Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS): Eligibility and Application Guide

The Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) program is one of the province of Ontario’s flagship funding initiatives for graduate students, supporting master’s and doctoral study at publicly funded universities across the province. While many people assume provincial scholarships are restricted to domestic students, the OGS program is in fact open to qualified international students as well, making it an important funding source to understand if you are considering graduate study at an Ontario university.

What the OGS Is and Who Funds It

The Ontario Graduate Scholarship program is funded jointly by the Government of Ontario and the participating universities themselves. Each eligible university receives an allocation of OGS awards to distribute among its own graduate students, meaning the scholarship is not centrally administered in the same way as a federal program; instead, each institution runs its own internal competition and selection process using the province’s overarching eligibility framework. The program supports students across virtually all graduate disciplines at master’s and doctoral levels, at universities throughout Ontario, one of Canada’s largest and most research-intensive provinces for higher education.

Eligibility Criteria

General eligibility requirements for the OGS program include:

Being enrolled, or planning to enroll, in an eligible graduate program (master’s or doctoral) at a participating Ontario university.
Maintaining a minimum overall academic average, typically at the A-minus level or higher, based on your most recent two years of full-time study, though the exact threshold is set by the province and should be confirmed on the official page.
Demonstrating research potential and academic excellence through your prior transcripts, references, and, where required, a research proposal or statement of intent.
Meeting your specific university’s internal application requirements and deadlines, since each institution manages its own OGS competition.
Being either a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, protected person, or an international student, as OGS explicitly allocates a portion of its awards to international students at participating institutions, subject to each university’s own distribution policies.

Because eligibility categories, minimum averages, and international quotas can be adjusted from year to year and can vary somewhat between universities, always verify current requirements directly with your specific university’s graduate awards office as well as the provincial OGS page.

What the Scholarship Covers

OGS awards provide a set amount of funding per academic year, distributed across one or two consecutive terms of full-time graduate study, and are intended to support living and study costs while the recipient completes their master’s or doctoral research. Because each participating university manages its own allocation and internal competition, the number of terms funded, the exact award value, and whether a student can hold the award for multiple years can differ depending on the institution and the applicant’s program level. Recipients should consult their university’s graduate studies or awards office for the precise value and conditions attached to their specific award.

The Application Process, Step by Step

Confirm your eligibility for graduate study in Ontario. You generally need to be enrolled in, or admitted to, an eligible graduate program at a participating university before applying.
Locate your university’s OGS application procedure. Because each institution runs its own internal competition, application forms, required documents, and internal deadlines are set by your specific graduate school or faculty, not by the province directly.
Prepare your academic transcripts and references. Most universities require recent transcripts and one or more academic reference letters as part of the internal OGS competition.
Write a clear and compelling research statement. Many programs ask for a brief description of your research plans or academic goals as part of the application.
Submit your complete application to your university’s graduate or awards office by their internal deadline. Your university’s internal committee will then rank and select recipients based on the provincial eligibility criteria.
Await your university’s funding decision. Because allocations are limited and vary year to year, being ranked highly within your program does not guarantee funding if your university’s allocation for that cycle is small.

Always check the official website for the current year’s application deadline, since OGS internal deadlines are set independently by each Ontario university and can vary significantly.

Tips for a Strong Application

Start with your own university’s graduate awards office. Because the OGS is decentralized, the most reliable and current information about deadlines and required documents will come directly from your program or faculty.
Maintain a strong, consistent academic average. Since the minimum grade threshold is a hard eligibility requirement, monitor your standing throughout your studies well before you plan to apply.
Request references from professors who know your work well. Detailed, specific letters that speak to your research potential carry more weight than generic ones.
Tailor your research statement to your program’s expectations. Ask your department if there are specific criteria or formats their internal committee prefers.
Apply every eligible year if you are not immediately successful. Because allocations and applicant pools change annually, students who are unsuccessful one year are often encouraged to reapply in subsequent years of their program.

Why the OGS Matters for International Graduate Students

For international students pursuing graduate study in Ontario, the OGS represents a meaningful, province-backed funding opportunity that complements university-specific scholarships and assistantships. Because eligibility and the application process run through your own institution, building a relationship with your graduate program’s awards office early in your studies is the most practical way to