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
FUNDING AND AWARDS INFORMATION
3
http://gradstudies.yorku.ca/currentstudents/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
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=FEE726
1A-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
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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
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
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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
Value
SSHRC (Social Science,
Humanities Research
Council)
NSERC (Natural Science
Research Council)
Joseph-Armand Bombardier
CGS Doctoral Scholarships:
$35,000 per year
Alexander Graham Bell Canada Frederick Banting and Charles
Graduate Scholarship: $35,000 Best Canada Graduate
per year
Scholarship Doctoral Awards
(CGS-D): Trainee Stipend
NSERC Postgraduate
$30,000 per year & Research
Scholarship – Doctoral: $21,000
allowance: $5,000 per year
per year
SSHRC Doctoral Fellowship:
$20,000 per year
Duration
Joseph-Armand Bombardier
CGS Doctoral Scholarships: 36
months
Program Deadline: TBD (late
October)
Alexander Graham Bell Canada Frederick Banting and Charles
Graduate Scholarship: 24 or 36 Best Canada Graduate
months
Scholarship Doctoral Awards:
36 months
NSERC Postgraduate
Scholarship – Doctoral: 24 or 36
months
Initial Deadline to provide
Application due in Research Net
transcripts: October 1, 2014
September 30, 2014
Deadline Programs to FGS:
November 21, 2014
Final deadline for full
application: October 13, 2014
Deadline York submit to Tricouncil: January 8, 2015
Deadline Programs to FGS:
October 31, 2014
SSHRC Doctoral Fellowship:
12, 24, 36 or 48 months
Application Deadline
CIHR (Canadian Institute
for Health Research)
Deadline York submit to Tricouncil: November 25, 2014
Results announced
Spring 2015
Spring 2015
Spring 2015
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/programsprogrammes/fellowships/doctoral-doctorat-eng.aspx
− https://webapps.nserc.ca/SSHRC/faces/logonFellowships.jsp?l
ang=en_CA
• NSERC
− http://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/students-etudiants/pgcs/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
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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)
ELIGIBLE PROGRAMS: QEII
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
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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/studentfinances/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.
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
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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