2014 External Scholarship Presentation

Agenda Abbreviations Why submit an application Overview/What’s changed in the major competitions Top 10 things to know about applying 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 CGS – Canada Graduate Scholarship PGS – Postgraduate Scholarship OGS – Ontario Graduate Scholarship Abbreviations

Show me the money…  SSHRC Joseph-Armand Bombardier CGS Doctoral - $35,000/year for 3 years  SSHRC Doctoral Fellowship - $20,000/year for up to 4 years  NSERC Alexander Graham Bell CGS Doctoral - $35,000/year for 3 years  NSERC Post Graduate Scholarship (PGS) Doctoral - $21,000/year for up to 4 years  CIHR Frederick Banting and Charles Best CGS Doctoral - $35,000/year for 3 years  CGS holders are also eligible to apply for the Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplement ($6,000) Why Submit an Application?

Show me the money…  Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship Program Doctoral - $50,000/year for 3 years  Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarship $60,000/year for up to 3 years & includes an annual travel allowance of $20,  Ontario Graduate Scholarship $15, per year (apply each year to be considered for renewal) 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 Required at doctoral level to maintain MGF eligibility Why Submit an Application?

You can apply to only one agency of the Tri-Councils (SSHRC, NSERC or CIHR) You can apply for the CGS AND the Vanier at the same time as long as it is the same agency. 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 for combined provincial and federal) Applications being completed this fall are for awards to be held during the academic year. Eligible recipients may elect to start award in 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 (time in the program)  Lifetime maximum (four years federal; six years federal and provincial)  Research component (subject matter) Top 10 Things You Should Know

Must be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada Must be applying to pursue your first PhD (or equivalent); Must be pursuing doctoral studies appropriate to the funding agency mandate Not have already received a scholarship or fellowship from a Tri-Council agency to undertake PhD or a combined MA/PhD Must be within term of study limits which vary by agency. Eligibility for Tri-Council - Doctoral

Open to all students – domestic or international Academic Standing If entering first or second year of graduate studies at time of application you must have an overall average of at least A-, or equivalent, on the last 20 one- term/semester courses, or the equivalent, completed. If you are entering third year of graduate studies at 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: CIHR Doctoral – October 1, 2014 on ResearchNetResearchNet SSHRC & NSERC Doctoral (see dept. deadlines)(see dept. deadlines) OGS – February 2 nd, 2015 (4:30pm ET) *Allow time for all components to be completed, including signatures (CIHR) and references (all) Top 10 Things You Should Know

#3 – Ranking Guidelines Considered based on: Past academic results Program of study and its potential contribution to the advancement of knowledge Relevant professional and academic experience incl. research training as demonstrated by conference presentations and scholarly publications Two references See agency websites for specifics Evaluation Criteria

#4 – Council Mandates For Federal 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? 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

Doctoral One must be from your thesis supervisor and if you have a master’s the other should be from your Master’s supervisor. Letters of Appraisal/ References

#7 – Use Resources Available Bookmark and read the instructions Agency websites have:  SSHRC has resource area of website  NSERC training videos; frequent Q&A  CIHR has a training center link on web site  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 in sealed envelopes must be submitted with application. Exceptions: NSERC Doctoral – submit original, official, sealed transcripts to FGPS by September 24 th for uploading to your application CIHR 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 Please make your request to FGPS prior to September 22 nd OGS – copies of transcripts to be uploaded with your online application For current students your WLU transcripts must include 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 Font, margins etc. 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. 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 Must be about research interests/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 NSERC/SSHRC Doctoral Awards top applications forwarded to national competition based on our quota/allocations You will be notified if your application is moving forward or not CIHR Doctoral Awards Applications are submitted directly to national competition. Doctoral - Final results are typically released after May 1 st. OGS – Final results by 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 Doctoral Applications: They are pretty much the same. Nothing has changed. Next year and beyond: changes are coming…. What’s changed?

Due online through ResearchNet by: October 1, 2014 You will upload your own transcripts You will need your Supervisor’s CCV so you will need a CIHR PIN (instructions provided on CIHR website) Applications are not reviewed by WLU, straight to national competition CIHR Doctoral

Application due online by your departmental deadline Official, sealed transcripts must be in FGPS by September 24 th so that they can be uploaded to your application Applications are reviewed by WLU Forwarded to NSERC: end of November NSERC Doctoral

Application due by your department deadline Application online, print and submit with all required documents Submit official sealed transcripts with your application Applications are reviewed by WLU Forwarded to SSHRC: by end of January SSHRC Doctoral

Applications are scanned into PDF when they arrive in FGPS. Therefore we ask that you:  Do not staple any portion of the application or supplemental forms – paperclips or binder clips are acceptable.  Do not print 2-sided. Single sided pages only. SSHRC Doctoral

PROOF READ YOUR APPLICATION Final Tip

CIHR Doctoral SSHRC Doctoral NSERC Doctoral OGS (Application live Oct 1/14) WLU General Student Profile (by Sept 30/14) Links to Applications Sites

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 Graduate Scholarship Competitions