NSERC Presents … Scholarships & Fellowships Programs

Today’s Agenda  Introduction  What’s new in the Scholarships and Fellowships division  Information common to most applicants  Undergraduate Programs  Graduate Programs  Postdoctoral Programs  CREATE

NSERC 101 NSERC NSERC promotes and assists research in the natural sciences and engineering

people We do this through peer-reviewed competitions in three programs NSERC Prosperity and high quality of life for Canadians innovationdiscovery people USING NEW KNOWLEDGE WORKING IN ALL AREAS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CREATING KNOWLEDGE Partnerships of universities with industry and other sectors for project research Scholarships and fellowships for undergraduate students, postgraduate students, postdoctoral fellows and some university faculty Research Grants for basic research in the universities We invest in: Our goal is Canadian excellence in: Competitive research in science and engineering, providing access to new knowledge from around the world We do this through peer-reviewed competitions in three programs Productive use of new knowledge in all sectors of the economy and society Highly skilled, well educated and capable of lifelong learning EXCELLENCE vision and mission

Scholarships News  Vanier CGS: New Harmonized Tri-Agency process. Application details at Agency deadline: November 6, 2009  CGS Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplements (CGS-MSFSS). Next deadline: October 10  Eligibility Criteria (Program of study and proposed research)

Scholarships News  Changes to Form 200: Elimination of Appendix 2 Addition of program of study  Increase in number of PGS/CGS/PDF committees  Closure of NSERC/MITACS Scholarship Program on March 31, 2009

 A Canadian citizen OR  A Permanent Resident of Canada Exceptions: Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships Program (Vanier CGS) Industrial Postgraduate Scholarships Programs (IPS) Industrial Innovation Scholarships (IIS) - for those registered in Québec universities Visiting Fellowships in Canadian Government Laboratories (VF) Collaborative Research and Training Experience (CREATE) To Apply for NSERC Support You Must Be:

Eligibility of Program of Study and Proposed Research Both program of study and proposed research must be eligible / in a field that NSERC supports Program: Clinically-oriented programs of study are ineligible (e.g. clinical psychology) Joint graduate programs including a professional degree are ineligible (e.g. MD/PhD) Research: Research challenge must lie within NSE For awards held at universities, research must be supervised by faculty member whose own research is in an NSERC-supported field May only apply to one agency per academic year. If in doubt, contact NSERC NSERC makes final decision

Northern Research Internships (NRINT)  Opportunity to do research in Canada’s North  Student may hold a USRA, Vanier CGS, CGS/PGS, IPS or PDF at the same time  No fixed deadlines, apply 8 weeks before start of northern work  Up to 30 awards per year (first come, first served)  How to apply: Form 200 Letter from supervisor Letter from Northern partner NRINT Agreement signed by all parties  Up to $14,000 for weeks, within 12 months

Aboriginal Ambassadors in the Natural Sciences and Engineering Supplement Program (AANSE) Aims to engage Aboriginal students and fellows in promoting interest and participation in the NSE.  Visit Canada’s Aboriginal communities and schools to share your research and education experiences or participate in science promotion events and activities. You must hold an USRA*, Vanier CGS, CGS, PGS, PDF, IPS, IRDF or NRINT. * You may hold an AANSE supplement up to 4 months after the end of your USRA

upplements  Extra $ from other organizations  May be available for USRA, PGS, CGS, Vanier CGS, IPS and PDF  Support research in specific areas  Value ranges from $1,000 - $15,000 +  Duration from years  Contact agencies directly upon receipt of NSERC award letter

Undergraduate Student Research Awards  University-based research USRA  Industry-based research I-USRA* * Eligible companies on our Web site

USRA Programs Travel funds may be available

Applying for USRA

Graduate Students  Alexander Graham Bell Canada Graduate Scholarships (CGS) / Postgraduate Scholarships (PGS)  Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS)  Canada Graduate Scholarships – Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplements (CGS – MSFSS)  Industrial Postgraduate Scholarships (IPS)  Industrial Innovation Scholarships (IIS) for students registered at a university in Quebec  Summer Programs in Japan or Taiwan

Graduate Student  Maximum of 4 years support (full-time equivalent) Total = Master’s + PhD support  Any combination of Vanier CGS, CGS, PGS, IPS, IIS, NSERC/MITACS

Deadline for PGS

CGS/PGS M and D CGS MPGS MCGS DPGS D Value$17,500$17,300$35,000$21,000 Duration1 year 2 or 3 years Tenure Canadian universities ONLY Canadian or foreign universities* Canadian universities ONLY Canadian or foreign universities* * Must have obtained at least one Canadian degree in NSE

CGS/PGS M and D * As of December 31st of the year of application in program for which support is requested CGS/PGS MCGS/PGS D Bachelors → Master's or Master’s → Doctorate Bachelors → Doctorate NO registration in Master's Master's → Doctorate Bachelors → Doctorate NO registration in Master's Eligibility* 0-12 months in Master's 0-12 months in Doctorate 0-24 months in Doctorate 4-36 months in Doctorate 1st class average Required in each of the last two years of full-time study (or equivalent) – Exceptions to be justified by university.

CGS/PGS Selection Criteria and Weightings

What Happens to the Application at Your University?  You submit to department/university  University committees select applicants to fill NSERC quota  Quota of applications sent to NSERC  University informs unsuccessful applicants

What Happens to the Application at NSERC?  Verification of eligibility of applicant and proposed research by Program Officers  Selection committee members review all applications  Top-ranked applicants offered CGS  PGS offered to next tier of applicants  Applicants informed of NSERC’s decision  Feedback available upon request

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships  Tri-Agency program for outstanding students who will pursue a doctoral program in a Canadian University.  Nomination by the University – Contact Graduate Studies office for deadline date.  To be eligible: Canadian Citizens, Permanent Residents, or Foreign students  To Apply: Common form for all three agencies  Two-tier competition process: Agency-specific selection committee, and a high level Vanier Selection Board.  $50,000 / yr for 24 or 36 months  NEW THIS YEAR: Eligible candidates should also submit an application for PGS/CGS competition at the same time

Canada Graduate Scholarships – Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplements (CGS-MSFSS)  To build global linkages and international networks through research experiences at universities or research institutes outside of Canada  Tri-Council Program – 250 supplements/year 125 SSHRC 80 NSERC 45 CIHR  Must hold a CGS or Vanier CGS  Apply through the University – Contact Graduate Studies Office for deadline date June 10 th October 10 th  Maximum of $6,000 for 3 to 6 month period

Industrial Postgraduate Scholarships (IPS)  Gain work experience while completing a graduate degree  Students must spend at least 50 days per year at the host organization  Collaboration between university, student and host organization  No NSERC deadline  Quick application turn around  $21K minimum for Master’s level - more than PGSM/CGSM ($17K)  Foreign students may be eligible (some conditions apply)

Industrial Postgraduate Scholarships IPS 1IPS 2 Bachelors → Master's Bachelors → Doctorate NO registration in Master's Master's → Doctorate Bachelors → Doctorate NO registration in Master's Eligibility 0-12 months in Master's 0-12 months in Doctorate 0-24 months in Doctorate 4-36 months in Doctorate 1 st class average Required over the last two years of full-time study (or equivalent) – Exceptions to be justified by university.

IPS Application Process  Student must contact Office of Graduate Studies to initiate process  Form 200 to be completed by the student  IPS agreement with host completed with help of Office of Graduate Studies  Nomination package submitted to NSERC for evaluation (use checklist)  Results from NSERC within 6 weeks of receiving complete application

Industrial Innovation Scholarships (IIS)  Gain work experience while completing a graduate degree at a Québec University  Collaboration between university, student and company  Student must spend majority of time at an eligible practicum host site working on thesis-related research activities  Application submitted by university No NSERC or FQRNT deadline *  Foreign students may be eligible to apply (some conditions apply) * If you wish to take up the award in the current fiscal year, the university must submit your application to FQRNT before February 1 st, 2010

Industrial Innovation Scholarships

IIS Application Process  IIS Form available on the FQRNT Web site Completed by student; submitted electronically to FQRNT Student delivers a copy to the Graduate Studies Office  Graduate Studies Office prepares IIS Agreement and forwards documents to FQRNT  FQRNT forwards a copy to NSERC  Evaluation of application by FQRNT and NSERC simultaneously

Summer Programs in Japan or Taiwan

Postdoctoral Programs  Postdoctoral Fellowship (PDF)  Industrial R&D Fellowship (IRDF)  Visiting Fellowship (VF)  Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Fellowship (JSPS)

Postdoctoral Programs Overview

Postdoctoral Fellowship (PDF)  Deadline Date October 15, 2009  To be eligible: PhD completed after Oct. 15th, 2007 OR PhD requirements met by Dec. 31st, 2010  How to apply: Form Official Academic Transcript (Doctoral Only)  $40,000 per year for maximum of 24 months  Award start date: between April 1 and January 15 May only apply twice May not hold more than one NSERC PDF

Location of Tenure for PDFs Canada University and provincial research institutions Appropriate research laboratories Abroad University and research centres If requesting a tenure abroad, the PhD must have been completed in Canada The PDF may not be held at the university (or its affiliated institutions) where PhD was completed or with PhD supervisor

PDF Selection Criteria and Weightings

PDF Selection Process  Verification of eligibility of applicant and proposed research by program officers  Selection committees members review all applications  Applicants informed of NSERC’s decision by March 31  Feedback available upon request

Industrial R&D Fellowships (IRDF)  No deadlines for application  Research at eligible Canadian organization  Apply within 5 years of PhD  Not previously employed in Canadian industry after PhD for more than six months and not have received a non- conditional offer of employment from nominating organization  How to apply: Form 200 (Application for a Scholarship or Fellowship) Form 183C (Nomination for an Industrial R&D Fellowship)  $40,000 min/year for maximum of 24 months * Eligible organizations on our Web site

IRDF Selection Criteria and Weightings Nominee  Research ability or potential (70%)  Communication, interpersonal and leadership abilities (30%) Proposed R&D activities  Industrial R&D environment  Significance and feasibility  Organization commitment  Scientific and technical merit  Incrementality

IRDF Selection Process  Eligible organizations submit their application at any time throughout the year  NSERC program staff reviews application for completeness  Two members of the College of Reviewers review the application and complete an evaluation  The members separately assess the merit of the candidate and the research proposal  To be successful, both the candidate and the research proposal must be meritorious  Nominating organizations are notified of the decision within six weeks of receiving the complete application

Visiting Fellowships in Canadian Government Laboratories (VF)  Research in government setting  No deadlines for application  Apply within 5 years of completing PhD  How to apply: Form 200 (Application for a Scholarship or Fellowship)  $46,535 per year  1 year fellowship renewable twice * No citizenship or residency requirements

VF Selection Criteria and Weightings

VF Selection Process  Evaluation of applications by government department, overseen by NSERC  If successful, applicant is placed on an inventory for up to 2 years  Being placed on the inventory does not guarantee a fellowship  Government departments select candidates from the inventory

 Research in Japanese universities and national labs  Deadline January 25, 2010  Obtained PhD within past 6 years  How to apply: Contact NSERC for application form  364,000 Yen (approx. $3,500 CAN) per month + travel and relocation allowances  Fellowships are awarded for a period of 12 to 24 months Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Postdoctoral Fellowships (JSPS)

CREATE Collaborative Research And Training Experience  Groups of researchers who will provide training programs to highly qualified students and postdoctoral fellows;  Value-added experience to the university training environment  Provide increased job readiness in chosen career  Students/Fellows may experience: Opportunities to acquire professional skills; Opportunities to travel – between Canadian Universities, and/or internationally; Interaction with other sectors; Increased access to interdisciplinary research at frontier between NSE and other disciplines.

On-line Application Completion  to On-line Services  Click on “English”  Click on “On-Line Services”  Print out and review FAQ & instructions  Register as First-Time User by clicking on “Register” or click on “On-line System Login”  eConsole screen: choose “Forms - Student”  My portfolio screen: Select form to be created Choose “Form Scholarships” Choose “Form USRA Part 1”

Login for previous user PDF format available Register for new user PDF format available

CGS/PGS Level Selection Criteria and Weightings

Details of Selection Criteria for PGS/CGS Academic excellence Academic record Scholarships and awards held Duration of previous studies Research ability or potential Quality of contributions to research and development Relevance of work experience and academic training to field of proposed research Significance, feasibility, and merit of proposed research, and justification for location of tenure Ability to think critically Ability to apply skills and knowledge Judgment Originality Initiative and autonomy Enthusiasm for research Determination and ability to complete projects within an appropriate period of time Communication, interpersonal and leadership abilities The ability or potential to communicate scientific concepts clearly and logically in written and oral formats. For example, this could include: quality of the application's presentation; participation in preparing publications; and awards for oral presentations or papers. Professional and relevant extracurricular interactions and collaborations. For example, this could include: mentoring; teaching; supervisory experience; project management; chairing committees; organizing conferences and meetings; and elected positions held.

PDF Selection Criteria and Weightings

Details of Selection Criteria for PDF Research ability or potential Quality of contributions to research and development Relevance of work experience and academic training to field of proposed research Significance, feasibility, and merit of proposed research, and justification for location of tenure Ability to think critically Ability to apply skills and knowledge Judgment Originality Initiative and autonomy Enthusiasm for research Determination and ability to complete projects within an appropriate period of time Communication, interpersonal and leadership abilities The ability or potential to communicate scientific concepts clearly and logically in written and oral formats. For example, this could include: quality of the application's presentation; participation in preparing publications; and awards for oral presentations or papers. Professional and relevant extracurricular interactions and collaborations. For example, this could include: mentoring; teaching; supervisory experience; project management; chairing committees; organizing conferences and meetings; and elected positions held.

Create a form: Select the program Or Edit No electronic submission A paper copy must be submitted

Form 200 Application Profile  List of all parts of the application to be completed for the program selected Person Profile  PIN assigned by NSERC  Ensure valid October to April NSERC’s primary contact  Some info for stats and admin use only

List specific for each program

PIN – if you don't have one leave it blank (no SIN, no Student ID

Full address including postal code

Form 200 Academic Background  Complete academic background in science or engineering, current and past  May omit non- science/engineering programs Work Experience  In science or engineering OR  Demonstrates research ability, leadership, communication skills  Include experience gained in program of study

Academic background accurate : does it make sense? Do not include programs that you have not yet started

Relevant work experience, in science or engineering OR that show leadership/ communication skills

Form 200 Scholarships and Other Awards Offered  List up to 10 awards, including: Declined awards Non-monetary awards Other NSERC awards  Indicate award value per year

Scholarships: don't put down $$ from prof's NSERC grants

Form Locations of Tenure  List up to 3 locations  Eligible Canadian universities, not affiliated organizations  Foreign universities

Locations of tenure must be universities, not the affiliated hospitals, research institutes, etc.

Form 200 Justification for Location of Tenure  Required for PDF, VF and NRINT only  1 page maximum  Justify choice of location of tenure in relation to the research topic

Required for PDF, VF and NRINT only

Form Thesis Information  For CGS/PGS D, IPS 2 and PDF Only  Most recently completed or in progress  Plain language  No Thesis? Describe research project or research- related work experience

PGS M and IPS 1: Do not need to complete this section. Section will not appear

Form Proposed Research (Free Form)  Summary of future research endeavours  Plain language  1 page max  Specific as possible Objectives, Outline, Methods; Procedures, Significance  Do not repeat info from Thesis summary Refer to it!  Convert document to PDF format

Watch the margins Check grammar, typos, spelling, etc. Don't repeat information found in Thesis Times New Roman regular 12 pts, or any comparable font – nothing smaller Condensed type is not acceptable

 Part 1: Articles published, accepted, submitted  Part 2: Most significant contributions to R&D  Part 3: Applicant’s statement: research experience relevant activities special circumstances Page limits:PGS M: 1 page total PGS D: 2 pages total PDF:4 pages total Form 200: Contributions and Applicant’s Statement (Free Form)

If you choose not to fill in any section from a certain point to the end, indicate so on application

Transcripts / Support Letters Transcripts  Must be current and official  Indicate that paper copies will be attached Support Letters  PDF Only – to make exception to stay at PhD university Head of the Department Proposed Supervisor

Indicate that a paper copy will come with the application

Required for PDF, VF and NRINT only

Appendix 1: 2 Reports Required  Person most familiar with applicant’s abilities: research, etc. - Usually thesis supervisor  Another person familiar with your abilities and research  Able to provide specific examples  Not proposed supervisor unless also past supervisor  Form must be signed by referee

Appendix 3: Consent Form Statistical information  Not given to reviewers

Form 200: Finishing up  Verify application on “My Portfolio” screen”  When “Verification Report” is “Successful” PRINT OUT YOUR APPLICATION  Proofread and ask your supervisor and/or a friend to read for appropriate language, grammar, etc.

Number to be forwarded to the proposed referees to complete Appendix 1 on- line Verify for completeness

Remember…  Follow instructions: Font size, margins, page limits etc.  Clear, concise writing  Proofread for spelling, grammar  Provide needed documentation  Choose respondents with care  Be aware of deadlines No On-line application submission!

General Information / Application Forms Website: On-line Services: Helpdesk: (613) Scholarships & Fellowships: Finance Division:

THANK YOU AND GOOD LUCK