Tri-Council Master’s Competition

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Presented By: Tianna YaskowManager of Graduate Scholarships and Awards

The Tri-Council Agencies Scholarships Eligibility Subject Matter Eligibility Holding the Award Application Selection Criteria Adjudication

Overview

CIHR – Canadian Institutes of Health Research◦ Primary federal funding agency for health

research NSERC – Natural Sciences and Engineering

Research Council◦ Primary federal funding agency for researchers in

science and engineering SSHRC – Social Sciences and Humanities

Research Council◦ Primary federal funding agency for researchers in

the social sciences and humanities

The Tri-Council Agencies

Canada Graduate Scholarships (CGS) are worth $17,500 and are paid out over a year

Allocations for the U of R:◦ CIHR – 4◦ NSERC – 1◦ SSHRC – 7

These allocations are based on how many students have held CGS master’s scholarships at the U of R over the last 3 years

Scholarships

Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada

Be enrolled in, or intend to apply to, the U of R Have completed, as of December 31, 2013,

between zero and 12 months of full-time studies Not have previously held a CGS M To be eligible to apply, students must have

achieved a first-class average (80%) in each of the last two completed years of study (full-time equivalent).

Submit an application to only one tri-council agency

Eligibility

You must ensure that you apply to the appropriate tri-council agency

If you are unsure, please ask your supervisor or myself and we can help you pick the right one

Subject Matter Eligibility

A change from previous years: awards are no longer portable

This means that if you are awarded a CGS M at the U of R, you must take up the award at the U of R

Students can apply for awards at up to 5 universities which means a student could receive multiple awards – but must pick only one institution to study at

Holding the Award

Consists of the following:◦ Main application◦ Attachments

Outline of proposed research Transcripts

◦ Canadian Common CV (CCV)◦ Invitations

Two references required Apply using the Research Portal

Application

Asks for basic information about your current or proposed program

You can choose up to five universities under Host Organization; however, you can only select universities where:◦ You are currently enrolled in an eligible program of study

and wish to pursue your studies; or◦ You intend to apply for full-time admission to an eligible

program of study if not currently enrolled at the university of your choice.

Failure to apply for admission to a program may result in your application being removed from the competition

Main Application

The attachment must adhere to the following:◦ A maximum of one page can be used for the outline

of proposed research; and◦ A maximum of one page can be used for citations.

Provide a detailed description of your proposed research project for the period during which you will hold the award

If you have not decided on a specific project, you must still give a description of a project that interests you. You are NOT bound to this project.

Outline of Proposed Research

Applicants are expected to write their own research project independently. Ideas and/or text belonging to others are to be properly referenced.

Include all relevant information in the outline. Do not refer reviewers to URLs or other publications for supplemental information.

The document must meet presentation standards:◦ Text must be single spaced◦ Times New Roman, 12 pt. font◦ Margins at ¾” all around◦ Include name in page header on every page◦ For multipage attachments, number them sequentially◦ All attachments must be in PDF format

Outline of Proposed Research

What: Describe clearly the research challenge in your project. Provide background information to position your research within the context of the field. State objectives and hypothesis.◦ What are you going to do?

How: Describe what you will do. Outline the experimental or theoretical approach to be taken. Ensure the methodology fits within the constraints of your program.◦ How are you going to reach your objectives?

Why: State the significance of the proposed research to your chosen field.◦ Why is the research worth pursuing? What are the benefits?

Outline of Proposed Research

Students are responsible for obtaining their transcripts

Transcripts must be provided by the university – web copies are not allowed◦ If you require certified copies of previously

submitted transcripts, please let me know Transcripts must be in a single PDF

document A legend (found on the back of your

transcripts) must be included with the transcripts

Transcripts

This is the first part of your application◦ You will need to register before you can create

this: https://ccv-cvc.ca/loginresearcher-eng.frm This login will be different than the one used for the

research portal where you will complete your CGS application

◦ Once logged in, you will choose CV Funding CGS-Master’s

◦ Complete instructions are available on the website at: http://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ResearchPortal-PortailDeRecherche/Instructions-Instructions/CCV_CGSM-CVC_BESCM_eng.asp

Canadian Common CV (CCV)

Main Categories:◦ Personal Information◦ Education◦ Recognitions◦ Employment◦ Research Funding History◦ Activities◦ Memberships◦ Contributions

There are many sub-categories – make sure you leave enough time to complete the whole CCV

Canadian Common CV (CCV)

Each application must be accompanied by two Reference Assessments

They CANNOT be completed by a proposed supervisor unless that person is, or has been, your supervisor

Both assessments should be from people very familiar with your research and other abilities

Reference Assessments

The reference letter needs to present an accurate and complete picture of your achievements and research potential

The more information a referee has to draw from, the better the case for support he/she can make for you. Give them:◦ Research proposal◦ A list of publications◦ A list of scholarships◦ A list of any other notable achievements

Reference Assessments

Referees receive a notification e-mail that they need to complete a reference letter. Make sure you send them information about you before they write their letter

Make sure you give your referees as much time as possible. Without these letters, your application will be considered incomplete

Reference Assessments

Your application is submitted online You do not need to submit a paper copy to

FGSR or your academic unit

Submission

Academic Excellence – 50%◦ Transcripts◦ Scholarships received

Research Potential – 30%◦ Research proposal◦ CCV

Personal Characteristics and Interpersonal Skills – 20%◦ CCV

While filling out your application, it is important to remember how your application will be assessed

Selection Criteria

Academic Excellence (50%) – as demonstrated by past academic results, transcripts, awards and distinctions:◦ Academic record (first class average – 80%)◦ Scholarships and awards held◦ Duration of previous studies◦ Type of program and courses pursued◦ Course load

Selection Criteria

Research Potential (30%) – as demonstrated by the applicant’s research history, his/her interest in discovery, the proposed research, its potential contribution to the advancement of knowledge in the field, and any anticipated outcomes:◦ Quality and originality of contributions to research and

development◦ Relevance of work experience and academic training to field of

proposed research◦ Significance, feasibility, and merit of proposed research◦ Judgment and ability to think critically◦ Ability to apply skills and knowledge◦ Initiative, autonomy and independence◦ Research experience and achievements relative to

expectations of someone with the candidate’s academic experience

Selection Criteria

Personal Characteristics and Interpersonal Skills (20%) – as demonstrated by the applicant’s past professional and relevant extracurricular interactions and collaborations:◦ Work experience◦ Leadership experience◦ Project management including organizing conferences

and meetings◦ The ability or potential to communicate theoretical,

technical and/or scientific concepts clearly and logically in written and oral formats

◦ Involvement in academic life◦ Volunteerism/community outreach

Selection Criteria

A selection committee comprised of U of R faculty from various academic units will be brought together and make the final decision on which students will receive our allocation of awards

Adjudication

Tri-Council award competitions are extremely competitive

Make sure you read all the instructions before, during and after completing your application – follow the presentation guidelines for your attachments

Look at what you will be assessed on: Did you demonstrate it throughout your application?

Read and re-read (and get someone else to read) your application before its final submission

Final Comments

December 1, 2013 – applications must be submitted online◦ Note: There is no internal deadline

April 1, 2014 – U of R will announce the results through the Research Portal

Deadlines

Link to her website that talks about her experiences: Link to come

Sell yourself: why is your research important?

Send your proposal to multiple people – friends, professors, parents, etc.

She didn’t know many of the professors she sent her proposal to but she reached out to professors in her department and they were happy to help

Student Experience – Jennifer Burton

Don’t think you have to get a tenure-track professor to write a reference – it’s better to find someone who can speak to your strengths

Approach other people who have applied – ask for feedback on your proposal

Attention to details is important Don’t get discouraged – if you don’t apply,

you can’t get it

Student Experience – Jennifer Burton

Help is there if you want it Start early – it takes more time than you think Make sure everyone can understand what you’re

talking about Be clear, concise and precise Citations should relate to the proposed research Professional experience can be very important –

use it to help build your CV Make your application look good – headings, etc.

Insight from Dr. Yao, Dr. Petty & Dr. Asmundson