2014 External Scholarship Presentation

Agenda Abbreviations Why submit an application Top 10 things to know about applying What’s changed in the major competitions A Final Tip

Tri-Councils = SSHRC, NSERC and CIHR NSERC – Natural Science and Engineering Research Council SSHRC – Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council CIHR – Canadian Institutes of Health Research Tri Council awards: CGS – Canada Graduate Scholarships OGS – Ontario Graduate Scholarship Abbreviations

Tri-Council CGS Applications have a national deadline of Dec 1/14 for all students that want to hold the awards at the Master’s level regardless of where you want to hold the award. OGS applications – Our deadline is only for students that want to hold the award here at Laurier. Our competition opens Oct 1/14 and closes on Feb 2/15 at 16:30 ET. If you are thinking of applying to other schools, check their website for deadline dates.

Show me the money…  Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS)  $15,000  Canada Graduate Scholarship – Masters  $17,500  CGS holders are also eligible to apply for the Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplement ($6,000) Why Submit an Application?

But it’s not just about the money... Recognition It’s an investment in you Experience preparing applications Experience writing proposals Review and fine tune research objectives Why Submit an Application?

If eligible, you can apply for both the Tri-Council CGS and the OGS awards However,.. You can only hold one award at a time. General Guidelines

Tri-Council stipulates that you can receive a maximum of four years of federal government-funded student awards (six years – combined ). Applications being completed this fall are for awards to be held during the academic year. Eligible recipients may elect to start award as early as May You do not need to be admitted to a graduate program at the time of application. General Guidelines

#1 – Verify your eligibility Each competition clearly states eligibility criteria.  Citizenship  Academic standing (GPA)  Term of study  Lifetime maximum (four years; OGS six years)  Research component (subject matter) Top 10 Things You Should Know

Must be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada Must be applying for support to pursue your first graduate degree and not have completed more than 12 months of full-time graduate study at the proposed start date of the award. Have a first-class average (A- or 80%) in the last two years of full-time study or equivalent (approx. last credit courses). Have not already received an award for Master’s level study from a Tri-Council Agency An eligible graduate program must have a significant research component. Eligibility for Tri-Council – Master’s

Open to all students – domestic or international Academic Standing If entering the first or second year of graduate studies at the time of application you must have an overall average of at least A-, or the equivalent, on the last 20 one-term/semester courses, or the equivalent, completed. If you are entering the third year of graduate studies at the time of application you must have an overall average of at least A-, or the equivalent, on all graduate courses completed. Only grades completed up to the end of August 30, 2014 will be considered. Eligibility for an OGS

#2 – Deadlines Know when and where to submit your application. This varies by competition, current registration status and Funding Agency:  Tri-Council Masters – December 1 st, 2014 (8:00pm ET) through Research Portal  OGS – all applicants who want to hold the OGS at Laurier – February 2 nd, 2015 (16:30 ET) (competition opens on October 1 st 2014 online: Top 10 Things You Should Know

#3 – Ranking Guidelines Available on competition websites. Common criteria include:  Academic standing (GPA, awards)  Research ability or potential  Communication/interpersonal/leadership Note your involvement in campus and community programs; volunteering Top 10 Things You Should Know

Master’s 50% - Academic Excellence (transcripts, awards & distinctions) 30% - Research Potential (work exp., research contributions, letters of appraisal etc.) 20% - Personal Characteristics and Interpersonal Skills (description of your proposed program, work experience, community involvement, extra-curricular. activities, letters of appraisal, departmental appraisal etc.) Evaluation Criteria

#4 – Council Mandates For Tri-Council competitions, ensure you are submitting your application to the correct funding agency. For more information: E7261A-1 Top 10 Things You Should Know

CIHR Research Themes 1.Biomedical Research 2.Clinical Research 3.Health Systems and Services 4.Population and Public Health (social, cultural, environmental and ethical dimensions of health)

#5 – Submit Complete Application Package Common components:  Application form  Transcripts  References  Research Proposal ENSURE you have completed everything and followed instructions!  Have you filled out the correct form?  Have you provided all documents requested? Tri-Council Master’s applications will require a Common CV (CCV) Top 10 Things You Should Know

Missing pieces or incorrect forms, etc., may deem the entire application to be automatically ineligible. “Extra” pieces of information not asked for in the application this could also deem the application ineligible. Exception: see allowable inclusions. Good article on applying for SSHRC Doctoral: sshrc-fellowship-application.aspx sshrc-fellowship-application.aspx

#6 – References Very important element of application. Ask early. Choose wisely. Provide referee with  your research proposal  academic achievements (transcripts if necessary)  guidelines for the reference (format, deadline and where to submit)  competition review criteria. Acknowledge their time and effort. Top 10 Things You Should Know

Tri-Council CGS M require two references OGS requires two references Undergrads Choose faculty members who have had sufficient opportunity to assess your potential. Master’s One of the letters must be from your supervisor or equivalent. Letters of Appraisal/ References

#7 – Use Resources Available Bookmark and read the instructions Agency websites Department, including advisor and current award holders FGPS (Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies) Writing Centre ( Top 10 Things You Should Know

#8 – Order Transcripts Now Original, official transcripts must be submitted with the Tri-Council applications. Tri-Council Master’s applicants will upload their official transcripts but must keep original on file Certified copies of foreign transcripts only if originals cannot be obtained will be accepted (ask FGPS ahead of time for certified copies if needed) OGS - Copies of transcripts are uploaded with application - References identified in your online application will be sent an request to complete a reference assessment online Transcripts must show registration for Fall 2014 term for Tri-Council applications. Top 10 Things You Should Know

#9 – Research Proposal Follow format outlined in the instructions Note page maximum limits but don’t be afraid to use the full maximum allowed. Avoid jargon. If your program involves a thesis or MRP, include:  Research question  Context  Objectives  Methodology  Contribution it will have on the advancement of knowledge  Borderline topics: Why your research falls under that agency Clear, concise, confident, coherent and correct (error free) Top 10 Things You Should Know

Selection committees do consider your level of study during evaluation. If necessary, indicate your proficiency with any language required for your research Ensure your list of publications provides bibliographic information Do not include research contributions which have not been accepted for publication Program of Study/Research Proposal

OGS - Statement of Interest Not a personal statement; do not include Must be about research or program interests If your degree program does not involve a thesis/MRP, clearly outline research training component of degree. Program of Study/Research Proposal

#10 – Evaluation and Results Tri-Council Master’s Awards applications reviewed and awards decided by a WLU selection committees Results will be posted on Research Portal – April 1 st 3 weeks to accept or decline – online OGS By the mid-March to early April 2015 Top 10 Things You Should Know

What’s changed? OGS Applications will completed online directly using application link on FGPS site All applications will be due on February 2, 2015 at 4:30pm ET (app open Oct 1/14) Copies of transcripts are uploaded with application References will be ed once identified in your online application to complete the reference assessment online for your app

Tri-Council Master’s applications: All Tri-Councils have one common application date – December 1, 2014 Applications will be completed online and you will upload your transcripts yourself You indicate up to 5 schools where you would potentially like to hold the award Tri-Council will distribute applications to those schools electronically WLU will only assesses applications that indicated they wanted to hold the award here What’s changed?

PROOF READ YOUR APPLICATION Final Tip

Tri-Council Master’s Etudiants/PG-CS/CGSM-BESCM_eng.asp OGS (Application live Oct 1/14) Links to Application Sites

Graduate Scholarship Competitions Contacts: Deborah Russell Education, Music, Science, Seminary, Social Work, Geography Tracy Swierenga Arts, Balsillie School, Brantford, Business, Math Cherie Mongeon Graduate Financial Aid and Awards Officer Jordana Garbati Writing Centre