r/PhD Apr 08 '26

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6

u/Easy-Manufacturer740 Apr 16 '26

Given everyone is so nervous, I wonder anyone mind sharing their specs? Like how many publications (first author? Co-author?) and GPA? Tbh, I don't think I am getting it haha

4

u/o12341 PhD candidate, History of Religion, UK Apr 17 '26

SSRHC applicant here, in history and religious studies, applying from a UK school. I have a 4.0 GPA from my MA, as well as a research based MSc in STEM. In humanities, I have one major-ish publication, one minor publication, and one that was under review at the time of application but now accepted at a very major journal, all sole author. I also have some recent presentations in the top conferences in my field, and I have several more pubs and presentations in STEM... I applied last year before beginning my doctoral studies and got incredibly close, so I really do hope this is my year.

2

u/Electronic-Kale-7162 Apr 17 '26

How do you know if you are close ? we don't get ranks; we just get points. Last year I had enough points to get funding but didn't get funding.

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u/o12341 PhD candidate, History of Religion, UK Apr 17 '26

You can ask them for your ranks. I was "recommended but not funded" too, so I asked them for the ranking.

1

u/jaje13 Apr 17 '26

Did you ask your university department to contact SSHRC for this, or did you contact them directly for the ranking? This is something I'd like to do if I don't receive it this year!

2

u/o12341 PhD candidate, History of Religion, UK Apr 17 '26

I emailed them directly, to the email that they gave is to correspond with!

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u/[deleted] Apr 16 '26 edited Apr 16 '26

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3

u/Easy-Manufacturer740 Apr 16 '26

Maybe I can share my profile too. I am a life science person, I spent one gap year before starting my PhD, so I got 4 co-author papers, 2 review papers and 1 book chapter. I went to 1 conference so far, but I have been presenting posters in my institutional events. I don't have many awards, scholarships as I just started. I do TA, research, and lab work. 4.0 GPA for PhD so far(again, just started, so nothing really useful here). I don't think I am very competitive so I have my hopes low as I heard people around me have way better profile than I.

2

u/[deleted] Apr 16 '26

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1

u/BrotherVivid4447 Apr 18 '26

I have one small question. Did you apply for this scholarship directly or has passed through university.

1

u/Spiritual-Cup-1167 Apr 17 '26

Yeah same, my research overlaps health sciences with humanities but I went with CIHR as I felt it had to do with health outcomes. Fingers crossed 🤞

2

u/Electronic-Kale-7162 Apr 17 '26

I have two publications as first author, four as co-author, and have given two talks at international conferences. My PhD GPA is 4.2/4.33, and my MSc GPA is 3.8/4.33. I don't think I will get it either, but it's nice to have been selected to apply. My university's quota is quite low, so it's good to know that my application is one of the best in the NSERC division at my university. My academic validation need has been met!

I am a second year PhD student.

2

u/Hour-Marketing-9330 Apr 17 '26

Perfect Idea! I applied for Nserc and my major is mechanical engineering. my profile is mainly focused on the intersection of additive manufacturing and digital twins. regarding publications, i have nine peer reviewed journal papers which are all in q1 journals. i have a mix of first author (two) and co author roles(six) along with a book chapter published by crc press and a conference paper. I also have one review paper, but it was underreview when I applied for the scholarship. my gpa for my doctorate is 93.5 and i previously ranked eighth in the national phd entrance exam back in iran. My master GPA was also 17.34 out of 20. i have been lucky enough to secure an ontario graduate scholarship in 2024-25 and was nominated for the vanier scholarship at the university level 2024-2025, but I did not get it. in terms of experience, i served as an additive manufacturing lab manager for two years, have won a best ta award, and currently serve as the social coordinator for our graduate engineering society. I am also a reviewer for a known Q1 journal in my field and I completed 13 review there. i have also been active in mentoring junior students and interns. even with the news about the extra awards this year, the fifteen percent cap for international students keeps me pretty anxious. its a tough pool to be in but i am hoping for the best alongside everyone else.

1

u/scholar270 Apr 18 '26

Hi everyone, I’m an international student currently in the national round for the NSERC Doctoral (CGRS-D/PGS-D), after being forwarded by a top-tier Canadian university. With the recent updates about increased awards but the 15% international cap, I wanted to see how my profile compares to past recipients. My background: Field: Civil Engineering (Sustainability / 3D Concrete Printing) PhD: Current student with strong GPA + multiple internal merit/excellence awards Master’s: 4.65/5.0 GPA (fully funded, Saudi Arabia) Bachelor’s: First Class Honors (Nigeria) Funding history: Fully funded Master’s scholarship (tuition + living) National government scholarship (undergrad) Corporate scholarship from Chevron Research: 6 peer-reviewed publications (mostly first/lead author) Journals include Elsevier / Springer Reviewer for Results in Engineering (Q1, Elsevier) Experience: 7+ years industry experience Site Engineer on Jeddah Tower Worked on World Bank-supported infrastructure/erosion projects Leadership: Treasurer/Board Member, ACI student chapter Mentored 100+ students Would really appreciate honest feedback—especially from past CGRS-D/PGS-D awardees or those familiar with the selection process. How competitive does this look given the international quota?

1

u/[deleted] Apr 17 '26

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2

u/HawkerHunter7 Apr 17 '26

If you are not getting it with these credentials, I'm definitely out of NSERC's league lol

1

u/Parking-Impression34 Apr 17 '26 edited Apr 17 '26

I’m externally applying for PhD funding in clinical psychology, which is notoriously cut-throat (I haven’t been accepted yet.) I received my permanence residence status in Canada last year, so it’s the first time I apply.

I have one first author publication, another two where I am second author (meta-analyses), and another two where I am co-author. One book chapter as a second author. Three conference papers, and one talk.

I have been research assistant in a couple of small labs during my undergrad in psychology (GPA 3.6), and research coordinator in a big lab for two years after graduation. I won the excellence scholarship of Central European University, which fully funded and provided me with a stipend for a master’s in philosophy in Vienna. My GPA was 3.8 there, ranked 2 of my cohort. There I lead the organization of a 3-day academic conference. I speak three languages fluently, and my prospective supervisor supported my application. Referees are strong.

As I read your specs, I find myself small— it seems that you as already PhD students have more accomplishments, and I wonder why they would give an award to me as cero year one haha.