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
Abbreviations
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
Why Submit an Application?
Show me the money…
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SSHRC Joseph-Armand Bombardier CGS
Doctoral - $35,000/year for 3 years
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SSHRC Doctoral Fellowship - $20,000/year for up to 4 years
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NSERC Alexander Graham Bell CGS
Doctoral - $35,000/year for 3 years
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NSERC Post Graduate Scholarship (PGS)
Doctoral - $21,000/year for up to 4 years
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CIHR Frederick Banting and Charles Best CGS
Doctoral - $35,000/year for 3 years
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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
$20,000.00

Ontario Graduate Scholarship
$15,000.00 per year (apply each year to be considered for renewal)
Why Submit an Application?
But it’s not just about the money . . .
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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
General Guidelines
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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 2015-2016 academic year.
Eligible recipients may elect to start award in May 2015.
• You do not need to be admitted to a graduate program
at the time of application.
Top 10 Things You Should Know
#1 – Verify your eligibility
Each competition clearly states eligibility criteria.
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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)
Eligibility for Tri-Council - Doctoral
• 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 an OGS
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 oneterm/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.
Top 10 Things You Should Know
#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 ResearchNet
• SSHRC & NSERC Doctoral (see dept. deadlines)
• OGS – February 2nd, 2015 (4:30pm ET)
*Allow time for all components to be completed, including
signatures (CIHR) and references (all)
Evaluation Criteria
#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
Top 10 Things You Should Know
#4 – Council Mandates
For Federal competitions, ensure you are
submitting your application to the correct
funding agency.
For more information:
http://www.science.gc.ca/default.asp?lang=en&n=FE
E7261A-1
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)
Top 10 Things You Should Know
#5 – Submit Complete Application Package
Common components:
 Application form
 Transcripts
 References
 Research Proposal
ENSURE you have completed everything and
followed instructions!
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Have you filled out the correct form?
Have you provided all documents requested?
• 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:
http://www.universityaffairs.ca/what-to-include-in-asshrc-fellowship-application.aspx
Top 10 Things You Should Know
#6 – References
Very important element of application.
Ask early.
Choose wisely.
Provide referee with
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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.
Letters of Appraisal/ References
Doctoral
One must be from your thesis supervisor and if you
have a master’s the other should be from your
Master’s supervisor.
Top 10 Things You Should Know
#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 (www.wlu.ca/writingcentre)
Top 10 Things You Should Know
#8 – Order Transcripts Now
Original, official transcripts in sealed envelopes must be submitted
with application.
Exceptions:
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NSERC Doctoral – submit original, official, sealed transcripts to FGPS by
September 24th 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
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Please make your request to FGPS prior to September 22nd
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
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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)
Program of Study/Research
Proposal
• 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.
Top 10 Things You Should Know
#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 1st.
OGS – Final results by mid-March to early April 2015
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 emailed once identified in
your online application to complete the
reference assessment online for your app
What’s changed?
Tri-Council Doctoral Applications:
• They are pretty much the same. Nothing
has changed.
Next year and beyond:
changes are coming….
CIHR Doctoral
• 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
NSERC Doctoral
• Application due online by your
departmental deadline
• Official, sealed transcripts must be in
FGPS by September 24th so that they can
be uploaded to your application
• Applications are reviewed by WLU
• Forwarded to NSERC: end of November
SSHRC 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.
Final Tip
PROOF READ
YOUR
APPLICATION
Links to Applications Sites
CIHR Doctoral
SSHRC Doctoral
NSERC Doctoral
OGS (Application live Oct 1/14)
WLU General Student Profile (by Sept 30/14)
Graduate Scholarship
Competitions
Contacts:
Deborah Russell (drussell@wlu.ca)
Education, Music, Science, Seminary, Social Work, Geography
Tracy Swierenga (tswierenga@wlu.ca)
Arts, Balsillie School, Brantford, Business, Math
Cherie Mongeon (cmongeon@wlu.ca)
Graduate Financial Aid and Awards Officer
Jordana Garbati (jgarbati@wlu.ca)
Writing Centre