Applying for External Scholarships

Melissa Dalgleish, Research Officer, Faculty of Graduate Studies

• September 2014

NATIONAL AND PROVINCIAL SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

• Canada Graduate Scholarships – Master’s(CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC)

• Canada Graduate Scholarships – Doctoral(CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC)

• Ontario Graduate Scholarships (OGS) and Queen Elizabeth II Scholarships in Science and Technology (QEII) – Master’s and Doctoral

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FUNDING AND AWARDS INFORMATION

http://gradstudies.yorku.ca/current-students/student-finances/funding-awards/

Canada Graduate Scholarships – Masters

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

• Three Funding Agencies:− CIHR- Canadian Institutes of Health Research− NSERC- National Sciences and Engineering Research

Council of Canada− SSHRC – Social Science and Humanities Research Council

of Canada

• Objective: to help develop research skills and assist in the training of highly qualified personnel by supporting students who demonstrate a high standard of achievement in undergraduate and early graduate studies

• Value: $17,500 for 12 months (non-renewable)

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

• To be eligible to apply, you must:− Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident− Be enrolled in (or intend to apply for) full-time admission

to an eligible graduate program that culminates in a significant research project (not a coursework-only Master’s)

− Have completed (as of Dec 31, 2014) 0-12 months of full-time studies in the Master’s program

− Have not previously held a CGS-M− Have a first-class average (A-) in each of the last two

years of study

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SUBJECT MATTER ELIGIBILITY

• It is important that you select the correct agency under “Field of Research” − Please review the “Selecting the Appropriate Federal

Granting Agency” page at science.gc.ca: http://www.science.gc.ca/default.asp?lang=En&n=FEE7261A-1

− You should always carefully check if you should be applying to CIHR if you’re doing health-related research but you’re not in a health field

− Ask your graduate program for assistance in determining the correct agency

− You can also contact the agency correctly and ask them to decide which you belong to

APPLICATION

• Single online application (Research Portal) for all three agencies (Master’s level only at this time) − https://portal-portail.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/s/login.aspx

• Application includes: − Canadian Common CV (CCV) – includes template for

CGS-M− Transcript(s) (upload)− Research proposal− Two (2) letters from referees

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TIPS AND HINTS

• “Faculty” = “Faculty of Science,” “Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies”

• “Department/Division” = “Graduate Program in English,” “Graduate Program in Science and Technology Studies”

• Start filling out the CCV portion of your application early, as it’s complicated

• If you’re unsure if you have an eligible grade point average, ask your graduate program assistant (or the assistant in the program in which you want to study)

• Order your transcripts early– you need all undergraduate and graduate, including the ones from this term

SELECTION CRITERIA

• Applications are evaluated based on:− Academic Excellence – 50%

First class average Scholarships and awards held

− Research Potential – 30% Quality and originality of contributions to research Significance, feasibility and merit of proposed research Judgment and critical thinking skills

− Personal Characteristics and Interpersonal Skills – 20% Work and leadership experience Involvement in academic life, volunteerism

KEY DATES

• Application deadline is December 1, 2014• Results will be announced in April 1 2015• Start now!

− Requesting references− Drafting research proposal− Ordering transcripts

Canada Graduate Scholarships - Doctoral

OVERVIEW

• Three Funding Agencies:− CIHR- Canadian Institutes of Health Research− NSERC- National Sciences and Engineering Research

Council of Canada− SSHRC – Social Science and Humanities Research

Council of Canada

• Objective: to help develop research skills and assist in the training of highly qualified personnel by supporting students who demonstrate a high standard of achievement in undergraduate and early graduate studies

  SSHRC (Social Science, Humanities Research Council)

NSERC (Natural Science Research Council)

CIHR (Canadian Institute for Health Research)

Value Joseph-Armand Bombardier CGS Doctoral Scholarships: $35,000 per year

SSHRC Doctoral Fellowship: $20,000 per year

Alexander Graham Bell Canada Graduate Scholarship: $35,000 per year

NSERC Postgraduate Scholarship – Doctoral: $21,000 per year

Frederick Banting and Charles Best Canada Graduate Scholarship Doctoral Awards (CGS-D): Trainee Stipend $30,000 per year & Research allowance: $5,000 per year

Duration Joseph-Armand Bombardier CGS Doctoral Scholarships: 36 months

SSHRC Doctoral Fellowship: 12, 24, 36 or 48 months

Alexander Graham Bell Canada Graduate Scholarship: 24 or 36 months

NSERC Postgraduate Scholarship – Doctoral: 24 or 36 months

Frederick Banting and Charles Best Canada Graduate Scholarship Doctoral Awards: 36 months

Application Deadline Program Deadline: TBD (late October)

Deadline Programs to FGS: November 21, 2014

Deadline York submit to Tri-council: January 8, 2015

Initial Deadline to provide transcripts: October 1, 2014

Final deadline for full application: October 13, 2014

Deadline Programs to FGS: October 31, 2014

Deadline York submit to Tri-council: November 25, 2014

Application due in Research Net September 30, 2014

Results announced Spring 2015 Spring 2015 Spring 2015

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SUBJECT MATTER ELIGIBILITY

• It is important that you submit your application to the correct funding agency—ineligible applications will be discarded− Please review the “Selecting the Appropriate Federal

Granting Agency” page at science.gc.ca: http://www.science.gc.ca/default.asp?lang=En&n=FEE7261A-1

− Be especially careful with research that may overlap SSHRC and CIHR or NSERC and CIHR (i.e. you should always carefully check if you should be applying to CIHR if you’re doing health-related research but you’re not in a health field)

− Ask your graduate program for assistance in determining the correct agency

− You can also contact the agency correctly and ask them to decide which you belong to

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APPLICATIONS & INSTRUCTIONS

• SSHRC− http://

www.sshrc-crsh.gc.ca/funding-financement/programs-programmes/fellowships/doctoral-doctorat-eng.aspx

− https://webapps.nserc.ca/SSHRC/faces/logonFellowships.jsp?lang=en_CA

• NSERC − http://

www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/students-etudiants/pg-cs/bellandpostgrad-belletsuperieures_eng.asp

− https://ebiz.nserc.ca/nserc_web/nserc_login_e.htm

• CIHR− http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/38887.html− https://www.researchnet-recherchenet.ca

OGS and QEII Scholarships

OVERVIEW

• Objective: to encourage excellence in graduate studies at the Master’s and doctoral levels through the awarding of Ontario Graduate Scholarships (OGS). OGS awards are merit-based scholarships available to students in all disciplines of academic study. The OGS program is jointly funded by the Province of Ontario and Ontario universities.

• Value: $15,000 per year for a one year maximum (non-renewable, i.e. must reapply each year)

• May hold the award for a minimum of two consecutive terms

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: OGS

• Applicants must:− be a Canadian citizen, Permanent Resident, or Protected

Person− Or be a foreign student who is studying in Ontario under

a temporary resident visa-student study permit− be enrolled in an eligible postsecondary institution in Ontario

be taking an eligible program on a full time basis. An eligible program is defined as a full-time program of study of two or three terms at an eligible institution leading to a graduate degree.

− have a minimum GPA of (A-) in the last 20 one-term courses (or in all of graduate studies for PhDs in Year III and above)

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: QEII

• Applicants must:− be a Canadian citizen, Permanent Resident, or

Protected Person− be enrolled in an eligible postsecondary institution in

Ontario be taking an eligible science or technology program on a full time basis. An eligible program is defined as a full-time program of study of two or three terms at an eligible institution leading to a graduate degree

− have a minimum GPA of (A-) in the last 20 one-term courses (or in all of graduate studies for PhDs in Year III and above)

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ELIGIBLE PROGRAMS: QEII

• Biology • Chemistry • Computer Science and Engineering • Geography • Earth and Space Science• Mathematics and Statistics • Kinesiology and Health Science • Nursing (MScN thesis option only) • Physics and Astronomy • Psychology

SELECTION CRITERIA

• Applications will be evaluated based on: − Academic Excellence 50%− Research Potential 40%− Communication 10%

• Forms can be found at http://gradstudies.yorku.ca/current-students/student-finances/funding-awards/ogs/

APPLICATION

• How to apply: − Submit a complete application package to the appropriate graduate

program by their internal program deadline (see programs)− Current graduate students will submit an OGS application through

their graduate program of study− Prospective students will submit an OGS application through the

program(s) from which they seek admission Complete Application Form 2 Academic Assessment Reports All university transcripts

• You don’t need to submit a separate QEII application—if you’re in an eligible program, you will automatically be considered

KEY DATES

• Application deadline:− Each Graduate Program will set their own internal

program deadline.  Please consult the applicable graduate program.

• Results: − May 2014

Writing the Research Statement

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RESEARCH STATEMENT

• The research statement must be clear, concise, and interest the adjudicating reader right away. Research statements must address the following in an active voice:

• Research Topic and Specific Question: Avoid vague/huge questions; be specific; propose to readers what you are seeking.

• Development and Justification: Why is this question within this topic important to study? What sort of lack in current knowledge does it aim to address?

• Literature: Reference the most important scholarly literature on the topic in order to set your topic, question, and justification in its proper context. The trick, however, is to be brief and to state points succinctly. The context demonstrates that one knows the background, but also, therefore, presents that background to a multi-disciplinary adjudicating audience.

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RESEARCH STATEMENT

• Research Method: It is critical that the research method demonstrate the student’s superior research ability, potential and vision. It must be appropriate, realistic and doable.

• Contributions/Goals: Indicate the significance and/or implications of the research. Relative to “why” one seeks to research a particular topic and question is the “so what?” of what one will find. Why do or should the answers matter, to what and to whom?

• Academic and Training Experience: What experience do you have as a researcher that positions you well to pursue this project? Have other agencies funded you?

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HERO NARRATIVE

Selecting Referees

• Choose referees who know you well—knowledge is better than a fancy title

• Choose referees who can speak about your academic and research capabilities in detail

• Ask if the referee can provide you a good letter • Provide information. At minimum:

− A draft of your research statement− A copy of your CV − The description and selection criteria of the award

• Ask early, and set a deadline and a date to check in• Send polite reminders and don’t be afraid to follow up• Say thank you! A personal note is ideal

WHERE TO GET HELP

• Your graduate program, or the graduate program in which you’re seeking admission

• Your supervisor, or a faculty member with whom you have a good relationship

• Other students—peer review is a great tool • Someone who is not an academic—it’s always good to

check if your proposal makes sense to a general reader

• The funding agency to which you’re applying • Melissa Dalgleish in the Faculty of Graduate Studies

• fgsro@yorku.ca

QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, DISCUSSION