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Tips on Applying for Scholarships & Fellowships
(SSHRC, CIHR, OGS)
September, 2015
Dr. Sandra den Otter, Dr. Lynda Jessup and Dr. Don KlingerExpanding Horizons Workshop
Selecting the Appropriate Funding Agency
• Must check Tri-council guidelines on applications related to health to determine whether a project is SSHRC, NSERC or CIHR at http://www.science.gc.ca
• Inter-disciplinary projects
• Cannot apply to more than one funding agency in any single year
• Program of research must be primarily in • social sciences • humanities
• Intended outcome of the research must primarily • to add to our understanding and knowledge of
individuals, groups, and societies • what we think • how we live • how we interact with each other and the world around us
• Double check directly with appropriate agency for Inter-disciplinary projects, particularly health-related research (by email, WELL BEFORE DEADLINE)
Selecting SSHRC
Selecting NSERC
• The program of research must be primarily in • natural sciences • engineering
• The intended objectives of the research must be, primarily• to advance knowledge in one of the natural
sciences or in engineering
Selecting CIHR
• The intended outcomes of the research must, as stated in CIHR’s mandate, primarily:• improve or have an impact on health and/or • produce more effective health services and
products and/or • strengthen the Canadian health care system
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
• Tri-Agency program for outstanding students• who will pursue a doctoral program • in a Canadian University
• Nomination by the University • Check with program coordinator
• Eligibility• Canadian Citizens• Permanent Residents or• Foreign students
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
To Apply
• www.vanier.gc.ca
• $50,000 / yr for 24 or 36 months
• Eligible candidates should also submit an application for SSHRC/NSERC/CIHR doctoral level funding
• Deadline: October 15
OGS SSHRC CIHRDeadline Variable PhD November 19
(due at SGS – check with department for internal deadline)Masters CGS December 1 Online Application due
PhD October 1(direct to CIHR)
Masters CGS December 1 Online Application Due
M (1 year)
D
15 K
15 K
17.5 K
35K/20 K
17.5K
35K/21K
MastersPhD Quota
196 M, D domestic
6 international
Masters 45PhD 81
~ 8
NA
• With the exception of OGS and SSHRC PhD fellowships, limits are 3 years at PhD
• Cannot apply to more than one of the tri-councils
Lifetime Funding Maximums
• Lifetime maximum: – must have not exceeded 4 years of government
support (includes NSERC, SSHRC, CIHR)
Geographic Boundaries
• SSHRC CGS-M: tenable only at Canadian Universities
• SSHRC Doctoral Fellowship : tenable at any university
• SSHRC CGS-D (for PhD): tenable only at Canadian Universities
CGS Master’s
• Harmonization means common application and application deadline for all TriCouncil Master’s applications
• One page instead of 2 page proposal
• New Common CV (start early)
• Adjudication takes place at Queen’s
CGS Master’s Assessment
Academic Excellence 50%
Research Potential 30%
Personal/Interpersonal Skills and Characteristics
20%
Indicators of Academic Excellence (50%)
Academic record (first class average) • Scholarships and awards held •Duration of previous studies •Type of program and courses •Course load •Relative standing (if available)
Research Potential (30%)
• Quality and originality of contributions to research and development
• Relevance of work experience and academic training to proposed field
• Significance, feasibility, and merit of proposed research • Judgment and ability to think critically • Ability to apply skills and knowledge • Initiative, autonomy and independence
Personal/Interpersonal (20%)
• Work experience • Leadership experience • Project management including organizing
conferences and meetings • The ability or potential to communicate concepts
clearly and logically in written and oral formats • Involvement in academic life • Volunteerism/community outreach
SSHRC Criteria for PhD Evaluation
• Past academic results
• The program of study and its potential contribution to the advancement of knowledge
• Relevant professional and academic experiences
• Written evaluation from referees
• Departmental appraisal
Adjudication within Queen’s
• Initial ranking of all PhD applications within programs/departments
• Fellowship Committee of the Arts Graduate Council reviews and recommends which SSHRC PhD applications will go forward to national competition. Applicants whose applications are not forwarded are contacted
• Fellowship Committee of the Arts Graduate Council reviews all CGS Master’s SSHRC applications. Decisions will be made at Queen’s on those recommended for funding
• Each committee reads 70-90 files in early January
• Each application is assigned a score between 1 and 10.
• Each reviewer’s scores need to range from best (10/10) to worst (1/10).
• Reviewer’s scores are compared during a conference call and discrepancies are solved.
National Adjudication of PhD
A Sample SSHRC PhD Scoring Table for 75 Applications
Recommendation Score% of applications to be
assigned the score# of applications to be
assigned the score
Should be funded 10 2% 2
9.0 - 9.9 5% 4
8.0 – 8.9 10% 8
7.0 – 7.9 14% 11
Could be funded 6.0 – 6.9 9% 4
5.0 – 5.9 9% 4
Not recommended 4.0 – 4.9 14% 11
3.0 – 3.9 10% 7
2.0 – 2.9 5% 3
1.0 – 1.9 2% 1
Top Tips - I
• Start early• Read other successful applications• Visit the website, know what is expected of you, your
referees and your institution. Follow the instructions.• Give yourself enough time to submit drafts and
incorporate feedback• Choose your referees carefully and provide your
referee with information about:• The adjudication criteria• The timeline• Yourself and what you have done to merit an excellent
reference
Top Tips - 2
• Structure your proposal clearly• Start snappy • Speak outside your discipline and your field• Keep literature review section succinct• Get “in sync” with your referees• Understand the difference between refereed and non-
refereed contributions• Clarify your research contributions if necessary
Top Tips - 3
• Suggested structure: • First page (the “what”):
• Broad topic, brief reference to gaps in literature, research questions and objectives
• Second page (the “how”): • Methodology, theory, aspirations/contributions, justification for
program/supervisor
• Consider using subheadings• Use the space allotted (additional info discarded)
Top Tips - 4
• Be concrete and feasible, avoid speculation and over ambitiousness
• Describe your research in lay language, limit jargon and use of acronyms
• Saying it does not make it so – provide evidence, support your statements
• The submitted application should be polished.
In Sum: The Art of Writing Proposals
• Capture the reviewer's attention
• Aim for clarity• Establish the context• What's the pay-off?• Use a fresh approach • Describe your
methodology• Specify your objectives• Final note
1. Exceed space allowance or do not use all the space (e.g. short proposal)
2. Miscalculate average
3. Fail to abide by instructions about margins, font, transcripts
4. Incomplete applications
5. Missed deadlines
Common Errors
Resources
SSHRC: Resource Center
SSHRC Youtube
SSHRC PhD Video Walkthrough
CIHR: Videos and Webinars
For further information contact: Dr. S. den [email protected]
For Sample Proposal discussed, contact Dr. S. [email protected]