“CRIR Graduate Scholarships” Program

2025 COMPETITION

Application deadline: coming soon

Each year, CRIR offers a limited number of scholarships for CRIR student members based on the level of study: Master’s (research) ($8,000), Doctoral (research) ($15,000), and Postdoctoral ($20,000). CRIR scholarships are for a duration of one year, from September 2025 to April 2026.

The scholarship competition is usually launched in May of each year. CRIR student members will be notified by email when we start accepting submissions.

 

CRIR Graduate Scholarships Program

To become a student member or update your academic status (e.g. change of Master, PhD, postdoctoral level), please complete the online registration form now.

To be eligible for the program, you must:

• Be registered in a regular research master’s, doctoral research program or postdoctoral training program in fall 2025;
• Be a CRIR student member in good standing at CRIR (for Fall 2025 registrations, you must complete the membership form now);
• Be supervised by a CRIR “regular researcher” (your principal director) with a status in good standing;
• Have obtained a cumulative grade point average greater than 3.5 out of 4.3 or 3.1 out of 4.0, or equivalent, throughout your university studies (Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate).
  • For student members who have studied internationally or in another Canadian province: you must provide a table showing your proof of equivalency to demonstrate the grade point average for each level of university study, in the country or other Canadian province where you obtained your degree (Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate), specifying your grade point average and the denominator (e.g., out of 4.3, 4.0). See all the details in the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).

You remain eligible for the program if you:

• Already hold a named scholarship from a fund not recognized by the FRQ from September 2025 to April 2026, for the level of study for which you are applying. In this case, you must demonstrate in writing that the organization allows the accumulation of scholarships at the time of application to CRIR.
• Accumulate several grants from organizations not recognized by the FRQ (e.g. foundations) whose total amount (including the CRIR grant, if successful) is not to exceed $31k for masters and PhD students and $40k for postdoctoral students, for the year in which the grant is awarded (September 2025 to April 2026). Note: travel grants and grants awarded by your research directorate do not count towards the total number of grants.
• Have already received one (1) CRIR scholarship since you entered your level of study. Provided you can show that you have applied to at least two other funding competitions in the current year for a scholarship amount equal to or greater than the CRIR scholarship, since receiving your most recent CRIR scholarship. A maximum of two CRIR scholarships per level of study is permitted.

You are not eligible for the program if:

• You have already received a named scholarship from an organization recognized to your name by the FRQ (NSERC, SSHRC, CIHR, Banting, FRQSC, FRQNT, FRQS, IRSST, NCE, MITACS – Elevation) in your current level of study, and during the CRIR competition period, i.e. from September 2025 to April 2026.

 

HAVE YOUR APPLICATION CHECKED BEFORE SENDING IT:

• We recommend that you have your research project and curriculum vitae checked by your principal director.
• Student support services are also available at universities for the preparation of grant applications: Université de Montréal (student support), Université de Montréal (preparation guide), UQAM (student support), McGill University (student support).

CONSULT THE APPLICATION FORM AND EVALUATION GRID:

• We strongly advise you to consult the application form below and the 2025 evaluation grid before and after preparing your application.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ) :

• We recommend that you consult the program’s Frequently Asked Questions (FQA) for full details and advice

INSTRUCTIONS FOR NAMING YOUR DOCUMENTS:

• Last name, First name, Level of study, Document type (e.g. project, transcript, resume)

incomplete application:

• Incomplete applications may be disqualified.

Announcement of results:

• The evaluation committee’s decision will be notified to applicants by email approximately eight weeks after the closing date of the competition.

 

1. Include the title and description of your research project as well as your role in the project (document to be attached: 2.5 pages maximum – A reference list can be added as an appendix) | Consult the online application form for more details.
2. Include a copy of your curriculum vitae of your choice, including scholarships and prizes received – Indicate the amounts received and the dates covered (start and end) by the scholarship(s). 
3. Include up-to-date academic transcripts of all your university studies. (Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate). Official and unofficial transcripts accepted. 
   
   Section 3A below is intended only for students who have studied internationally or in another Canadian province:

   3.A PROVIDE A TABLE SHOWING YOUR PROOF OF EQUIVALENCY:

   In addition to your academic transcripts, you must include a table showing your proof of equivalences, to demonstrate the cumulative average for each level of university study, in the country or other Canadian province where you obtained your degree (Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate), specifying your cumulative average and the denominator (e.g. out of 4.3, 4.0). See all the details in the section: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).

4. Enter in the online form the cumulative grade point average out of 4.3 or 4.0, or equivalent, for all your university studies (Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate) for each degree obtained (or your cumulative grade point average for current semesters).
5. Describe your Capacity for commitment*: integrated pathway, social mobilization, sustainable health and principles of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI)” (document to be attached: 1 page maximum).
   

   By “commitment” we mean civic participation, a contribution to the life of one’s community and to the common good. Example: Tell us your story! Demonstrate achievements that are specific to your background, describe what you will do in the coming year to get involved.

   *For more information, see page 3 of the  Guide FRQ 2021 – Nouveaux critères d’évaluation des programmes de bourses de formation (pdf) (in French).

   We invite you to:

    Present your career path in an integrated way, establishing the links between your experiences and interests on the one hand, and your choices of orientation, training and academic path on the other. This description should give the evaluation committee a clear understanding of your personal background.

    Present and describe the activities that demonstrate your ability to bring science and society into dialogue (e.g. popularization activities, participation in events aimed at the general public) and your capacity for commitment (e.g. volunteer work, community projects, civic and community involvement, organization of events).

    Specify how your research project takes sustainable health and EDI principles into account.

6. Indicate which Strategic Orientations of the CRIR 2022-2028 Development Plan your project best fits into (maximum 2 choices).See reference document “Orientations 2022-2028: objectives, activities and indicators” here: https://crir.ca/en/research/crirs-strategics-orientations/
   

   6.a Explain the link between your research project and CRIR’s strategic orientations (document to be attached: 250 words maximum).

   6.B Demonstrate how you have been involved with CRIR in the past and/or how you plan to get involved in the coming year. (document to be attached: 250 words maximum).

   Example: involvement in the CRIR student committee, participation in scientific programming activities, development of cross-disciplinary skills through activities organized by the Carrefour des savoirs, etc.

7. Optional: Describe any interruptions or slow down in your research activities (e.g. maternity leave, sick leave, COVID-19, etc.). (document to be attached: 250 words maximum).
8. If applicable: Povide proof of participation in two competitions of recognized organizations in the current year: If you have already been awarded a CRIR scholarship since you have been in your level of study, provide proof of participation in two other funding competitions in the current year (for a scholarship amount equal to or greater than that of the CRIR). (document to be attached: attach a letter or email that demonstrates your participation in the competitions. If this is not possible, please provide an explanation).
9. If applicable: External funding: provide proof and indicate that it allows for the combination of scholarships: If you already have a scholarship from organizations not recognized by the FRQ (e.g., foundations, institutional scholarships, etc.) for the year in which the CRIR scholarship is awarded (September 2025 to April 2026), for your level of study, please provide proof and indicate that it allows for the accumulation of scholarships. (document to be attached: the proof must include: name of the funding source, proof that it allows the accumulation of scholarships and amount obtained for this funding).

 

 

 

Consult these Frequently Asked Questions for more information on your eligibility for the CRIR 2025 scholarship competition.
If necessary, contact us by e-mail at administration.crir@ssss.gouv.qc.ca, adding your supervisor (a regular CRIR research member) as a confirmed copy of the e-mail.

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• Q1: Am I eligible for the CRIR Graduate Scholarships Program if my principal supervisor is not a regular CRIR research member, but I am co-supervised by a regular CRIR research member?
  A1: No. You are not eligible for the CRIR Graduate Scholarships Program.
• Q2: How can I be sure that the CRIR has received my application form?
  A2: Once you have completed your form, you will receive a copy of it by e-mail. If this is not the case, you will have to start again (also look in the “spam” folder) – Recommendation: Plan to send your form at least 60 minutes before closing time, as too many people sending at once can clog up the computer system. Moreover, despite what people believe, clocks are not all synchronized to the same time.
• Q3: I am still waiting to hear back about an award application and will not receive it until after the CRIR program application deadline (May 21, 2025). Can I still apply?
  A3: Yes. If you are selected for a CRIR award and also receive an award from another organization in the meantime, you must inform us and pick the award of your choice, according to the selection criteria of each organization.
• Q4: I finish in December 2025, can I apply?
  A4: Yes. You are eligible if you are enrolled in a regular research master’s program, research doctorate, or are doing a postdoctoral training at CRIR in the fall of 2025. The amount of the scholarship will be prorated to the time remaining in your studies.
• Q5: What is a named scholarship from a recognized organization?
  A5: A named scholarship is a bursary issued in the name of a student following a bursary competition posted by an organization recognized by the FRQ (NSERC, SSHRC, CIHR, Banting, FRQSC, FRQNT, FRQS, IRSST, NCE, MITACS – Elevation). When students are selected by the organization, a letter is sent to them confirming that they have been awarded a named scholarship.
• Q6: Am I eligible for the CRIR Graduate Scholarships Program if I have already received a named scholarship from an organization recognized by the FRQ (NSERC, SSHRC, CIHR, Banting, FRQSC, FRQNT, FRQS, IRSST, NCE, MITACS – Elevation). in my current level of study, and during the CRIR competition period, i.e. from September 2025 to April 2026?
  A6: No. You are not eligible for the CRIR Graduate Scholarships Program.
• Q7: Which grants are included in the accumulation of grants?
  A7: All scholarships from organizations not recognized by the FRQ (e.g. foundations, institutional grant), including the one CRIR, if successful.
• Q8: What do you mean by “demonstrate through a written document that the organization allows the accumulation of scholarships” when submitting the application to CRIR?
  A8: You must submit a letter/email from the organization or share the organization’s website page with us, demonstrating that the accumulation of scholarships is permitted.
• Q9: How do I know that my cumulative grade point average is in the right denominator mentioned in the CRIR Graduate Scholarships Program. (3.5 out of 4.3 or 3.1 out of 4.0)?
  A9: The denominators for CRIR-affiliated universities are :
  • 3.5 out of 4.3 : Université de Montréal (UdeM), Concordia University, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), École de Technologie Supérieure (ETS), Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR) and Université de Sherbrooke (UdeS).
  • 3.1 out of 4.0: McGill University (McGill).
• Q10: If I have already received a CRIR grant at my level of study, why do I have to prove that an application has been submitted to at least two (2) other funding competitions in the current year, for a grant amount equal to or greater than that of the CRIR?
  A10: You must demonstrate that you have attempted to obtain other major funding (equal to or greater than that of the CRIR for each of the competitions), as the CRIR competition is one of last resort.
• Q11: I need to demonstrate a link between my research project and CRIR’s strategic orientations. Where can I find these orientations?
  A11: The 6 strategic orientations can be found on the CRIR website: https://crir.ca/en/research/crirs-strategics-orientations/

 

STUDENTS who have studied abroad or in another Canadian province

• Q12: Scholarships received in my country are indicated in my resume. Do I also need to list the value of this scholarship in Canadian dollars (CAD)?
  A12 : Yes.Your curriculum vitae must include any scholarships received in your country, and these must indicate the CAD equivalent in money with the start and end date.
• Q13: I cannot submit all my transcripts because some academic programs did not provide them. How can I remain eligible and what should I do?
  A13: In order to ensure a fair evaluation of the cumulative grade point average for all students, if you do not have transcripts – for example, in the case of a French doctorate – or if you have completed internships or exchanges for which you obtained grades that do not appear on your official transcripts, please submit a supporting letter.
• Q14: Why is it obligatory to provide a table illustrating my proof of equivalences, to demonstrate the cumulative average for each level of university study, in the country or other Canadian province where I obtained my degree (Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate), specifying my cumulative average as well as the denominator (e.g. out of 4.3, 4.0)?
  A14: You must provide a table showing your proof of equivalences to confirm your eligibility for the competition and allow the evaluation committee to clearly see your academic background and your progress (compare your grades with those in Quebec).
• Q15: How can I obtain the table that illustrates my proof of equivalency to demonstrate the cumulative average for each level of university study, in the country or other Canadian province where I obtained my degree (Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate), specifying my cumulative average as well as the denominator (e.g., out of 4.3, 4.0)?

In order of priority, here are three ways to obtain and share your proof of equivalence with us:

R15.1: The university where you obtained your degree(s) should have these references and can provide you with your proof of equivalency in table form. Contact them quickly.

R15.2: Some Quebec universities where you are currently studying can provide you with your proof of equivalency in table form. Check with your university.

R15.3: Do it yourself using the tool provided by the University of Montreal.

Consult their web page of the University of Montreal International Equivalences which allows students to validate their international averages (or grades) with those required in Quebec (3.5 out of 4.3 or 3.1 out of 4.0). This page is available to all student members of the CRIR, via this link: https://esp.umontreal.ca/diplomes-requis-et-seuils-dadmission/.

*Use this method once on the site: Choose the continent, then the country. Most show grade equivalents.

 

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RECIPIENTS – CRIR Graduate Scholarships Program

• 2024 Recipients
• 2023 Recipients
• 2022 Recipients
• 2021 Recipients
• 2020 Recipients
• 2019 Recipients
• 2018 Recipients
• 2017 Recipients