doctoral Students: Max of 4 years of OGS/QEII-GSST funding.
• Lifetime Maximum: 6 years of combined government-funded graduate awards.

Selection Criteria

Evaluation Components:

1. Relevant Experience and Achievements (40%)
   • Academic accomplishments, scholarships, publications, research, professional activities, and community engagement.
2. Plan of Study (30%)
   • Motivation, clarity, feasibility, and significance of the study or research proposal.
3. Academic References (30%)
   • Letters of reference assessing academic and research potential, originality, and collaboration skills.

Application Process

1. Online Application: Submit via the U of T School of Graduate Studies portal.
2. Required Documents:
   • Completed application form.
   • Transcripts (unofficial accepted).
   • Plan of Study (max 2 pages, including references).
   • Two academic references.
3. Deadlines: Check with your graduate unit for submission dates.

Additional Notes

• OGS for Black and Indigenous Students: Eligible students identifying as Black or Indigenous are automatically considered for additional scholarships under the SGS Inclusive Excellence Graduate Scholarship competition.
• Non-Transferable Awards: OGS awards cannot be transferred between institutions or graduate units.

For detailed instructions and further assistance, contact the Graduate Awards Office or consult the SGS website.

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