Application

CGRS-D Documents: Transcripts, Proposal and Referees

Each agency has its own portal and page limits. Transcripts must be fall-session, two referees submit inside the system, and anything not in English or French needs a certified translation.

ScholarshipUnion Editorial 3 min read Updated Oct 6, 2026

What every file needs

Each agency has its own portal and page limits, but three things are common to all of them.

Transcripts

Up-to-date official transcripts of the complete record. “Up-to-date” means issued in the fall session of the application year (fall 2026) if you are registered, or after the last term completed if you are not. Opening a paper transcript to scan it does not make it unofficial for agency review. NSERC will not accept transcripts sent under separate cover.

Two online assessments

NSERC: two Form 201 reference letters. SSHRC: two one-page Letters of Appraisal (the file will not verify until both are done). CIHR: two sponsor assessments on ResearchNet. A proposed supervisor may not write the NSERC letter unless they currently supervise you or have supervised you before.

Official languages

You may submit in English or French. Supporting documents in any other language need a certified translation. Institutions must be able to review the file in the language you used.

Agency-specific attachments

Item	NSERC Form 201	SSHRC portal	CIHR ResearchNet
Research plan	Outline of proposed research, 2 pages	Research proposal, 2 pages	Training expectations, 2 pages EN / 2.5 FR; research project summary, 1 page EN / 1.5 FR
Bibliography	5 pages	5 pages	Publications list, 2 pages
Contributions	In three parts, 2 pages	2 pages	—
CV	Form 201 profile	SSHRC web CV	Common CV
Other	Optional one-page subject-matter justification; EDI addressed inside the 2-page outline (no separate page)	Optional one-page allowable inclusions and supplement justifications	Proof of citizenship, confirmation of scientific area, signature pages
Instructions	Instructions	2026 applicant instructions	Instructions

Use the live forms

Download current forms inside the portal you will use. Last year’s PDF from a blog is not a substitute. Over-length material is removed or can make a file ineligible.

Quick document check

Document readiness. Yes means that piece is realistic before your close date.

0 of 4 answered

1
Can you obtain up-to-date transcripts dated or issued in the fall session of the application year (or after the last completed term if you are not registered)?
2
Have two people agreed to submit a reference / letter of appraisal / sponsor assessment in the agency portal before your deadline?
3
Are supporting documents in English or French, or will you attach a certified translation?
4
Will you stay inside the agency page limits (over-length material is removed or can make a file ineligible)?

You meet these published cutoffs

You have a workable document plan. Confirm page limits on the agency instructions you will actually use.

You may not be eligible on these rules

Missing fall transcripts or late referees are how complete-looking files still fail.

This is a planning tool, not an official CIHR, NSERC or SSHRC decision. Confirm the current wording on the agency sites.

Document tracker

Tick what is actually in hand. Page limits differ by agency — read that portal’s instructions.

Fall-session transcripts (all undergraduate and graduate) — official preferred; unofficial may pass national review but institutions set their own rule
Proof of registration — if the fall transcript has no grades yet, or the school issues no transcript
Research proposal / outline / project summary — NSERC outline 2 pages; SSHRC proposal 2 pages; CIHR training expectations 2 pages EN + 1-page summary
Bibliography / citations — NSERC and SSHRC: 5 pages for CGRS-D
Contributions, relevant experience and activities — typically 2 pages for CGRS-D
CV in the agency format — CIHR Common CV (Academic); SSHRC web CV; NSERC Form 201 profile
Two portal referees invited early — SSHRC will not let the file verify until both are in
Certified EN/FR translation — if any support document is in another language

Progress: 0% (0 of 8). This is a planning tool, not an official agency decision. Combine it with the full checklist.