Grant Writing Session #1SSHRC

OISE Student Success Centre (OSSC)

James Corcoran (CTL); Gary Fogal (CTL); Steven Leigh (CTL);

Pamela Osmond (LHAE); Chloe Shantz-Hilkes (LHAE) Lisa Chinchamie (APHD); Michelle Pon (CTL)

September 16, 2014

Overview

• Participant backgrounds• Awards available• Eligibility• Evaluation criteria• Writing a program or plan of study letter• Application tips• Departmental contacts and other resources• Testimonials and tips• Q & A

SSHRC Overview

• Doctoral Fellowships

• CGS Bombardier Doctoral

• CGS Master’s

CGS Bombardier Doctoral

• $35,000 a year for 36 months

• SSHRC selection committee only considers the top-ranked SSHRC Doctoral Fellowship applicants.

• Must be in Year 1 or 2 when taking up the award

Doctoral Fellowships

• 12-48 months duration• Annual value: $20,000• Quotas are based on previous success rates • Each department has a different quota

CGS Master’s

• $17,500 for 12 months, non-renewable

• Quotas are based on enrolment

• Each department has a different quota based on success rate and master’s population

SSHRC Doctoral Eligibility

• Full-time student • Canadian citizen or resident• Pursuing a first doctoral degree• Overall average of at least A-, 80%, or a GPA of

3.7/4.0 (calculations differ depending on what year you are currently in).

• Applicants can be in Years 1 through 4

CGS Master’s Eligibility• Applicants must have completed, as of December 31 of the year of

application, between zero and 12 months of full-time studies (or full-time equivalent) in:– The master’s program for which you are requesting funding

• Not have previously held a CGS M• Overall average of at least A-, 80%, or a GPA of 3.7/4.0 in the last two

completed years of study (full-time equivalent) - calculations differ depending on what year you are currently in.

• Applicants (prospective students) to the program are now ranked at the Department level.

• Submit online• An eligible graduate program must have a significant research

component.

SSHRC Doctoral Evaluation criteria

• past academic results, as demonstrated by transcripts, awards and distinctions;

• the program of study and its potential contribution to the advancement of knowledge;

• relevant professional and academic experience, including research training, as demonstrated by conference presentations and scholarly publications;

• two written evaluations from referees

CGS Master’s Evaluation Criteria• Academic Excellence:

As demonstrated by past academic results, transcripts, awards and distinctions.

• Research Potential: As demonstrated by the applicant’s research history, his/her interest in discovery, the proposed research, its potential contribution to the advancement of knowledge in the field, and any anticipated outcomes

• Personal characteristics & interpersonal skills:As demonstrated by the applicant’s past professional and relevant extracurricular interactions and collaborations

Application Tips

CGS-M• Write down User ID and a password to access your application • Complete and submit your application using the

ResearchPortal.

Doctoral• Write down User ID and a password to access your application • Remember to “verify” your application when you are done.

The watermark should not appear.• Complete and sign your checklist.• Remember to sign your application!

Considerations When Crafting (or re-crafting) Program or Plan of Study

• Audience (Generalist vs Specialist)

• Outlining

• Structure: content by section

• Style: conciseness; format (APA & SSHRC specs.)

• Revision

Tips – Program or Plan of Study

• Clearly state your research purpose and questions.• Make a strong case for the significance of your

research to theory and practice• Use language that scholars who are not in your

field will understand.• Select elements of your larger literature review

that clearly support your purpose and your research methods.

• Present a workable research design in as much detail as possible.

Further considerations:Program or Plan of study

• Introduction: background and lit review (displaying broad and specific knowledge)

• Problem: where is the gap?

• Positioning: how may my research contribute to advancement of knowledge in this area?; how am I uniquely qualified to carry out this research in a timely and effective manner?

• Impact: so what? Why is this potential research important and to whom? How will I disseminate my findings to important stakeholders following completion?

The need for revision

• Part of writing process

• Should include multiple attempts

• Should include multiple stakeholders

Departmental contacts

• CTL: Michelle Pon

• LHAE: Sezen Atacan; Karen Palma

• SJE: Ann-Kristine Pearson

• APHD: Lisa Chinchamie

ResourcesSchool of Graduate Studies: Scholarships and Awardshttp://www.sgs.utoronto.ca/currentstudents/Pages/Scholarships-and-Awards.aspx

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

Canada Graduate Scholarship (CGS) – Mastershttp://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Students-Etudiants/PG-CS/CGSM-BESCM_eng.asp

OISE Student Success Centre (OSSC)http://www.oise.utoronto.ca/ss/OISE_Student_Success_Centre_(OSSC)/

School of Graduate Studies English Language Writing Support Centre (ELWS)http://www.sgs.utoronto.ca/currentstudents/Pages/English-Language-and-Writing-Support.aspx

Suggestions for “best” practice

• Use multiple editors• Consider taking ELWS courses• Use OISE OSSC advisors and departmental

advisors• Attention to detail – departmental liaison• Carefully consider clarity and feasibility of

proposed research• Edit, edit, re-edit

Gary Fogal (Doctoral SSHRC)

• Work the system – or note.g. Strengthening Centres of Creativity, Innovation and Knowledge

• Precise, Organized & Clear• Tap into available resources

– (writing centres, online resources, etc.)• Tap into your supervisor (once)• Sound confident (& avoid modesty)• Present a project as being in motion

Pamela Osmond (Doctoral SSHRC)

See handout

Steven Leigh (CGS-M)

See handout

Chloe Shantz-Hilkes (CGS-M)

Michelle Pon (CTL) & Lisa Chinchamie (APHD)

Q&A

• Feel free to pose questions to one particular panelist or the panel as a whole