The Ontario Graduate Scholarship 2027 is a merit-based award for students doing a Master's or PhD at participating universities in Ontario, Canada. It is run through the Ontario Government and the participating universities, and the money goes toward graduate study and research. If you are a Pakistani student already holding an offer (or close to one) from an Ontario graduate program, this is one of the awards you should ask your department about early. You can see the full scholarship details on our scholarship page.
Here is the honest summary before we go further. A lot about this scholarship is not fixed in one public place. The deadline, the funding amount, the eligible fields and the full list of requirements all vary, and you have to confirm them on the official site and with your university. That is normal for an award that runs through several institutions at once, but it means you cannot treat any single listing as the last word.
The basic facts in one table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Funding | Full or partial (amount varies, confirm on the official site) |
| Study level | Master's and PhD |
| Host country | Canada (province of Ontario) |
| Provider | Ontario Government / participating universities |
| Eligible fields | Varies, confirm on the official site |
| Opening date | Varies, confirm on the official site |
| Deadline | Varies, confirm on the official site |
| Official website | the listing portal |
Who this award actually suits
The Ontario Graduate Scholarship is tied to a place, not just a person. You need to be enrolled, or planning to enroll, in a graduate program at an eligible Ontario university. So the first question is not "am I a strong student?" but "am I heading to an Ontario university for a Master's or PhD?" If you are aiming for Toronto-area or other Ontario schools, keep reading. If your plan is a university in another Canadian province, this award is not for you, and your time is better spent elsewhere. Our list of all Canada scholarships is a good place to look.
It also suits research-minded students. The program is built to support academic excellence and research at the graduate level, and selection rests on academic merit criteria set by both the province and the institution. A student with a solid transcript, clear research interests and supportive referees is the natural fit.
On nationality: the source information does not say whether international students, including Pakistanis, are eligible. Do not assume you qualify. Check eligibility for your nationality directly with the official site and the graduate studies office of the university you are applying to before you build your funding plan around this award.
Why "full or partial" funding needs a closer look
The award is listed as full or partial funding, and the coverage is described as financial support for graduate studies. Beyond that, the exact coverage varies and has to be confirmed on the official site. There is no published figure we can give you for tuition, living costs or a stipend.
For a Pakistani family, that gap matters. Studying in Canada is expensive, and "partial" could mean the award covers a slice of your costs rather than all of them. Plan as if you will still need other funding (a university assistantship, another scholarship, or family support) until you have the exact amount in writing. If you will need to show funds for a visa, our guide to the bank statement and proof of funds explains how to prepare that side of things.
Eligibility, as far as it is known
The requirements that are clear are these:
- You must be enrolled or planning to enroll in a graduate program at an eligible Ontario university.
- You must meet the academic merit criteria set by the province and the institution.
- Your program must be at Master's or PhD level.
Other requirements exist but vary, so confirm them on the official site and with your chosen department. Things like minimum grades, language test scores, field restrictions and nationality rules are not spelled out in the information available, and we will not guess at them. Each participating university may handle the details a little differently.
Paperwork to get ready before anyone asks
The official document list varies, so confirm it on the official site. That said, the application steps point to two things you will almost certainly need: academic transcripts and reference letters. Both take time to arrange from Pakistan, so start early.
Transcripts from a Pakistani university often need to be collected from the controller's office, and some universities abroad expect them to be attested. If attestation comes up, our IBCC and MOFA attestation guide walks through the process. For reference letters, approach your supervisors or professors weeks ahead, give them your CV and your intended research area, and tell them the deadline clearly.
Beyond these, keep your degree certificate, passport, CV and any research proposal or statement ready in scanned form. Whether each one is required depends on the university, but having them prepared costs you nothing.
How the application moves through your university
This is where many students get confused. The Ontario Graduate Scholarship is usually not something you apply for on one central website and forget about. Applications are typically processed through the participating universities in Ontario or through a designated provincial application system. The general sequence looks like this:
- Check the eligibility criteria for graduate programs at the participating Ontario universities you are considering.
- Prepare your academic transcripts and supporting documents.
- Submit the application through the designated university portal or the provincial application system, whichever your university uses.
- Wait for review and selection results from the institution.
Notice that the result comes from the institution. Your graduate studies office or department is your main contact, so find out early who handles the award at your university and whether the application goes through the graduate studies office.
Timing when every university sets its own deadline
Both the opening date and the deadline vary. They differ across institutions in Ontario, so there is no single date we can give you for the 2027 cycle. Confirm the exact deadline on the official portal and, more importantly, with the university you are applying to.
A practical approach: as soon as you shortlist Ontario programs, write down each university's own scholarship deadline next to its admission deadline. Internal university deadlines can come earlier than you expect, and missing one usually means waiting a full year.
Where applicants go wrong
The most common mistake is treating this like a standalone scholarship that anyone in the world can apply to. It is linked to enrollment at an eligible Ontario university, so applying without a clear plan for an Ontario program wastes your effort.
The second mistake is assuming the award will pay for everything. The funding is listed as full or partial and the exact coverage varies. Build a budget that still works if the amount turns out smaller than you hoped.
The third is relying on a listing for deadlines. Deadlines vary between universities, and a date copied from a website can easily be out of date. Your department's own page and email confirmation are what count.
Finally, some students skip asking about eligibility for their nationality because it feels awkward. Ask anyway. A short, polite email to the graduate studies office can save you weeks of work on an application you may not be able to submit. If you are applying to several countries at once, our scholarships guide for Pakistani students can help you balance this award against others.
Frequently asked questions
Which degree levels does the Ontario Graduate Scholarship cover?
It is open at Master's and PhD level, at participating universities in Ontario.
Can Pakistani students apply?
The available information does not confirm whether international students, including Pakistanis, are eligible. Check eligibility for your nationality on the official site and with your university's graduate studies office before applying.
How much money does the scholarship give?
It is listed as full or partial funding for graduate studies. The exact amount and what it covers vary, so confirm the figures on the official site and with your university.
Where do I submit my application?
Applications are typically processed through participating Ontario universities or a designated provincial application system. Ask your department or graduate studies office which route applies to you.
When is the deadline for the 2027 cycle?
Deadlines vary across Ontario institutions. Confirm the exact date on the official portal and with your chosen university, and note that internal university deadlines may come first.
Is there a fixed list of eligible subjects?
Eligible fields vary, so confirm them on the official site and with the department you plan to join.
Before you start, check the current cycle on the official website and keep the Ontario Graduate Scholarship page bookmarked for the summary details.