Ontario Graduate Scholarship 2027 in Canada

The Ontario Graduate Scholarship is a merit-based funding program for graduate students studying at participating publicly assisted universities in Ontario, Canada. The program is jointly funded by the Government of Ontario and participating universities.

The scholarship is available for eligible master’s and doctoral students, and international students can also be considered at universities that offer OGS awards to international applicants. However, OGS is not one centralized scholarship with a single application deadline. Students normally apply through the university or graduate program where they want to hold the award.

For the 2027–2028 competition, universities are beginning to publish their individual application dates. For example, Western University lists an application period from December 9, 2026, to January 29, 2027, while other universities may use different dates and procedures. Applicants should therefore check the graduate funding page of their chosen university rather than relying on one general OGS deadline.

Ontario Graduate Scholarship 2027 Overview

Scholarship	Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS)
Country	Canada
Province	Ontario
Study level	Master’s and Doctoral
Scholarship type	Merit-based graduate award
Value	$5,000 per term
Maximum value	$15,000 for one academic year
Duration	Up to one year
International students	Available at participating universities, subject to institutional rules
Universities	Participating publicly assisted universities in Ontario
Application	Through the participating university
2027–28 deadline	Varies by university
Renewable	Applicants normally compete again for another award year

Ontario’s official student funding information also lists the OGS value as $5,000 per term, up to $15,000 for an academic year.

What Is the Ontario Graduate Scholarship?

The Ontario Graduate Scholarship supports academic excellence in graduate education. It is funded jointly by the Ontario government and participating institutions.

The award is intended for students who demonstrate strong academic achievement and meet the graduate-study requirements established by their university. The program can support students in a wide range of disciplines rather than being restricted to one particular field.

An important point for international applicants is that OGS is not automatically available at every university under identical conditions. Each participating institution manages its own competition, determines its application process, and may have a limited number of awards for international students.

For example, the University of Waterloo’s 2026–2027 competition included an international OGS competition, but only five international OGS awards were available there. Waterloo also required international applicants to already be registered in a graduate program at the university by the applicable deadline.

Western University, by comparison, states that both current graduate students and applicants to research-based graduate programs can access its OGS/QEII-GSST application process, subject to its stated requirements.

Ontario Graduate Scholarship Benefits

The standard OGS award is valued at $5,000 per term.

A recipient can receive:

$5,000 for one term
$10,000 for two terms
Up to $15,000 for three terms

The award can therefore provide substantial support toward graduate study costs for one academic year.

However, the Ontario Graduate Scholarship should not be described as a fully funded scholarship. The maximum $15,000 award is financial support rather than a guarantee that tuition, accommodation, travel, insurance, and all living costs will be covered.

Students should compare the OGS award with their university’s tuition and living costs before making financial plans.

Ontario Graduate Scholarship Eligibility

OGS eligibility depends partly on the university where the student applies. The general program is intended for graduate students who meet the academic and registration conditions established by the participating institution.

Typical requirements include:

Enrollment or planned enrollment in an eligible graduate program.
Full-time graduate study during the period of the award.
Strong academic performance.
Meeting the university’s OGS application and reference requirements.
Remaining within the program’s permitted study period.
Meeting citizenship or international-student conditions applicable at the selected university.

The rules can differ significantly between institutions.

For example, Western University allows Canadian citizens, permanent residents, protected persons, and international students to access its OGS/QEII-GSST application process, subject to the program’s other conditions.

Waterloo’s international competition has more restrictive institutional rules. For its 2026–2027 competition, international applicants needed to be currently registered graduate students at Waterloo or on an approved leave/inactive term by the relevant deadline; prospective international graduate students were not eligible for that competition.

Therefore, an international student should never assume that admission to an Ontario university automatically makes them eligible for OGS.

Can International Students Apply for OGS?

Yes, international students can be eligible for the Ontario Graduate Scholarship at participating universities, but the availability and conditions depend on the institution.

This is one of the most important points for students searching for the Ontario Graduate Scholarship from outside Canada.

For example, Western University explicitly includes international students in its OGS application eligibility. Waterloo also runs an international OGS competition, although its 2026–2027 rules limited eligibility to students already registered in a Waterloo graduate program.

International applicants should therefore check three things before preparing an application:

Whether their university offers OGS awards to international students.
Whether prospective students or only current graduate students can apply.
What deadline and application process the university uses.

A student who has not yet been admitted to an Ontario university should pay particular attention to the third point because some universities require admission applications to be submitted well before the OGS competition closes.

Study Programs and Fields

The Ontario Graduate Scholarship is not limited to one academic discipline.

Eligible graduate fields depend on the participating university and the specific graduate program. OGS can therefore be relevant to students in areas such as:

Engineering
Computer science
Business
Education
Social sciences
Humanities
Health sciences
Natural sciences
Environmental studies
Other eligible graduate disciplines

Students should verify whether their proposed program is research-based, course-based, or otherwise eligible under the specific university’s OGS rules.

For example, Western describes its OGS awards as merit-based scholarships for students in research-based graduate programs.

Ontario Graduate Scholarship 2027 Deadlines

There is no single OGS deadline for every university in Ontario.

Each participating university establishes its own application schedule. This means the 2027–2028 deadline can be different from one institution to another.

For example, Western University currently lists:

Application opens: December 9, 2026
Application deadline: January 29, 2027, at 4:00 p.m. ET
Results: April 30, 2027

These dates apply to Western’s 2027–2028 competition and should not be treated as the province-wide OGS deadline.

Waterloo’s currently published page is still for the 2026–2027 competition and states that its 2027–2028 information will be updated in Fall 2026.

This difference demonstrates why applicants should always check the official scholarship page of their selected university before preparing the final application.

How to Apply for the Ontario Graduate Scholarship

The application process is managed by participating universities rather than through one universal provincial application.

Choose an Ontario University

First, identify an Ontario university offering your desired master’s or doctoral program.

Check its official graduate funding page to determine whether the university participates in the OGS competition and whether international students are eligible.

Check OGS Eligibility

Review the university’s specific citizenship, admission, registration, academic, and program requirements.

Do not rely only on general OGS information because institutional rules can be different.

Prepare Your Application

The exact application package varies by institution, but applicants may need academic records, references, a research proposal or study plan, program information, and other supporting material.

Some universities use a centralized application form, while others provide instructions through graduate departments or faculty offices.

Submit Before the University Deadline

Submit the OGS application according to the university’s instructions.

If the university requires separate graduate admission, make sure that application is also completed by the required date.

Selection Process

OGS is a merit-based scholarship. Universities review eligible applications and rank or assess candidates according to their institutional selection procedures.

Academic achievement is an important part of the competition, but the exact assessment process can vary.

At Waterloo, for example, departments and faculties participate in reviewing and ranking applications before the university-level selection process. Its 2026–2027 international competition ultimately selected five international OGS recipients.

Western states that academic eligibility decisions are made by the relevant adjudicating graduate program.

Applicants should therefore read the selection criteria of their chosen university carefully instead of assuming that one ranking formula applies across Ontario.

Is Ontario Graduate Scholarship Fully Funded?

No. The Ontario Graduate Scholarship is not a fully funded scholarship.

Its maximum value is $15,000 for one academic year, based on $5,000 per term. This can significantly reduce the cost of graduate education, but it does not automatically cover the complete cost of tuition and living expenses.

Students should also check whether their university provides additional scholarships, assistantships, tuition awards, or other financial support.

For international students in particular, it is important to calculate the remaining tuition, housing, food, health insurance, transportation, and other expenses before accepting an OGS offer.

Important Points for International Applicants

International applicants should pay attention to institutional differences.

The phrase “Ontario Graduate Scholarship 2027” does not mean that every university has the same deadline or accepts international applications under the same rules.

Before applying, confirm:

International student eligibility
Whether admission is required first
Whether current enrollment is required
Eligible master’s or doctoral programs
Full-time registration requirements
Academic requirements
Number of awards available to international students
Reference requirements
Application deadline
Whether the OGS application is separate from university admission

These details can determine whether an applicant can actually enter the competition.

Tips for a Strong OGS Application

Start preparing early because OGS applications often require academic records and references.

Your application should clearly demonstrate your academic achievements and explain your graduate-study plans. If a research statement is required, make sure it is specific and connected to your proposed field rather than using general statements.

Choose referees who can provide detailed evidence of your academic ability and graduate-level potential.

Most importantly, follow the instructions of your university exactly. A strong application submitted after the institutional deadline may not be considered.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Ontario Graduate Scholarship worth?

The OGS is worth $5,000 per term, with a maximum of $15,000 for one academic year.

Is the Ontario Graduate Scholarship available to international students?

Yes, international students can be eligible at participating universities, but each institution can establish its own international-student rules. Western and Waterloo, for example, have different institutional conditions.

Can I apply for OGS before getting admission to an Ontario university?

It depends on the university. Some institutions allow eligible prospective graduate students to apply, while others restrict international OGS applicants to students already registered in a graduate program.

Is OGS a fully funded scholarship in Canada?

No. It provides up to $15,000 for one academic year and should be considered graduate funding rather than a full scholarship covering every educational and living expense.

What is the OGS deadline for 2027?

There is no single province-wide deadline. Each participating university sets its own competition schedule. Western University’s 2027–2028 deadline is January 29, 2027, while other universities may use different dates.

What degree levels are covered by OGS?

The Ontario Graduate Scholarship supports eligible graduate study at the master’s and doctoral levels.

Can I apply to OGS at more than one university?

Applicants should follow the rules of each university where they seek consideration. Some institutions allow or require separate OGS applications when applying to different participating universities. Waterloo, for example, states that applicants must submit separate applications at each institution where they wish to be considered.

Does OGS cover tuition and living expenses?

The award provides financial support, but it does not guarantee that all tuition and living expenses will be covered. Students should calculate their remaining costs and look for additional university funding where necessary.

Official Sources

Final Thoughts

The Ontario Graduate Scholarship can provide valuable financial support for master’s and doctoral students at participating universities in Ontario. The award can reach $15,000 for one academic year, but it is important to understand that OGS is not a fully funded scholarship covering every study and living expense.

For international students, the most important step is to check the specific OGS rules of the Ontario university they plan to attend. Eligibility, deadlines, admission requirements, and the number of international awards can vary considerably between institutions.

Students planning for the 2027–2028 academic year should begin checking university OGS pages during 2026 and prepare their academic records, references, and application materials well before the institution’s deadline.

Ontario Graduate Scholarship 2027: Valuable Funding for Graduate Students