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

and in engineering N S E R C P r e s e n t s … Scholarships & Fellowships Programs

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

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

Scholarships News Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS) Program CGS Foreign Study Supplements (CGS- FSS) New Collaborative Research and Training (CREATE) Program New Aboriginal Ambassadors in the Natural Sciences and Engineering (AANSE) Supplement Program

Scholarships News The 2008 UFA competition was the final one (program now closed) IPS: Eligibility expanded to include foreign applicants Form 200: Changes to Appendix 2 Title change to CGS: Alexander Graham Bell Canada Graduate Scholarships

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

Eligibility of Proposed Research CIHR/SSHRC Overlap: Research must advance knowledge in the Natural Sciences and Engineering Psychology:  Consult Program Guide for Students and Fellows and Eligibility Criteria Apply to only one Council per academic year IN DOUBT Send a 1 page summary to NSERC

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) AANSE supplements aim to engage Aboriginal students and fellows in promoting interest and participation in the natural sciences and engineering. Candidates visit Canada’s Aboriginal communities and schools to share their research and education experiences or participate in science promotion events and activities. Applicants must hold an USRA, Vanier CGS, Alexander Graham Bell CGS, PGS, PDF, IPS, IRDF or Northern Research Internship.

upplements Extra $ from other organizations May be available for USRA, PGS, 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

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

Postdoctoral Programs Overview

Postdoctoral Fellowship (PDF) Deadline Date October 15, 2008 To be eligible:  If PhD was completed after Oct. 15 th, 2006 OR  If all PhD requirements met by Dec. 31 st, 2009 How to apply:  Form Official Academic Transcripts (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) Research at eligible Canadian organization No deadlines for application Apply within 5 years of PhD Not previously employed in Canadian industry after PhD for more than six months 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

Nominee Research ability or potential (70%) Communication, interpersonal and leadership abilities (30%) IRDF Selection Criteria and Weightings Proposed R & D activities Industrial R & D environment Significance and feasibility Company 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) $43,724 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 yrs 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 2009 Obtained PhD within past 6 years How to apply:  Contact NSERC for application forms 364,000 Yen (approx. $3,500 CAN) per month + travel and relocation allowances Maximum 24 months of support Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Postdoctoral Fellowships (JSPS)

University Faculty Awards (UFA) The 2008 UFA competition was the final one. The program is now closed and applications will no longer be accepted. NSERC continues to develop replacement programs:  AANSE launched in April 2008  New program to address retention of women faculty (TBD)

CREATE Collaborative Research And Training Experience Grants for groups of researchers who will deliver training programs to outstanding students and postdoctoral fellows Aim to facilitate the transition of new researchers to the Canadian workforce These innovative programs aim to provide collaborative and integrative training experiences, and will encourage one or more of the following:  Acquisition and development of important professional and personal skills  Student mobility nationally and internationally  Interdisciplinary research within the NSE, or at the interface between the NSE and health and/or social sciences and humanities

Collaborative Research And Training Experience (CREATE) Eligibility Majority of the group must be from NSE fields Funding Six years (Year 1: up to $150,000, Years 2-6: up to $300,000 annually) At least 80 per cent of funds spent on stipends to HQP Up to 30 per cent of which may be for students not enrolled in NSE fields Research training experience can target any trainee level Undergraduate and graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows

Collaborative Research And Training Experience (CREATE) Program description:  For professors  Grant Programs Deadline (Researchers): September 22, 2008 Announcement of results: Spring 2009

On-line Application Completion to On-line Services Print out and review FAQ & instructions Register as First-Time User or 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 Register for new user PDF format available

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

List specific for each program

PIN – if you don't have one leave it blank, not SIN, not Student ID

Full address including postal code

Academic backgroun d 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

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

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

Required for PDF, VF and NRINT only

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

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

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

Indicate that a paper copy will come with the application

Required for PDF, VF and NRINT only

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

Appendix 1: 2 Reports Required Person most familiar with applicant’s abilities: research, etc.  Usually thesis supervisor Another person familiar with applicant’s abilities and research  Specific examples  Vanier CGS and CGS/PGS applicants, use only the form provided  All other applicants may use 1 additional page  Not proposed supervisor unless also past supervisor  Signed by referee

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

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 & Finance

THANK YOU AND GOOD LUCK