Province of Ontario / University of Waterloo
Get $5,000 per term up to $15,000 for research-based STEM graduate studies at the University of Waterloo.
Published by G Paul · last checked September 26, 2026
You can receive $5,000 per term up to a maximum of $15,000. This is a scholarship, not a loan, so you do not have to pay it back. If you win, you will also receive a President's Graduate Scholarship (PGS — a university-specific award for graduate students). This is for you if you are a domestic student pursuing a research-focused degree in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) and have a strong record of academic excellence. You must submit your intent to apply by January 14, 2027, at 4:00 p.m. ET. Your full application and official transcripts are due by February 1, 2027, at 4:00 p.m. ET. You will hear back from the University of Waterloo regarding your status, though the specific notification method is not listed — ask your department graduate co-ordinator how you will be notified. Selection is based on a weighted formula: Academic Excellence (40-50%), Research Ability and Potential (30-40%), and Communication and Leadership (10-20%). Weights vary slightly by faculty. There were 35 QEII-GSST awards available for 2026-2027, broken down as: Engineering (11), Science (8), Mathematics (7), Health (4), Environment (3), and Arts (2). In recent competitions, successful recipients typically had averages of 85% or higher, peer-reviewed publications and presentations, and about half had previously held provincial or federal scholarships. Waterloo explains how the scholarship is paid in the “Graduate awards payments” section of its Award eligibility, conditions and payments page. One application considers you for both the OGS and the QEII-GSST at Waterloo, and the award cannot be moved to another university. These awards are non-renewable and last for up to one year, meaning you must apply annually to be considered for further funding. Note that Master's students can receive this for a maximum of two academic years and doctoral students for four years, provided you do not exceed a lifetime maximum of six years of government-funded graduate awards.
To qualify, you must be a Canadian citizen, Permanent Resident, or if you have refugee or protected-person status in Canada. You must be in a research-based graduate program in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) discipline. You must either be registered in a graduate program at the University of Waterloo (or on an approved leave) by February 1, 2027, or be applying for full-time admission for spring 2027, fall 2027, or winter 2028. You must be registered full-time while holding the scholarship. Academically, you need a first-class average of at least A-/80% in each of your last two completed years of full-time study (calculated up to August 31, 2026).
This is what the award's official page said when we last checked. Rules change, so confirm on the award's official page before you apply.
Check you meet every requirement, and note each document they ask for.
Your school's registrar can take a week or two.
Give your referees at least two weeks' notice, and send them your résumé.
Save a copy, and submit at least a day before the deadline shown above.
Use the Apply on the official site button on this page: it opens the official application page in a new tab.
Applications close on February 1, 2027. Submit a day or two early: application sites get busy at the end.
No. You need to be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or protected person.
FundMyCourse.ca · checked Sep 26, 2026
fundmycourse.ca/scholarships/queen-elizabeth-ii-graduate-scholarship-in-science-and-technology-qeii-gsst-at-waterloo