Transcript Slide 1

Today’s Agenda
 Introduction
 What’s new in the Scholarships
and Fellowships division
 Information common to most
applicants
 Undergraduate Programs
 Graduate Programs
 Postdoctoral Programs
Scholarships News
 Vanier CGS: New Harmonized Tri-Agency
process. Application details at www.vanier.gc.ca.
Agency deadline: November 6, 2009
 CGS Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplements
(CGS-MSFSS). Next deadline: October 10
 Eligibility Criteria (Program of study and
proposed research)
Scholarships News
 Changes to Form 200:
• Elimination of Appendix 2
• Addition of program of study
 Increase in number of PGS/CGS/PDF
committees
 Closure of NSERC/MITACS Scholarship
Program on March 31, 2009
To Apply for NSERC Support
You Must Be:
 A Canadian citizen
OR
 A Permanent Resident of Canada
Exceptions:
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships Program
(Vanier CGS)
Industrial Postgraduate Scholarships Programs (IPS)
Industrial Innovation Scholarships (IIS) - for those
registered in Québec universities
Visiting Fellowships in Canadian Government
Laboratories (VF)
Collaborative Research and Training Experience
(CREATE)
Eligibility of Program of Study and
Proposed Research
Both program of study and proposed research must be eligible / in a
field that NSERC supports
Program:
•
Clinically-oriented programs of study are ineligible (e.g. clinical
psychology)
•
Joint graduate programs including a professional degree are ineligible
(e.g. MD/PhD programs)
Research:
•
Research challenge must lie within NSE
•
For awards held at universities, research must be supervised by faculty
member whose own research is in an NSERC-supported field
May only apply to one agency per academic year.
If in doubt, students may contact NSERC ([email protected])
NSERC makes final decision
Northern Research Internships
(NRINT)
 Opportunity to do research in Canada’s North
 Student may hold a USRA, Vanier CGS, CGS/PGS, IPS or
PDF at the same time
 No fixed deadlines, apply 8 weeks before start of northern
work
 Up to 30 awards per year (first come, first served)
 How to apply:
• Form 200
• Letter from supervisor
• Letter from Northern partner
• NRINT Agreement signed by all parties
 Up to $14,000 for 12-16 weeks, within 12 months
Aboriginal Ambassadors in the Natural
Sciences and Engineering Supplement
Program (AANSE)
• Aims to engage Aboriginal students and fellows
in promoting interest and participation in the
NSE.
 Visit Canada’s Aboriginal communities and
schools to share your research and education
experiences or participate in science promotion
events and activities.
• You must hold an USRA*, Vanier CGS, CGS, PGS,
PDF, IPS, IRDF or NRINT.
*You
may hold an AANSE supplement up to 4 months after the end of your USRA
upplements
 Extra $ from other organizations
 May be available for USRA, PGS, CGS, Vanier
CGS, IPS and PDF
 Support research in specific areas
 Value ranges from $1,000 - $15,000 +
 Duration from 1 - 4 years
 Contact agencies directly upon receipt of NSERC
award letter
CREATE
Collaborative Research And Training Experience
 Groups of researchers who will provide training
programs to highly qualified students and
postdoctoral fellows;
 Value-added experience to the university training
environment
 Provide increased job readiness in chosen career
 Students/Fellows may experience:
• Opportunities to acquire professional skills;
• Opportunities to travel – between Canadian Universities,
and/or internationally;
• Interaction with other sectors;
• Increased access to interdisciplinary research at frontier
between NSE and other disciplines.
Undergraduate Student Research
Awards
 University-based research
• USRA
 Industry-based research
• I-USRA*
* Eligible companies on our Web site
USRA Programs
USRA
NSERC $
Sponsor $
Academics
Eligibility To Hold
Duration
I-USRA
$4,500
$4,500
+ 25 % min.
+ 25 % min.
($1,125)
($1,125)
Cumulative
B or B- average
1st year courses completed
(2 academic terms)
16 weeks
16 weeks
at company
at university
Travel funds may be available
Applying for USRA
USRA
Where to Apply
F202: Part 1
Completed by
F202: Part 2
Completed by
I-USRA
University where you Company where you
would like to hold the would like to hold the
award
award *
Student sends
Student sends
application +
application +
transcripts to
transcripts to
university
company
University
Company
University
Company (up to 4
weeks before start
date)
# Competitions
(winter, summer, fall)
Up to 3/year at
university
Not Applicable
Supervisor
NSERC grantee
Company researcher
Submitted to
NSERC by
* List of eligible companies on the NSERC website
Graduate Students
 Alexander Graham Bell Canada Graduate
Scholarships (CGS) / Postgraduate Scholarships
(PGS)
 Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier
CGS)
 Canada Graduate Scholarships – Michael Smith
Foreign Study Supplements (CGS – MSFSS)
 Industrial Postgraduate Scholarships (IPS)
 Industrial Innovation Scholarships (IIS) for
students registered at a university in Quebec
 Summer Programs in Japan or Taiwan
Graduate Students
 Maximum of 4 years support (full-time equivalent)
•
Total = Master’s + PhD support
 Any combination of Vanier CGS, CGS, PGS, IPS,
IIS, NSERC/MITACS
Deadline for PGS
CGS/PGS M and D
Value
Duration
Tenure
CGS M
PGS M
CGS D
PGS D
$17,500
$17,300
$35,000
$21,000
1 year
1 year
2 or 3 years
2 or 3 years
Canadian
universities
ONLY
Canadian or
foreign
universities*
Canadian
Canadian or
universities
foreign
ONLY
universities*
* Must have obtained at least one Canadian degree in NSE
CGS/PGS M and D
CGS/PGS M
Eligibility*
1st class
average
CGS/PGS D
Bachelors
→ Master's
or
Master’s
→ Doctorate
Bachelors
→ Doctorate
NO registration
in Master's
Master's
→ Doctorate
Bachelors
→ Doctorate
NO registration
in Master's
0-12 months
in Master's
0-12 months in
Doctorate
0-24 months in
Doctorate
4-36 months in
Doctorate
Required in each of the last two years of full-time study (or equivalent)
– Exceptions to be justified by university.
* As of December 31st of the year of application in program for which
support is requested
CGS/PGS Selection Criteria and
Weightings
Weight %
M
D
Academic Excellence
50
30
Research Ability or Potential
30
50
20
20
100
100
Communication,
Interpersonal and Leadership
Abilities
Total
What Happens to the Application at
Your University?
 You submit to department/university
 University committees select
applicants to fill NSERC quota
 Quota of applications sent to NSERC
 University informs unsuccessful
applicants
What Happens to the Application at
NSERC?
 Verification of eligibility of applicant and proposed
research by Program Officers
 Selection committee members review all applications
 Top-ranked applicants offered CGS
 PGS offered to next tier of applicants
 Applicants informed of NSERC’s decision
 Feedback available upon request
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
 Tri-Agency program for outstanding students who will pursue a
doctoral program in a Canadian University
 Nomination by the University – Contact Graduate Studies office
for deadline date
 To be eligible:
• Canadian Citizens, Permanent Residents of Canada or
international students
 To Apply:
• www.vanier.gc.ca
• Common form for all three agencies
 Two-tier competition process: Agency-specific selection
committee, and a high level Vanier Selection Board
 $50,000 / yr for up to three years
 NEW THIS YEAR: Eligible candidates should also submit an
application to the PGS/CGS competition
Canada Graduate Scholarships – Michael Smith
Foreign Study Supplements (CGS-MSFSS)
 To build global linkages and international networks
through research experiences at universities or
research institutes outside of Canada
 Tri-Council Program – 250 supplements/year
• 125 SSHRC
• 80 NSERC
• 45 CIHR
 Must hold a CGS or Vanier CGS
 Apply through the University – Contact Graduate
Studies Office for deadline date
• June 10th
• October 10th
 Maximum of $6,000 for 3 to 6 month period
Industrial Postgraduate Scholarships
(IPS)
 Gain work experience while completing a graduate
degree
 Students must spend at least 50 days per year at the
host organization
 Collaboration between university, student and host
organization
 No NSERC deadline
 Quick application turn around
 $21K minimum for Master’s level - more than
PGSM/CGSM ($17K)
 Foreign students may be eligible (some conditions
apply)
Industrial Postgraduate Scholarships
IPS 1
Eligibility
1st class
average
IPS 2
Bachelors
→ Master's
Bachelors
→ Doctorate
NO registration
in Master's
Master's
→ Doctorate
Bachelors
→ Doctorate
NO registration
in Master's
0-12 months
in Master's
0-12 months in
Doctorate
0-24 months in
Doctorate
4-36 months in
Doctorate
Required over the last two years of full-time study (or equivalent) –
Exceptions to be justified by university.
IPS Application Process
 Student must contact Office of Graduate Studies
to initiate process
 Form 200 to be completed by the student
 IPS agreement with host completed with help of
Office of Graduate Studies
 Nomination package submitted to NSERC for
evaluation (use checklist)
 Results from NSERC within 6 weeks of receiving
complete application
Summer Programs in Japan or Taiwan
Value
$3,000 + travel & living expenses
Eligibility
Registered in Master’s or Doctoral program
Duration
8 weeks (June to August)
Deadline
November 1st , 2009
Postdoctoral Programs
 Postdoctoral Fellowship (PDF)
 Industrial R&D Fellowship (IRDF)
 Visiting Fellowship (VF)
 Japan Society for the Promotion
of Science Fellowship (JSPS)
Postdoctoral Programs Overview
PDF
IRDF
VF
JSPS
Total $
$40,000
$40,000 +
$46,535 +
Approx.
$42,000 per
year + travel
and
relocation
allowances
Graduation
< 2 yrs
≤ 5 yrs
< 5 yrs
< 6 yrs
Tenure
Deadline
Duration
Japanese
universities
University
Industry Government
+ national
labs
Not
Not
January 25,
October 15
Applicable Applicable
2010
24 months
24 months
12 months
renewable
12 to
24 months
Postdoctoral Fellowship (PDF)
 Deadline Date: October 15, 2009
 To be eligible:
• PhD completed after Oct. 15th, 2007
OR
• PhD requirements met by Dec. 31st, 2010
 How to apply:
• Form 200 + Official Academic Transcript (Doctoral
Only)
 $40,000 per year for maximum of 24 months
 Award start date: between April 1 and January 15
May only apply twice
May not hold more than one NSERC PDF
Location of Tenure for PDFs
Canada
• University and provincial
research institutions
• Appropriate research laboratories
Abroad
• University and research
centres
If requesting a tenure abroad, the PhD must have been completed in
Canada
The PDF may not be held at the university (or its affiliated institutions)
where PhD was completed or with PhD supervisor
PDF Selection Criteria and Weightings
Weight %
Research Ability/Potential
70
Communication Skills, Interpersonal
and Leadership Abilities
30
Total
100
PDF Selection Process
 Verification of eligibility of applicant and
proposed research by program officers
 Selection committees members review all
applications
 Applicants informed of NSERC’s decision
by March 31
 Feedback available upon request
Industrial R&D Fellowships
(IRDF)
 No deadlines for application
 Research at eligible Canadian organization
 Apply within 5 years of PhD
 Not previously employed in Canadian industry after PhD for
more than six months and not have received a nonconditional offer of employment from nominating
organization
 How to apply:
• Form 200 (Application for a Scholarship or Fellowship)
• Form 183C (Nomination for an Industrial R&D
Fellowship)
 $40,000 min/year for maximum of 24 months
* Eligible organizations on our Web site
IRDF Selection Criteria and Weightings
Nominee
Proposed R&D activities
 Research ability or
potential (70%)




Industrial R&D environment
Significance and feasibility
Organization commitment
 Communication,
interpersonal and
Scientific and technical
leadership abilities (30%)
merit
 Incrementality
IRDF Selection Process
 Eligible organizations submit their application at any
time throughout the year
 NSERC program staff reviews application for
completeness
 Two members of the College of Reviewers review the
application and complete an evaluation
 The members separately assess the merit of the
candidate and the research proposal
 To be successful, both the candidate and the research
proposal must be meritorious
 Nominating organizations are notified of the decision
within six weeks of receiving the complete application
Visiting Fellowships in Canadian
Government Laboratories (VF)




Research in government setting
No deadlines for application
Apply within 5 years of completing PhD
How to apply:
• Form 200 (Application for a Scholarship or
Fellowship)
 $46,535 per year
 1 year fellowship renewable twice
* No citizenship or residency requirements
VF Selection Criteria and Weightings
Weight %
Academic Excellence
15
Research Ability/Potential
50
Oral and Written Communication Skills
10
Interpersonal and Leadership Abilities
Justification for location & benefits to
Department
Total
10
15
100
VF Selection Process
 Evaluation of applications by government
department, overseen by NSERC
 If successful, applicant is placed on an
inventory for up to 2 years
 Being placed on the inventory does not
guarantee a fellowship
 Government departments select
candidates from the inventory
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
Postdoctoral Fellowships (JSPS)
 Research in Japanese universities and national labs
 Deadline January 25, 2010
 Obtained PhD within past 6 years
 How to apply:
• Contact NSERC for application form
 364,000 Yen (approx. $3,500 CAN) per month + travel
and relocation allowances
 Fellowships are awarded for a period of 12 to 24
months
Login for previous
user
Register for new
user
PDF format
available
PDF format
available
No electronic submission
A paper copy must be
submitted
Create a form: Select
the program
Edit
List specific for each
program
PIN – if you don't
have one leave it
blank (no SIN, no
Student ID
Full address
including postal
code
Academic
background
accurate :
does it make
sense?
Do not
include
programs that
you have not
yet started
Relevant work
experience, in
science or
engineering OR that
show leadership/
communication
skills
Scholarships:
don't put down
$$ from prof's
NSERC grants
Locations of tenure
must be universities,
not the affiliated
hospitals, research
institutes, etc.
Required for PDF, VF
and NRINT only
PGS M and
IPS 1: Do
not need to
complete
this section.
Section will
not appear
Form 200 - Proposed Research
(Free Form)
 Summary of future research endeavours
 Plain language
 1 page max
 Specific as possible
• Objectives, Outline, Methods;
• Procedures, Significance
 Do not repeat info from Thesis summary
• Refer to it!
 Convert document to PDF format
Watch the margins
Check grammar,
typos, spelling, etc.
Don't repeat
information found in
Thesis
Times New Roman
regular 12 pts, or
any comparable font
– nothing smaller
Condensed type is
not acceptable
Form 200: Contributions and Applicant’s
Statement (Free Form)
 Part 1: Articles published, accepted, submitted
 Part 2: Most significant contributions to R&D
 Part 3: Applicant’s statement:
• research experience
• relevant activities
• special circumstances
Page limits: PGS M: 1 page total
PGS D: 2 pages total
PDF:
4 pages total
If you choose not
to fill in any
section from a
certain point to
the end, indicate
so on application
Indicate that a
paper copy will
come with the
application
Required for PDF, VF and
NRINT only
Appendix 1: 2 Reports Required

Person most familiar with applicant’s abilities:
research, etc. - Usually thesis supervisor

Another person familiar with your abilities and
research

Able to provide specific examples

Not proposed supervisor unless also past supervisor

Form must be signed by referee
Appendix 3: Consent Form
Statistical information
 Not given to reviewers
Number to be forwarded to
the proposed referees to
complete Appendix 1 online
Verify for
completeness
Remember…
 Follow instructions:
• Font size, margins, page limits etc.
 Clear, concise writing
 Proofread for spelling, grammar
 Provide needed documentation
 Choose respondents with care
 Be aware of deadlines
No On-line application submission!
General Information / Application
Forms
Website:
www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca
On-line Services:
[email protected]
Helpdesk:
(613) 995-4273
Scholarships &
Fellowships:
[email protected]
Finance Division:
[email protected]