Download - Tri-Agency and OGS Scholarship Information Session September 14 th & 17 th, 2015 Humanities Theatre
Tri-Agency and OGS Scholarship Informati on
Session
September 14 th & 17 th, 2015Humaniti es Theatre
SESSION BEING RECORDED AND POSTED ON GRADUATE STUDIES OFFICE WEBSITE
Sshh…turn your cell phones off
WELCOMEHeidi Mussar - Assistant Director, Graduate
Financial Aid & Awards- CIHR Doctoral , SSHRC CGS-M, SSHRC Doctoral , Vanier
Carrie Nickerson - Coordinator, Graduate Financial Aid & Awards
- CIHR CGS-M, OGS, QEI I -GSST
Rita Cherkewski – Coordinator, Graduate Scholarships
- NSERC CGS-M, NSERC Doctoral
Ray Legge – Associate Dean, Graduate Studies
WELCOMEDepartment Graduate Coordinators – l ist can be found on GSO website under “About Graduate Studies” – they should be your fi rst
point of contact!See your dept coordinator for deadlines (i.e.
SSHRC Doctoral), and questi ons about eligibility
TRANSCRIPTS, RESEARCH PROPOSALS,
REFERENCE LETTERS, KEY STEPS
TRANSCRIPTS – WHAT IS REQUIRED
Offi cial transcripts are required for your current or previously attended postsecondary institution(s) that are listed on your tri-agency or OGS application (Best practice: if you list the institution, you need the transcript)
UW transcripts will be provided without charge if you are a current Waterloo undergraduate or graduate student
Refer to the “Transcript for Scholarship Competitions” webpage for details on how to order and obtain your transcripts
https://uwaterloo.ca/graduate-studies/awards-funding/external-awards
T R A N S CR I PTS - D E T E R M I N I N G AV E R AG ES
Minimum Averages Required: min. average of 80% in EACH of the last two full-time years or equivalent One year of undergraduate studies is equivalent to 2
full-time academic terms; one year of graduate studies equals 3 full-time academic terms
Averaging grades from multiple institutions: the GSO has conversion guides available and refers to them to calculate single overall averages
https://uwaterloo.ca/graduate-studies/awards-funding/external-awards
RESEARCH PROPOSALS
A research statement or proposal is required for your tri-agency or OGS application
Your research proposal MUST fall under the mandate of the agency to which you are submitti ng your application (refer to Selecting the Appropriate Federal Granting Agency)
Master’s students in a course-based program can only apply for the CGS-M competition providing the program has a significant research component (i.e.; thesis, major research project, scholarly publication, performance, recital, exhibit).
https://uwaterloo.ca/graduate-studies/awards-funding/external-awards
R ES EA RCH P RO P O SA L S – W H AT TO W R I T E
Write your proposal in lay language the committees reviewing the applications are
interdisciplinary but members may not specialize in your area of research
Be as specific as possible Even if you are unsure what you want to research, pick
a topic and write about it; if you are successful in receiving a scholarship you are not bound to that area of research, but MUST stay under the mandate of the agency that awarded the scholarship
https://uwaterloo.ca/graduate-studies/awards-funding/external-awards
RESEARCH PROPOSAL S – WHAT TO WRITE CONT ’D State your hypothesis and the methodology in
which you will conduct your research
Emphasize the importance of your research on society
Follow the presentation and attachment standards that are outlined in the application instructions for all free form pages!
Proofread! Proofread! Proofread!
https://uwaterloo.ca/graduate-studies/awards-funding/external-awards
RESEARCH PROPOSALS – WORKSHOPS
Writing Centre is hosting brown-bag lunch workshops on how to plan and write Research Proposals for scholarships:
Hosts and past scholarship recipients will discuss key components of a research proposal and how to communicate it with confidence and clarity
https://uwaterloo.ca/graduate-studies/awards-funding/external-awards
Topic Date & Time Location
SSHRC Thurs, Sept 17 – 12:00 – 1:00 SCH, Room 228F
NSERC Fri, Sept 18 – 11:30 – 12:30 SCH, Room 228F
CIHR Fri, Sept 18 – 1:00 – 2:00 SCH, Room 228F
R E FE R E N CE LE T TE RS/ LE T TE RS O F ASSESSM E N T
Strong reference letters are one of the key components to a strong application package
Think about what you want them to say; what sorts of things do you want your referee to address in their letter/assessment? Make sure you ask someone who has some familiarity
of what you are applying to Give them a copy of the eligibility and selection
criteria of the scholarship for which you are applying
https://uwaterloo.ca/graduate-studies/awards-funding/external-awards
R E FE R E N CE LE T TE RS/ LE T TE RS O F ASSESSM E N T
Who do you know who can comment on the things you want addressed? Ask someone (an academic) who can speak with some
experience about your abilities, attributes and potential; someone who has recent knowledge of both where you have been and where you want to go
Provide them with a package containing an up-to-date CV, transcripts, a list of contributions (research and leadership), your research proposal
https://uwaterloo.ca/graduate-studies/awards-funding/external-awards
R E FE R E N CE LE T TE RS/ LE T TE RS O F ASSESSM E N T
How to Ask for a Reference Letter
If possible, ask for it in person! Unless you are familiar enough with the individual, make a good
impression by having the courage to ask directly for a reference DON’T ask someone else to ask for you!
Be prepared! Know the deadline by which you need it Know to whom the letter needs to be addressed (if applicable)
and to whom it should go Provide them with enough time to write an appraisal for you!
They are busy!
https://uwaterloo.ca/graduate-studies/awards-funding/external-awards
KEY STEPS:1. Confirm your eligibility2. Request your transcripts – refer to UW transcript
website for instructions pertaining to your competition
3. Read the application instructions!4. Contact potential referees NOW! (2 or 3 referees
required, depending on competition)5. Apply for admission to a grad program at UW by Feb
1st, 2016 if applicable6. Start your application in the appropriate application
portal and complete it by the FIRM deadline! Make sure you are applying to the correct agency!
https://uwaterloo.ca/graduate-studies/awards-funding/external-awards
QUESTIONS?
TRI-AGENCY CANADA GRADUATE
SCHOLARSHIP – MASTER’S (CGS-M)
TRI-AGENCY CGS-MBackground: federal master ’s level award; selecti on made by insti tuti ons
UW Quotas: CIHR CGS-M = 6 NSERC CGS-M = 53 SSHRC CGS-M = 20
# of Applicati ons Received for Fall 2014 competi ti on: CIHR CGS-M = 52 NSERC CGS-M = 404 SSHRC CGS-M = 165
Value: $17,500 (plus President’s Graduate Schlp if held at UW!)
Durati on: 12 months (w/ start date of May, Sept or Jan)
Identi fy a maximum of 5 insti tuti ons where you want your applicati on considered
https://uwaterloo.ca/graduate-studies/awards-funding/external-awards
TRI-AGENCY CGS-M CONT ’DEligibility:
Canadian Citizen or permanent resident of Canada First class average (80% min) in EACH of the last two years of full-
time studies completed or equivalent Must have completed as of Dec 31, 2015 between 0 and 12 months
of full-time studies in: The master ’s program for which you are requesti ng funding; OR The doctoral program for which you are requesti ng funding IF you
were admitt ed directly from a Bachelor ’s degree; OR A master ’s program but are requesti ng funding for a PhD (i.e.
students who fast-track from a Master ’s into a PhD) Cannot have previously held a CGS-M (i.e. for prior Master’s
degree) Must be in a graduate program with a significant research
component (course-work programs typically not eligible) Refer to tri-agency offi cial website for complete eligibility
requirements
https://uwaterloo.ca/graduate-studies/awards-funding/external-awards
TRI-AGENCY CGS-M CONT’D
Evaluation Criteria: Academic Excellence (50%):
First-class average - duration of previous studies
Scholarships & awards held Research Potential (30%):
Quality and originality of contributions to research Significance of proposed research Initiative, independence
Personal Characteristics & Interpersonal Skills (20%) Work experience - leadership
experience Project management - volunteerism,
committ ees, etc.
https://uwaterloo.ca/graduate-studies/awards-funding/external-awards
TRI-AGENCY CGS-M CONT’D
Important Dates:
https://uwaterloo.ca/graduate-studies/awards-funding/external-awards
Dates Action
Sept 2015 Harmonized CGS-M app available on tri-agency portal
Dec 1, 2015 Agency-set deadline for students to submit their application
Feb 1, 2016 Deadline to apply for admission into a graduate program at Waterloo
beg. March 2016 University-wide adjudication of CGS-M applications
April 1, 2016 CGS-M results released by institutions
April 22, 2016 Deadline for students to accept or decline CGS-M offers
April 22, 2016 onwards
Offers made to students on reversion list until quota is satisfied
TRI-AGENCY CGS-M CONT’D
Website Walkthrough
QUESTIONS?
ONTARIO GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP (OGS)And
QUEEN ELIZABETH II-GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP IN SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(QEII-GSST)
OGS AND QEII-GSST
Background: provincial master’s and doctoral level awards; selection made by institutions
UW OGS Quota*: 170 (163 domestic, 2 Aboriginal -new this year, 5 international) *to be confirmed by MTCU
UW QEII-GSST Quota*: 38 (for domestic students in STEM disciplines only) *to be confirmed by MTCU
OGS vs QEII-GSST: • OGS is open to international students• QEII-GSST is NOT open to international students• QEII-GSST will only be awarded to students in STEM
disciplines
https://uwaterloo.ca/graduate-studies/awards-funding/external-awards
OGS AND QEII-GSST CONT’DValue: $15,000 (plus President’s Graduate Scholarship if held at Waterloo!)
Duration: 12 months/3 terms (start date of May 2016, September 2016 or January 2017)
*NEW for 2016-2017*• OGS and QEII-GSST have been amalgamated;• All students who want to be considered for OGS/QEII-GSST
at Waterloo must complete an OGS application• all eligible OGS applicants will now be automatically
considered for QEII-GSST based on their OGS application• QEII-GSST recipients are now eligible for the President's
Graduate Scholarship
https://uwaterloo.ca/graduate-studies/awards-funding/external-awards
OGS AND QEII-GSST CONT’D
Eligibility:
OGS - Canadian citizens, permanent residents of Canada and international students in all graduate programsQEII-GSST – Canadian citizens, permanent residents of Canada in STEM disciplines First class average (80% min*) in EACH of the last two years
of full-time studies completed or equivalent Master’s students cannot exceed 2 years of OGS/QEII-GSST
funding Doctoral students cannot exceed 4 years of OGS/QEII-GSST
funding There is a 6 year lifetime maximum for any combination of
tri-agency and MTCU (OGS/QEII-GSST/OTS) funding
https://uwaterloo.ca/graduate-studies/awards-funding/external-awards
OGS AND QEII-GSST CONT’DEvaluation CriteriaNo prescribed weighting1. Academic Excellence:
Academic average (80% minimum) Scholarships & awards previously held
2. Research Ability/Potential and/or Achievements: Publications, conferences, presentations, patents, etc.
3. Communication and Leadership Abilities: Work experience - leadership
experience Project management - volunteerism,
committees, etc.
https://uwaterloo.ca/graduate-studies/awards-funding/external-awards
OGS – INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONImportant Dates:
https://uwaterloo.ca/graduate-studies/awards-funding/external-awards
Dates ActionSept 1st, 2015 OGS application became available on GSO websiteOct 13th, 2015 (4:00 pm)
Deadline to request transcripts for OGS international applications
Oct 16th, 2015 Deadline: • To submit your OGS international application to your
proposed department• For referees to submit reference letters to your proposed
departmentOct - Nov, 2015 Departmental and Faculty Adjudication of OGS international
applicationsDec 11th, 2015 Offers are made for OGS
Jan 12th, 2016 Deadline for initial OGS international offers to be acceptedNew OGS offers will be made (if necessary)
OGS – CDN CITIZENS/PR COMPETITIONImportant Dates:
https://uwaterloo.ca/graduate-studies/awards-funding/external-awards
Dates ActionSept 1st, 2015 OGS application became available on GSO websiteJan 27th, 2016 (4:00pm)
Deadline to request transcripts for OGS applications (for those not applying for a tri-agency award through Waterloo)
Feb 1st, 2016 Deadlines:• To submit your OGS application to your proposed department• For referees to submit reference letters to your proposed
department• To apply for admission to a graduate program (if applicable)
Feb – Apr, 2016 Departmental and Faculty adjudication of OGS applications
Apr 22nd, 2016 Offers are made for OGS and QEII-GSST
May 13th, 2016 Deadline for initial OGS and QEII-GSST offers to be acceptedNew OGS and QEII-GSST offers will be made
OGS AND QEII-GSST CONT’D
Website Walkthrough
QUESTIONS?
VANIER CGS-D
V A N I E R C G S - D
Background: federal doctoral level award; selection made by agency
UW Quota for Fall 2015 competition: CIHR = 1; NSERC = 11; SSHRC = 4
# of Apps Received for Fall 2014 competition: 27 (16/27 were sent forward; 2/16 were successful)
Value: $50,000 per year for up to 3 years
Duration: up to 3 years depending on how many months already completed in your doctoral program (w/ start date of May, Sept or Jan)
https://uwaterloo.ca/graduate-studies/awards-funding/external-awards
VANIER CGS-D CONT’D
Eligibility: Canadian Citizen or permanent residents of Canada
and international students First class average (80% min) in EACH of the last two
years of full-time studies completed or equivalent Be pursuing your first doctoral degree Not have completed more than 20 months of doctoral
studies as of May 1, 2016 Cannot have previously held a tri-agency doctoral
award Refer to Vanier’s offi cial website for complete
eligibility requirements
https://uwaterloo.ca/graduate-studies/awards-funding/external-awards
VANIER CGS-D CONT’D
Evaluation Criteria (equal weightings): Academic Excellence:
First-class average (transcripts) Awards & distinctions (CCV) Academic background (duration of previous studies)
Research Potential: Candidate’s contributions to research and interest in discovery Research proposal and its contribution and benefit to society Critical thinking, application of knowledge
Leadership: Personal achievement Volunteerism Involvement in academic life Civic engagement
https://uwaterloo.ca/graduate-studies/awards-funding/external-awards
VANIER CGS-D CONT’D
Important Dates:
https://uwaterloo.ca/graduate-studies/awards-funding/external-awards
Dates Action
Sept 25th, 2015 Deadline to request UW transcript through GSO website
Sept 30th, 2015 GSO deadline for applicants to submit their application to Waterloo via ResearchNet
Oct 7th – 15th, 2015 Depts review applications and identify a max. of 4 highly competitive nominees for consideration at university-level
Oct 20th, 2015 University-wide adjudication of applications
Nov 4th, 2015 GSO electronically submits Vanier nominations for national competition
March 2016 Competition results released by agency
VANIER CGS-D CONT’D
Website Walkthrough
NSERC DOCTORAL AWARDS
NSERC DOCTORALBackground: federal doctoral level award; selection made by agency; STEM disciplines
UW Quota: 107 (15/16 quota was 100)
# of Apps Received for 2015/16: 152 (47/100 were successful; 47% success rate)
Value: $35,000 (CGS-D) and $21,000 (PGS-D) (plus President’s Graduate Schlp if held at UW!!)
Duration: 2 or 3 years depending on how many months already completed in grad program (w/ start date of May, Sept or Jan)
https://uwaterloo.ca/graduate-studies/awards-funding/external-awards
NSERC DOCTORAL CONT’D
Eligibility: Canadian Citizen or permanent residents of Canada First class average (80% min) in EACH of the last two
years of full-time studies completed or equivalent Hold or expect to hold a degree in science or
engineering Be conducting research under NSERC’s mandate Cannot have previously held a tri-agency doctoral
award Refer to NSERC’s offi cial website for complete
eligibility requirements
https://uwaterloo.ca/graduate-studies/awards-funding/external-awards
NSERC DOCTORAL CONT’D
Evaluation Criteria: Research Ability (50%):
Quality and originality of contributions to research Signifi cance of proposed research Initiati ve, independence
Academic Excellence (30%): First-class average Scholarships & awards held
Communication, Interpersonal & Leadership Skills (20%) Work experience - leadership
experience Project management - volunteerism, committ ees,
etc.
https://uwaterloo.ca/graduate-studies/awards-funding/external-awards
NSERC DOCTORAL CONT’D
Important Dates:
https://uwaterloo.ca/graduate-studies/awards-funding/external-awards
Dates Action
Sept 25th, 2015 @ 3:00 p.m. (EST)
Deadline to request transcript designate in application portal
Oct 12th, 2015 Referees must complete their online assessment
Oct 15th, 2015 @ 8:00 p.m. (EST)
Deadline to submit complete NSERC application in online portal
Nov 13th, 2015 University-wide adjudication of applications
Nov 25th, 2015 Official NSERC agency deadline; institutions complete e-submission in portal
March/April 2016 Competition results released by agency
NSERC DOCTORAL CONT’D
Website Walkthrough
SSHRC DOCTORAL AWARDS
SSHRC DOCTORALBackground: federal doctoral level award; selection made by agency; social sciences & humanities disciplines
UW Quota: 36 (up from 35 in Fall 2014 competition)
# of Apps Received for Fall 2014: 119 (18/35 were successful; 51% success rate)
Value: $35,000 (CGS-D) and $20,000 (Doctoral Fellowship) (plus President’s Graduate Schlp if held at UW!!)
Duration: 1 - 4 years depending on how many months already completed in your grad program (w/ start date of May, Sept or Jan) *refer to offi cial website for value and duration details
https://uwaterloo.ca/graduate-studies/awards-funding/external-awards
SSHRC DOCTORAL CONT’D
Eligibility: Canadian Citizen or permanent residents of Canada First class average (80% min) in EACH of the last two
years of full-time studies completed or equivalent (UW requirement)
Be conducting research under SSHRC’s mandate – refer to science.gc.ca and offi cial SSHRC site for Subject Matter Eligibility
Cannot have previously held a tri-agency doctoral award
Refer to SSHRC’s offi cial website for complete eligibility requirements
https://uwaterloo.ca/graduate-studies/awards-funding/external-awards
SSHRC DOCTORAL CONT’D
Evaluation Criteria: Past academic results as demonstrated by
transcripts, awards, distinctions The program of study and research and its
potential contribution to the advancement of knowledge
Conference presentations, scholarly publications 2 reference letters Departmental appraisal
https://uwaterloo.ca/graduate-studies/awards-funding/external-awards
SSHRC DOCTORAL CONT’D
Important Dates:
https://uwaterloo.ca/graduate-studies/awards-funding/external-awards
Dates Action
Sept 25th, 2015 @ 3:00 p.m.
Deadline for students to request UW transcripts
Dept deadlines Check with your graduate department coordinator!
Nov 20th, 2015 Deadline for departments to submit ranked applications to GSO
Dec 9th, 2015 University-wide adjudication of applications
Jan 8th, 2016 Official SSHRC agency deadline to receive endorsed applications from institutions
April 2016 Competition results released by agency
SSHRC DOCTORAL CONT’D
Nelson Mandela Awards:Up to 10 CGS-M and up to 10 CGS-D recipients may be considered for the honour of having their scholarship named a “Canada Graduate Scholarship to Honour Nelson Mandela,” if the proposal is aligned with at least one of five themes championed by Mandela:
1. national unity; 2. democracy, freedom and human rights; 3. leadership; 4. children’s participation in society; 5. children’s health
Separate application is not required.
https://uwaterloo.ca/graduate-studies/awards-funding/external-awards
SSHRC DOCTORAL CONT’D
Website Walkthrough
CIHR DOCTORAL AWARDS
CIHR DOCTORAL
Background: federal doctoral level award; selection made by agency; medical/health disciplines
UW Quota: no university quotas
Value: $35,000 CGS-D and DFSA (plus President’s Graduate Schlp if held at UW!!)
Duration: up to 3 years *refer to offi cial website for value and duration details
https://uwaterloo.ca/graduate-studies/awards-funding/external-awards
CIHR DOCTORAL CONT’D
Eligibility: Canadian Citizen or permanent residents of Canada Students must be engaged in full-time doctoral
research training As of October 1st, 2015, applicants must have
completed a minimum of 12 months of graduate study at the Master’s or Doctoral level
Cannot have previously held a tri-agency doctoral award
Refer to CIHR’s offi cial website for complete eligibility requirements
https://uwaterloo.ca/graduate-studies/awards-funding/external-awards
CIHR DOCTORAL CONT’D
Evaluation Criteria: Achievements and activities of the candidate
Academic performance, awards, publication activity, research activity (i.e. field work)
Characteristics and abilities of the candidate Critical thinking, independence, originality, interest in
discovery, research ability, leadership, perseverance
Research training environment Scientific activity of the supervisor, research resources,
training record of supervisor, training for the applicant
https://uwaterloo.ca/graduate-studies/awards-funding/external-awards
CIHR DOCTORAL CONT’D
Important Dates:
https://uwaterloo.ca/graduate-studies/awards-funding/external-awards
Dates Action
Sept 22, 2015 @ 3:00 P.M.
Deadline to request UW transcripts through GSO web form
Sept 24, 2015 UW deadline for students to submit application in ResearchNet *if you are applying elsewhere, you must check what that institution’s deadline is
Oct 1, 2015 Official CIHR agency deadline to receive e-submission of applications from institution
Mid-April 2016 CIHR Doctoral results released by agency
CIHR DOCTORAL CONT’D
Website Walkthrough
QUESTIONS?
GOOD LUCK!