TRI-Agency & Government Awards

Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplement (CGS-MSFSS)

This MSFSS is only available to Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada or Protected Persons who hold a Canada Graduate Scholarship (CGS) at the master's or doctoral level, or a Vanier CGS at the doctoral level. The award is valued up to $6,000 and the related research study period must be between two to six months.

The Tri-Agencies

  • the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR)
  • the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)
  • the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC)

This award is funded by the Tri-Agencies (CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC) and interested applicants must check eligibility criteria before applying, or you can also contact our office at gradawards@sfu.ca. For more information about the award, please visit here.

Award Value:

up to $6,000 for a period of research study abroad

Candidate Eligibility:

  • accepted or currently hold a CGS (master’s or doctoral) or eligible Vanier CGS
  • your proposed trip abroad must be taken after the competition deadline date
  • not hold, or have held, any other CGS-MSFSS during your graduate studies

 

Canadian Graduate Scholarships

About the Host Institutions and Supervisors

  • Eligible host institutions include foreign universities, inter-university research centres, international or national research institutes or laboratories, or other institutions with a research mandate.
  • Host supervisor must be affiliated with and employed full-time at an eligible host institution.
  • The choice of host institution and host supervisor must be justified in your application.

The Letter of Support from your host supervisor should include following information:

 
  • Their affiliation and employment with the host institution.
  • Their support for your research study period abroad and the resources they have available (i.e. supervision, time, equipment, library access, etc.)
  • The synergies between your research and the host supervisor/host institution.

How to Apply

  1. Check eligibility here or contact our office at gradawards@sfu.ca.
  2. Each agency has its own application form, instructions, and consent forms.  Please make sure to choose the correct form.
  3. Request a letter from your current supervisor detailing their support for your research study period abroad and confirming that your proposed research aligns with the research from your CGS award (maximum one page).
  4. Request a Host Supervisor Letter detailing their support for your research study period abroad and the resources they have available to support your planned research activities (maximum one page).
  5. Submit your application form and required supporting documentation as one PDF file via e-mail to gradawards@sfu.ca. If the deadline falls on a weekend or on a federal statutory holiday, application must be submitted by the following business day.

Note: Please visit the SFU FAQ Page and SFU Travel Safety for the latest SFU-specific information.

Competition Timeline (2024-2025)

June 2024 INTAKE:
Mid-April Competition Launch
May 24

Student deadline to submit full application to gradawards@sfu.ca.

Referee deadline to submit the Letter of Support directly to gradawards@sfu.ca.

Please put subject line as - MSFSS June 2024 Application - Full Name

CLICK HERE for the application form

June 10 SFU final submission deadline to the Tri-Agency
August  Notice of Decision
 
OCTOBER 2024 INTAKE:
Mid-August   Applications Open
September 20 

Student deadline to submit full application to gradawards@sfu.ca.

Referee deadline to submit the Letter of Support directly to gradawards@sfu.ca.

Please put subject line as - MSFSS October 2024 Application - Full Name

Click here for the application form

October 10 SFU final submission deadline to the Tri-Agency
December    Notice of Decision
 
FEBRUARY 2025 ADDITIONAL INTAKE (Subject to the availability of funding): 
January Competition Launch (TBD)
January      

Student deadline to submit full application to gradawards@sfu.ca.

Referee deadline to submit the Letter of Support directly to gradawards@sfu.ca.

Please put subject line as - MSFSS January 2024 Application - Full Name

CLICK HERE FOR THE APPLICATION FORM

February SFU final submission deadline to the Tri-Agency
TBD Notice of Decision