Tips on Applying for Scholarships & Fellowships (NSERC, CIHR)

Transcription

1 Tips on Applying for Scholarships & Fellowships (NSERC, CIHR) Monday, 23 September 2013 K. McAuley C. Moyes, M. Kawaja 1

2 Outline Overview of Vanier, NSERC, CIHR Effective application writing Common errors to avoid 2

3 NSERC CIHR Vanier OGS Deadline M D Dec. 1 Oct. 24 Dec. 1 Oct. 1 Oct. 16 March 1 or Dept. deadline Value M 17.5 k 17.5 k 15 k D 35/21 k 35/21 k 50 k 15 k Cannot hold any of these awards concurrently Cannot apply to both NSERC and CIHR 3

4 Selecting the Appropriate Funding Agency Check Tri-council guidelines on applications related to health to determine whether a project is NSERC or CIHR (or SSHRC) Cannot apply for more than 1 Tri-council agency in any single year, so making the right choice is critical 4

5 Selecting NSERC the program of research must be primarily in the natural sciences and engineering the objectives of the research must be, primarily, to advance knowledge in one of the natural sciences or in engineering 5

6 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. 6

7 Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships For outstanding students who will pursue a PhD program in Canada Applying to PhD or currently in year 1 Nomination by the University Talk to your graduate coordinator Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or international students $50,000 /yr for 24 or 36 months 7

8 Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships To Apply: Deadline is October 16, 2013 Eligible candidates should also submit an application for SSHRC/NSERC/CIHR 8

9 Resources on Completing the Applications NSERC: Video Resources CIHR: Video Resources 9

10 Evaluation Criteria NSERC PGS/CGS CIHR CGS Academic excellence Academic record Scholarships, TTC 50% M 30% D Achievement & activities Research ability/potential Work experience Originality Initiative Autonomy Quality 30% M 50% D Training environment, characteristics & abilities of candidate Communication, leadership, interpersonal 20% 10

11 NSERC 11

12 NSERC: What Happens to the Application at Your University? You submit your application on-line University Fellowships committees select doctoral applicants to submit to the national competition Limited number (49) can be send forward to national competition Fellowships committee decides on Master s winners (27 NSERC, 8 CIHR) University informs all applicants at the university level 12

13 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 13

14 What Happens to the Application at NSERC? Applicants informed of NSERC s decision Feedback available upon request 14

15 NSERC: review process Each application file will be reviewed and scored in detail by two readers Each reader reviews a considerable number of files in each of the following categories: PGS D PDF It takes a long time to read all these files. Reviewers read them fast. 15

16 NSERC Program PGS D PDF Estimated time spent on each application 6 min 8 min The first and second reviewer, respectively, will explain the highlights of the files and then members submit their scores for 1. Academic Excellence 2. Research Ability or Potential 3. Communication, Interpersonal and Leadership Abilities This will take one full week (8am 6.30pm) 16

17 NSERC The first and second reviewer, respectively, will explain the highlights of the files and then members submit their scores for 1. Academic Excellence 2. Research Ability or Potential 3. Communication, Interpersonal and Leadership Abilities This will take one full week (8am 6.30pm) 17

18 NSERC: PGS Selection Criteria & Weightings Weight % M D Academic Excellence Research Ability or Potential Communication, Interpersonal & Leadership Abilities Total

19 NSERC: PDF Selection Criteria & Weightings Weight % Research Ability or Potential 70 Communication, Interpersonal & Leadership Abilities 30 Total

20 CIHR 20

21 CIHR Award Applications There are two types of CIHR scholarships: 1. Canada Graduate Scholarships Master s Award December 1, Doctoral Research Award October 1,

22 CIHR MA Award Candidates must have completed or be in the last year of a bachelor degree or have been registered for no more than 10 months as a full-time student in a Master s program $17,500, one year only 22

23 CIHR PhD Award Candidates must have completed at least 12 months of graduate study at the Master s or PhD level, and have been registered for no more than 22 months as a full-time student in a Doctoral program. $30,000/yr for up to three years, plus an annual research allowance of $5,

24 CIHR Research Summary 1. Rationale Problematic and main hypothesis that motivates the research project. 2. Research Project description Objectives of the research project with its scientific questions, ie., specific hypothesis that will be tested. 3. Research Plan Experimental design and general method. 24

25 CIHR PhD Award Applications Reviewers assess three variables: 1. Achievements and Activities 35% 2. Characteristics and Abilities 40% 3. Research Training Environment 25% 25

26 CIHR Award Applications Criteria: 1) Critical thinking, 2) Independence, 3) Perseverance, 4) Originality, 5) Organizational skills, 6) Interest in discovery, 7) Research ability. 26

27 CIHR Award Applications Reviewers assess three variables: 1.Achievements and Activities Publication activity (CV Module) Other research activity (CV Module) Academic performance (Academic Transcripts) Papers, Abstracts, Presentations, Awards, Research Experience, etc. Your marks are very important early in your career. 27

28 CIHR Award Applications Reviewers assess three variables: 2. Characteristics and Abilities Sponsors letters One sponsor must be your supervisor; Choose (established) sponsors who know who you are; Their assessments must be substantiated. 28

29 CIHR Award Applications Reviewers assess three variables: 3. Research Training Environment Training program (Training Module) Indicate all research and non-research activities: courses, teaching, participation to journal clubs, attendance to scientific meetings; State what skills/knowledge-base you will acquire; State how these skills will be useful for the next stage of your career. 29

30 CIHR Award Applications There are two modules to fill out: 1. CV Module (one for yourself and one for your potential supervisor) 2. Training Module 30

31 Top Tips Structure clearly Start snappy Speak outside your discipline and your field 31

32 Keep secondary literature review section succinct Make sure you and your referees are "in sync Clarify your research contributions if necessary Make sure you understand the difference between refereed and non-refereed contributions 32

33 Common Errors 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 33

34 Grantsmanship: Some General Guidelines Visit the website, know what is expected of you, your referees and your institution, and follow the instructions. Give yourself enough time to submit drafts and incorporate feedback Describe your research in lay language, limit jargon and use of acronyms Saying it does not make it so provide evidence, support your statements 34

35 More Guidelines Use the space allotted (additional info discarded) Choose your referees carefully Provide your referee with information about: The adjudication criteria The timeline Yourself and what you have done to merit an excellent reference Leave enough time to get what you need (transcripts, references, ) The submitted application should be polished. 35